Industry News

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released the December 2022 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 is 45.9, an increase from the November index of 43.7.

Beloit, WI - Five new training centers from roofing systems and products manufacturer Mule-Hide Products Co. Inc. will give the company’s contractors, distributor partners and associates nationwide access to ongoing, hands-on education.

Allentown, PA - Metal wall cladding continues to be a growing sector in the design and construction of both residential and commercial buildings. To assist contractors who may not be familiar with installing single-skin metal wall panels, ATAS International offers installation training in three of their manufacturing locations, with a selection of several dates in 2023.

Lake Wales, FL — With manufacturing operations and employees in Florida dating back nearly 70 years, Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions™ intimately understands the urgencies and misinformation that can follow a major hurricane. As in the past, the company’s team on the ground is leveraging its expertise in the region to help homeowners and contractors navigate the rebuilding process, avoid scams and delays, and secure roofing materials that provide superior Florida-weather performance.

Portland, OR – Dealing with destruction and home damage in the aftermath of 2022's monster storm season and hurricanes like Ian is bad enough. But for unsuspecting homeowners, shoddy workmanship and inferior quality can make a terrible situation even worse. That’s the warning from the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) in the aftermath of the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season.

Muskegon, MI - Lorin Industries Inc., a global industry leader in the innovation and production of coil anodized aluminum, announces that it is hiring for multiple positions at its facility near the shores of Lake Michigan.

Coshocton, OH – MFM Building Products, a manufacturer of a full envelope of waterproofing and weather barrier products for the building industry, has recently finished a substantial expansion project that began in February 2021.

Colorado Springs, CO, – S-5!, one of the world's leading authorities on metal roof attachment solutions, recently provided protective gear for first responders through a donation to SHIELD616 on behalf of the S-5! charitable family foundation.

Moon Township, PA – CENTRIA®, a manufacturer of building envelope wall and roof panels, introduces Nova Fins, custom-fabricated metal accent fins for building façades.

Chicago, IL - The American Institute of Steel Construction will present its highest industry honor, the Robert P. Stupp Award for Leadership Excellence, to David Zalesne, president of Owen Steel Company and a former chair of the AISC Board of Directors.

Pleasanton, CA - Simpson Strong-Tie, supplier of engineered structural connectors and related products, has introduced the Strong-Drive® PPHD Sheathing-to-CFS screw. It is a multipurpose, self-drilling, pilot point screw suitable for attaching sheathing, drywall, or subflooring to cold-formed steel framing.

Arlington, VA - Construction companies added 20,000 employees in November and continued to raise wages for hourly workers more steeply than other sectors as the industry’s unemployment rate tumbled, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data. Association officials said the data shows that firms would have added significantly more workers if they could find more people to hire.

Colorado Springs, CO - S-5!, the original inventor of engineered, manufactured, metal roof attachments, has been awarded the 2022 Gold Level Industry Advocate Award for outstanding service, participation and support of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) and the 2022 MBMA Innovation Project Award.

Washington, DC - The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) is accepting entries through February 24, 2023 for its annual awards program, which acknowledges outstanding achievement in creative design, technical innovation, and best practices in the use of cold-formed steel and recognizes individuals who have volunteered significant time and talent to the cold-formed steel industry.

Grayslake, IL — Sheet Metal Supply Ltd. and RHEINZINK were among the winners in the Metal Construction Association (MCA) Design Awards presented at METALCON in Indianapolis in mid-October.

Washington, DC - Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announces that Milton Graugnard, executive vice president, Cajun Industries LLC, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was elected the 2023 ABC national chair at a board of directors meeting held in conjunction with the association’s annual Leadership Institute in Coronado, California.

Kalama, WA - Steelscape, a West Coast manufacturer of coated and painted metal for roofing and siding, announces the launch of two new matte woodgrain finishes ideal for metal siding.

Colorado Springs, CO – S-5!, one of the world's leading developers of engineered metal roof attachment products, announces its new partnership with Massachusetts-based Sno-Safe Snow Guards. As an authorized distributor, Sno-Safe will offer the complete range of S-5! snow retention solutions throughout the U.S.

Washington, DC – Demand for design services from architecture firms softened considerably in October, according to a new report from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for October was 47.7, the first decline in billings since January 2021.

Davidson, NC - 3A Composites USA announces that ALUCOBOND® AXCENT™, its line of flat aluminum sheets, is now available in three thicknesses - .040”, .063” and .080”.