Metal Construction News’ 2023 Top Metal Builders Report

MCN’s 2023 Top Metal Builders report is a tale of “yin and yang” showing a clear “return to growth” yet still showing labor shortage to be the biggest challenge among top metal builders. According to the results this year, the list of top metal builders shows a growing industry with the largest contractors and erectors reporting significant growth in the average tonnage and square footage of the metal buildings they constructed between 2021 and 2022.

Note that MCN breaks out the list of 20 top erectors from the list of 100 top contractors, so that they don’t end up counting work on the same building twice, once for the contractor furnishing the metal building system and again for the erector putting up the steel. Knowing that some companies furnish and erect, but also are contracted to only erect a building, making them both contractors and erectors. Rather than separate those numbers out in the same entity, MCN identifies those companies as contractors.

Celebrating MCA’s 40 Years – “Life with MCA Over the Years” by Six Industry Veterans

The Metal Construction Association (MCA) kicked off their 40th anniversary at its Winter Meeting held in January in Clearwater, Florida, and will continue to celebrate throughout the year. MCA’s 40th Anniversary is covered in depth in this month’s issue of Metal Construction News including a look back at the association’s history, a look forward at their newest program “Future Leaders,” a list of service award winners, current MCA Members, and featured here, interviews with six industry veterans to see how “Life with MCA Over the Years” has been.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Industry Experts Will Peer into the 2023 Crystal Ball

In just one week, join us for the first METALCONLive! of the year, next Wednesday, 1/18, LIVE at 1pm EST for “The 2023 State of the Metal Construction Industry” presented by METALCONLive! and Metal Construction News. REGISTER NOW!

Do you want 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?

If you answered yes to any of them, then reserve your “seat” today for next week’s METALCONLive! on January 18 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.

METALCON 2023 Call for Presentations is OPEN

As METALCON 2023 returns to Las Vegas this year, we invite you to take “center stage” in our nation’s “City of Lights.” METALCON’s Call for Presentations is now open and we are seeking individuals who want to educate, engage, inspire and present material in ways that will enhance the attendees’ experience. We are looking for 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.

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

Happy New Year!

As we close out 2022 and welcome in this New Year, we want to take a moment to thank the nearly 5,000 visitors to our METALCON Blog this past year from all corners of the world including the U.S., Canada, Ireland, India, UK, Philippines, Australia, Germany, France, and Mexico! The METALCON team is already working hard to continue to provide worthwhile and relevant content to help the metal construction industry navigate and be prosperous in 2023! Exciting METALCON announcements are coming soon including:

Magnificent Metal Monday – MCN 2022 Project Excellence Awards

As announced earlier this month by Metal Construction News, the Grand Award winner in their 2022 Project Excellence Awards is none other than a parking structure! Chosen for its innovative use of metal, the top honor goes to the City of Hope Northeast Parking Structure, Duarte, Calif. Calling it “the most innovative use of metal we’ve seen of all the entries,” the MCN Award Judges selected it saying this project “took something that was so mundane and turned it into a civic presence.” A clear testament to the versatility of metal in the design and building process.

Self Storage Boom Means Greater Demand for Metal Buildings

Photo courtesy of Metl-Span

In a recent article, Building Design + Construction reports, “Nearly 60% of the country’s top 100 metros are building storage units at a higher rate than the national average.” In September, Metal Construction News featured the trend saying, “Over the last five years, there has been 255.5 million square feet of storage space built, equivalent to 16% of the total inventory. With one in three Americans using self storage units, the self storage industry is quite robust.” And with the vast majority of these storage buildings being made from steel, the metal industry has also seen steady growth in its demand for pre-engineered structures, insulated metal panels and automated technology for unmanned storage projects.

MetalCoffeeShop Brings Unique LIVE Experience to METALCON 2022

Since MetalCoffeeShop (MCS) came on the scene 6 months ago, it has positioned itself as a strong voice and online forum for the metal roofing industry. Led by award-winning RoofersCoffeeShop founder Heidi Ellsworth, MCS is delivering a one-of-a-kind educational, informational and community experience for metal contractors and the metal industry, brought to you by Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings. Delivering a unique LIVE experience this year at METALCON, Heidi was joined by RoofersCoffeeShop President Karen Edwards, and delivered their program “Coffee Conversations” from a sound stage built on the show floor courtesy of New Tech Machinery.

MCA 2023 Winter Meeting Details and Registration

The Metal Construction Association‘s annual Winter Meeting will take place January 22-25, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency in Clearwater Beach Resort and Spa in Clearwater, FL. The MCA Winter Meeting is open to members and non-members and the event will cover an array of topics pertinent to the use of metal in the building envelope, plus several opportunities to network with industry leaders. Registration is NOW OPEN.

Magnificent Metal Monday – Thanksgiving Station Building Cladded with MCM

Photo: Corey Middleton / Metal Construction News

With the sounds, tastes and smells of Thanksgiving still fresh in our minds, let’s travel to Thanksgiving Station, a relatively new residential and commercial mixed-use community located within Thanksgiving Point, located in Lehi, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. Appropriately named to express gratitude after receiving the land as a gift from her husband, wife of tech giant WordPerfect co-founder first established Thanksgiving Point in 1995 as a nonprofit indoor and outdoor farm, garden and museum complex. Much growth and expansion has occurred over the past 20 years including the Thanksgiving Station Office Park, a 1,000,000-square-foot mixed-use development that has offices, restaurants, fitness centers, a park and access to public transportation.

When architecture firm Beecher Walker sought to create the 150,000 square-foot building Thanksgiving Station 3, the fourth of five buildings, to embody the innovation associated with prospective tech company tenants, they turned to a design that integrated boxy forms clad with metal composite material (MCM) and glazing.

Happy Thanksgiving

“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” — Melody Beattie, author

May your Thanksgiving and all the days ahead be filled with health, happiness, joy and prosperity. On behalf of the METALCON team, we extend our gratitude to our partners and to the entire metal construction industry for your ongoing support and continued successes.

Industry Experts Discuss “State of the Industry” at Last Month’s METALCON ’22

Last month at METALCON, Paul Deffenbaugh, editorial director of Metal Construction News, moderated a state of the industry panel featuring Tony Bouquot, general manager of the Metal Builders Manufacturers Association (MBMA); Jennifer Heimburger, president of the Metal Builders Contractors & Erectors Association (MBCEA); Chuck Howard, long-time industry veteran and president of Metal Roof Consultants; and Alan Scott, FAIA, registered architect and sustainability practitioner with Intertek. They discussed supply chain issues, rising costs, the labor shortage and workforce development.

METALCON ’22 Takes a Victory Lap in Indy

As released to the media yesterday, November 2, 2022 —

Magnificent Metal Monday – MCA 2022 Design Awards Announced at METALCON

MCA Design Awards at METALCON

Last week at METALCON 2022, the Metal Construction Association announced the winners of their MCA 2022 Design Awards. Positioned down the show floor’s “power aisle,” the projects were on display for everyone to see while walking from exhibitor to exhibitor. The new awards program serves to recognize MCA member companies for their contributions to making an architect’s designs come alive with metal in construction. Lori Reynolds Morrow, LEED Green Associate at Sheffield Metals International, was the emcee for the awards presentation during METALCON.

A panel of architects along with MCA members, judged submissions based on overall appearance, significance of metal in the project, and innovative use of metal. Winners were announced in the categories of Custom and Ornamental, Insulated Metal Panels, Metal Composite Material Panels, Single-Skin Panels, Roofs – Commercial and Residential, and Retrofit.

Magnificent Metal Monday — Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines … Only 2 Days till METALCON ’22

Super-Charge Your Metal Knowledge at METALCON ’22 — Learn from Metal Hall of Famers

With METALCON ’22 roaring into Indianapolis this week, it’s time to make your final plans to maximize your time at the most influential metal construction and design event in the world. While meeting with exhibitors is an essential part of the event, so can learning from experts to super-charge your knowledge. Here is your “ultimate road-map” to navigating the show floor, where EVERYTHING happens ON THE SHOW FLOOR … AND … included in your Total Experience registration (see FLOOR PLAN). REGISTER HERE!

METALCON is thrilled to welcome four MCN Hall of Famers as presenters this year including:

• Jim Bush, 2014 inductee and VP of Sales and Marketing of ATAS International presenting “Above-Sheathing Ventilation: The Forgotten Cool Roof” in the Sustainability Learning Center.
• Rob Haddock, inaugural inductee in 2012 and CEO and Founder of S-5!, presenting one of the specialty workshops titled Understanding Metal Roofing: Parts 1 and 2
• Chuck Howard, 2014 inductee and owner of Metal Roof Consultants, presenting in the Main Theatre as a panelist in the State of the Industry.
• Todd Miller, 2020 inductee and president and co-owner of Isaiah Industries Inc., presenting Take Your Metal Roofing Business from Good to Great in the Best Practices Learning Center and Oilcanning: The Why and Can You Avoid It? in the Technical Know-How Learning Center.

CONTINUE FOR YOUR “ULTIMATE ROAD-MAP” TO EXHIBITS AND EDUCATION …

Special Events Happening at METALCON ’22

With only 7 days to go until we gather in Indianapolis for METALCON ’22, you won’t want to miss these special events happening on the show floor. From “Social Networking Bingo,” to an exclusive “Future Leaders” program and Happy Hour … from the specialty IMP Pavilion to the new Metal Building Marketplace … and from “The Architect’s Experience” curated for architects and design professionals to an “Indy 500 Race Car Simulator,” sponsored by CIDAN Machinery … there is truly something for everyone at this year’s show. Read on for details of each event …

METALCON ’22 EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT – BEST PRACTICES LEARNING CENTER

METALCON Best Practices Learning Center

In today’s economy, it’s more important than ever to have your business run smoothly and maximize every employee’s time and every dollar you spend on running your business. Sessions in the METALCON Best Practices Learning Center will feature industry experts who will provide you with solid, sensible advice and the tried and true techniques, tools and strategies you need to ensure your business’s growth and success. Join us at METALCON in a few weeks scheduled for October 12 – 14 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Metal Construction News Announces Special Offer to Attend METALCON ’22

HOT OFF THE PRESS … MCN is giving away 10 FREE PASSES to the Total Experience at METALCON. Use the code 5MCN2021 when you REGISTER.

If you get beat to the draw … don’t worry — Use the code MCN2022 to get $30 off your registration if you’re one of the next 999 to register.

Read more: Metal Construction News Announces Special Offer to Attend METALCON ’22

METALCON is roaring into Indianapolis this October! Don’t miss your chance to experience the most innovative metal construction products and solutions and connect with the most respected metal construction industry vendors and thought leaders.

Discover the ideas, tools, and expertise you need to turbocharge your business and get on the fast track to Victory Lane at the only global event focused exclusively on the use of metal in construction and design! 

Metal Construction News is METALCON’s publication partner and sponsor of the official show guide. Click HERE to view the Digital METALCON Show Preview 2022.

METALCON is produced by PSMJ | Resources, Inc. and sponsored by the Metal Construction Association.

METALCON ’22 EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT – PRESSING TECHNICAL ISSUES TACKLED

For over 30 years, METALCON has been a place for new ideas, inspiration, connections, and most importantly, ANSWERS to the questions that keep you up at night. Code compliance? Fire prevention? Rain Screen Assembly? Air Flow? These topics and more will be tackled in our Technical Know-How Learning Center. Conveniently located on the show floor, respected thought leaders will share proven strategies and technical how-to’s to address the challenges impacting your business right now (and help you sleep better at night!).

Magnificent Metal Monday – MCN 2021 Grand Award Winner

The Grand Award winner in the 2021 Metal Construction News Project Excellence Awards and the New Metal Roofs category winner was the New York City-based Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library Rooftop Terrace. The project is noteworthy for its “wizard’s hat-shaped roof” that gracefully disguises the rooftop mechanical equipment above the public terrace. The judges selected it calling it a “brilliant solution for urban design building detail,” citing its roof that was “not typically expected on a historic building.”

Photo: John Bartelstone, courtesy of New York Public Library / MCN

Get to Know Indy – Hotels, Convention Center and Walkability

Courtesy of VisitIndy; Click HERE for a 3D Interactive Map of Downtown Indy

The hallmark of the Indy convention experience is the ease and convenience it offers to meeting attendees. The Indiana Convention Center is positioned in the southwest quadrant of downtown and the building is surrounded by hotels and connected by climate-controlled skywalks and when you step outside, it is an easy walk to parks, attractions and hundreds of restaurants and bars in the heart of the city.

HOTEL INFORMATION – Book today with METALCON’s Housing Company

METALCON has contracted hotel rooms with two of the hotels closest to the convention center — the JW Marriott Indianapolis, which is connected to the center, and the Courtyard by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown, which is connected to the center via a Skywalk. Rooms are still available but going fast so book today. Globetrotter is the only official housing agency for METALCON. Make your reservation by contacting Globetrotter directly at (877) 904-6835, (301) 570-0800 (press 2 for Meetings), by e-mail or click HERE to complete a reservation request form.

MCN’s 2022 Project Excellence Awards Now Accepting Entries

The 2022 Metal Construction News Project Excellence Awards are celebrating their 36th year. Formerly known as the Building and Roofing Awards, this year they have added a special category for metal craftsmanship and are making the judging criteria more comprehensive to reflect the great work done in the field. The deadline is September 16 so don’t miss the chance to enter your project.