FMI Releases 2026 Industry Overview

FWCCA Announces 2026 Show, Announces Exhibit Space

Spackle by Dave Coverly

People News

WWCCA Celebrates 125 Years Serving Contractors and Builders

Cemex to Acquire Omega Products

Holcim to Acquire Xella in $2 Billion Deal

Construction Employment Slides in February, Reports ABC

Eagleview Expands Digital Exterior Takeoffs

WWCCA Celebrates 125 Years Serving Contractors and Builders

The Western Wall & Ceiling Contractors Association is marking its 125th anniversary, a milestone that traces back to 1901 when a small group of plastering contractors organized to address labor stability, workmanship standards and fair competition.

At the turn of the 20th century, interior finishes work centered on hand-applied plaster systems over wood and metal lath. Contractors faced inconsistent specifications, evolving fireproofing requirements and increasing urban density. The association’s early efforts focused on standardizing trade practices, supporting apprenticeship training and representing contractors in labor negotiations that remain central today.

As gypsum board displaced site-mixed plaster in many assemblies after World War II, WWCCA expanded its technical scope. Members navigated new fastening schedules, joint treatment methods and fire-resistance-rated wall and ceiling assemblies tested under emerging standards. The association served as a conduit between manufacturers, design professionals and field installers, helping contractors interpret code changes and integrate proprietary systems without sacrificing productivity.

California’s seismic environment further elevated the importance of coordinated wall and ceiling installation. From suspended acoustical ceiling bracing requirements to control joint placement in large gypsum board partitions, compliance missteps carried significant risk. WWCCA increased its emphasis on education, offering programs on seismic restraint, firestopping, exterior plaster and lath assemblies, and evolving building code provisions affecting interior finishes.

The association also played a visible role during periods of economic volatility. Construction downturns, material price escalation and workforce shortages have repeatedly tested contractors’ margins. By facilitating peer exchange and labor-management dialogue, WWCCA has helped members address backlog uncertainty, labor availability and shifting demand in sectors such as health care, education and multifamily housing—markets that heavily rely on complex wall and ceiling systems.

Milestones over the past century include formalized apprenticeship partnerships, expanded safety training and closer coordination with manufacturers introducing innovations such as lightweight gypsum panels, improved joint compounds and integrated ceiling systems. Each development required contractors to recalibrate estimating practices, crew sizing and quality-control procedures.

Today, as prefabrication, digital takeoff and tighter energy codes reshape interior construction, WWCCA’s mission remains grounded in field execution. The association continues to emphasize code compliance, risk management and technical competence in gypsum board, plaster and suspended ceiling assemblies. Reaching 125 years underscores more than longevity. For wall and ceiling contractors members, it reflects a durable commitment to advancing standards, protecting the trade and ensuring that interior finishes professionals remain central to the state’s built environment.

Cemex to Acquire Omega Products

Cemex has reached an agreement to acquire all assets of Omega Products International, a manufacturer of stucco and related exterior finishing materials serving the western United States. The deal represents Cemex’s entry into the U.S. stucco segment as part of a broader strategy to expand its mortars and building materials portfolio.

Omega Products International has operated for more than 50 years and supplies stucco products to residential and commercial construction markets. The company operates four manufacturing facilities located in California, Nevada and Colorado. Cemex reports Omega generates approximately $23 million in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.

For contractors working with exterior plaster systems, the transaction could signal tighter integration between stucco products and upstream materials such as cement, aggregates and admixtures. Cemex noted that Omega’s operations align geographically with its existing cement and materials infrastructure across the western United States.

According to Cemex CEO Jaime Muguiro, the acquisition supports the company’s U.S. growth strategy and provides a platform to expand within the stucco market. Cemex stated the move is intended to leverage operational synergies with its existing materials network, including production and distribution capabilities.

Omega CEO Todd Martin said the acquisition will provide access to Cemex’s logistics network and research and development resources, which could support product development and market expansion. Omega has operated as a privately held company under the Thompson family.

Holcim to Acquire Xella in $2 Billion Deal

Holcim has signed a binding agreement to acquire Xella, a European leader in sustainable and innovative walling systems, for €1.85 billion (approximately $2 billion USD).

Headquartered in Duisburg, Germany, Xella projects 2025 net sales of approximately €1 billion (about $1.1 billion USD) and operates in 21 European markets with more than 4,000 employees.

Holcim said the acquisition strengthens its position in the €12 billion-plus European walling market (roughly $13 billion USD) and expands its high-value Building Solutions portfolio. The company expects run-rate EBITDA synergies of €60 million (about $65 million USD) by year three.

The transaction represents a pro forma 2026 EBITDA multiple of 8.9x, or 6.9x after synergies. It is expected to be earnings per share and free cash flow accretive in year one, and return on invested capital accretive by year three.

“This strategic acquisition is a milestone in our vision to be the leading partner for sustainable construction,” said Miljan Gutovic, CEO of Holcim, noting the deal aligns with the company’s NextGen Growth 2030 strategy.

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

Construction Employment Slides in February, Reports ABC

Construction employment declined by 11,000 jobs in February, according to an analysis by the Associated Builders and Contractors of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Despite the monthly loss, industry employment remains up by 42,000 positions year over year, a gain of roughly 0.5 percent.

Nonresidential construction employment fell by 3,800 jobs during the month, with two of the sector’s three major segments reporting declines. Heavy and civil engineering contractors lost 6,500 jobs, while nonresidential specialty trade contractors shed 1,400 positions. Nonresidential building construction added 4,100 jobs, partially offsetting those losses.

The construction unemployment rate stood at 6.9 percent in February. Across all industries, the unemployment rate increased to 4.4 percent, up 0.2 percentage points compared to the same month last year.

According to ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu, the latest employment data continues a broader slowdown in construction labor demand. Industry employment has declined in eight of the past 11 months, affecting both residential and nonresidential segments.

Recent economic indicators point to weakening momentum across the construction sector. Construction spending has declined for several consecutive quarters, and ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator—a measure of contracted work yet to begin—fell to a four-year low in January.

For contractors and specialty trades, including wall and ceiling firms, sustained declines in backlog and spending could translate into fewer near-term project starts. Softening demand in heavy civil and specialty trades may also affect subcontractor availability and bid competition across interior scopes.

ABC also cited broader economic uncertainty affecting the industry outlook. Rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran, ongoing trade policy concerns, and crude oil prices above $80 per barrel could continue to pressure project costs and investment decisions through the early months of 2026.

Eagleview Expands Digital Exterior Takeoffs

Eagleview announced the launch of 3-D property intelligence including high-accuracy walls, windows and doors measurements for residential and commercial properties directly into Eagleview One. The new technology dramatically reduces or even eliminates the need for site visits by providing high-accuracy measurements (98.77 percent accuracy) derived from ultra-high resolution ortho and oblique imagery giving customers even more ways to evaluate and harness residential and commercial property data as they prepare for jobs.

Now customers across businesses, governments, and communities can understand, evaluate, and act on the built environment in ways that were previously unimaginable.

“We’ve dramatically improved one of the most time-consuming parts of work faced by industry professionals: the site visit,” said Piers Dormeyer, CEO of Eagleview. “Now, Eagleview One’s 3-D models offer virtually all measurements and penetrations needed by both residential and commercial professionals in an interactive and intuitive user interface, including the ability to isolate elements of the structure for analysis and part vs. whole report generation.”

The newly enhanced experience enables virtual collaboration by multiple stakeholders across a range of residential and commercial property-related workflows. This technological leap means faster decisions, fewer site visits, greater cost predictability, and a dramatically improved ability to plan, assess, insure, build, and manage properties at scale because customers can have access to residential and commercial roof, wall and door measurements at a universal standard with the capacity to manipulate thousands of elements directly from their computer, tablet, or smartphone.

The Eagleview One interface allows customers to extract only the property data they need when they need it, which enables them to support these various workflows from a single source of truth, all without an increase in pricing. The solution is delivered through a flexible, subscription-based model, giving customers predictable costs, adaptability as usage grows, and continuous access to new features as the platform evolves.

FMI Releases 2026 Industry Overview

FMI Corporation released the 2026 North American Engineering and Construction Industry Overview. The report provides a comprehensive forecast for a broad range of construction and engineering segments in the U.S. and Canada for 2026.

FMI expects construction spending to end 2026 up 1 percent from 2025, reflecting a market where growth remains selective rather than broad-based. While overall activity continues, performance is diverging meaningfully by sector, with public and infrastructure-related work providing stability as several private categories remain under pressure.

“Leaders are being forced to make sharper choices about where to compete and how much risk to take on,” said Chris Daum, president and CEO of FMI. “The market is supporting certain sectors and structures more than others, and performance in 2026 will depend on how well firms align their capacity and execution with those realities.”

FWCCA Announces 2026 Show, Announces Exhibit Space

This year the Annual Southeastern Florida Wall & Ceiling Contractor’s Association Convention and Trade Show will take place at the Caribe Royale Resort, July 29-August 2 in Orlando, Fla. Caribe Royale Orlando is a full-featured all-suite resort near Walt Disney World that combines comfort, convenience, and recreation. Its accommodations range from modern one-bedroom suites (with separate living area, workspace, and updated décor) to spacious two-bedroom villas complete with full kitchens, dining areas, in-suite laundry, and access to a private villa pool—ideal for families or extended stays.

The association encourages those interested in exhibiting to reach out to the staff (information below). There are booths still available, so contact the staff now.

For more information, visit fwcca.com.