Industry News

Newton, MA - Always a popular destination, Tampa did not disappoint when METALCON was held there in October 2021. From intensive pre-show workshops to 40+ free educational sessions to inspiring keynotes and super sessions, attendees learned from top industry experts and earned more continuing education credits than ever before at the industry’s only event dedicated exclusively to the application of metal in design and construction.

Washington, DC - The construction industry added 44,000 jobs on net in October, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Overall, the industry has recovered 963,000, or 86.5%, of the jobs lost during earlier stages of the pandemic.

Lewisville, TX - Metl-Span, an industry-leading manufacturer of high-quality, durable and energy-efficient insulated metal panels, has announced the BMO Tower in Milwaukee as the company's 2021 Building of the Year. The project was chosen from a group of standout projects that had previously been named Building of the Month over the course of the year.

Washington, DC - The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has presented 2021 Market Development Achievement Awards to Richard (Rick) Haws, P.E., engineer, RBH Consulting LLC, and David Stoddard, senior applications engineer at SSAB Americas, and the Market Development Industry Leadership Award to Dajun Zhou, Ph.D., manufacturing specialist, Stellantis North America.

Chicago, IL - The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has released a three-part white paper series: Metal Roofing & PV Solar Systems Parts 1, 2 & 3. Part one had been published earlier this year. Parts two and three were recently added to expand on the original paper and supply additional technical guidance for optimal installation and mounting of photovoltaic (PV) solar systems on metal roofing.

Portland, OR – New educational video resources focusing on the specific performance and sustainability benefits of residential metal roofing are now available for homeowners through the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), the leading nonprofit metal roofing trade organization in the U.S. and Canada.

Arlington, VA - Only 14 states and the District of Columbia have added construction jobs since just before the start of the pandemic in February 2020, according to a new analysis of federal employment data released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials noted that widespread supply chain disruptions amid and the lack of a much-needed federal infrastructure bill have impeded the sector’s recovery.

Allentown, PA - ATAS International, grand prize winner of the Metal in Architecture Awards, presented during METALCON in Tampa, FL in early October, has donated the $1,000 prize to Feeding Tampa Bay, which for 2021 is part of METALCON’s annual giving back program.

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released its October 2021 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 61.1, an increase from the September index of 60.5.

Red Bud, IL - Red Bud Industries has announced plans for the major expansion of its manufacturing facility in Red Bud. The new 55,000 square foot addition will bring their total space at the facility to over 250,000 square feet. Planned for completion in the Summer of 2022, the expansion will allow more equipment to be assembled and tested concurrently. The expansion will also help support a recently added Mazak i450HS lathe with robotic automation, the company’s 20th Mazak machine, and a new plasma cutting table.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) has published two new case studies, Educational Campus Facilities and Government Facilities. These reports profile 14 educational campuses and 15 government facilities, all of which are metal buildings.

Portland, OR — The Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) has named a beautiful re-roofing project, featuring Boral Steel stone coated metal and installed by Full Service Roofing & Remodeling, as the winner of its Best Metal Roofing Project competition for third quarter of 2021.

Bryan, OH — Altenloh, Brinck & Co. US, Inc. (ABC US), manufacturers of SPAX® engineered fasteners, has announced the hiring of Brett Katsma as Product Manager focusing on Structural Applications.

Washington, DC – Architecture firms continue to report increasing demand for design services in September, according to a new report from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). The Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for September was 56.6, which is up from August’s score of 55.6. Any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings from the prior month.

Chicago, IL - The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has announced the creation of its new Metal Architecture Academy, located in the Architectural Record Continuing Education Center.

Newton, MA — METALCON, the only global event for the application of metal in design and construction, has announced the winners of its design and construction project photo competition, held during last week's annual conference and tradeshow in Tampa.

Washington, DC - The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) will host a webinar on “Overview of the Fundamental Behavior of Cold-Formed Steel Members and Connections” on Thursday, October 28, 2021 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT.

Rogers, MN - Americlad, LLC has announced the addition of Allan Rylance to the Americlad team. Rylance will take on the role of Regional Business Development Manager for the East Coast region with the responsibility of promoting the Americlad® brand to the architectural and construction community. Rylance comes to the Americlad team with over thirty one years of industry experience in the architectural façade and metals business.

Elk Grove Village, IL - PAC-CLAD Ore finishes from Petersen allow architects to add the look of natural metal patinas to any structure. Ore finishes will not tarnish, discolor or rust, which provides architects and specifiers with alternatives to natural metals and make them an ideal option for clean, elegant metal architecture.

Madison, WI – Metal roofing expert Rob Haddock will present his ever-popular Metal Roofing Systems educational program at the University of Wisconsin Madison’s School of Engineering on Dec. 2-3, 2021.