BUILD26: A Review from New Orleans

Robotic Security Guards Reduce Jobsite Theft

The Home Depot Expands Pro Digital Experience with AI Tools

Spackle by Dave Coverly

Sales Leader Amy Tuttle Retires from BNP Media's Walls & Ceilings

QXO Completes $2.25B Acquisition of Kodiak Building Partners

EIMA Meeting Highlights Housing Policy Shifts, Growing Advocacy Push

Incoming USG CEO Macey Signals Continuity, Innovation

Sales Leader Amy Tuttle Retires from BNP Media's Walls & Ceilings

Amy Tuttle has retired from BNP Media’s Walls & Ceilings after 27 years, closing a career defined by strong relationships and industry engagement. Since joining in 1999, she helped navigate major shifts in both publishing and construction, from early digital adoption to evolving wall systems and BIM-driven workflows. Throughout her tenure, Tuttle remained a consistent presence amid market and organizational changes, supporting contractors, manufacturers and associations. Colleagues across the industry praised her dedication, energy and advocacy. Her retirement marks the departure of a respected sales leader whose impact reflects both personal commitment and a transformative era for the wall and ceiling sector. Read more.

QXO Completes $2.25B Acquisition of Kodiak Building Partners

QXO Inc. has completed its $2.25 billion acquisition of Kodiak Building Partners from Court Square Capital Partners, a move expected to be highly accretive to 2026 earnings.

The deal triples QXO’s total addressable market to more than $200 billion and expands its presence across major building product categories. QXO is paying about 10.7 times Kodiak’s projected 2025 EBITDA of $211 million, or roughly 0.95x sales, with the multiple expected to drop to 7.3 times after cost savings.

The acquisition gives QXO a foothold in lumber—considered a critical entry point in construction—and creates cross-selling opportunities, with significant vendor overlap between the companies. It also enhances access to homebuilders and large contractors while improving demand visibility and inventory planning.

Kodiak co-founder Steve Swinney will lead QXO’s new lumber and building materials division, as the company continues toward its goal of $50 billion in annual revenue. Read more.

EIMA Meeting Highlights Housing Policy Shifts, Growing Advocacy Push

Federal housing policy and advocacy strategy took center stage at the 2026 EIFS Industry Members Association Annual Meeting, held March 25–27 in Washington, D.C. The event marked a shift toward more coordinated industry advocacy, featuring technical sessions and a Capitol Hill fly-in with about 25 representatives.

With policymakers focused on affordability and energy efficiency, EIFS was highlighted as a cost-effective cladding option with built-in continuous insulation and design versatility for new construction and retrofits.

Benjamin Hobbs of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development outlined federal efforts to reduce regulatory barriers and accelerate housing production, noting regulations account for up to 40% of multifamily construction costs.

HUD’s repositioning of aging public housing into Section 8-supported redevelopment is expected to create significant opportunities for EIFS contractors, particularly in renovation and recladding projects, with tens of thousands of units already approved for conversion.

Read more.

Incoming USG CEO Macey Signals Continuity, Innovation

USG Corp.’s appointment of Chris Macey as president and CEO signals continuity rather than change, with a continued focus on system performance, innovation and contractor support. Macey succeeds Christopher Griffin, who is retiring after more than 30 years.

For contractors, the key takeaway is stability. Macey emphasized uninterrupted service and consistent operations—critical for projects relying on steady supply and specifications.

He acknowledged a challenging near-term outlook, with tighter margins, labor shortages and slower demand expected to impact bidding and project pipelines. However, he remains confident in mid-term demand for building materials and housing.

USG will continue investing in manufacturing and product development, with a focus on solutions that improve jobsite efficiency, such as lighter-weight panels and high-performance systems. Macey also highlighted labor constraints and affordability as ongoing pressures.

Overall, the leadership transition reflects a steady strategy, with an emphasis on innovation, integrated systems and long-term contractor partnerships in a competitive market. Read more.

BUILD26: A Review from New Orleans

More than 2,000 professionals gathered in New Orleans for BUILD26, the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry’s annual convention. On March 17, AWCI’s Michael Stark opened the event with a focus on connection, growth and industry responsibility, highlighting strong attendance and expanding engagement.

The convention featured a sold-out education program and about 145 exhibitors showcasing products and innovations. Stark encouraged attendees to explore the show floor and take advantage of networking opportunities.

During the AWCI Awards Ceremony, Scott Casabona, president and CEO of Sloan & Co., received the Pinnacle Award for outstanding industry contributions.

Day 1 included board meetings and sessions on topics such as steel framing and workforce retention, along with a Mardi Gras–themed welcome reception. Day 2 maintained momentum with continued programming, recognition and industry discussion, as well as live interviews from the “If Walls Could Talk” podcast on the trade show floor. Read more.

Robotic Security Guards Reduce Jobsite Theft

Construction sites face an estimated $400 million to $1 billion in annual theft, with tools, equipment and materials making up more than 60% of losses. Rising gypsum and drywall costs—driven by tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico—are increasing financial risk for contractors. Traditional measures like fences and cameras often fall short.

Asylon’s DroneDog offers an automated security solution for construction perimeters. The robotic system conducts continuous patrols, providing a visible deterrent and reducing reliance on overnight guards, while human-monitored alarms enable rapid response.

Equipped with a thermal camera, 20x zoom, AI-based threat detection and license plate recognition, DroneDog enhances surveillance beyond fixed systems. It also provides live video streaming and secure cloud storage.

When not in use, it returns to a charging DogHouse unit. Offered as a fully managed service, Asylon handles operations, maintenance and compliance, allowing contractors to focus on their projects. Read more

The Home Depot Expands Pro Digital Experience with AI Tools

The Home Depot is enhancing its Pro digital experience with new AI-powered tools designed to help contractors, remodelers and builders manage projects, materials and operations in one centralized workspace.

Aimed at reducing inefficiencies from disconnected systems, the upgraded platform—available to Pro Xtra members—combines project management and purchasing into a single interface. Key features include Project Planning with integrated Material List Builder AI, which quickly generates material lists based on project needs, helping Pros bid faster.

Additional tools include real-time delivery tracking, complex order scheduling across multiple locations, improved purchase history and shared access for team collaboration. The platform also enables direct communication with Home Depot Pro teams for product support. Read more.