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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Outlook for Construction in 2023

According to Construction Dive, “The industry will continue to face labor shortages, high materials costs and other headwinds, but infrastructure will be a bright spot.” Top construction economists say much like in 2022, signals are mixed. In a recent article, they took a look at five key indicators and what they suggest for contractors in the year ahead.

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.

Magnificent Metal Monday – AIA’s Highest Honor Awarded

Photo: John Boehm | Architect Magazine

Congratulations to Carol Ross Barney, FAIA, for being awarded the 2023 AIA Gold Medal, AIA’s highest honor. Barney is the founder of her eponymous Chicago firm and is only the second woman to individually receive the award. The award honors an individual or pair whose significant body of work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture.

Calling all Future Leaders – Join Us TODAY for a Special Edition of METALCON Live!

A “must-attend” for young professionals and the next generation of metal construction industry leaders as they prepare to step up! Join us TODAY at 1:00 PM as dynamic career counselor, Dr. Melissa Furman, kicks off “Future Leaders at METALCON” with a presentation on personal branding.

REGISTER NOW!

Magnificent Metal Monday – Focus on Future Leaders

The Future is Now …

METALCON announces its new Future Leaders of METALCON (FLMC) program for rising stars, up-and-comers, management trainees, apprentices and others, roughly ages 40 and under, ready to take their career to the next level. Through the show’s 30+ year history of bringing the entire metal design and construction industry together, the time is now to focus on young professionals and lend expert advice and exceptional learning opportunities to create the business leaders of tomorrow.

MCN 41st Annual Contractor Survey Results

“Across the board, metal construction projects increased in number and size from 2020 to 2021.“

Photo Credit: Metal Construction News

Published on March 1, the MCN 41st Annual Contractor Survey sees a robust market environment in the metal construction industry, comparable to the overall construction market. Metal builders, roofers, wall panel contractors and light-gauge steel contractors all report that 2021 was better than 2020 and they anticipate 2022 being even better. According to survey respondents, MCN reports that metal building construction increased 12.9% in 2021, seeing a metal roofing 9.3% increase, metal wall panels 2.5% increase and light-gauge steel framing up 9.5% for exteriors and 3% for interiors.

TODAY at 1:00 PM — Expert Advice on How to Blast Past Pricing Woes on METALCONLive! REGISTER NOW

REGISTER TODAY! Eligible for 1 AIA LU

It is on everyone’s minds — the “trifecta of pricing woes” — inflation, supply chain, and talent shortage. Join this high powered panel of experts as the provide some clarity on the issues currently plaguing the industry and share real solutions to help you run your business and turn a fair profit. Join us for METALCON Live! TODAY at 1:00 PM, as Alex Carrick, Chief Economist at ConstructConnect, Tony Bouquot, General Manager of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), and Frank Stasiowski, CEO & Founder of PSMJ Resources, Inc., come together to deliver up-to-the-minute breakthrough tactics for transforming your business results in the face of current headwinds. Get up to speed on supply chain disruption, sustainability, workforce challenges, cost-containment, and more.

Join us LIVE and you can chat directly with our experts on the challenges your are facing! 

Hear from METALCON Live!‘s blue-ribbon panel of experts on the status of the metal construction and design industry, and how to get over the hump. Get up to speed on the supply chain disruption, sustainability, workforce challenges, cost-containment, and so much more!

Your FUTURE is NOW…..It’s time to get moving so join us to hear what others are doing… we promise it will change your thinking POSITIVELY.

Magnificent Metal Monday – METALCON Registration Opens!

What could be more MAGNIFICENT then having registration OPEN for METALCON 2022!! Join us October 12 – 14 as Indianapolis welcomes us with their “Hoozier Hospitality!”

Everyone Start your Registrations!

REGISTER by May 15^th and get an EXTRA $20 OFF Early Bird Pricing — that’s a savings of up to $75! Enter promo code: RaceToRegister to activate $20 bonus

Read more to learn what will be new at METALCON and what will be returning …

In Just One Week – A METALCON Live! You Won’t Want to Miss! Expert Advice on Blasting Past Pricing Woes

REGISTER TODAY! Eligible for 1 AIA LU

It is on everyone’s minds — the “trifecta of pricing woes” — inflation, supply chain, and talent shortage. To provide some clarity on the issues currently plaguing the industry, METALCON has assembled a high powered panel of experts to share real solutions to the frustrations currently happening as you try to run your business and turn a fair profit. Join us for METALCON Live! NEXT Wednesday, April 6, as Alex Carrick, Chief Economist at ConstructConnect, Tony Bouquot, General Manager of the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), and Frank Stasiowski, CEO & Founder of PSMJ Resources, Inc. come together to deliver up-to-the-minute breakthrough tactics for transforming your business results in the face of current headwinds. Get up to speed on supply chain disruption, sustainability, workforce challenges, cost-containment, and more.

Join us LIVE and you will be able to chat directly with our experts on the challenges your are facing! 

Inflation, Material Delays and Labor Issues

Credit: Travelers

There is no question the “trifecta of pricing woes” is on everyone’s mind causing business owners and leaders to rethink, strategize, and get creative in order to maintain their profitability. Earlier this month, Construction Dive reported, “Despite a surprisingly strong U.S. January jobs report, nonresidential construction employment fell by 9,000 workers in the heavy and civil engineering sectors as an aging labor force retires or quits; according to The Associated Builders and Contractors, construction unemployment rate rose to 7.1% vs. 4% across all industries; and the third wild card: supply-chain snafus making it harder to count days to completion or shareholder profits.”

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Top Women Leaders Round Out WIC Week

Construction Dive’s 2022 Construction Champions: The industry’s top women leaders

Construction Dive spotlights the women who are making the industry a more diverse, productive and welcoming place for all. A team of six Construction Dive editors examined each nominated woman’s depth of experience in the construction industry, as well as her commitment to leadership and mentorship of both women and men. Out of 651 submissions, the publication’s staff selected 34 talented women who stand as shining examples of how intuition, dedication and intelligence are shaping the industry.

A Look Back in Time – Who Paved the Way for Women in Architecture Today?

Château de Chenonceau by Katherine Briçonnet, Chenonceaux, France Photo via Wikimedia Commons

Design for Suburban Residence Exhibit Plan 2 by Marion M. Griffin. Image from the National Archives of Australia

The Pacific Design Center by Norma Merrick Sklarek, West Hollywood, CA, United States Photograph by Robert Landau

As we continue to celebrate NAWIC’s Women in Construction (WIC) Week, we take a step back in time to look at women in history who helped to pave the way for women designers and architects today. Samantha Frew with Architizer Journal, writes, “If history has taught us anything, it is that a driven woman is a force to be reckoned with.” She goes on to say, “Unfortunately, architectural history has not been kind to the creative women who have shaped it, often assigning their achievements to male counterparts or erasing them altogether. For centuries, women of all ages, backgrounds, countries and professions have persevered by challenging inequality, questioning bias.” Currently, only 25% of working architects in the United States identify as women. 

Magnificent Metal Monday – Women in Construction Week

To help kick off the National Association of Women in Construction’s (NAWIC) 24th Annual Women in Construction Week, running all this week, the METALCON team would like to recognize some of the current leading women and organizations representing and advancing women in the metal construction industry.

Women in Construction: State of the Industry and WIC Week™

Image credit: BigRentz

Since 1987, March has been proclaimed as Women’s History Month so it is only fitting for NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) to hold its annual WIC Week ™ or Women in Construction Week ™ this month. Happening next week, March 6 -12, this year’s theme, “Envision Equity,” is intended to highlight women as a viable component of the construction industry.

According to BigRentz from a January article, the needle has still not moved much regarding the number of women in construction jobs. They reported, “Of all the people working in construction, women comprise only 10.9%. Even smaller is the number of women on the front lines of a job site — only 1 for every 100 employees in the field. Considering that women make up 47% of all employed individuals, this means that the construction industry is only benefitting from about 1.25% of women in the workforce.”

Magnificent Metal Monday – Celebrating Women

Rigidized® Metals Corporation Brings Powerful Message to Life

Photo credit: Rigidized® Metals Corporation

As NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) is about to kick off their 24th annual WIC Week™, or Women in Construction Week™, today’s Magnificent Metal Monday features a new art installation representing and honoring the strength and power of women and girls in the Buffalo, New York region. Titled “Do Not Mistake our Softness for Weakness,” the project is comprised of 6 unique structure created by local artist Shasti O’Leary-Soudant and fabricated by Rigidized® Metals. The vividly colored structures were created by using Rigidized® Metals’ pattern 60LTH and powder coated in a variety of colors. It is located just outside the Burchfield Penney Art Center (BPAC) at SUNY Buffalo State and commemorates the centennial of the art center.

MCN 2022 State of the Industry

The pandemic holds on but the industry is emerging and battling new challenges

For over a decade now, Metal Construction News has issued an annual “State of the Industry” report by compiling updates from key industry contributors representing various disciplines of metal construction. MCN Editorial Director, Paul Deffenbaugh, shares his outlook for this year, “The coronavirus pandemic upended the world and the construction industry, and two years after the onset, we are still dealing with it. For the construction industry, that means supply chain issues, increased material and labor costs and a continued labor shortage.”

This year’s report includes seven unique articles covering subjects including economic drivers and their impact on construction, insurance premiums, solar market growth and the relationship with metal roofing, inflation predictions, current challenges for contractors, labor/ workforce demands, and the ways the construction industry can work together to face the unique challenges. Read on for links to each article.

Metal Construction Association Announces New Leadership

The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has announced its 2022 Executive Committee and Board of Directors:

• James Bush of ATAS International will continue to serve as Chairman of the Executive Committee; Bush, vice president of sales and marketing for ATAS International, Inc., has been heavily involved in MCA activities for many years and was inducted into the Metal Construction News Hall of Fame in 2014.
• Vice Chair Brian Partyka of Drexel Metals
• Past Chair Ed Karper of Dura Coat Products
• MRA President Dick Bus of ATAS International
• Market Development Chair Lee Ann Slattery of ATAS International
• Treasurer Chandler Barden of Cidan Machinery, Inc.
• Secretary Brian Jaks of Green Span Profiles
• Technical Committee Chair David Stermer of Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation (Stermer was recently elected to his second 3-year term)

MCN 2022 Contests are Underway

Metal Construction News is seeking nominations for their annual Hall of Fame, Top Metal Builders, and Project Excellence Awards. Keep reading for details and submission links.

Deadline: 3/11/22

Deadline: 3/18/22

Deadline: 9/16/22

Nominate Construction’s Top Female Leaders

Image credit: BigRentz, Inc.

Who are the women working to shape the commercial construction industry?

Construction Dive is seeking nominations through February 11 to highlight the industry’s leading women in all sectors during this year’s Women in Construction Week coming up March 6 to 12.  

Magnificent Metal Monday – Top 10 Construction Industry Trends for 2022

According to BigRentz, Inc., the largest equipment rental network in the nation, “2022 will be a year of reemergence and growth in the construction industry despite rising construction costs and labor shortages.”

They added, “Since last year, the COVID-19 pandemic changed how the construction industry does business, from scheduling and closing projects to hiring workers to meeting with clients. Looking forward, many industry trends will be affected by the fallout from the pandemic. New technology continues to change the construction site, improve the ability to win projects, and increase profit margins. Trends and movements are changing the roles of industry professionals and frontline workers.”

Here are their top 10 must-watch construction industry trends for 2022 to help you stay competitive in the New Year –

Magnificent Metal Monday – US Infrastructure Update

Photo Credit: Mario Tama via Getty Images

Construction Dive reported last week, “The U.S. is one step closer to a massive, much-needed infrastructure spending package.” The Senate voted last Wednesday to advance a bipartisan bill, which includes $550 billion in new federal funding for infrastructure. The bill will now enter a process of debates and amendments. Should the bill pass, it would inject funding into transportation, utilities and broadband spending. Senators voted to advance the package 67-32, with 17 Republicans joining all 48 Senate Democrats — and two Independents who caucus with the Democrats — in favor of advancing it.