Industry News

Washington, DC – The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) continues to weaken, posting a score of 45.5 for February, indicating that a majority of firms are still experiencing declining firm billings. The comparable number for January was 45.6. Any score below 50.0 indicates decreasing business conditions.

Hatfield, PA – Laminators Incorporated, a leading full-service manufacturer of architectural specialty, sign, and OEM solutions, announces the recent appointment of key Sales and Marketing personnel. This advancement is in direct support of the company’s mission to provide their customer base with quality products, innovative turnkey systems and best-in-class service.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) has added John Paul (JP) Cardin, PE, to its staff and promoted Vincent Sagan, PE. Cardin recently joined the association as Assistant Director of Research and Engineering, while Sagan has been elevated to Director of Codes and Standards.

Allentown, PA - ATAS International Inc., a leader in the metal panel industry, has expanded its portfolio by acquiring the assets of Metal Sales & Service Inc., including the Metalwërks® line of architectural metal plate systems. Metalwërks is known for high-performance metal plate exterior façade systems, integrated curtain wall components, and custom architectural features.

Moundridge, KS — Press Room Equipment Co. (PRE), acquired by The Bradbury Group in 2023, is building a new facility in Springfield, MO, designed to enhance the company’s capabilities and support its growing operations.

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released the March 2025 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI). Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 58.1, down from the February index of 66.9, and the lowest index since July 2024. The index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and future expectations as reported by key executives from the $1.3 trillion equipment finance sector.

Virginia Beach, VA - The Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International announces the 2025 International Conference will take place November 18 at the Grand Hotel Dino in Baveno, Italy on Lago Maggiore outside of Milan. The 18th Global Insulation Conference will immediately follow, November 19 - 20.

Parsippany, NJ - GAF, a Standard Industries company, has announced that the GAF TimberSteel™ metal roofing system will now be available in states across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. To complement the varied roof styles of these regions, the TimberSteel system is now offered in eight colors.

Bethlehem, PA - Sasha Demyan, Executive Director of the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA), has been named to the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Society for Association Excellence (PASAE). She was elected, along with two additional members, to the board in January 2025 for a two-year term.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) announces the winners of its fourth annual Student Design Competition. On February 25, 2025, the association granted $31,000 in awards to eight winners and to their faculty sponsors in both undergraduate and graduate divisions in an online ceremony.

Salisbury, NC – Inland Coatings has announced the promotion of Ken Schultz to the position of company president. A roofing industry veteran of 30-plus years, Schultz started his career working for the roofing union right out of college, and subsequently assumed leadership positions with Owens Corning, Firestone Building Products, Mulehide Products, and Johns Manville, prior to joining the Inland team.

Chicago, IL – The Metal Construction Association (MCA) is pleased to announce the release of the Metal Roof Installation Manual, now in both English and Spanish. MCA members can download the manual for free as part of their membership benefits. It is also available to nonmembers for purchase.

Hatfield, PA – Laminators Incorporated, a leading manufacturer of aluminum composite material (ACM) panels, is pleased to announce the appointment of RoofPro Inc. as the latest sales representation agency to join the company. RoofPro will work with Ed Scholl, Regional Manager at Laminators, to expand market coverage and customer reach across Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC.

West Chester, OH - ClarkDietrich, manufacturer of cold-formed steel (CFS) framing and accessories, introduces a new product designed to accommodate omnidirectional displacement and mitigate noise associated with the movement of steel framing members.

Newton, MA — METALCON, the metal construction industry’s only global event dedicated to the application of metal in construction and design, has announced its 2025 advisory council. Comprising leading experts across all facets of the industry, the council is dedicated to bringing new educational programming, hands-on skills training, clinics and demos and networking opportunities at this year’s event in Las Vegas this October.

Arlington, VA – Construction sector employment increased by 19,000 positions in February as all five nonresidential and residential segments of the industry added workers, according to an analysis of new government data the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials warned that growing market uncertainty caused by tariffs and worsening labor shortages caused by evolving immigration policies could undermine future employment growth in the sector.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) has added six new members. Waldroop Steel joins as a Building System member, with ARCO Design/Build, Curber Manufacturing, John J. Armitage Co., Nederveld Inc., and St. Louis Screw and Bolt all becoming Associate members.

Vacaville, CA – All Weather Insulated Panels (AWIP) has published a new product catalog with an updated overview of its insulated wall and roof deck systems and specification innovations.

Washington, DC - National nonresidential construction spending increased 0.1% in January, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of data published by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.248 trillion.

Portland, OR — Like prize fighters, the Q4 2024 winner of the Metal Roofing Alliance’s (MRA) Best Residential Roofing Project competition shines the spotlight on a lightweight contender that is proving to punch far beyond its weight class, beating out an industry heavyweight.