GMS Enters Vancouver Island with New Acquisition

GMS Inc. provided an update on the continued execution of its strategic priorities, including platform expansion and Complementary Product growth, with its acquisition of Jawl Lumber Corp., which provides service to the Vancouver Island market in Canada under the Home Lumber and Building Supplies brand name.

“Home Lumber is a leading supplier of lumber, engineered wood, doors, framing packages and siding, as well as other key Complementary building materials offered by GMS Canada,” said John C. Turner Jr., president and Chief Executive Officer. “This acquisition will further strengthen our ability to serve our customers and provide an opportunity to expand our tools and fasteners offerings to a new customer base, reinforcing our existing market position on Vancouver Island. We’d like to welcome the Home Lumber team and their highly respected brand to the GMS family.”

Established in 1960 by the Jawl family, Home Lumber and Building Supplies is one of Vancouver Island’s oldest and most respected suppliers of lumber and other complementary building materials. Like GMS, the company is committed to providing outstanding service to its customers. Home Lumber operates from a single location in Victoria, Canada.

OSHA Launches New Program During Construction Safety Week

The U.S. Department of Labor announced in May that OSHA has begun a National Emphasis Program to prevent falls, the leading cause of fatal workplace injuries and the violation the agency cites most frequently in construction industry inspections.

The emphasis program will focus on reducing fall-related injuries and fatalities for people working at heights in all industries. The targeted enforcement program is based on historical Bureau of Labor Statistics data and OSHA enforcement history. BLS data shows that of the 5,190 fatal workplace injuries in 2021, 680 were associated with falls from elevations, about 13 percent of all deaths.

“This national emphasis program aligns all of OSHA’s fall protection resources to combat one of the most preventable and significant causes of workplace fatalities,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Doug Parker. “We’re launching this program in concert with the 10th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction and the industry’s Safety Week. Working together, OSHA and employers in all industries can make lasting changes to improve worker safety and save lives.”

The program establishes guidance for locating and inspecting fall hazards and allows OSHA compliance safety and health officers to open inspections whenever they observe someone working at heights. An outreach component of the program will focus on educating employers about effective ways to keep their workers safe. If a compliance officer determines an inspection is not necessary after entering a worksite and observing work activities, they will provide outreach on fall protection and leave the site.

Congress Restarts Bipartisan Building Trades Caucus, Proposes Apprenticeship Hubs Across America Act

Reps. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.) announced the relaunch of the Bipartisan Building Trades Caucus, which brings members of Congress together to discuss the issues that impact the construction industry. The lawmakers note that the caucus will work to expand opportunities to apprenticeship programs and job training programs across the country while supporting and protecting workers in the building trades.

In addition to the relaunch of the Building Trades Caucus, Norcross and Fitzpatrick also highlighted the introduction of the “Apprenticeship Hubs Across America Act” to expand registered apprenticeship opportunities and support job training programs across the U.S. The legislation will establish a new program at the U.S. Department of Labor to grow and expand highly successful registered apprenticeships and create “hubs” throughout the U.S. to further these goals.

Armstrong’s Strong, New Online Program Helps Ease Supply Chain Stress

Armstrong Ceiling & Wall Solutions is giving customers a convenient way to avert today’s supply chain frustrations with its online FAST134 program. The program allows anyone to go to the company’s website to explore a list of more than 48 standard specialty ceiling and wall product lines that can be shipped within one, three or four weeks.

With more than 4,200 products offering an order-to-ship lead time of four weeks or less, FAST134 gives customers the ability to meet a variety of design and budget needs, as well as accomplish in a few weeks what could take months or longer in the current environment. Moreover, the FAST134 inventory is updated weekly, allowing customers to be confident that they will receive what they ordered without facing delays or being informed they need to select a different product.

“FAST134 empowers our customers to lead with speed because time is money,” said Michael C. Winters, vice president of Architectural Specialties at Armstrong World Industries. “For almost three years now, supply chain challenges have cost businesses in every imaginable industry far too much. Moreover, end users no longer tolerate the excuse of pandemic- and geopolitical-driven delays—they want their projects done quickly, beautifully, on budget and on schedule. By giving customers current, regularly updated product options available in four weeks or less, we’re giving them a solution for meeting all these demands and staying competitive.”

The website is designed to be extremely user-friendly. The tool allows a customer to narrow selections for their project based on desired lead time—one, three or four weeks—material type and/or product family. Options shown include specific colors, finishes, sizes and perforation patterns and, if the desired product is not available to meet a project deadline, web filters can be used to find a suitable alternative. Because products represent standard pre-engineered solutions, there is also no need for shop drawings or submitting sample approvals.

To learn more about the program for specialty solutions, visit armstrongceilings.com/fast134.

It’s Important to See What’s Happening with Texas Plasterers

The Texas Lathing & Plastering Contractors Association Annual Convention and Trade Show will be held near Houston this year. The event takes place at the Margaritaville Lake Resort in Conroe, Texas, from June 13-15. As in years past, the Annual Convention & Trade Show will offer meetings, receptions, a golf tournament, an exhibitors’ trade show, an educational program, an Annual Design Awards Competition, a spouse program, an awards banquet, dinners and nightly entertainment.

Additional information on registration and sponsorship opportunities will be available at tlpca.org.

Exclusive Masonry Alliance Program Coming in 2024

For nearly 75 years, the MCAA has served as a focal point for the $33 billion masonry industry by connecting and empowering business decision-makers around the country. As the association expands upon existing efforts, it will also develop new offerings to cement the MCAA’s place for the next seven decades and beyond. One of these offerings, aimed at masonry industry suppliers, will be the Masonry Alliance Program.

The program, which will open for availability in the summer, will go into effect in January 2024. It is designed to provide world-class, relationship-based immersion for industry suppliers. Items like event attendance, sponsorships, advertising and partnering with the MCAA on industry research will not be available outside of the Alliance Program.

“The Masonry Alliance Program leverages nearly all of the MCAA’s efforts to help position our Alliance members as thought leaders within the industry,” said Jeff Buczkiewicz, president and CEO. “The primary objective is to facilitate meaningful relationships between companies and contractors. At the same time, suppliers will receive unprecedented and unparalleled exposure and service.”

As part of the program, a new MCAA staff member will be responsible for managing operations and relationships with Alliance Members.

“This new format streamlines our relationship with suppliers and, as far as we know, is a first-of-its-kind offering for any industry,” added Todd Fredrick, director of development. “Rather than focusing on recruiting suppliers for members, creating advertising Insertion Orders and soliciting sponsorships, we can focus on working together to make a greater impact on the industry.”

Alliance Program specifics and availability will first be offered to current MCAA Strategic and Corporate Partners, then rolled out to all MCAA Supplier Members and the larger pool of industry manufacturers and providers.

The MCAA will soon launch a dedicated Alliance Program promotional deck and accompanying website to provide more information for those not currently in active discussions about the program.

L&W Supply Acquires Old Fort Building Supply

L&W Supply Corporation has completed the acquisition of Old Fort Building Supply in South Bend, Ind. Started in 1983, Old Fort Building Supply is a full-line distributor servicing residential, commercial and multifamily construction in the Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan markets.

“We look forward to welcoming the Old Fort associates and customers to the L&W Supply family,” shared Dan Piché, L&W Supply’s president. “This location increases our presence in a key market of Indiana, bringing our branch count to nine in the state.”

ICAA’s New Insulation Tax Credit Calculator Will Help Your Business

Perhaps the biggest change to the insulation industry this year has been the Inflation Reduction Act’s Section 25C tax credit, and all top insulators should know how this will affect their business. This new legislation provides a tax credit of 30 percent of the project cost (excluding the cost of on-site labor), up to $1,200, for qualifying energy-efficient home improvements, like upgrading insulation.

Any homeowner is eligible for this if they are making improvements to their primary residence. By running the numbers for your clients and revealing these big savings to them, you will be able to attract more business.

ICAA has made calculating client’s savings simple with its Insulation Tax Credit Calculator. One can find a link to it directly on the ICAA homepage. With just a few clicks, visitors will see how much clients will save on a project. The association has even provided answers to frequently asked questions about the 25C tax credit, helping you efficiently convey technical information to your clients in an easy-to-understand way.

Another way ICAA is helping you to build your brand is by referring homeowners to member contractors based on the state entered into the calculator. This feature is helpful when homeowners use the calculator on their own and are looking to identify local contractors. By generating a list of contractors in their state, the calculator provides a vetted database from which homeowners can find trusted partners.

Spackle by Dave Coverly

People News

Rockfon North America, part of ROCKWOOL Group, named Kirill Fedorovskiy as its new President, effective April 1. Fedorovskiy will assume the role from John Medio, who helped establish and drive the Rockfon brand in North America and successfully led the business to its current market position.

Medio

Fedorovskiy

Swinerton, a national commercial construction and construction management services company founded in 1888, has expanded its preconstruction team in New York City with the recent hire of Taylor Steucke.

June 2023 | Volume 86 | Issue 6

The Voice of the Industry since 1938