Industry News

Atlanta, GA –SAF, a global metals distributor, fabricator, and finisher recently invested in a new double bending machine to augment its fabrication capabilities and enhance speed of service for customers. The Jorns JDB-200 is a fully automatic, double beam architectural metal forming machine that specializes in the bending of complex metal profiles. The new machine has been incorporated into the production operation at SAF’s Villa Rica, GA, location.

Minneapolis, MN – With the debut of its latest Color Trends Forecast for the coil and extrusion metal coatings market, Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings is helping architects and designers to be color visionaries in the architectural design sector. Sherwin-Williams color experts developed these color trends through close collaboration with coil and extrusions technical teams.

Los Angeles, CA — C.R. Laurence (CRL), the leading full-service provider of architectural metals, glass fittings and professional-grade glazing supplies, has announced the new 8010 Adjustable Series Single Blade Sunshade — offering a versatile and effective solution for reducing solar heat gain.

Washington, DC - The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Standards Council has selected four winning research proposals for its 2022 Small Project/Fellowship Program. Launched in 2014, AISI’s Small Project/Fellowship Program identifies and provides funding for research projects that will significantly impact the reliability, performance and cost-competitiveness of cold-formed steel in construction.

Portland, OR - This Spring, a tight supply chain and the search for better performing options that can deliver strong return on the investment have homeowners weighing their choices and pursuing work-arounds more than ever before. According to the Metal Roofing Alliance, a leading residential metal roofing expert, that search for alternatives extends to roofs.

Atlanta, GA - Polyvision Corporation, a global leader in the innovation and manufacture of CeramicSteel products, has announced Michael Allen as the new sales manager for Polyvision Ohio.

Oklahoma City, OK - Amanda Pulley, an architectural marketing and sales representative, has joined the Flex-Ability Concepts team as a product representative for Texas. Pulley is the owner of AJI Architectural Marketing, a company that works with manufacturers to present their portfolio of products to architects, engineers, contractors and distributors.

Arlington, VA - Construction employment increased in nearly three out of four U.S. metro areas in January compared to a year ago, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government employment data. Association officials welcomed the widespread job gains but cautioned that contractors in many areas are having trouble finding enough qualified workers to return to pre-pandemic levels amid tight labor market conditions.

Washington, DC - The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports that despite production bottlenecks and rising construction costs, total housing starts led by a strong multifamily reading posted a solid gain in February as demand stays strong and existing inventory remains at low levels.

New Haven, CT - The BILCO Company, in following the lead of its corporate parent AmesburyTruth™, has taken bold steps to prioritize environmental sustainability by improving processes at facilities.

Chesapeake, VA – Mitsubishi Chemical America’s ALPOLIC® Division, a leader in metal composite material (MCM) manufacturing, has announced its passage of the rigorous Canadian S-134 full-scale wall-assembly test designed to measure the fire spread and burning characteristics of an exterior wall with controlled fire exposure.

Washington, DC – Demand for design services in February grew slightly since January, according to a new report from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for February was 51.3, up from a score of 51.0 in January. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings.

Oakland, CA – Feeney Inc., a leading manufacturer of stainless steel and aluminum railing systems and related architectural products, has debuted ColorEasy™, a new powder coating program for its DesignRail® Aluminum Railing System and Awning Kits. ColorEasy™ features 18 colors, including a mix of 15 trend-forward and classic colors along with three realistic wood grain finishes, for optimal design versatility.

Chicago, IL - The American Institute of Steel Construction has named Todd Alwood its new Vice President of Membership and Certification and promoted Michael Mospan to Vice President of Finance and Human Resources.

Kingscourt, Ireland - Kingspan Group, a global leader in advanced insulation and building solutions, and parent company of Kingspan Insulated Panels North America, has released its second annual report for its 10-year sustainability program, Planet Passionate.

Götene, Sweden - CIDAN Machinery Group has acquired long folder producer Thalmann Maschinenbau based in Switzerland. CIDAN Machinery Group is a world leading, innovative supplier to the sheet metal industry. The group operates manufacturing locations in Sweden and Austria and has office locations in several European countries, the United States and China. The headquarters of the company, founded in 1907, is based in Götene.

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released its March 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 $900 billion equipment finance sector. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market is 58.2, easing from the February index of 61.8.

Cleveland, OH – The National Coil Coating Association’s (NCCA) Annual Meeting is scheduled April 24-27, 2022, in Sonoma, Calif. The theme is “Leading for Tomorrow” and the keynote speaker, Bill Fournet, will present “Lead for Tomorrow: How to Thrive in the Age of Disruption” on Tuesday, April 26. This thought-provoking presentation will provide attendees with proven tactics to respond well to any challenge or disruption that can be applied today to lead for a better tomorrow.

Arlington, VA - Construction employment climbed by 60,000 jobs between January and February as hourly pay rose at the steepest pace in nearly 40 years, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of just-released government data. Association leaders urged officials in Washington to boost support for career training and education to enable more workers to pursue high-paying construction careers.

Burlington, Ontario, Canada - AXYZ International, a leading manufacturer of CNC router systems and CNC knife systems, offers a webinar titled "Expand Your Cladding Fabrication Business With The AXYZ PANELBuilder" on two dates, March 17 and March 24. Two sessions will be held on each of those days - in the morning, 9:30 - 10 a.m. EDT; and in the afternoon, 1:30 - 2:00 p.m. EDT.