Building envelope rainscreen company Knight Wall Systems recently expanded its fabrication plant in eastern Washington to effectively double its capacity, according to company president Doug Knight.

The manufacturing plant and headquarters, constructed in 2016 and located near the Deer Park airport, was approximately 20,000 square feet. The new expansion provides an additional 28,000 square feet of manufacturing space, which will increase capacity by 100 percent while providing space for new equipment needed to control costs and lead times.

“Our vision is to provide a one-stop shop for the building envelope industry by providing the solutions customers need for any rainscreen application,” Knight said. “The additional resources we have planned will help us meet that goal while controlling the costs to make it happen.”

In the past two years, Knight has introduced several products and product extensions that have contributed to the company’s rapid growth, driving the need for expanded manufacturing.

In the midst of this growth period, the company earlier this year announced its founding membership in the Rainscreen Association in North America. Launched officially in late-2020, RAiNA is a multi-disciplinary, member-led organization created to help meet today’s building design and construction challenges. It’s the first such industry group dedicated specifically to the advancement of the building envelope and its membership roster includes numerous leaders in the architectural façade industry.

“Knight is a leader in rainscreen façade support systems and well known in the industry for products that help solve common rainscreen wall assembly issues, in particular, reducing thermal bridging and providing fully engineered, universal systems,” said General Manager Brian Nelson, who is RAiNA Building Code Committee co-chair and a voting member on five different committees within the organization. As manufacturers continue to innovate with material performance, and building designs continue to evolve, applicable building knowledge is more important than it has ever been.

The Architect’s Experience at METALCON launches a new “show-within-a-show” for architects, designers, specifiers and engineers to breathe new life into projects and solve a wide variety of architectural, structural, environmental and building performance challenges―all through the use of metal. This year’s show takes place October 6-8 in Tampa, Fla.

Discover the limitless applications for metal in design, hear from well-known architect, Yann Weymouth and earn nearly a year’s worth of CEUs. The Architect’s Experience includes a series of events over two days focused on the use of metal as a design and construction component:

• Earn nearly a years’ worth of AIA LU’s and 20 CSI LU’s – Attend special Metal in Architecture education sessions and learn about metal’s inspiring versatility and exceptional performance and attend a series of one-hour Architect’s Experience Mini-Camps, packed with proven strategies for better business development, talent and project management, delivered by Bill Hinsley, the architecture business expert at PSMJ Resources Inc., the leading A/E/C industry executive education and global advisory group.

• Optional off-site tour – Visit the Salvador Dalí Museum and learn about its design and construction in a keynote presentation by acclaimed architect Yann Weymouth, AIA—internationally renowned for his work as chief of design on museums, including the Dalí and the Grand Louvre Project in Paris.

• 3-Day access to the exhibit hall – Connect with experts from the world’s leading manufacturers of metal components.

• Special Architects-Only Guided Floor Tour – Connect directly with metal construction innovators delivering new uses, new metal construction products and innovations in building performance, sustainability, resilience and environmental impact, including industry leaders at the Metal Construction Association’s Insulated Metal Panel Pavilion.

• Ongoing social networking opportunities with exclusive access to The Architect’s Experience Pavilion on the METALCON show floor – Recharge, network and reflect on the day’s events.

“We are excited to launch The Architect’s Experience this year where attendees can earn nearly a year’s worth of CEUs in just two days,” said Mark Kalin, FAIA, FCSI, LEED, president of architectural firm, Kalin Associates and METALCON Advisory Council Board Member.

Painters USA Inc. has completed the latest in a series of seven painting and safety projects for aerospace components maker Northstar Aerospace to help the company’s suburban Chicago facility protect its workers, improve the workspace and boost morale.

“We’re a world leader in supplying aerospace gears, and we have a passion for what we do,” said Bruno Kolb, manager of Maintenance & Facilities for Northstar Aerospace in Bedford Park, Ill. “That attitude is something we want carrying over into the industrial environment we work in, too. We’ve undertaken a series of painting and flooring projects to ensure our facility functions as well and looks every bit as good as the products we make.”

Bruno says Northstar Aerospace typically operates six to seven days per week, throughout the year. The Chicago facility includes approximately 200,000 square feet of manufacturing and 10,000 square feet of office space. Bruno coordinated Painters USA’s work to coincide with two, one-week scheduled shutdowns to coat floors, paint equipment and walls throughout the production facility, and carry out safety line striping for areas including loading docks.

“Painters USA coordinated with our schedule and was careful not to inconvenience our team; they quickly brought in scaffolding, articulating arms for cleaning and painting, but also just as quickly disassembled things for us to resume production,” added Bruno. “Their work required moving in and around our overhead cranes with electrical rails, ducting, and they painted all of this safely around our locked-out equipment.”

According to Bruno, Painters USA’s crews showed the same passion for safety that Northstar Aerospace has. The components maker empowers its employees, regardless of job function, to call out any safety issue, and this is enough to pause work. Bruno says he saw the same commitment to that practice with Painters USA’s crews.

“A young supervisor running our job raised a safety concern, and the project manager took that feedback and the next day brought in Painters USA’s national safety rep to go over the areas of concern,” recalled Bruno. “I was involved in that; and as a customer, it gives you confidence that you’re working with someone who shares your values and desire to do things safely and well.”

For generations, Ram Board, Surface Shields and Trimaco have passionately served their customers in the construction, paint, restoration, marine, and automotive markets. The next step in creating superlative customer experiences is to join forces. Together, by providing high quality, innovative surface protection, dust containment, and protective wear products, customers can expect even better and faster service, continual product innovation, and access to leading brands from a single-source supplier.

CUSTOMER BENEFITS

• 7 Manufacturing/Distribution Locations in the U.S.

• 360-Degree Product Support

• 5 Dedicated Customer Service Centers

• 27 Dedicated Account/Sales Managers

For the first step, all three brands united in one booth at this year’s World of Concrete that took place on June 8-10 in Las Vegas. The Ram Board, Surface Shields, and Trimaco brands were featured side-by-side in booth #N2126. Attendees had the opportunity to see newly launched products and provide their feedback on several exciting prototypes.

Cadence McShane Construction Company is pleased to announce they have been selected by Port Neches-Groves Independent School District as the general contractor for their newest schools, Port Neches Intermediate School and Groves Intermediate School.

Concurrent construction of the two schools began in April and is set to be completed in August of 2022. Designed by VLK Architects, the identical schools will be about 106,000 square feet each and will house grades three through five. The two-story schools will feature a media library, a cafeteria and kitchen, gymnasium, computer lab, dedicated science and art instruction areas, a fully self-sustaining special education wing, and will be able to support 750 students.

“We are excited to work with the Port Neches-Groves School District and CBRE Project Management and hope to form a lasting relationship,” commented Colby Rose, Vice President and General Manager of Cadence McShane’s Houston office. “This is an exciting opportunity to provide the students of Port Neches and Groves with a learning environment where they can be the best versions of themselves.”

Port Neches Intermediate will be constructed next to a fully operational elementary school, while the Groves Intermediate site is a greenfield. The project scope also includes abatement and demolition of the nearby Woodcrest Elementary school.

The schools will be ready in time to welcome students for the 2022-23 school year.

The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute has announced the recipients of the 2020 and 2021 CFSEI John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service. The award recognizes the significant contributions of an individual who has volunteered time, talent and resources to the cold-formed steel industry. It was renamed in 2016 to honor John P. Matsen, P.E., founder and principal of Matsen Ford Design Associates in Waukesha, Wis., who passed away in June 2015. The recipients were recognized during the 2021 CFSEI Virtual Expo held May 18-20.

The 2020 award recipients are Maribeth Rizzuto, LEED AP-BD+C, former managing director of CFSEI and director of education and sustainable construction for the Steel Framing Alliance, who retired in 2019; and Winston E. Kile, president of Structuneering Inc., who also retired in 2019. More information on the 2020 award winners can be found here.

The 2021 award recipient is Matthew (Matt) Mancl, P.E., project engineer for ClarkDietrich Engineering Services LLC, where he serves as a liaison between design engineers and clients. More information on the 2021 award winner can be found here.

“This award is special because it gives us a chance to recognize individuals who are committed to advancing the cold-formed steel industry with countless extra hours and effort,” said Robert Wills, P.E., managing director of CFSEI. “The lasting value that they contribute cannot be measured. We appreciate all that they have accomplished over the years and continue to provide. Congratulations and thank you to Maribeth, Ed and Matt.”

For several years, Maribeth Rizzuto was the driving force behind CFSEI and known for her passion for the cold-formed steel product, CFS industry, and the importance of educating the design community on the proper design and use of CFS framing. She was instrumental in growing the reputation of and responses generated by the Steel Hotline (1-800-79STEEL) to technical inquiries from design professionals. Her focus was on education, and she encouraged the development of Technical Notes and scheduled numerous technical webinars and CFSEI Expo events. Maribeth’s dedication to the cold-formed steel framing industry was critical to increasing awareness of the benefits of cold-formed steel framing in the design community.

With decades of experience as a cold-formed steel specialty engineer and founder of Structuneering Inc., Ed Kile contributed countless hours of expertise in leadership positions with CFSEI and its precursor, the Light Gauge Steel Engineers Association. He was a member of CFSEI’s Executive Board and a past president, and a requested speaker in the Houston area. He is admired by Structuneering employees for his commitment to developing the skills of the firm’s new employees. He retired from his firm in 2019 but continues to serve as a consultant. He is also a mentor in a Houston high school 10-week program known as “Engineering Presentation and Design” offered by the school’s technology department.

Matt Mancl has contributed countless volunteer hours to CFSEI as a member of its Executive Committee and past chairperson of its Education Committee. When the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way all industries do business, Matt was instrumental in coordinating the online version of the 2020 CFSEI Expo, a significant effort undertaken to transform a live event to an online format due to social distancing restrictions that had been set in place. His work helped ensure that attendees from around the world could continue to learn and share best practices for cold-formed steel framing. He has played a key role in expanding the content of CFSEI’s webinar and educational programs and has helped to increase the audience for CFSEI webinars.

World of Concrete 2021 concluded its 46th edition with a very strong event for the concrete & masonry industries. This signature annual event drew tens of thousands of industry professionals, featuring more than 650 exhibiting companies across just under 300,000 net square feet of exhibit space. This postponed edition of WOC from January, was the first large-scale event to take place in Las Vegas and reignite the tradeshow industry in what promises to be a booming Summer and Fall live event season. World of Concrete’s arrival comes on the heels of Las Vegas’ full reopening to 100 percent capacity on June 1.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority debuted the Las Vegas Convention Center’s $1 billion, 1.4 million square foot West Hall expansion with a ribbon cutting ceremony, followed by doors opening to Informa Market’s World of Concrete, the first major convention to return to Las Vegas and to the U.S. post-pandemic.

The arrival of World of Concrete signals the return of meetings and conventions to Las Vegas, named the number one trade show destination in North America for 26 consecutive years by the Trade Show News Network. The addition of the West Hall brings the total square feet of meeting space in the destination to 14 million and makes the LVCC the 2nd largest facility in the country. During a normal year, the meeting and convention industry represents $11.4 billion in economic impact to the area.

“We are thrilled to be returning to the live event format, especially in the home of the exhibitions industry in the U.S., Las Vegas,” said Nan Walsh, president, North America at Informa Markets. “There is an unparalleled magic about in-person connection—from sharing laughs with old friends, creating new ones, learning from industry experts, and seeing and feeling the latest products and innovations. We are so happy to be the first large-scale trade show to return to the show floor in the U.S., and the first to use the Las Vegas Convention Center’s incredible new West Hall, and through that partnership I believe we are signaling a return to business and connection that is needed now more than ever.”

The Concrete Industry Management program held its 16th annual unreserved silent and live auctions at World of Concrete 2021 and simultaneously online as a hybrid auction event. The silent and live auctions raised just over $1.175 million, with a total of over $13 million to the CIM program in the past 16 years. The CIM program is a business program that has been developed specifically for the concrete industry to provide students with a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Concrete Industry Management. The program gives students entering the concrete work force industry experience early in their careers.

At the SPEX MIX BRICKLAYER 500, Mason David Chavez and mason tender Guadalupe Hernandez with Ranch Masonry, in Houston, teamed up to earn the title, “World’s Best Bricklayer.” This is the second time Chavez has earned the World Champion title, winning it all in 2018. The recognition comes after winning the most exciting contest in masonry, the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500.

Twenty of the best masons and tenders in the world came together at World of Concrete at the Las Vegas Convention Center to test their skill, speed and stamina by battling to determine who can build the largest and best 26-foot-long brick wall, with the least amount of errors, in one hour. The event headlined the first convention of its size to be held in Las Vegas since efforts to combat the pandemic caused a national shutdown.

It was an action-packed competition featuring some of the most decorated craftsmen in North America. Not even temperatures in the 90’s could slow down Chavez, as he earned the keys to a new Ford F250 4×4 Super Duty Truck, $5,000 in cash, a Multiquip Essick Pro12 Mortar Mixer and other great prizes.

With over $125,000 in cash and prizes to be earned, masons from across North America were invited to Las Vegas to compete in the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 after winning a regional series qualifying event. 16 regional series competitions were held in 2020, shy of the typical 24, due to local restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Along with two returning automatic qualifiers (World Champion and SPEC MIX TOP CRAFTSMAN) and four Wild Card qualifiers, 20 total masons lined the arena in Las Vegas for one of the most exciting and anticipated events in the World of Masonry.

With workforce development being the primary battle cry for the skilled trades, the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 is a tool designed to create interest from a new generation of masons in the rewards and opportunity possible in masonry and construction.

World of Concrete 2022 will be held January 17-20 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Bentley Systems, an infrastructure engineering software company, announced the completion of its acquisition of Seequent Holdings Limited, for approximately $900 million in cash (for a debt free business and subject to final working capital adjustments) plus $3.1 million BSY Class B shares.

When announcing its second quarter 2021 operating results (scheduled for August 10) Bentley Systems will update its full year 2021 financial outlook, reflecting the inclusion of Seequent.