Industry News

Arlington, VA - Construction firms added 24,000 employees in February, as hefty pay raises for hourly workers enabled the industry to increase employment more steeply than other sectors, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data. Association officials said that while employment levels are now at record levels in the industry, future job gains will be hard given the lack of people who have been exposed to construction career opportunities.

Pleasant Prairie, WI – Direct Metals, an international steel service center located in Kennesaw, GA has announced that they moved from Illinois to a larger warehouse location in Pleasant Prairie, WI.

Schofield, WI — Airolite’s new website incorporating a bold user-friendly design that showcases its line of architectural louvers, sun controls, equipment screens and grilles can now be accessed at www.airolite.com.

Lenexa, KS - The full details surrounding the much-anticipated 2023 International Reflective Insulation Manufacturers (I-RIM) Conference, May 23-25 in Rome, Italy, are now available. The conference will launch with a special Welcome/Opening Reception Tuesday evening at the conference hotel, LeMeridien Visconti Hotel, and be followed by two days filled with a variety of industry experts and professionals from around the world sharing the latest advancements, research and uses of reflective products.

Portland, OR —With the official start of spring approaching, recent wild weather patterns have many U.S. and Canadian homeowners wondering what Mother Nature will usher in as the season draws closer. Fortunately, says the Metal Roofing Alliance, there are things homeowners can do to prepare for spring weather, regardless of how crazy and unpredictable it gets.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) announces the winners of its second annual Student Design Competition. On February 28, 2023, the association granted $28,500 in awards to six winners and to their faculty sponsors in an online ceremony.

Schaumburg, IL - The 2022 edition of AAMA/WDMA/CSA 101/I.S.2/A440, “North American Fenestration Standard/Specification for windows, doors, and skylights” (NAFS) has been published. This standard is the result of a multi-year effort by CSA Group, Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) and Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA). The updated 2022 standard replaces the 2017 edition, representing a continued evolution of the standard to improve harmonization across North America.

Pittsburgh, PA - Triangle Fastener Corporation is pleased to announce the release of their new market-specific catalog to target manufacturers of metal roofs, walls, and various other cladding materials.

Pleasanton, CA - Simpson Strong-Tie, supplier of engineered structural connectors and related building products, has released the Simpson Strong-Tie® 2023 Fastening Systems catalog.

Waukesha, WI — MTL Holdings has hired Steve Glasenapp as the new Director of Envelope. In this role, Glasenapp will work across MTL’s family of brands — Metal-Era, Hickman Edge Systems, and Citadel Architectural Products — to provide strategic customers with a complete metal package for their building envelope.

Atlanta, GA – SAF, a global metals distributor, fabricator, and finisher, continues to add new machinery to facilities across its organization with new, state-of-the-art column cover rollers at SAF West (Redding, CA). The rollers presently at the Redding plant are being relocated to SAF’s newest location in Temple, TX, allowing for first-class column cover fabrication from the organization in more regions across the United States.

Muskegon, MI - Lorin Industries Inc., a global industry leader in the innovation and production of coil anodized aluminum, announces that Park Kersman, President of Lorin, has been elected as a board member of the Aluminum Anodizers Council.

Bethlehem, PA - The Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) has elected Chuck Howe and Steven Hudgins to the National Association board of directors.

Washington, DC - American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Regional Director of Codes and Standards Jon-Paul Cardin, P.E., will conduct a webinar on "Cold-Formed Steel—Latest Design Provisions" on March 14, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. CT as part of a new National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) series.

Oklahoma City, OK - HGTV has motivated viewers to wallpaper, paint, stain and do all things home renovation. The home-improvement network also has inspired generations of new architects, like Allison Winn, a third-year interior design student at the University of Oklahoma’s (OU) Gibbs School of Architecture in Norman. Winn is the latest recipient of a scholarship offered by Flex-Ability Concepts.

Cleveland, OH – The National Coil Coating Association’s (NCCA) Annual Meeting is scheduled April 23-26, 2023, in Bonita Springs, FL. The theme is “NCCA: Your Wingman to Success.” The keynote speaker will be Captain Greg “The Boss” Wooldridge. In his presentation titled "Soaring to Peak Performance", Wooldridge will describe the importance of setting clear expectations so that each and every team member can achieve superior performance while realizing a purpose larger than self. Wooldridge is the only commanding officer to lead The Blue Angels for three separate tours.

Washington, DC – Fewer architecture firms report declining billings in January compared to billing activity in December, according to a new report from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for January was 49.3* compared to 48.4 in December (any score below 50 indicates a decline in firm billings).

West Chester, OH - ClarkDietrich, manufacturer of cold-formed steel framing products, has announced the promotion of Jennifer Edgar to vice president of marketing.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) presented Dr. Thomas Murray with the inaugural Dr. Duane S. Ellifritt Research Award. Named after MBMA’s original director of research and engineering, this honor will be given to a researcher annually for contributions to the advancement of metal building systems.

Bossier City, LA – McElroy Metal has announced that Mark Lawson, Vice President of Sales, is retiring after 38 years with the company. Scott Slone, the Midwest Regional Sales Manager, who has been with McElroy Metal for the past five years, has been selected as the company’s new Senior Director of Sales.