MCN 42nd Annual Contractor Survey Results Show Optimism is Prevailing Factor

Credit: Metal Construction News

Published earlier this month, the results from MCN’s 42 Annual Contractor Survey show “2022 was a year of steady work but not much growth.” Editorial Director, Paul Deffenbaugh comments, “If you wanted to sum up the overall attitude among respondents, you would use this phrase: ‘hold the course, and hope for better.'” Across all the project types surveyed — metal building systems, metal roofing, metal wall panels, and light-gauge steel framing — the survey takers who report they do those kinds of projects remained relatively flat in 2022 compared to 2021.

Regardless, Paul says, “One of the hallmarks of the construction industry and contractors in particular is their abiding optimism.” While numbers were relatively flat between 2021 and 2022, the same survey respondents report optimism toward 2023. With the exception of metal building systems, respondents anticipate being more involved in specific projects, especially with metal roofing and metal wall panels, than they had been in 2022.

Magnificent Metal Monday – Metal Featured in AIA 2023 Housing Award Winner

Here And Now
Canyon Drive in Los Angeles, designed by Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects

Among the winners of this year’s AIA 2023 Housing Awards is Canyon Drive by Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects [LOHA]. Congratulations to METALCON exhibitor, ATAS International, for their metal work on this project. As seen in Architect Magazine, “The American Institute of Architects has revealed the winners of its 2023 Housing Awards, honoring 10 projects emblematic of ‘the best in housing design for new construction, renovations and restorations,‘ according to an AIA press release.

2023 Top Metal Builders – Deadline to Submit Tomorrow

Each year, Metal Construction News publishes its list of Top Metal Builders by identifying the largest metal building contractors and erectors as measured by square footage and tonnage. This year’s list will be published in the May issue of MCN and it is a great way to raise the profile of your company and help differentiate you from your competitors. The deadline to enter is TOMORROW, Friday, March 17 so take a few minutes to complete a simple survey and enter your company for consideration. 

Go online and complete the form or download the form to submit by email.

VIEW the 2022 Top Metal Builders.

Metal Construction News is a publication partner of METALCON and sponsors the official show guide.

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For Newcomers and Veterans in the Metal Construction Industry – Join us LIVE next Wednesday for “Decoding the Language of Metal Construction”

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It’s no secret that the metal construction industry has many terms and phrases that are unique to itself. Do terms like: “MCA,” “Slope,” “MCM,” “Oil Canning,” “Membrane,” “EPD’s,” have you scratching your head. Next Wednesday, March 22nd at 1:00PM ET, join industry professionals Todd Miller, President of Isaiah Industries and Bob Zabcik, MCA Technical director, as they define commonly confusing terms in the metal construction industry. This presentation is designed for people new to the metal construction industry, architects that want to understand the terminology better, and seasoned professionals who want to brush up on their industry terms and phrases.

Magnificent Metal Monday – Curved Metal Roofing Panels

Thanks to our friends at DrexelMetals and the MetalCoffeeShop®, this recent article highlights the limitless design potential of curved metal roofing panels. With the advent of innovative production methods like on-site roll forming, constructing curved roofs has become a more straightforward practice. Not only do metal roofing panels simplify the installation process, but they also provide a weather-tight solution for curved roofing. Discover how these features translate into versatile building designs and learn about the innovative ways in which curved metal roofing panels are being utilized today. Read on for three examples of the versatile power.

WIC Week – Women Making Strides in Construction

Guiomar Obregón, co-founder and chief executive of the Georgia construction firm Precision 2000 (P2K). (Precision 2000) from Washington Post.

Good news for women in construction! While the percentage is still a significantly low number, women in construction made a significant gain last year, now representing a little more than 14% of the construction workforce (Source: Construction Dive). The Washington Post reported in a November 2022 article, “According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the share of women in construction has hit a record high. Women surged into the industry starting around 2016, even as the number of men in construction lagged.” Recognizing women in the field is one way to recruit and retain more women into positions in the construction industry. Here’s a rundown of the different ways women are being recognized across the industry.

Int’l Women’s Day and WIC Week – Featuring Women of Excellence in Metal Forming & Fabricating

Today is International Women’s Day and Women in Construction Week is underway so let’s take a look at some of the women who are making strides and positively impacting the metal forming and fabricating industry. MetalForming Magazine, in conjunction with the Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) and with the support of the Women in Manufacturing Association (WiM), presented its Seventh Annual Women of Excellence (WoE) in Metal Forming and Fabricating Awards at the end of last year. The annual program is designed to recognize the increasing role of women in manufacturing and to spur continued advances. From scores of entries, 35 honorees were selected, representing a full range from leadership positions to those on the shop floor.

FREE WEBINAR TOMORROW – METALCONLive! and the FMA Present “Roll Forming Basics”

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Join us tomorrow, March 8, at 1:00 pm EST for a live presentation with leading roll forming expert, Paul Tiefenthal, as he covers the basics of the roll forming industry. Roll forming isn’t a single process carried out on a single type of system, but a family of processes performed on a variety of systems. Learning about roll forming is a matter of learning about roll forming lines, the processes they perform, and the roles and capabilities of auxiliary equipment including seam welders, and more. Discover all this and more details about what makes roll forming an indepth process.

Magnificent Metal Monday – Women for Women

Women’s Opportunity Center, Rwanda. photography by © Elizabeth Felicella

In celebration of this week’s International Women’s Day and Women in Construction Week, Magnificent Metal Monday travels to Kayonza, Rwanda, to highlight an architectural project designed by acclaimed female-owned Sharon Davis Design and constructed to help empower women. Now reaching a decade, the Sharon Davis Design firm collaborated with the humanitarian organization Women for Women International in 2013 to create the Women’s Opportunity Center (WOC) in order to energize the small community’s subsistence-agriculture economy through female empowerment.

METALCONLive! and the FMA Present — Roll Forming Basics — Next Wednesday, March 8

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Join us next Wednesday, March 8, as leading roll forming expert, Paul Tiefenthal, leads us in an important presentation on the basics of the roll forming industry. Roll forming isn’t a single process carried out on a single type of system, but a family of processes performed on a variety of systems. Learning about roll forming is a matter of learning about roll forming lines, the processes they perform, and the roles and capabilities of auxiliary equipment including seam welders, and more. Discover all this and more details about what makes roll forming an indepth process.

25th Annual Women in Construction Week – March 5 – 11

WIC Week

WIC Week™, or Women in Construction Week™, celebrates and promotes the role of women in the construction industry. The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) held the first WIC Week in 1998 and it has grown and expanded each year since. This year’s theme, “Many Paths, One Mission,” celebrates the different journeys women have taken toward the same goal: strengthening and amplifying the success of women in the construction industry.

Magnificent Metal Monday – Victorian Home Roof Restoration

In last week’s METALCONLive!, industry expert Todd Miller with Isaiah Industries detailed the importance of project management for metal roof restoration jobs. In today’s Magnificent Metal Monday, let’s take a look at one of the projects completed by a division of Isaiah Industries, Kassel & Irons along with Swita Metal Roofing. After being selected for the job for their reasonable estimate, efficient installation, and careful treatment of the roof and grounds, they beautifully replaced the old wood shake roof with a stylish, durable metal roof on a 19th-century Victorian home in Lake Mills, Wisconsin.

Metal Construction Hall of Fame Call for Nominations

Metal Construction News‘ call for nominees for this year’s Metal Construction Hall of Fame is underway. Founded in 2012, this annual award honors those individuals who have made significant contributions to the success, innovation and growth of the metal construction industry.

The deadline to nominate is March 10, 2023.

Click here to nominate a person to the Metal Construction Hall of Fame

Join us TODAY as METALCONLive! and MCA Present “Successful Management of Metal Roofing Projects” with Industry Expert Todd Miller

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

No stranger to METALCON and METALCONLive!, industry leader Todd Miller of Isaiah Industries will share his expertise on how to create a successful project management plan for a new construction or remodel project TODAY at 1PM. Join us to get the knowledge and tools needed for effective and efficient strategic planning for a new construction or remodel project.

Join us Next Week as METALCONLive! and MCA Present “Successful Management of Metal Roofing Projects” with Industry Expert Todd Miller

LEARN MORE AND REGISTER

No stranger to METALCON and METALCONLive!, join industry leader, Todd Miller of Isaiah Industries, next Wednesday, February 22, as he shares his expertise on how to create a successful project management plan for new construction or remodel project.

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Magnificent Metal Monday — And the Awards Go To…

According to DesignandBuildwithMetal, the Metal Construction Association (MCA) presented its annual Patrick R. Bush Service Award to LeeAnn Slattery and its Larry A. Swaney Award to Scott Kriner in appreciation for their service to the association and the metal construction industry. The winners were announced January 24 during MCA’s 40^th anniversary dinner and celebration, part of MCA’s winter meeting in Clearwater, Florida.

METALCON Future Leaders Program Seeks Nominations for Advisory Council

The Future Leaders of METALCON is a new program for rising stars, up-and-comers, management trainees, apprentices and others, roughly age 40 and under, ready to take their career to the next level. This new program is a critical step to focus and steer the metal construction industry toward the future. Last year, METALCON and the Metal Construction Association (MCA) saw the successful launch of the Future Leaders Program, virtually and then in person at METALCON in Indianapolis. Last month, the second Future Leader’s Program was held at MCA’s Winter Meeting, and featured a panel of industry experts moderated by Heidi Ellsworth, CEO of RoofersCoffeeShop, followed by a reception (link to watch program below).

Don’t Miss Tomorrow’s METALCONLive! – The Importance of Wall to Roof Connections for the Air Barrier

Join us TOMORROW when METALCONLive! and the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) present a LIVE webinar on the “The Big Disconnect.” International author and speaker, Roy Schauffele, FCSI, CCPR, FABAA, CABS, Certified Air Barrier Specialist with ABAA and President and Founder of Division 7 Solutions, Inc., will focus on things to consider from a design standpoint, along with practical approaches to ensuring a robust connection is constructed and executed. REGISTER NOW to reserve your virtual seat!

Magnificent Metal Monday – IDEAS² Award Winners

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) has announced its annual Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel (IDEAS²) Award winners for 2023. These awards are the industry’s most prestigious design honor, recognizing projects that illustrate the exciting possibilities of building with structural steel and highlighting the many ways steel can help express architectural intent while harnessing its unique advantages for both simple and complex structural systems. This year’s winners are a mix of adaptive reuse and brand-new structures.

AISC President Charles J. Carter, SE, PE, PhD., says, “I love how this year’s winners not only use steel to create modern masterpieces but also take full advantage of steel’s unique ability to give a second life to structures that would otherwise be demolished.” Winners are listed below, separated into the categories of “Less than $15 million,” “$15 – $75 million,” “$75 to $200 million,” and “Greater than $200 million.”

METALCON 2023 Call for Presentations – Deadline is Approaching

METALCON 2023 returns to Las Vegas this year and we want YOU to take “center stage” in our nation’s “City of Lights.” We are seeking individuals who want to educate, engage, inspire and present material in ways that will enhance the attendees’ experience. The deadline is approaching to submit your topic in our call for presentations. Topics that address real-world, metal-related opportunities and challenges toward a variety of disciplines of the metal construction community with a special interest in technical aspects, building codes, case studies, and sustainability will be considered.

NEW FOR 2023: All topics submitted will be considered for BOTH in-person education at METALCON 2023 AND for our year-round METALCONLive! programming.

SUBMIT YOUR PRESENTATION BY FEBRUARY 14.

What is “The Big Disconnect?”

Join us next Wednesday when METALCONLive! and the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) present a LIVE webinar exploring the importance of wall to roof connections for the air barrier. Certified air barrier specialist, Roy Schauffele, FCSI, CCPR, FABAA, CABS, will focus on things to consider from a design standpoint, along with practical approaches to ensuring a robust connection is constructed and executed. REGISTER NOW to reserve your virtual seat!

Final Days for Annual Architect and Contractor Surveys – Your Voice Matters

For 37 years and 42 years respectively, Metal Architecture magazine and Metal Construction News have been publishing annual surveys of the industry, looking at the results of prior years and speculating about the upcoming year. The last few years have been unparalleled in terms of the challenges the industry has faced and they want to know if the industry has settled back on its original path or will it continue to face challenges. Please take a few minutes to submit your surveys.

Magnificent Metal Monday – 2023 Forge Prize Finalists

The American Institute of Steel Construction’s (AISC) annual Forge Prize competition celebrates emerging architects who create visionary designs that embrace steel as the primary structural component while exploring ways to increase project speed. AISC recently announced the three finalists, who will each take home $5,000 from the first round, will now have the opportunity to work with a steel fabricator before presenting their final concepts to the judges during a live YouTube event in late March. The winner will take home a $10,000 grand prize and be invited to present before an audience of the industry’s best minds at NASCC: The Steel Conference in April.

CONTECH Update for 2023

Taking a look at what’s new in the world of CONTECH for this year, ConstructionDive reports new releases including new products and updates from eTakeoff, eMod, Topcon, RedTeam and AirBolt, all aimed to help contractors keep construction projects running on time and on budget. In their 2023 outlook, Associate Editor, Matthew Thibault says, “Technology will be a key driver of progress and efficiency in 2023, and experts believe that the benefits are too useful to ignore in such tumultuous times.”

Call for Entries: Construction’s Top Women Leaders 2023

Construction Dive is seeking nominations through February 10 to highlight the industry’s leading women in all sectors. Each year, Construction Dive spotlights dozens of the industry’s top women leaders in their Construction Champions program. With this year’s Women in Construction Week coming up March 5 to 11, they are looking for a new set of pros to highlight. By recognizing those who are paving the way, it is an important step in the ongoing efforts to open doors for women in the construction industry.

Magnificent Metal Monday – Steel Fabrication Pushed to New Heights with Canadian Museum Renovation Project

Photo credit: Elliott Lewis Photography

Designed by Studio Libeskind, the extension to the Royal Ontario Museum, located in downtown Toronto, truly represents the versatility of how the use of metal can bring art and design to life. Now almost five years now since the extension opened, the ROM is considered the largest Museum in Canada and attracts more than a million visitors a year. It’s new name “Michael Lee-Chin Crystal,” is derived from the building’s five intersecting metal-clad volumes, reminiscent of crystals were inspired by the crystalline forms in the Museum’s mineralogy galleries.

METALCONLive! Offers Predictions for 2023 and Beyond

Industry Experts Agree Metal is Well Positioned for 2023 and Beyond

In the first METALCONLive! of the new year, Paul Deffenbaugh, editorial director of Modern Trade Communications, led a discussion with leading industry experts about the state of the metal construction industry and what we can expect this year. According to Jeff Henry, MBA, CAE, executive director of the Metal Construction Association, “The industry is strong, but we still face challenges in 2023.” From an architects standpoint, Brent Schipper, AIA, LEED AP, founding principal of ASK Studio, is not feeling quite as optimistic as they are starting to see their backlogs starting to drop, but feels “the pace of construction in 2023 will become the most critical priority.” Renee Ramsey, director of the Metal Roofing Alliance, shared data from their 2021 study saying, “We saw a 17% market share in the residential reroof market, which is a primary audience for metal roofing. While not a huge increase, we are happy to see it continue to move in an upward pace.”

Brent Schipper, AIA, LEED AP, founding principal, ASK Studio\

Jeff Henry, MBA, CAE, Executive Director, Metal Construction Association

Renee Ramey, Executive Director, Metal Roofing Alliance

2023 State of the Metal Construction Industry LIVE Tomorrow at 1:00 PM – RESERVE YOUR SEAT

In less than 24 hours, join us for the first METALCONLive! of the year!

Get answers to these burning questions about the year ahead —

• Will the packed production schedules continue?
• Are supply chain challenges finally fading?
• What design trends will your clients be demanding and which ones are destined to be yesterday’s news?

Reserve your “seat” now for tomorrow’s METALCONLive! at 1pm EST. Our panel of experts representing every corner of the metal construction industry will share their observations, thoughts, and opinions on where we are now and where we’ll be this time next year.