MCN Looks at “Uncharted Waters” with Expert Panel

As we head into this holiday weekend, be sure to carve out some time to read the feature story posted yesterday by Metal Construction News titled, “Uncharted Waters.” Paul Deffenbaug, editorial director, asks five industry experts to weigh in on the current business environment given the disruption caused by the coronovirus pandemic. They all respond to questions covering these five key areas: length of time for the industry to bounce back, the greatest challenges being faced as a result of coronavirus from a business perspective, the effect on the labor shortage, the best tactical moves to address the changing market and recommendations to get the industry back on track.

METALCONLive! June 3 Highlights and Preview of Next Week’s Event

Key Take-Aways

“Buy America” – Cost of Capital Is at Its Lowest in Decades 

Steel Dynamics Inc., Hopes to Make U.S. More “Steel Sufficient” with Construction of its New Steel Mill

Continued Focus on Training and Education Will Be Key for Greater Usage of Metal

METALCON Co-Founder and CEO, Frank A. Stasiowski, FAIA, in partnership with the Metal Construction Association and Rob Haddock, CEO and Founder of S-5! Metal Roof Innovations, continued to highlight “Build Back Better” with a special focus on steel with guests Brian Smallwood, Market Manager-Construction for Steel Dynamics, Inc., and Marines Hagemann, Director of Client Experience for Allied Steel Buildings.

METALCONLive! Week 8 Highlights and Register for Next Week

Key Take-Aways from 5/20/20

Optimism and Concerns as Nation Re-Opens 

Use Visuals to Sell Metal to Architects

Training Will Be Key to Combat Labor Shortage

METALCON Co-Founder and CEO, Frank A. Stasiowski, FAIA, in partnership with the Metal Construction Association and Rob Haddock, CEO and Founder of S-5! Metal Roof Innovations, continued the focus on “Build Back Better” with special guest Mark Kalin (FAIA, FCSI, LEED), President of Kalin Associates Specifications and highly experienced specification writer, author, speaker and registered architect. See below for Mark’s valuable insight of the specifications industry and strategies to leverage more metal sales with architects.

Metal Construction News Survey Results

Image credit: Metal Construction News

Updated Coronavirus Impact Survey Results

The coronavirus shutdown has been going since the middle of March with states ordering shelter in place restrictions at varying times. Now, nearly two months later, the country is trying to open back up for business. MCN’s third survey in the last month delves into attitudes within the metal construction industry about the threat and how it has affected its businesses.

Highlights from the third survey:

• Fatigue is creeping into attitudes.

METALCONLive! Week 7 Highlights (Magnificent Metal Monday Special Edition) and Register for this Week

Key Take-Aways

Global Perspective of Crisis 

Shortage of Residential Metal Roofing Contractors

Metal is Changing Perception in Residential & Commercial Design & Usage

METALCON Co-Founder and CEO, Frank A. Stasiowski, FAIA, in partnership with the Metal Construction Association and Rob Haddock, CEO and Founder of S-5! Metal Roof Innovations, continued the focus of “Build Back Better” with special guests Ken Gieske of McElroy Metals and Ray Smith of Australia-based AppliCad Software. Read on for important take-aways from last week’s discussion and REGISTER today for this week’s METALCONLive! as we welcome expert specification writer and architect, Mark Kalin of Kalin Associates Specifications.

Metal Roofing Home Improvement Trends for 2020

Example of bold metal roof color; photo credit: MRA

According to the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), coping with climate extremes, getting creative and achieving better, longer-lasting performance that adds more ROI for the home improvement dollar are all top of mind for U.S. and Canadian homeowners this year. MRA reports that the top five key style and performance trends in the U.S. and Canada include:

• Trend #1: Show of Strength
• Trend #2: Mix & Match
• Trend #3: Save by Zero
• Trend #4: Hi-Fi Contrast
• Trend #5: Sky’s the Limit

MRA Predicts Top Trends in Metal Roofing for 2020

Photo courtesy of McElroy Metal; Metal Construction News

Featured in the November 22 issue of Metal Construction News, “MRA (Metal Roofing Alliance) Predicts Metal Roofing Trends for 2020.” According to the MRA, “metal roofing is an idea whose time has finally come.” They focused on the top five style and performance trends in the U.S. and Canada:

Show of Strength – Toughening up the home’s exterior to be better prepared for extreme climate changes. “Delicate detailing is out, while the use of heartier exterior features that offer an almost fortress-like feel and are meant to show off a home’s rugged resiliency are more popular than ever.” Metal roofs designed to mimic slate are especially on trend, helping homes achieve a substantial, natural look while delivering serious, low-maintenance and reliable performance.

Metal Roof Installation Training offered at METALCON 2019

Increase Credibility with Clients with a Roofing Certification

Photo credit: MBCI

Our friends with MBCI shared in a blog post, “Just because you’ve been installing roofing for 30 years, doesn’t mean installer training and certification isn’t necessary. From a bottom line perspective, it’s important for companies to be proactive in making sure there is always someone on their team who is a certified installer for the products they use—or might use.”

With the knowledge that comes with certification, you’ll be able to assist contractors and consumers alike in choosing the right metal roof for their needs. Being a certified provider, homeowners, design professionals and contractors will be able to clearly differentiate quality levels of steep slope metal roofing by applying industry performance standards.

MMM Celebrates Earth Day

On this Earth Day, Magnificent Metal Monday (MMM) turns to our friends at Metal Roofing Alliance to see how metal stacks up against other roofing materials in being environmentally friendly. According to MRA, metal is considered the most environmentally friendly and sustainable roofing material available based on its sustainability, energy savings and value. Metal roofs are 100% recyclable and are made with a minimum of 25% recycled material, depending on the type of metal. Metal roofs can also often be installed over an existing roof, eliminating the environmental impact of disposal.

New Report Suggests Growth for Metal Roofing is based on Climate Changes

Photo credit: Metal Roofing Alliance

According to the latest figures from the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), metal roofing is growing in popularity, especially in states that experience severe climate conditions. The report identifies the top five states for interest in metal roofing are Florida, Pennsylvania, California, New York and North Carolina, with Texas close behind.

Looking for a “Few More Good Teams” to compete in METALCON Roofing Games

Show off your roofing skills at METALCON 2018 and you will have the chance of winning up to $8,500!  The MCA Metal Roofing Games take place directly on the show floor at METALCON so conveniently located near all of the exhibits and education sessions.  Join us at this year’s “Total Experience” in Charlotte, North Carolina, October 10-12, 2018.  Click HERE to register your team to compete in the Roofing Games.

Take advantage of our current “BACKTOSCHOOL” offer and receive 40% off registration.  Click HERE to register.  Good through September 30 so register today!

 

 

Metal Roofing Championship Games at METALCON 2018

Be a part of the 5^TH Annual National Metal Roofing Championship Games competition to be held this October at METALCON in Charlotte, North Carolina, October 10-12, 2018.  The MCA Metal Roofing Games Task Force is now taking contestant registrations.  Ten teams of two participants each are needed for the competition. Teams should consist of players from the same company and who are planning to attend METALCON all 3 days of the event.  Deadline to pre-register is August 1!

Big Win for Solar Energy

Breaking News!  This week California became the first state to mandate solar panels on new home construction.  As reported by the Wall Street Journal, “The California Energy Commission voted unanimously to approve a mandate that residential buildings up to three stories high, including single-family homes and condos, be built with solar installations starting in 2020.”  Final approval will be made by the Building Standards Commission later this year.  

METALCON Hotel Reservations Open!

It’s time to book your hotel accommodations for METALCON 2018 in Charlotte, NC, for October 10 – 12, 2018.  METALCON’s official housing company is NOW taking reservations.  GLOBETROTTER is the official and ONLY housing agent for the METALCON show.  If you make your reservations with any other travel company, your reservation may not be guaranteed.

METALCON is Buzzing with News!

METALCON is buzzing with excitement to announce NEW dynamic changes to create a more interactive event – a Total Experience.  METALCON is going to Charlotte for the first time in 28 years and it is time for a change! Show leaders have been hard at work designing a new and more engaging show format with everything located in ONE place! Once you start your day on the show floor, you stay there. No running around looking for classrooms. With everything and everyone moving at a faster pace in today’s world, this format will offer greater efficiency for an attendee.

Charlotte’s “Royal Welcome” for METALCON

Charlotte’s skyline; photo credit by: charlottesgotalot.com

METALCON 2018 will take place in Charlotte, North Carolina October 10-12.  This will be METALCON’s first appearance in the city nicknamed the “Queen City” in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz who had become the Queen of England several years before the city’s inception. While Charlotte is not considered one of the United States’ “major” metropolitan cities … take note, THIS is a city on the rise.  By attending METALCON this year, you will have the chance to explore why this is a city worth seeing.

METALCON 2018 – Housing and Roofing Games Update

OFFICIAL METALCON HOUSING WILL OPEN MAY 1

ALERT! ALERT! ALERT!  Please watch out for imposter housing companies who are already soliciting your business to book a hotel room for METALCON.  Do not be fooled by these “fake” housing companies.  Globetrotter International is METALCON’s ONLY OFFICIAL housing company.  METALCON hotel reservations will officially open on May 1.  We ask that you please wait until then and book within the room blocks held for the trade show.  It matters and is important for the success of the show!

DREAMING OF BEING A ROOFING GAMES CHAMPION?  PRE-REGISTER TODAY! 

Be a part of the 5^TH Annual National Metal Roofing Championship Games competition to be held this October at METALCON in Charlotte, NC.  The MCA Metal Roofing Games Task Force is now taking contestant registrations.  Ten teams of two participants each are needed for the competition.  Teams should consist of players from the same company and who are planning to attend METALCON all 3 days of the event.

Similar to last year, there will be five challenges each on Wednesday and Thursday, October 10 and 11. The team that scores the highest collective points each day will be required to return on Friday October 12^th for a run-off competition.  The winning team on Friday will be recognized as the 2018 MCA METALCON Metal Roofing National Champion and receive a Grand Cash Prize of $2,000.  Last year, $8,500 cash was awarded over the 3-day competition.  Returning this year will be the 2017 National Champions, Matt Cox and Justin Hopta of Thomas Phoenix International.  Who wants to try their luck against the returning champs?  All MCA member companies are encouraged to recruit their customers to participate in the competition.

 

 

Magnificent Metal Monday

Is red the new black?  Top roofing trends for 2018 are “standing out from the crowd.”  With more color options available than any other roofing type, metal roofing color trends are setting the tone for the latest in homeowner style preferences.  According to the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), “predictions for the most popular shades this year include bright reds, brilliant whites and moody deep blues. Multi-tones and raw organic hues such as copper, titanium and bright stainless steel also are attracting homeowners for their one-of-a-kind appeal.”