Industry News

Washington, DC – Architecture firm billings growth slowed in September but remained positive for the twelfth consecutive month, according to a new report from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for September was 51.1 compared to 54.2 in August.

La Verne, CA – Philip Gao, CEO of Sunflare, is passionate about solar. He dreams of making solar power “more efficient, more conducive and inviting to business, and, more importantly, more affordable for people around the world.” With the latest iteration of Sunflare flexible solar panels, he’s taken a big step forward in turning his vision into reality.

Allentown, PA - ATAS International welcomed guests from several countries to the ATAS headquarters in Allentown, PA, on September 19, for the biennial International Melting Pot event. The guests, all of whom are ATAS product distributors, gathered for education sessions, plant tours, and information exchanges.

Portland, OR - The recovery effort from the damage caused by Hurricane Michael and Florence is sure to be a long, difficult road for many homeowners seeking to repair or rebuild. Unfortunately, the challenge can be made that much harder by less-than-reputable opportunists and con artists. It’s a danger the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) is warning homeowners about, especially as re-roofing activity spikes in areas like Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.

Charlotte, NC - The three winners of Innovation Station drawings during METALCON 2018 in Charlotte, NC, October 10 – 12, have been announced. Contestants entered the drawings throughout the three-day show by scanning Innovation Station displays that were set up throughout the exhibit hall.

Washington, DC - The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has published two new cold-formed steel research reports: 1) “RP18-2: Design Example for Analytical Modeling of a Curtainwall and Considering the Effects of Bridging (All-Steel Design Approach)” and 2) “RP18-3: Determination of Effective Standoff in Standing Seam Roof Systems.”

Odessa, FL - Roof Hugger LLC, a leading supplier of metal-over-metal retrofit framing products, announces the promotion of D.J. (Don Jr.) Highnote to Vice President.

Bossier City, LA — No one wants the hassle and expense of replacing a worn-out roof. However, when that time arrives, McElroy Metal is poised to help building owners make the best decision via the company’s new e-book. This valuable reference identifies the many long-term and cost-effective benefits of installing a metal roof. The title of the new publication is Need a New Roof? How Building Owners Reduce Cost with a Metal Roof.

Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Americas, Inc., a subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation, has announced that Bridgestone Tower, its recently completed headquarters office in downtown Nashville, has been awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Buildings Council (USGBC). Firestone Building Products, a Bridgestone subsidiary, is also headquartered in the building and provided products for the project.

Hatfield, PA – In addition to their standard flat Thermolite panel, Laminators Incorporated is offering new fabrication options to increase R-Value, customization of the reveal created between the panel face and mullion face, and wrapped edges to create hairline joints between panels in butt-glazed applications. Thermolite Glazing Panels are designed to easily fit into any standard or custom glazing system. With building and energy efficiency codes becoming even more stringent, the panels can be a smart solution for upcoming projects.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), in partnership with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Architectural Record magazine, released a continuing education course titled “Specifying the Latest in Metal Buildings.”

Walker, MI - Tubelite Inc. has named Michael Ross as client development manager serving the northern Georgia market. He reports directly to Tubelite regional sales manager Patrick Daniels.

Sheffield Village, OH – Sheffield Metals International (SMI), a member of Mazzella Companies and a leading distributor of coated and bare metal coil and sheet products, is set to open a new facility in La Mirada, California. The new location is situated between Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire in Southern California.

Strongsville, OH - AkzoNobel, a leading paints and coatings company, introduced an exciting new finish for exterior metal applications at METALCON 2018 at the Charlotte Convention Center on October 10-12, 2018. POLYDURE® Expressions is a revolutionary print system that adds depth and dimension to exterior finishes by using a combination of texture over a print pattern.

DeLand, FL – Kingspan Insulated Panels has announced the sale of Hercules, a leading manufacturer of high quality, custom, controlled environment doors to Senneca Holdings. Hercules is focused primarily on blast freezer, freezer, cooler, dock, ripening room, automotive test cell, processing, research, and distribution facility applications.

Washington, DC - The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), in cooperation with the Wei-Wen Yu Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Missouri, is a co-sponsor of the Wei-Wen Yu International Specialty Conference on Cold-Formed Steel Structures 2018. This year’s conference will be held on November 7-8 at the Union Station Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.

Glenside, PA - Ventco® President Marty Rotter announces that ProfileVent® has now been a part of 1 million installations, still with no callbacks. ProfileVent is a ventilation system for commercial and residential metal roofing, manufactured by equipment that precisely cuts the panel profile into the surface.

Bossier City, LA – McElroy Metal has announced the availability of two new roofing underlayment options for customers: HydraShell MAX synthetic underlayment and HydraShell Supreme SA peel-and-stick underlayment.

Cleveland, OH - The Garland Company Inc., an employee-owned manufacturer of high-performance solutions for the commercial building envelope, raised more than $60,000 to support Achievement Centers for Children (ACC) in its effort to empower children and adults with disabilities and their families to achieve their greatest potential.

Allentown, PA - ATAS International Inc. introduces a new website which includes easier navigation in a full-screen format and is mobile friendly for use on phones and tablets. An updated complete product line catalog is also being unveiled during the website launch, with a striking new cover and many new images throughout.