Industry News

Washington, DC — The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) has released its January 2026 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI), revealing confidence in the equipment finance market rose to 64.6, up from 58.3 in December, and the highest level since February 2025. The index provides a qualitative assessment from key executives in the $1.3 trillion equipment finance industry.

Mason, Ohio – Clopay Corporation, a leader in closure products for commercial, residential, industrial, institutional, and retail applications, introduces a compact solution for its Counter Fire Doors: the AlarmGard® Conceal Motor Operator. Offered under the Clopay®, Cornell®, and Cookson® brands, the new space-saving motor operator delivers dependable alarm-triggered closure during a fire event while streamlining aesthetics. By enclosing the motor and controller within the door hood, AlarmGard Conceal reduces headroom requirements for the coil and operator by 11 inches, representing a 34% reduction in space compared to standard operators.

Boucherville, Quebec — Norbec has announced the appointment of Jimmy Wead as the new Regional Technical Sales Manager for the U.S. Midwest, supporting the Building Envelope and Controlled Environment Division.

Chicago, IL – The Metal Construction Association (MCA) presented its Patrick R. Bush Service Award to Rob Haddock of S-5! and its Larry A. Swaney Award to Renee Ramey of the Metal Roofing Alliance. The awards were announced on January 14 during MCA's 2026 Winter Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.

Winston-Salem, NC — Registration is now open for the 2026 National Convention & Trade Show, taking place May 5–8 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event brings together steel erectors, fabricators, contractors, and industry partners for education, networking, and peer-driven discussion. This year, SEAA is launching a new dedicated registration portal that serves as the central hub for attendee registration, exhibitor booth selection, and event participation.

Cleveland, OH – The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) has published PRx Performance Headquarters as part of its Architectural Significance in Metal Buildings series. This 12-page folio is the newest addition to MBMA’s library of free, downloadable resources for architectural students and their professors. It explores the design and construction of the PRx Performance corporate headquarters, manufacturing and distribution facility in Fargo, ND. The folio, along with all the MBMA student resources, is available at https://www.mbmaeducation.org/resources/ and on the MBMA website at https://mbma.com/architectural-folios.

New Haven, CT – From its inception as a small iron shop to manufacturing the first metal basement door to worldwide expansion as an industry leader in specialty access products, BILCO’s first 100 years have demonstrated innovation and engineering excellence.

Chicago, IL -- EINPresswire.com/ -- Builder Pipeline has announced the launch of its next-generation construction marketplace, a platform purpose-built to modernize the way installers and suppliers connect, collaborate, and conduct business. Designed by building industry veterans, the platform consolidates the quoting and ordering lifecycle into one streamlined, connected environment.

Virginia Beach, VA — The Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International recently elected a new board member to the 2026 Board of Directors. New Executive Officers were also elected.

Gallatin, TN – Simpson Strong-Tie, an industry leader in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, marked the grand opening of its newest manufacturing plant, located in Gallatin, with a ribbon cutting, celebration and tours on Thursday, January 15, 2026.

Colorado Springs, CO – S-5!, an innovator and world leader in the field of engineered, manufactured, metal roof attachments, introduces its new S-5-TH™ clamp for attaching a wide range of rooftop accessories to T-shaped metal roof profiles.

Vacaville, CA – All Weather Insulated Panels (AWIP) is excited to announce its participation in the 2026 International Roofing Expo (IRE), the premier roofing and exteriors event in North America. The tradeshow will take place January 20–22, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Arlington, VA – Construction employment declined by 11,000 positions in December, with modest decreases in both residential and nonresidential sectors, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of newly released government data. Association officials noted that the new employment figures reflect the same contractor concerns identified in the group’s newly-released 2026 Construction Hiring & Business Outlook.

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released its December 2025 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI), revealing confidence in the equipment finance market remains steady at year end, and at a heightened level for the seventh consecutive month. The index, which provides a qualitative assessment from key executives in the $1.3 trillion sector, was 58.3 in December, easing from 59.9 in November.

Moundridge, KS — Marion Die & Fixture, a division of The Bradbury Group, sponsored the MCHomes Homeschool CO-OP Robotics team in its inaugural season competing in the Kansas BEST Robotics Competition.

Medina, OH --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- RPM International Inc. (NYSE:RPM) has signed a definitive agreement for its Tremco Construction Products Group (“Tremco CPG”) to acquire Kalzip GmbH (“Kalzip”), a global leader in the design and production of metal-based roofs and facades for building envelopes. The transaction will bolster Tremco CPG’s building envelope systems capabilities with a premier brand known for architectural innovation and high-performance solutions that meet demanding specifications.

Toronto, Ontario – Slavko Sehovac has been promoted to general manager for Alumicor, responsible for Canada-wide strategic operations. Headquartered in Toronto, Alumicor manufactures best-in-class architectural aluminum products, including curtain wall, storefront, windows and entrances. Serving customers in every province and territory, Alumicor works closely with commercial building owners, architects, specifications professionals, glazing contractors and fabricators.

Cleveland, OH — The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) has released its 2025 annual report, “Enhancing the Built Environment.” The report focuses on the many accomplishments the association and its members have achieved over the past year, the drive to shape the future of the industry and the retirement of W. Lee Shoemaker, P.E.. Ph.D., longtime Director of Research and Engineering for MBMA. The report is available for free download at https://mbma.com/annual-reports.

DeLand, FL – Kingspan Insulated Panels North America, a leader in high-performance building materials, has launched its KingRib® Wall insulated metal panels (IMPs) line as the latest addition to its portfolio of advanced building solutions. Designed to meet the evolving needs of modern commercial construction, KingRib 3 and KingRib 5 offer a seamless combination of form and function.

Chicago, IL — Zekelman Industries, one of North America's leading independent steel pipe and tube manufacturers and a pioneer in integrated real estate development, has announced Brian Churlik as the organization's new Vice President of Procurement, succeeding Mike Mechley, Executive Vice President of Procurement, who is retiring after nearly two decades of service to the company.