Trade News
Armstrong Acquires A. Zahner Co., Expanding Metal Capabilities
Armstrong World Industries announced that it has acquired A. Zahner Company. Based in Kansas City, Mo., Zahner is a company in the design, engineering and fabrication of highly crafted, complex architectural metal solutions and products. Its advanced metal surfaces and engineering systems are unique in the industry and have been used in some of the most iconic commercial buildings, cultural centers and other structures in North America and beyond.
“We are thrilled to welcome Zahner and its talented team to the Armstrong family,” said Vic Grizzle, president and CEO of Armstrong World Industries. “Over the last decade, Armstrong has developed and acquired world-class metal design and manufacturing capabilities for interior ceilings and specialty walls. The addition of Zahner allows us to further expand into the highly specifiable, exterior architectural metal category.
“This acquisition represents a rare opportunity to connect two complementary companies with long, proven legacies of integrity, innovation and excellence in quality and service. With Zahner, we have dramatically elevated and expanded our capabilities to design, engineer and fabricate truly unique, high-design architectural metal projects. Providing a broad, growing portfolio of specifiable materials and solutions to enable architects and designers to bring their most creative visions into reality—inside and outside a building—is a clear differentiator for Armstrong.”
Zahner is known for its collaborative design and metal fabrication capabilities for large and complex projects. The company’s unique knowledge of computational design, metal finishing and versatile engineering systems enables architects’ highly imaginative ideas to become incredible realities through the mindful use of crafted metals. Zahner’s process begins at the inception of a project through close collaboration with architects, designers, artists and other partners to ensure the delivery of design intent with manufacturability and long-term performance integrity.
“We are excited to join Armstrong World Industries and look forward to the opportunities this presents for our people and clients,” said William Zahner, CEO of Zahner. “I am confident that, together with Armstrong, we can accelerate our growth with a partner that shares common values, led by a focus on innovative design and client satisfaction. This begins a new chapter in an ongoing story of applying innovation and collaboration to build the incredible.”
Zahner was founded as a sheet metal fabricator of cornices in 1897 by Andrew Zahner. It has expanded under the Zahner family leadership to become the premier designer and manufacturer of exceptional, high-design architectural metal solutions. The business comprises production facilities in Missouri and Texas with approximately 160 employees, including experts in metallurgy, structural and mechanical engineering, and complex project management.
With the addition of Zahner, Armstrong has completed 12 acquisitions since 2016 and vastly expanded its portfolio of architectural specialties products and solutions, including a range of substrate materials for interior and exterior applications, such as metal, wood, felt and architectural resin. The Zahner acquisition directly builds on and complements the exterior architectural metal capabilities of BOK Modern LLC, which Armstrong acquired in 2023. This broad portfolio enables Armstrong to participate in more spaces within the construction and renovation of a building with highly specified products and innovative solutions and is a key driver of the company’s growth strategy.
Registration Opens for STAFDA’s 2025 Excellence in Distribution Program
Registration is now open for the premier industry education program, STAFDA’s Excellence in Distribution. The association has created a focused educational program designed specifically for professionals in the construction, industrial and supply chain industries.
STAFDA’s second annual Excellence in Distribution will be March 11-13, 2025, at the Nashville Hilton. The program is an intense management school with interactive workshops focused exclusively on wholesale distribution, which has filled an educational void in the industry. Excellence in Distribution speakers have been carefully selected, based on their years of industry experience and proven success in their respective fields. Attendees will interact closely with these experts, covering key topics, such as operational challenges, growing sales, branding, digital marketing, sales structure and compensation, HR, profitability, warehousing and inventory, and M&A and capital markets, as well as procurement, policy and labor relations. The renowned speakers include Alex Chausovsky, Ken Brown, Nancye Combs, Alex Goldfayn, Ken Novak, Paul Reilly, Jon Schreibfeder, Mike Staver, Jamie Turner and others.
EiD is open to all companies in the construction and industrial channels, not just STAFDA members. STAFDA has partnered with the Power Transmission Distributors Association to provide its Excellence in Distribution training at a discounted rate. We’re all in this space together, and Excellence in Distribution is designed for the betterment of the industry.
Another popular aspect of EiD is the opportunity to socialize and connect with like-minded individuals in the industry. The agenda includes ample time for networking, allowing attendees time to engage in meaningful conversations with other professionals.
The Excellence in Distribution sessions will end at noon on Thursday, March 13, allowing those who want a fun diversion before heading home to join an optional tour of Jack Daniel’s. Lynchburg, Tennessee, is only 90 minutes away, and seeing how the company handles whiskey distribution can be a unique way to close out the experience.
STAFDA and PTDA members receive preferential pricing, but Excellence in Distribution is designed to serve the construction, industrial, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, LBM, safety, concrete and any other market in the construction channel. It’s open to distributors, manufacturers, rep agents, general contractors, industry buying groups and any professional who wants to learn and grow in their career.
For a complete list of speakers and workshops, as well as registration details, visit ExcelinDist.org. For more information, contact STAFDA member services director Catherine Usher at cusher@stafda.org.
EIMA Announces 2025 Annual Meeting
The EIFS Industry Members Association announced that its 2025 Annual Meeting will be held on March 18-20 at the Reunion Resort and Golf Club, which is located near Orlando, Fla.
EIMA is bringing back the golf outing this year, so get ready for an extraordinary golfing experience. Reunion is home to three signature courses crafted by legendary PGA icons Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus.
More details about the meeting will be available in the coming months.
https://www.wconline.com/articles/96788-eimas-2025-annual-meeting-save-the-date
ASCE’s Structural Engineering Institute Releases CFS Connection Guide
Developed by the Committee on Cold-Formed Steel Members of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Structural Engineering Institute, ASCE/SEI has released Cold-Formed Steel Connections to Other Materials: A Design Guide by Perry S. Green, Ph.D., P.E.
The comprehensive guide explores the use of cold-formed steel in conjunction with other structural and nonstructural materials, including steel, concrete, concrete masonry units, brick masonry and wood, in the design and construction of buildings and structures.
The guide assists engineers by providing practical examples of designing across material boundaries, addressing the challenges encountered when connecting CFS to different materials.
Topics include:
- CFS connections to structural steel
- CFS connections to concrete
- CFS connections to concrete masonry units and brick masonry
- CFS connections to wood
- Clip angle strength checks
- Material sizing definitions
- Industry organizations
The guide is intended as a valuable resource for professionals in material industries, engineering students studying CFS and other materials, and the CFS design community. It addresses connection design challenges among different materials during the design and construction of structures.
As noted in the preface, the publication relies on the engineer’s existing knowledge of several codes and specifications, though it is not essential to have all of them readily available. It serves as reference for undergraduate capstone design courses, exposing students to the design and use of materials like CFS, CMU, brick masonry and wood—areas not frequently covered for students concentrating in structures and structural design.
The material presented was developed to bridge the gap between various codes and standards for the CFS design community and the hot-rolled steel, concrete, brick and masonry, and wood industries when faced with connection design problems among these different materials.
Cold-Formed Steel Connections to Other Materials: A Design Guide is available for purchase from the ASCE library.
Report Finds Construction Industry Has Highest Percentage of Undocumented Workers
According to the American Immigration Council, the construction industry has the highest percentage of undocumented workers at 13.7 percent, surpassing agriculture (12.7 percent), hospitality (7.1 percent), general services (6.5 percent), and transportation and warehousing (5.5 percent).
Within construction, the crafts with the highest proportions of undocumented workers are plasterers and stucco masons at 39 percent; drywall installers, ceiling tile installers and tapers at 36 percent; roofers at 36 percent; and painters and paperhangers at 31 percent.
SprayFoam 2025 Convention & Expo Returns to Daytona Beach
The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance has announced that the SprayFoam 2025 Convention and Expo, also known as “SPRAYTONA,” will be held Feb. 9-12 in Daytona Beach, Fla. The event will bring together professionals in spray foam insulation, roofing, specialty applications, concrete lifting, coatings and related equipment from the U.S. and abroad. Attendees will explore industry opportunities, learn via wide-ranging educational sessions, complete professional certifications, discover product innovations and participate in dynamic networking opportunities.
“This is the spray foam industry’s most anticipated event of the year,” said Frank Mortl III, CAE, executive director of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance. “Attendees come from far and wide to expand their knowledge and conduct business, all while having a great time.”
This year’s event will forego the traditional keynote speaker for a widely requested Expert Industry Panel. The panel is scheduled during the event’s General Session, which starts at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Participating spray foam industry leaders and each of their respective topic focus areas include Honeywell senior scientist Mary Bogdan, who will address chemical components and the 2025 industry-transition requirements to high-lift foam; SPFA technical consultant Rick Duncan, PhD, PE, who will speak to SPFA documents, committees and on-demand support; Quadrant Performance Materials CEO Robert Jamieson, who will speak about market growth, as well as training, risk mitigation and continuous improvement; General Coatings Manufacturing Corp. president Will Lorenz, who will address government affairs and the impacts of 2024’s general election outcomes on subcontractors; and PUFF, Inc. president Bonnie Strickler, who will discuss the details and benefits of SPFA’s Professional Certification Program, including costs, time commitments, the program’s value proposition and steps toward completion. Mortl III will moderate.
The event agenda includes 45 educational breakout sessions; an 80,000-square-foot exhibit hall; the National Industry Excellence Awards; ABAA Certified Applicator Training (a co-located event); “From Technician to Entrepreneur: A Business Guide for SPFA Contractors” (a co-located event); the annual golf tournament; member- and contractor-only events; and SPFA Professional Certification Program courses, installer training, written exams and free field exams. The Field Exam Experience and free field exams are also being offered on pre-convention day, which is Feb. 8.
“Attendees will also have the opportunity to enjoy SPFA’s inaugural Sporting Clay Classic on Sunday, Feb. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” Mortl III added. “We’ve set up a challenging, yet recreational, course at Volusia County Skeet and Trap Club – all skill levels invited to participate!”
The 2025 convention will be held at Ocean Center Convention Center, which is located at 101 N. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach. The event headquarters hotel, Daytona Grande Oceanfront Resort, is located at 422 N. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach. The overflow hotel is the Daytona Beach Hilton at 100 N. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach.
Huntsman Building Solutions is returning as the 2025 event’s Platinum Sponsor. Additional event sponsors and partners include Gold Sponsors Accufoam, Ambit Polyurethane, Elastochem, Enverge, General Coatings Manufacturing Corp., Honeywell, International Fireproof Technology Inc., Natural Polymers, NCFI Polyurethanes, No-Burn, SWD and UPC; National Industry Excellence Awards Sponsors Arkema and Evonik; Silver Sponsors Everest Systems and Polyurethane Machinery Corporation; Bronze Sponsor BASF; Premier Media Sponsors Sprayfoam Professional, Sprayfoam magazine, Roofers Coffee Shop, Coatings Coffee Shop, Roofing Contractor and Walls & Ceilings; and Industry Partners Spray Foam World Wide, the Western States Roofing Contractors Association and the National Roofing Contractors Association.
To inquire about event sponsorships and exhibitor information, contact Lisa Smith at lsmith@sprayfoam.org. To register for the event, as well as for certification courses and exams, visit sprayfoam.org/sprayfoam-registration.
Spackle by Dave Coverly
People News
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Euro-Wall named Shawn Harlacher as vice president of sales.
Graycor promoted Dave Wing to chief executive officer.
The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association elected Dale Hahs II and Matt Kitchens as its 2025 president and vice president, respectively. Ron Credit, Tyler Veth and Eric Wessinger were elected to STAFDA’s Board of Directors.
The Steel Bridge Task Force selected Gary Prinz as the recipient of the 2024 Robert J. Dexter Memorial Award. Prinz also presented his research on steel bridge structures’ fracture, fatigue and service life to the task force.
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The Steel Bridge Task Force selected Gary Prinz as the recipient of the 2024 Robert J. Dexter Memorial Award. Prinz also presented his research on steel bridge structures’ fracture, fatigue and service life to the task force.
The Specialty Tools & Fasteners Distributors Association elected Dale Hahs II and Matt Kitchens as its 2025 president and vice president, respectively. Ron Credit, Tyler Veth and Eric Wessinger were elected to STAFDA’s Board of Directors.
