Industry News

Washington, DC - The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to hasten a housing trend already taking place across the nation--residential construction activity that is expanding at a more rapid rate in lower density markets such as smaller cities and rural areas. Multifamily development is also proceeding at a brisk pace in areas where education and health services dominate.

Chicago, IL - The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has named Jeff Henry, MBA CAE, its new Executive Director, effective June 1, 2020. He replaces Karl Hielscher, who has retired.

Arlington, VA - Construction employment declined in the District of Columbia and every state except South Dakota in April, an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data shows. At the same time, the association released a new survey that finds that rising project cancellations are forcing many firms to furlough or terminate employees even as federal relief measures help avoid further job losses.

Buford, GA - Alfrex, LLC has announced two new additions to its team: Camille Knezevich as a Project Development Specialist for North America, and Dann Kerns as a Regional Sales Manager for the Midwest Region.

Elk Grove Village, IL - When the performance of metal is required but the look of wood is desired, Petersen’s 16 new wood grain colors are ready to dazzle. Petersen’s already vast spectrum of color options now increases to 62 standard choices with the addition of the 70% PVDF wood grain finishes, which are available on PAC-CLAD steel and aluminum wall panels.

Newton, MA - As Las Vegas begins to reopen, METALCON 2020, the metal construction industry’s largest international event for metal construction products, technologies and solutions, announces new programming and educational sessions for its 30th anniversary “Build Back Better” conference and tradeshow at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Wednesday, Oct. 21 – Friday, Oct. 23, 2020.

Fairfax, MN - Schweiss Doors has published a new brochure designed to help contractors, architects and building owners make the best decisions when it comes to bifold and hydraulic doors for their projects. The 36-page brochure covers door comparisons, liftstrap bifolds, strap latches, greaseable hinges, hydraulic doors, hinges, power units, wind pins and remotes.

Washington, DC - Demand for design services in April saw its steepest decline on record, according to a new report from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for design services was just 29.5.

Odessa, FL - Roof Hugger LLC, a leading supplier of metal-over-metal retrofit framing products, has released a new series of Do's And Don'ts Of Retrofit Roofing, offering crucial information to ensure the success of metal reroof projects.

Allentown, PA - As a member of the Metal Construction Association (MCA), ATAS International participated in the recent industry-wide Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) on roll formed aluminum and steel cladding.

Washington, DC - The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation has released the May 2020 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry. Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market improved with an index of 25.8, up from the historic low in April of 22.3.

Washington, DC - The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) will host a webinar on “Cold-Formed Steel Framing Attachment to Concrete in Seismic Zones” on Thursday, June 11, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT. The webinar is designed for architects, engineers, building officials and contractors. Participants are eligible for 1.5 PDHs.

Woburn, MA – RHEINZINK is presenting a new, free, online continuing education course: "Specifying for Sustainable Design with Architectural Zinc Roofing and Wall Cladding."

Hatfield, PA – Laminators Incorporated, a full-service manufacturer of aluminum composite wall panel systems, has upgraded the finish warranty it offers on panels and extrusions featuring select finishes, from 20 years to now 30 years.

Bethlehem, PA - With COVID-19 (the 2019 Novel Coronavirus) prompting the switch of this year's Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association annual meeting from an in-person event to a virtual conference, the MBCEA has decided to announce the winners of its 2020 Building of the Year Awards competition without the usual awards ceremony.

Editor's Note: On Tuesday, May 5, 2020, the 48-story Abbco Tower in the emirate of Sharjah, UAE caught fire, resulting in injuries to at least nine persons and leaving the residential high-rise badly damaged. The structure was clad in part with metal composite material and some news agencies have cited the cladding as a contributor to the fire's severity. In response, the Metal Construction Association has issued a statement.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) announces CIDAN Machinery as its newest Associate member. The global company provides sheet metal machinery for architectural metal and roofing, industrial fabrication and other manufacturing purposes.

Arlington, VA - The Associated General Contractors of America is launching a new, nationwide program designed to help expand the diversity of the industry by making job sites more inclusive. The new program is called Culture of CARE (commit, attract, retain and empower).

Grayslake, IL - Sheet Metal Supply has announced the hiring of Joe Wanner as a Regional Sales Manager to promote the company's growing capabilities of being Chicagoland's single source for sheet metal requirements.

Westminster, CO - Parasoleil, supplier of metal panels used to filter light and frame space, has unveiled five new patterns that range from contemporary to natural.