Industry News

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released its March 2024 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI). The index reports a qualitative assessment of both the prevailing business conditions and expectations for the future as reported by key executives from the $1 trillion equipment finance sector. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market increased for the third consecutive month to 55.2, up from the February index of 51.7, and the highest level since April 2022.

Washington, DC – Architecture firm billings continued to decline in February, with an AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 49.5 for the month. However, February’s score marks the most modest easing in billings since July 2023 and suggests that the recent slowdown may be receding.

Grayslake, IL — Sheet Metal Supply, a leading fabricator and supplier of a variety of metal construction products, is now stocking 16-gauge and 18-gauge galvanized steel for the fabrication of hat channels, Z-channels and U-channels in Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Black.

West Chester, OH - ClarkDietrich, manufacturer of cold-formed steel framing products, is introducing a new line of low embodied carbon (LEC) steel framing products. The LEC portfolio includes ProSTUD® metal drywall framing system, structural steel, clips and connectors, floor framing, and more.

Portland, OR - Spring and summer mean it’s re-roofing season for tens of thousands of homeowners in the U.S. and Canada. And just in time, the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), the leading nonprofit organization representing the metal roofing industry, has unveiled a brand new video resource for homeowners who want to make educated decisions and learn about the latest options.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) announces the addition of four new associate members to its ranks: Innovative Clean Energy LLC, the International Accreditation Service (IAS), Robert Sage Careers LLC, and SWD Urethane.

Lewisville, TX – Overhead Door™ has expanded its market reach and commercial portfolio with the launch of a new lineup of patent-pending dock products. The product line includes a Mechanical Pit Leveler, an Edge of Dock, and a comprehensive line of seals, shelters and accessories.

Vacaville, CA – All Weather Insulated Panels (AWIP) has named Bjoern Meyer its new Vice President of Operations. Meyer’s new role comes after working as a plant manager for over two years and then as AWIP’s Director of Manufacturing for the last year.

Muskegon, MI - Lorin Industries Inc., a global industry leader in the innovation and production of coil anodized aluminum, opened its new batch anodizing line with a ceremony on March 5. The ceremony, held at the batch production line in Lorin’s 400,000 sq. ft. facility in Muskegon, MI, featured a ribbon cutting by Park Kersman, President of Lorin.

West Sacramento, CA - AEP Span, an architectural metal roofing and siding manufacturer, is expanding its portfolio to include on-site roll former capabilities. This brings the metal roofing manufacturing process directly to a job site, enabling the continuous fabrication of Span-Lok™ hp metal roofing for long-length panel applications.

Davidson, NC - 3A Composites USA - the makers of ALUCOBOND®, a leader in metal façades for more than 50 years - is launching MONARC, a range of new composite wall panels for interior spaces that will deliver an elegant and unforgettable impression.

Allentown, PA - At the Metal Construction Association’s (MCA) winter meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, on January 30th, Dick Bus received the first-ever MCA Lifetime Achievement Award. He was surrounded by family and friends during the awards ceremony, and many shared their thoughts about him and his impact on the industry throughout his career.

Green Bay, WI - Bay Insulation Systems, a leading provider of metal building insulation products and systems, announces that it has been recognized with the Platinum Level Award in the National Frame Building Association’s (NFBA) Gail Miller Safety Recognition Program for Excellence in Safety.

Pleasanton, CA - Simpson Strong-Tie, supplier of engineered structural connectors and related building products, has promoted Annie Kao to a newly created position of Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Engagement.

Moundridge, KS — Steve Baker, a member of The Bradbury Group, will be sharing his expertise at the FMA Coil Processing Workshop scheduled for April 2-3, 2024, in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Muskegon, MI - Lorin Industries Inc., a global industry leader in the innovation and production of coil anodized aluminum, now offers Building Information Modeling (BIM) files for its captivating anodized aluminum colors and finishes, which are available for direct download from Lorin's website.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) announces the winners of its third annual Student Design Competition. On February 27, 2024, the association granted $28,500 in awards to six winners and to their faculty sponsors in an online ceremony. Additionally, two Honorable Mention awards were presented.

Mason, OH – At the 2023 AIA Conference on Architecture (A'23) in San Francisco, the Clopay® Corporation hosted Bricks ’n’ Lagers, a happy hour event that offered participants an opportunity to show their creativity building with LEGO bricks while enjoying complimentary beverages. A drawing held in conjunction with the event allowed one lucky attendee to win a special LEGO brick replica of one of their own architectural projects, to be created by LEGO brick artist Benjamin Radell. In August of last year, Michigan-based architect Michael Poris was selected as the winner and on February 14, he was presented with his model.

Gildford, MT - WeatherLok Metal Roofing was named a 2024 Experts’ Choice Innovative Product Awards winner at the recent International Roofing Expo (IRE) in Las Vegas. WeatherLok Metal Roofing won the Experts’ Choice Award for its stone-coated metal roofing shingle.

Arlington, VA — The construction industry added 23,000 jobs in February—the most since August—as a strong gain in employment at nonresidential contractors offset a small decline at residential firms, according to an analysis of latest government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that new figures on the number of job openings in the industry underscore the challenges firms are having finding enough qualified people to hire amid strong demand.