Industry News

Arlington, VA - Construction sector employment declined by 7,000 positions in August and has remained little changed since December, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of newly released government data. Association officials noted the results are consistent with a survey the association released last week that found many owners have canceled, deferred, or scaled back projects due to tariffs and labor shortages.

Cary, NC - Cornerstone Building Brands Inc., manufacturer of exterior building products, has acquired Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation, a leading manufacturer of metal building systems and components serving high-growth and diverse end-markets through a vast, multi-channel network.

Elk Grove Village, IL - Architects are invited to harvest continuing education credits from October 6 - 9 with Fall Façades, PAC-CLAD's free, 4-part series on designing and building with architectural metals.

Chicago, IL – The Metal Construction Association (MCA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 MCA Design Awards. These awards celebrate the innovative and versatile use of metal in architecture, showcasing projects that highlight both design excellence and the creative application of products from MCA member companies.

Channahon, IL — Crane Composites, a leading designer and manufacturer of high-quality fiberglass reinforced panels (“FRP”), has rebranded as VALTO Engineered Materials (“VALTO”) to mark the company’s next chapter of growth.

Columbus, OH - AkzoNobel’s Colors of the Year 2026 are set to bring the Rhythm of Blues™ to the coil and extrusion coatings market, with a trio of upbeat and versatile colors that are calming, connecting and creative.

Norcross, GA - Innovative Metals Company, Inc. (IMETCO), a leading manufacturer of premier metal building envelope solutions, is proud to announce the release of new Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs) for its core metal panel systems. These certifications provide architects, specifiers, and building owners with increased transparency and actionable data to support sustainable design and construction practices.

Colorado Springs, CO — S-5!, a global leader in metal roof attachment solutions, is excited to present accredited education at METALCON, the metal construction industry’s premier tradeshow and conference, taking place October 21-23 in Las Vegas. In addition to valuable learning opportunities that offer continuing education credits (CEUs), S-5! will be showcasing its award-winning ColorGard 2.0 snow retention system—recognized for its innovative design and ease of installation on both standing seam and exposed-fastened metal roofs.

Pleasanton, CA - Simpson Strong-Tie, supplier of engineered structural connectors and building products, has introduced the PFPS24 purlin splice connector for post-frame construction.

Chicago, IL – The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has launched the 2025-2026 Metal Architecture Academy on Architectural Record’s Continuing Education Center, a leading online platform for architects and designers to access articles, webinars, and multimedia presentations that offer continuing education credits free of charge.

Washington, DC – The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) continues to weaken, posting a score of 46.2 for July, down from 46.8 in June, indicating that a majority of firms are still experiencing declining firm billings.

Washington, DC - Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing increased year-over-year in the second quarter of 2025, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Atlanta, GA — In a move that illustrates its continued commitment to providing high-performance, application-specific insulation solutions, Kingspan Insulation North America, a leading manufacturer of advanced insulation products, has rebranded its expanded polystyrene (EPS) product line under new unified names that simplify product selection. The new structure organizes the EPS portfolio under AEROROOF™, AEROWALL™, and AEROSLAB™, each tailored to roofing, wall, and structural applications across commercial, residential, and infrastructure projects.

Kalama, WA - Steelscape, a supplier of metal coil coatings, introduces Natural Matte® PVDF colors, which combine ultra-low gloss design with the durability of PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) coating.

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released its August 2025 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI), revealing confidence in the equipment finance market is steady following three consecutive months of increases. The index, which provides a qualitative assessment from key executives within the $1.3 trillion sector, eased slightly to 60.2 in August from 61.6 in July.

Newton, MA — METALCON, the only global event dedicated exclusively to the application of metal in design and construction, is setting the stage for unparalleled professional connection and collaboration at its 2025 tradeshow and conference in Las Vegas, held October 21–23 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Kicking off with a dynamic off-site tour and followed by a series of engaging events on and off the show floor, METALCON’s networking agenda is designed to foster meaningful relationships, spark innovation and connect attendees across every sector of the metal construction industry.

Arlington, VA - Construction employment increased in 31 states and the District of Columbia in July from a year earlier, while 22 states added construction jobs between June and July, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said construction employment continues to be impacted by a range of changing federal policies on trade, funding and labor.

Colorado Springs, CO - S-5!, the global leader of metal roof attachment solutions, is launching a new scholarship program to support individuals pursuing education in construction-related fields. This initiative reflects S-5!’s commitment to investing in the future of the construction industry by encouraging educational and professional development.

Deland, FL – Kingspan Insulated Panels North America has released its annual Sustainability Report, this latest one recapping its North American project milestones for 2024. This marked the third annual report documenting the fourth year of Kingspan’s Planet Passionate journey.

Washington, DC - Construction input prices increased 0.4% in July compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 0.4% for the month.