Industry News

Washington, DC – Architecture firm billing activity contracted in November after two months of a slowing decline, according to a new report from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The pace of decline during November accelerated from October, posting an Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 46.3 from 47.5 (any score below 50 indicates a decline in firm billings).

Washington, DC - The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released its December 2020 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 59.7, an increase from the November index of 56.1.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) has released a new continuing education course titled “Using Metal Building Systems to Meet and Exceed the Energy Code”.

Pleasanton, CA - Simpson Strong-Tie, supplier of engineered structural connectors, introduces the WBAC wood backing steel connector designed to eliminate alignment issues and reduce installation time in connecting wood backing to cold-formed steel (CFS) studs.

Brookhaven, MS - Reed's Metals, supplier of metal roofing, pole barns and steel building systems, announces that nine families have been named winners of the company's 2020 Covering the Community event, qualifying them for a free installed metal roof.

Portland, OR — Homeowners these days are in a serious mood, and it's being reflected in their metal roof color choices. The Metal Roofing Alliance, a nonprofit industry trade group that represents leading metal roofing manufacturers and installers in the U.S. and Canada, says subtle and subdued colors will likely be the top choices for home exteriors heading into 2021, and that prediction seems buttressed by the activities of its members.

Olathe, KS - The Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International (RIMA-I) has joined with ASTM International and their certification team and SEI (Safety Equipment Institute) to manage the RIMA-I voluntary product Verification Program.

Allentown, PA - The Woodland Series of panel colors is now offered by ATAS. Four classic woodgrain patterns (Birch, Cedar, Driftwood, and Walnut), with a 70% PVDF coating, are available in .032 aluminum.

Beloit, WI – Mule-Hide Products Co. Inc. has promoted Kurt Fago to product category manager – low-slope roofing systems and Mark Wessinger to product category manager – liquid-applied systems.

Colorado Springs, CO - S-5!, one of the world's leading authorities on metal roof attachment technology, has announced RibBracket V as the newest addition to its line of RibBrackets for mounting solar panels to a variety of trapezoidal rib metal roofs.

Coshocton, OH - MFM Building Products, a manufacturer of waterproofing and weather barrier products for the building industry, will be celebrating the company’s 60th Anniversary in 2021.

Moon Township, PA - CENTRIA®, manufacturer of metal wall and roof panels, launches the Impressions® coating system. A pre-finished decorative paint system, Impressions is engineered specifically for steel and aluminum substrates.

Minneapolis, MN – The Coil Coatings division of Sherwin-Williams has launched a new platform for its polyester technologies – PolyPREMIER™. Many of its high-performance polyester coil coatings are now consolidated under this master brand to make it simple for customers to specify coatings for a wide variety of applications. The PolyPREMIER line will continue to be developed and enhanced with a focus on innovation in the future.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) elected its 2021 Board of Directors at the association’s annual meeting held virtually on December 8 and 9, 2020.

Alexandria, VA - Construction employment increased by 27,000 jobs in November, as continuing robust gains in residential categories masked more sluggish increases in nonresidential jobs, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of latest government data. Association officials cautioned, however, that pandemic-induced project cancellations and looming tax bills for firms that used Paycheck Protection Program loans to save jobs threaten to undermine future job growth in the sector.

Vacaville, CA – All Weather Insulated Panels (AWIP), a leading producer of insulated metal wall and roof panel systems for commercial, industrial and cold storage markets, has announced the launch of their new website, now online.

Kansas City, MO - In a move demonstrating continued investment in a growing business, BlueScope Buildings North America has announced two strategic staff appointments: Greg Pasley, PhD. as chief operating officer, BBNA, and Christen Funk as president, Butler Manufacturing.

Allentown, PA - ATAS announces a new course being offered to architects and designers: “Designing with Metal Wall Panels”. The course is approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for 1 LU/HSW, and can be given virtually, or in person at a firm’s office.

Washington, DC - The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) is accepting entries through February 19, 2021 for its annual awards program. Winners will be announced at the Virtual 2021 CFSEI Expo, which will be held May 18-20, 2021.

Iowa Park, TX - S-5!, one of the world's leading authorities on metal roof attachment technology, is in the midst of a 20,000 sq. ft. expansion project at its state-of-the art manufacturing facility in Iowa Park, Texas, driven by global market growth in both solar and snow retention markets.