Industry News

Washington, DC –The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released its April 2024 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 52.9, the second highest index in the last two years after last month’s index of 55.2.

McLean, VA — The Copper Development Association, Inc. (CDA), has named Adam Estelle as its new president and CEO, effective May 1, 2024. Estelle, who most recently served as the association’s vice president, will succeed Andrew G. Kireta, Jr. as the sixth leader of the association.

Chesapeake, VA – Mitsubishi Chemical America’s (MCA) ALPOLIC Division, a leader in metal composite material (MCM) manufacturing, has announced the addition of two new wood patterns to its Timber Series collection.

Newton, MA — METALCON, the metal construction industry’s only global event dedicated to the application of metal in construction and design, introduces its 2024 advisory council, representing all facets of the industry and devoted to bringing new educational programming, hands-on skills training, clinics and demos and networking opportunities to Atlanta in October.

Deer Park, WA - Knight Wall Systems announces the hiring of Heidi Olson as project manager, according to General Manager Brian Nelson.

Boulder, CO - SmartBuild Systems announces an expansion to its lineup of web-based design systems for metal buildings and related structures by adding SmartBuild for the Design Of All-Metal Barndominiums.

Schofield, WI – Airolite, one of America's leading producers of architectural louvers, grilles, screens, and sun controls, has added to its lineup of FEMA louvers with the addition of model AFG601, the first wind-driven rain FEMA louver to be listed for AMCA 550 High-Velocity Wind-Driven Rain.

Hatfield, PA – Laminators Incorporated presents AdaptaClad™ RS, a new shop-fabricated rainscreen wall system designed to provide significant time and labor savings to fabricators and installers.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) has created a library of free, downloadable resources for architectural students and their professors. The newest addition is a 16-page folio that explores the design and construction of The Hardesty Center for Dance Education in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Arlington, VA - The construction industry added 39,000 jobs in March—the most since January 2023—with gains among all five types of residential and nonresidential categories, according to an analysis of new government data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials cautioned, however, that firms are still coping with significant labor shortages that are undermining broader growth in the sector.

Vacaville, CA – All Weather Insulated Panels (AWIP) has named a new president, Greg Lusty, who has held the position of AWIP’s Vice President of Sales for the last four years. Lusty’s appointment comes after 20+ years in leadership roles with commercial cladding manufacturers and 15 years specifically within the insulated metal panel (IMP) industry.

Chicago, IL — The Metal Construction Association (MCA) proudly announces that the MCM Alliance will present a live webinar on April 11, 2024, at 2pm EST. “Designing with MCM: What the Industry Has in Store” will offer participants important information about Metal Composite Material (MCM).

Allentown, PA - ATAS International has named Kyle Ferenc, CSI, and Cathy Parrino as the 2023 recipients of the annual Malan S. Parker Award, which recognizes the top ATAS sales professionals each year. Ferenc and Parrino were chosen as the 2023 winners for their teamwork in overall sales growth and observance of corporate goals and objectives.

DeLand, FL – Kingspan Insulated Panels North America has announced it will be opening a new facility in Mattoon, Illinois. The new facility will manufacture Kingspan’s K-Roc™ products to help meet growing demand.

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released its March 2024 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 increased for the third consecutive month to 55.2, up from the February index of 51.7, and the highest level since April 2022.

Washington, DC – Architecture firm billings continued to decline in February, with an AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 49.5 for the month. However, February’s score marks the most modest easing in billings since July 2023 and suggests that the recent slowdown may be receding.

Grayslake, IL — Sheet Metal Supply, a leading fabricator and supplier of a variety of metal construction products, is now stocking 16-gauge and 18-gauge galvanized steel for the fabrication of hat channels, Z-channels and U-channels in Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) Black.

West Chester, OH - ClarkDietrich, manufacturer of cold-formed steel framing products, is introducing a new line of low embodied carbon (LEC) steel framing products. The LEC portfolio includes ProSTUD® metal drywall framing system, structural steel, clips and connectors, floor framing, and more.

Portland, OR - Spring and summer mean it’s re-roofing season for tens of thousands of homeowners in the U.S. and Canada. And just in time, the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), the leading nonprofit organization representing the metal roofing industry, has unveiled a brand new video resource for homeowners who want to make educated decisions and learn about the latest options.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) announces the addition of four new associate members to its ranks: Innovative Clean Energy LLC, the International Accreditation Service (IAS), Robert Sage Careers LLC, and SWD Urethane.