Industry News

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.

Allentown, PA - ATAS International offers a new course entitled “Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Building Envelopes – Solar Air Heated Walls, Cool Roofs and Walls, and Solar Ready Roof Design”. The course is approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) continuing education system for one LU/HSW, and by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) for one CE hour.

Rosemont, IL - As the economy prepares to rebound, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) has launched a workforce recruitment webpage to help address the anticipated workforce shortage.

Longview, WA - Batten down the hatches: The 2020 hurricane season, which officially starts June 1, has leading experts predicting above-normal probability for major hurricanes and storms making landfall in the U.S. Meteorologists from Colorado State University, one of the nation’s top hurricane forecasters, predicts 16 tropical storms will form, eight of which will become hurricanes.

Bethlehem, PA - The Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) announces that its Annual Conference is moving online. The 2020 MBCEA Virtual Conference opens May 19 and runs for 30 days. There will be online presentations each week of the conference and a virtual exhibitor space, all of which are free to attendees.

Arlington, VA - Construction employment declined in 99 out of 358 metro areas from March 2019 to March 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic triggered the first shutdown orders and project cancellations, according to an analysis released by the Associated General Contractors of America.

Baltimore, MD - The Cold-Formed Steel Research Consortium (CFSRC) announces the CFSRC Colloquium, a new entirely online, global conference that will take place in October 2020. The colloquium will benefit researchers, professionals and students interested in cold-formed steel structural engineering and related topics.

Washington, DC - National nonresidential construction spending fell 0.1% in March 2020 and is up 2.0% compared to the same time last year, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, spending totaled $802.6 billion for the month.

Chicago, IL - When it comes to Metal Composite Material (MCM), the saying, "It takes a village..." is particularly true. To help clarify the steps and roles of the various parties involved, The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has published a white paper: Definitions: Who Does What in the Supply and Installation of MCM. It is available as a free download on the MCA website.

Pittsburgh, PA – Triangle Fastener Corporation (TFC) has announced FM approval for their ¼-14 BLAZER 3 Drill Screws in carbon steel. The FM approval is for screw attachments per classes 4471 (Panel Roofs) and 4881 (Exterior Wall Systems). These screws are provided with TRI-SEAL® long-life finish and are approved in lengths up to 11”.