Industry News

Washington, DC - Confidence among U.S. construction industry leaders increased in November 2019 with respect to sales, profit margins and staffing, according to the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Construction Confidence Index released in late January.

Portland, OR —With the first month of the year now in the books, forecasts for the 2020 U.S. and Canadian metal roofing market are becoming clearer as the prime spring and summer roofing season approaches.

Arlington, VA - Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) officials noted that its recent survey found widespread optimism about prospects for projects available to bid on in 2020, but they urged officials in Washington to follow through on announced plans for infrastructure spending increases.

Minneapolis – To help metal roofing suppliers, manufacturers and contractors expand their product offering and elevate their profitability, Sherwin-Williams is exhibiting its BUILDING SOLUTIONS program at this year’s International Roofing Expo (IRE). Attendees at the expo, held from February 4-6 in Dallas, TX, will learn how to protect, seal, repair and restore their roofing projects using this unified portfolio of products.

Bethlehem, PA - The Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) announces that it reached the milestone of 500 members in December 2019. The group has also added four new members to its board of directors.

Pittsburgh, PA – Triangle Fastener Corporation (TFC) has expanded its lineup of construction fasteners to include a #10 CONCEALOR® with the patent pending BURR BUSTER® technology, specifically developed for use with oriented strand board. This new fastener has the latest thread technology, ensuring superior performance.

Beloit, WI - Dan Williams has been promoted to managing director of Mule-Hide Products Co. Inc., a manufacturer of low-slope roofing products and systems. In his new role, he will be responsible for all aspects of the company’s business performance.

Washington, DC - Demand for design services in December increased for the third month in a row, according to a new report from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 52.5 for December reflects an increase in design services provided by U.S. architecture firms (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).

Phoenix, AZ - Petersen continues to meet the growing demand for its PAC-CLAD metal roof and wall products in the Western United States by hiring representation to service U.S. islands in the Pacific Ocean. The firm BEST Hawaii (Building Enclosure Specialist Team Hawaii) will support architects, installing contractors and others involved in the specification and installation of exterior metal cladding products on all Hawaiian islands and Guam.

Glenside, PA - Georgia Web, the manufacturer of ProfileVent® ridge ventilation products for Ventco®, announced the promotion of Randy Smith to be the company’s Executive Vice President.

Bethlehem, PA - Steve Webster, Metal Buildings Institute (MBI) President, announces a new online location for the Quality and Craftsmanship Training Series. The original 11-module series is now available at www.metal-buildings-institute.org, located under the Products drop-down tab as Quality and Craftsmanship 101.

Pittsburgh, PA - On January 22, Triangle Fastener Corporation (TFC) announced the passing of Randy Allen, 65, a former employee who’d retired from the company at the end of 2019 after 10 years of exemplary service. Allen was well-known throughout the metal construction industry, an active member of several trade associations and a familiar face at industry meetings and trade shows.

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released the January 2020 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI). Overall, confidence in the equipment finance market rose for the third consecutive month to 59.9, an increase from the December index of 56.2.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) announces the addition of Covertech Flexible Packaging to its ranks as an Associate member. Covertech Flexible Packaging provides innovative and cost-effective rFOIL Reflective Insulation solutions. Established in 1990, the company is located in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada.

Pleasanton, CA - Simpson Strong-Tie, supplier of engineered structural connectors and building products, has announced the release of its 2020 Connectors for Cold-Formed Steel Construction catalog.

Washington, DC - The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) will host a webinar on “Cold-Formed Steel Classroom: Connection Design 101” on Thursday, February 27, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST. The webinar is designed for architects, engineers, building officials and contractors.

Colorado Springs, CO – S-5!, a recognized authority on metal roof attachment solutions, will introduce its new GripperFix technology in February at the International Roofing Expo (IRE) in Dallas. Additionally, Rob Haddock, S-5!’s Founder and CEO, will present Understanding Metal Roofing: Part I and II during the show, providing the opportunity for attendees to earn continuing education credits.

Olathe, KS - At the Fall 2019 Reflective Insulation Manufacturers Association International (RIMA-I) meeting in Houston, TX, elections were held for new board members. Executive officers and other board members' terms expired at the end of 2019.

Cleveland, OH - The Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) presented several awards at its Annual Meeting, held December 3-4 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Grand Rapids, MI - Mill Steel Co., one of the nation's largest distributors of flat-rolled carbon steel, has announced the development of a new website for its recently rebranded metal framing company, Mill Steel Framing. The new website, www.millsteelframing.com, offers simplified navigation, a responsive layout and a variety of user-friendly features.