Trade News
EIFS Excellence Awards Call for Entries
EIMA is calling for entries for the prestigious 2024 EIFS Excellence Awards. Formerly known as the EIFS Hero Awards, this esteemed program shines a spotlight on the remarkable EIFS industry projects across a variety of building categories.
EIMA is currently accepting project submissions. For awards program eligibility information, submission criteria and to access the entry form, click here.
In addition to rebranding the awards program, several improvements have been implemented, such as formalized judging criteria, a scoring system for judges and specialized software to streamline the submission process. The evolution of the awards program is a testament to the dedicated efforts of the Promotion Working Group and Awards Task Force, whose innovative ideas and hard work have significantly shaped its development.
Every member of EIMA has a chance to submit an entry, and EIMA can’t wait to see outstanding EIFS projects recognized. Should you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out to EIMA Program Manager Aggie Sterrett at asterrett@eima.com.
https://www.wconline.com/articles/96571-eifs-excellence-awards-call-for-entries
OSHA Proposes Rule on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration formally released its proposed rule on “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings” that was published on the Department of Labor’s website on July 2. SWACCA submitted comments with the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry on OSHA’s advanced notice of proposed rulemaking for this proposed rule in January 2022. The significance of the proposed rule formally publishing in the Federal Register means that the 120-day comment period on the proposed rule has now begun. SWACCA is currently working with its allies in other contractor associations to evaluate the proposed rule and prepare comments.
L&W Supply Announces Opening of Cedar Rapids Location
L&W Supply has opened a new location at 1203 9th Street Southwest in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Noah Burger manages the new location. Burger joined L&W Supply in 2021 after completing his bachelor’s degree in business administration at the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business in 2020. He has previously held the position of inside sales representative at the company’s Green Bay, Wisconsin, location.
“We’re thrilled to open our first Iowa location,” said Nick Makar, Midwest District manager at L&W Supply. “Noah and his team are ready to support Cedar Rapids contractors with the top-notch service and products they need to grow their businesses.”
As branch manager, Burger will be responsible for managing daily branch operations, enhancing customer experiences, guiding associates and executing branch growth.
Commercial Construction Market Forecast 2024-2025
There are several sources providing forecasting data on the state of the commercial building and construction industry. One of the best-known is the American Institute of Architects, which publishes a consensus construction forecast twice a year. Learn more about its outlook, along with insights from some of the other leading construction industry prognosticators, some of whom are part of the AIA’s aggregate data.
Public Safety
Opportunities: Shifting populations drive the need for new public safety facilities in growing metro and suburban markets. Building consolidation in declining-population markets also drives new construction or the rehabbing of existing facilities.
Challenges: Governmental decision-making and fund approval cause delays on projects while construction costs continue to rise, creating the need to adjust and account for additional investments.
Industrial and Manufacturing
Opportunities: Emerging technology and the transitional economy are creating opportunities in the manufacturing of semi-conductor chips, clean energy, electric vehicle vehicles, batteries and recharging infrastructure.
Challenges: Beyond government-sponsored domestic manufacturing initiatives, growth in U.S. manufacturing output is still challenged by global competitive pressures.
Religious
Opportunities: Construction activity for 2024 shows promise, likely due to significant population shifts to southwestern and southern markets, fueling new community growth. Underutilized churches are getting creative in renovating portions of their facilities to help with the housing crisis in some metro areas.
Challenges: Regular attendance of religious services continues to decline as U.S. consumer values shift with the millennial and Gen Z generations.
Amusement and Recreation
Opportunities: Post-pandemic, the demand for entertainment, sports and recreation has been strong, leading to investments in all forms of facility development.
Challenges: Economic uncertainty with persistent inflation, high interest rates and recession fears may stunt future growth patterns, but the five-year outlook remains solid.
Education
Opportunities: Demand for student housing is high for colleges and universities, as colleges typically only plan for 25-35 percent of mainly underclass students living on campus, while nearby off-campus rates are rising to unaffordable levels. For K-12 facility development, health, wellness, air quality, and net-zero energy goals are the trend.
Challenges: Economic uncertainty with persistent inflation, high interest rates and recession fears may stunt future growth patterns, but the five-year outlook remains solid.
Health
Opportunities: Growth in outpatient care in suburban, non-hospital campus settings is driven by aging populations looking for easier access, overall convenience without sacrificing quality, and the availability of technology and specialists.
Challenges: Rising construction costs remove some predictability in planned capital projects, leading to construction delays and renewed funding efforts for health care organizations already working with tight operating margins.
Office
Opportunities: Office construction in suburbs is a good comprise to build affordable, convenient spaces to motivate more in-office requirements. The combination of new Class A suburban space and renovated older buildings in urban and older suburbs with attractive amenities and a welcoming experience will drive demand in the near-term.
Challenges: The pandemic created a paradigm shift in attitudes toward work. Working from home is an expectation for professionals, at least as a hybrid model. Metro-area, downtown office spaces must re-imagine use around being livable entertainment hubs. Outside of the major handful of metro areas, high-rise conversions are costly. Plus, is there sufficient demand for people to live in downtown areas if their jobs don’t require them to be there?
Hotel and Lodging
Opportunities: Prefab construction helps reduce costs and shortens timelines while requiring less reliance on an already overextended construction labor force. Automation technology reduces reliance on hospitality staffing while improving the overall stay experience, personalizing it for the guest.
Challenges: Inflation-driven price increases to rooms and travel, unreliable airline performance and weakening economic data put pressure on demanding momentum moving forward.
Retail and Other Commercial
Opportunities: The migration of population to states like Texas, Florida and Idaho presents opportunities in those growing geographies to foster both residential and commercial development, including retail.
Challenges: Mixed-use development, including multifamily components, may experience contracting demand due to stricter bank-lending policies and continued high borrowing costs.
https://www.wconline.com/articles/96587-commercial-construction-market-forecast-for-2024-25
Profit Margin Confidence and ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator Both Fall in August
Associated Builders and Contractors reported Sept. 10 that its Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 8.2 months in August, according to an ABC member survey conducted from Aug. 20 to Sept. 5. The reading is down one month from August 2023.
Only the infrastructure category experienced a monthly increase in backlog among the three major segments, reflecting strength in public construction spending. Nonetheless, over the past year, backlog has declined in all three segments.
ABC’s Construction Confidence Index readings for sales, profit margins and staffing levels fell in August. The readings for sales and staffing levels remain above the threshold of 50, indicating expectations for growth over the next six months, while the reading for profit margin expectations fell below that threshold.
“As predicted, confidence among contractors is slipping,” said ABC chief economist Anirban Basu. “While ABC contractor-members are still anticipating expanding sales and employment, profits margins are increasingly under pressure as project owners face high borrowing and construction delivery costs in the context of a slowing economy. Many projects have been postponed, resulting in recent backlog declines, most notably in the south.”
View ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index tables for August. View the full Construction Backlog Indicator and Construction Confidence Index data series.
RAiNA Unveils Awards Celebrating Design and Excellence
The Rainscreen Association in North America announced the launch of the RAiNA Awards, an annual program celebrating outstanding achievements in rainscreen design, innovation and construction. The awards aim to recognize projects that exemplify the highest standards of excellence, technical performance, sustainability and aesthetic design in rainscreen systems across North America.
The RAiNA Awards are open to all members and are focused on projects within North America that exemplify superior performance and creativity. Categories include new construction and retrofit projects. Winners will be recognized at the RAiNA Annual Conference on Nov. 7 in Chicago.
The RAiNA Awards serve as a platform to highlight the advancements and technical expertise in rainscreen systems, fostering innovation and best practices across the construction industry. By acknowledging excellence in these areas, RAiNA aims to inspire further development and adoption of rainscreen technology.
Submissions are open until Oct. 11, and there is no fee to enter. For more details and entry guidelines, visit the RAiNA Awards website.
3E Estimator Makes Calculating Savings Easy
A new tool that leverages the capabilities of NAIMA’s 3E Plus pipe insulation thickness calculator for commercial and industrial facilities is now available. Within just a few minutes, the 3E Estimator can give users a ballpark estimate of the energy and emissions savings from adding insulation to the piping in an industrial facility.
The tool is designed to get less technical stakeholders interested in insulation projects. This can be an important undertaking to cut energy costs, realize savings and reduce building emissions.
The 3E Estimator provides:
Estimated savings: Displays projected cost savings, expected payback and emission reductions to help in internal discussions to move forward on insulation projects.
Use across all devices: Dynamically changes to properly fit screens when working on desktops or mobile devices.
Easy results sharing: The tool provides a link to share the estimated savings or create a report for discussion.
The underlying assumptions for the tool are based on the 2022 Insulation Opportunity Study, which was published by ICF.
Try the 3E Estimator tool here.
Find a Battery Recycler Close Using an Online Tool
Recycling a battery is easier than you think. To make it easier still, the Power Tool Institute has now linked its dedicated battery safety website to an online tool that can help power tool owners find authorized battery recycling drop-off points in their own communities. You might be surprised by how many options you have.
To access the feature, simply visit PTI’s battery safety website, go to the “Disposal” tab and enter your ZIP code. After clicking “Go,” you will be taken directly to Call2Recycle’s website with a customized list of appropriate disposal sites in your area. To try it out, visit https://www.takechargeofyourbattery.com/disposal/.
Spackle by Dave Coverly
People News
RAiNA announced that its COO, Laverne Dalgleish, will speak at the RAiNA Conference on Nov. 7 in Chicago.
Huntsman Corporation has named Doug Brady as president of Huntsman Building Solutions.
Kyle Ferenc, product representative for ATAS International, received the Construction Specifications Institute Chicago Chapter President’s Award.
The Missouri Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognized EFCO supervisor Johnathan Tallent with a Patriot Award.
Simpson Strong-Tie has promoted Scott Lang to vice president of market development for residential digital solutions, a newly created role.
The Steel Framing Industry Association has appointed Lee Zaretzky to its board of directors.
Azin Khorram and Lisa Reed joined Ware Malcomb as directors of strategic accounts.
Azin Khorram and Lisa Reed joined Ware Malcomb as directors of strategic accounts.
