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.

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.

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

REGISTER HERE

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.

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

REGISTER HERE

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.

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

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.”

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!

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

Magnificent Metal Monday – World-Class Projects on Saadiyat Island Aim for Culture and Calm

On this day of observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream of living in a world of peace among all beings, we travel to Saadiyat Island, a 10 square mile island which aims to bring “culture and calm” together, perhaps just a place Dr. King envisioned in his speech “I Have a Dream.” Lying approximately 10 miles from the center of Abu Dhabi, in addition to its white sandy beaches, it is fast becoming a world-renown international cultural destination. With two projects already open, and four under construction, here is a look at the cultural assets all brimming with the use of metal that truly showcases the union of art and form.

2022 MBMA Annual Report and Results of 1st Annual Student Design Competition

Our friends with the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) have released their 2022 annual report, “From Form to Function.” It focuses on the growing popularity of metal building systems and how the organization and its members are serving the needs of this vital industry. DOWNLOAD IT FOR FREE.

MBMA Chair Tom Boal says, “2022 has seen tremendous growth in the industry despite ongoing supply chain, labor and pricing challenges. With the need for metal building systems growing, MBMA continues to lead the industry through advocacy, working with building officials and steel suppliers, and providing educational resources.”