Industry News

Editor's Note: The chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, Stephen E. Sandherr, has issued the following statement in reaction to steps being taken to put in place arbitrary halts to construction activity in certain parts of the country. Click to read.

Due to concerns related to the coronavirus (COVID-19), several industry trade shows and meetings have been canceled or postponed. The following is a list of those event changes that we're currently aware of, each with a link for further information. This list will be updated as new reports are received.

Allentown, PA - To complement the industry accepted standard gloss finish of over 35 standard colors, ATAS International now stocks six new matte colors. The new low-gloss finish offers a more subdued aesthetic, like that which is found with natural metals.

Beloit, WI - Mule-Hide Products Co. Inc. has redesigned its website, making it faster and easier for contractors, specifiers and property managers to access the information they need when designing, installing, maintaining or repairing roofs with Mule-Hide products - including recoating for aged metal roofs.

Portland, OR - In the U.S. and Canada, homeowners are gearing up for spring and summer exterior home improvement projects. For those projects involving new roofs, the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) encourages all to think about metal, not only because of the benefits for the homeowner, but for the entire planet as well.

Chicago, IL – The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has announced four new members to the group of more than 90 manufacturers and suppliers dedicated to expanding and developing the metal construction industry. The new members each operate in specific niches, demonstrating the diversity that comprises the industry as a whole and the association in particular.

Chantilly, VA - The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), the leader in promoting quality and excellence in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry, today announced the launch of its workforce development campaign, designed to raise public awareness for career opportunities across the organized HVAC and sheet metal industries, and support its members in recruitment efforts. A new website, IgniteYourCareer.com, is being rolled out and will serve as the “digital hub” of this comprehensive campaign.

Muskegon, MI - Lorin Industries Inc., a global industry leader in the innovation and production of coil anodized aluminum, announces that its updated coil anodized aluminum for perforated aluminum products in architectural and construction applications now contains new hole patterns, including a square pattern.

Odessa, FL - Roof Hugger, LLC announces the line-up for its Spring 2020 webinars on Metal-over-Metal retrofit roofing with Roof Hugger sub-framing systems. The first of six free webinars is Thursday, March 19, with others scheduled throughout March, April and May. All are 30-minute programs.

Glenside, PA - Ventco®, the manufacturer of ProfileVent® ridge ventilation for metal roofs, announces the hiring of Wylie Prescott to fill the position of Vice President of Manufacturing/Product Development.

La Verne, CA – Sunflare has announced its successful development of PowerFit 20, a light, thin, flexible solar panel designed to nest between the seams of standing seam metal roofs. Visually unobtrusive, the modules were developed for use by architects and builders seeking the best possible aesthetics when harnessing the power of the sun.

Toronto, ON - Covertech Flexible Packaging, a leading manufacturer of reflective insulation, introduces rFOIL® Reflective Insulation 2200 Series underlayment - an energy-efficient barrier that can greatly reduce transfer of radiant heat through roofing.

Washington, DC - The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has published two new cold-formed steel test standards.

Chicago, IL – The Metal Construction Association (MCA) presented its annual Patrick R. Bush Service Award to Jan Nelson and its Larry A. Swaney Award to Todd Miller in appreciation for their service to the association and the metal construction industry. The awards were given during MCA's Winter Meeting Awards Dinner in Palm Springs, CA on January 14th.

Buford, GA – Alfrex is pleased to welcome two new additions to the Alfrex family: Samuel Chastain and Frank Meehan. Chastain has been named the Director of Commercial Operations for Alfrex FR metal composite material (MCM) and Alfrex Plate architectural wall cladding product lines, while Meehan has joined the team as an independent sales representative for the Southwest region.

Washington, DC – The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (the Foundation) has released its February 2020 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI-EFI). Designed to collect leadership data, 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 in February is 58.7, easing but steady with the January index of 59.9.

Lewisville, TX – Metl-Span has introduced a pair of new backup wall systems: the BW Universal System™ and the BW Stretch System™. Utilizing insulated metal panels, these new systems provide superior air, water, thermal and vapor protection in an all-in-one barrier component.

Cleveland, OH - The Garland Company, Inc., an employee-owned roofing and building envelope systems manufacturer, celebrates 125 years in business in 2020, joining a very small and elite group of companies to achieve such a milestone.

Portland, OR —The Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), the leading nonprofit trade organization representing the industry in the U.S. and Canada, is kicking off a quarterly competition for roofing contractors, installers and manufacturers to select the best residential metal roofing projects for 2020.

Washington, DC - Starting the year on a strong note, architecture firm billings strengthened slightly in January, according to a new report from The American Institute of Architects (AIA). AIA’s Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score of 52.2 for January compared to 52.1 in December reflects an increase in design services provided by U.S. architecture firms (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings).