In March 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This legislation calls for wide-ranging, union-friendly revisions to the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). 

A wildland-urban interface area is, “that geographical area where structures and other human development meets or intermingles with wildland or vegetative fuels.” Approximately a third of all housing units in the United States are located within an area that meets this definition.

How an Italian immigrant and his wife started a specialty plastering company.

The value of the FCIA member, FM 4991-approved or UL-ULC qualified firestop contractor comes from the commitment to excellence. These important designations – FM 4991-Approved, UL-Qualified, ULC-Qualified and FCIA Member in Good Standing – are being recognized by 07 84 00 Firestopping specifications in many occupancies around the world.

3A Composites USA announced that its ALUCOBOND FaceFastened system successfully passed third-party NFPA 285 testing on a wood-framed assembly, which is commonly used in low-rise, multifamily and mixed-use market segments.

RectorSeal continues to press forward on the acquisition trail. On Feb. 6, RectorSeal announced the acquisition of Dust Free indoor air quality products.

When times are good, people become complacent. Riding in gas guzzling land-yachts and dwelling in cavernous McMansions tends to dull the senses and lulls people into a false sense of security. The scale that was once used to measure the distance between wants and needs became dangerously off-kilter.

OX Tools announced that it is working with Royd Tool Group on a potential acquisition of its Tracer Tools business.

Nearly all contractors in the U.S. and Canada (98 percent) have had projects with serious quality issues in the last three years, such as errors, omissions and rework, according to the latest study released by Dodge Construction Network.

Milwaukee Tool has once again expanded its presence in the United States with the opening of its newest manufacturing facility, which is located in Grenada County, Mississippi.

MARSHALLTOWN held a ground-breaking ceremony on Oct. 23 at its new distribution center site in Kansas City, Kansas. The state-of-the-art facility will be a key hub in the company’s nationwide logistics network, with operations scheduled to begin in the fall of 2025.

Are you paid $200 an hour … or $25 an hour?

The new tax law could mean a boom for certain industries.

Gypsum panel product manufactures started receiving complaints that drywall screw heads did not seat properly when attaching AR/IR panels to 20-EQ studs.

What impact does insulation have on acoustic performance of a wall assembly?

The ACI Foundation announced new Trustees and the re-election of an existing Trustee to its Board. The Trustees re-elected Keith Kesner and elected new Trustee David Lange. New ACI Vice President Scott Anderson also joins the Trustees as part of his new role.

The ACI Foundation announced its 2024-2025 fellowship and scholarship recipients.

The American Concrete Institute has released its 2024 collection of concrete codes, specifications and practices.

Registration for the American Concrete Institute’s 2024 Professors’ Workshop is now open. This year’s event will be held in three stages on July 15, 23 and 24.

The ACI Foundation’s Concrete Research Council selected eight research projects to receive grants this year.

The ACI Foundation’s Concrete Innovation Council gathered in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to discuss technology and innovation at the 2024 Technology Forum. The event took place May 14-16 at the Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza.

The American Concrete Institute is excited to host the ACI Concrete Convention on Nov. 3-6 in Philadelphia. Known as the world’s gathering place for advancing concrete, the convention will take place at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.

The ACI Foundation is now accepting applications from graduate and undergraduate students for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The Refractories Institute announced the 2024 recipients of college scholarships for students pursuing an education related to refractory science. TRI, which is comprised of approximately 50 member-companies that operate in the refractory industry, awards scholarships annually.

The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry announced on Sept. 9 the results of a two-year survey on the polyurethanes industry in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

On Oct. 8, Holcim Group announced the acquisition of OX Engineered Products, a leader in residential wall insulation and sheathing. The acquisition further strengthens Holcim’s commitment to expanding its comprehensive building envelope solutions beyond roofing, providing customers with a broader range of high-performance materials for residential and commercial construction.

Knauf Insulation, Inc. announced the opening of its new, state-of-the-art facility in McGregor, Texas, bringing Knauf’s manufacturing network to eight locations across the United States.

Offsite construction methods like prefabrication, modularization, preassembly and offsite multi-trade fabrication have been around for decades.

Summer is a great time for construction work, but a brutal time for construction workers. Excessive heat and sun exposure pose significant dangers, such as sunburn, dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Every year, construction workers become ill on the job and some even lose their lives due to heat exposure.

Without question, the building and construction industry has been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Approximately 1.1 million construction jobs were eliminated in the first two months of the pandemic prior to the industry’s designation as “essential.” While the industry has recouped nearly 80 percent of its workforce since then, companies will need to hire another 1 million workers over the next two years to meet the country’s insatiable demand for new home construction and improvement.

Walls & Ceilings’ annual roster of the country’s top insulation contractors.

The BlackStar Companies, LLC announced the launch of a new business division called BlackStar SIPs. BlackStar SIPs is the company’s latest entry into sustainable, cost-efficient and high-performance construction solutions for residential, commercial and government clients.

Lime plaster has a notable place in the history of art, architecture and design throughout the world, from the Egyptian pyramids to the Italian Renaissance frescos.

For years, metal cornerbead was the industry standard and it still remains a reliable choice today. 

Florida acquisition expands complementary product offering in Southwest Florida; four new greenfield locations expand presence in key markets.

AD member Action Gypsum Supply adds sixth branch location in two years.

Westlake Royal Building Products announced that it has acquired Palight Trimboard from its long-standing partner Palram Americas. Through the acquisition of Palight Trimboard product lines, Westlake Royal will expand its portfolio of brands offered under Westlake Royal Trim & Mouldings Solutions, which provides the finishing touch for the interior and exterior of a home.

Since the early 1980s the percentage of the construction industry that has been dominated by unionized companies has decreased, that is until the last few years. Something has changed. Unions offer training programs, a ready supply of skilled labor, and a level playing field of wages and established fringe benefits.

Have you ever been to an industry trade show? I usually attend several each year; the INTEX Expo, World of Concrete, and this year I had the opportunity to attend the Remodeling Show sponsored by the National Association of Home Builders at the Convention Center in Baltimore. You can always tell when a trade show is in town. Local restaurants and hotels are filled with small groups wearing matching shirts.

Dimitris Spiliadis’ great-grandfather once owned a hotel in Constantinople, which was lost when the Turks invaded the magnificent and historic city (now known as Istanbul).

Introducing the newest category of products from Federal Brace, catering metal stud construction projects with support brackets for vanities, desks, counters and more.

Werner introduced on Feb. 5 the new Bantam Switch, the first reverse-system self-retracting lifeline, for pros working at height. The SRL transfers weight of the housing unit from the user’s back to the anchor point and lightens the load to 0 pounds.

TYPAR is introducing the industry’s first clear acrylic flashing. This game-changing product was developed in response to evolving builders’ needs and emerging building code changes requiring better visibility of the nail and screw-fin patterns on windows during window installations and inspections.

Simpson Strong-Tie has introduced Quik Drive Project Pro, a screw-driving tool that installs on nearly any cordless drill or driver and provides the speed and convenience of auto-feed fastening for a variety of projects without the larger investment of a full-service tool.

Milwaukee Tool continues its commitment to disruptive innovation, expanding its PACKOUT Modular Storage System with eight new PACKOUT Toolbox Attachments. These new solutions securely lock onto the PACKOUT system’s metal-reinforced corners, allowing professionals to carry more and quickly access tools, parts and materials, enhancing job site productivity.

As national media interest in the riots fades, the sector needs to keep it firmly on the agenda

At New Philanthropy Capital’s annual conference, charity leaders discussed their experiences of engaging with the new government

Vicky Browning succeeds Ndidi Okezie, who is stepping down after five years at the charity’s helm

Strategic communications is by no means a ‘silver bullet’, but it is a vital part of addressing the challenges we face