Construction Industry Hiring Falls Slowest Rate on Record
by David Flaherty | 31 March 2026 3:07 pm
[1]Construction hiring reached its lowest pace on record in February 2026.
The construction industry had 202,000 job openings on the last day of February, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).
JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings decreased by 28,000 in February and are down by 53,000 from the same time last year.
“Construction hiring fell to the slowest rate on record in February,” said ABC chief economist Anirban Basu. “At the same time, contractors remained reluctant to lay off workers, while employees were even more reluctant to leave. The combination of historically slow hiring and exceedingly few separations made February 2026 the month with the least construction labor force churn since the BLS began this survey in December 2000.
“Of course, this data pertains to February, when the Strait of Hormuz was open and the price of oil was under $100 per barrel,” said Basu. “While contractors continue to express optimism regarding their staffing intentions, according to ABC’s Construction Confidence Index[2], recent data and developments suggest that hiring is unlikely to rebound in the near future.”
Rehabilitation of Michigan Central Station Wins Build America Award
by David Flaherty | 31 March 2026 1:44 pm
[1]The rehabilitation of Detroit’s Michigan Central Station was recognized by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) as the most outstanding construction project of 2025.
The rehabilitation of Detroit’s Michigan Central Station[2] was recognized by the Associated General Contractors[3] of America (AGC) as the most outstanding construction project of 2025. As a result, the project’s contractor, Christman | Brinker Corktown Transformational Joint Venture, received the overall top prize in the Baldwin Group Build America Awards.
The joint venture also won a Build America Award for the best construction management renovation project valued over $126 million.
“Completing projects of this scale and complexity requires remarkable expertise, teamwork, and determination,” said Todd Roberts, AGC national president and president of Jackson, Miss.-based ERS Inc. “This award honors the construction professionals whose dedication and skill made this project a success.”
The Christman | Brinker joint venture restored one of Detroit’s most iconic landmarks after more than 30 years of abandonment. Originally opened in 1913, the 59,458 m2 (640,000-sf) Beaux-Arts station had suffered severe structural damage, water infiltration, and extensive deterioration. Over 76 months, the team stabilized, restored, and modernized the building while preserving its grand waiting room, historic concourse, and 18-story tower. Using advanced laser scanning, BIM coordination, and detailed preservation techniques, the team carefully integrated modern systems into the historic structure.
“The Baldwin Group is proud to partner with the AGC in celebrating the 2026 Build America Award recipients and nominees,” said Joe Charczenko, partner and construction practice president. “These projects reflect the highest standard of craftsmanship, innovation, and collaboration in our industry—strengthening communities, advancing infrastructure, and demonstrating what’s possible when excellence leads the way.”
The Baldwin Group Build America Awards highlight the nation’s most significant construction projects. A panel of judges, representing all areas of construction, evaluated an number of submissions this year, assessing each project’s complexity, use of innovative construction techniques and client satisfaction, among other criteria. The awards were announced during the association’s annual convention in Orlando, Fla.
FGIA welcomes Mike Turner of YKK AP as Board Chair
by David Flaherty | 31 March 2026 12:00 pm
[1]Outgoing Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) board chair Rob Grommesh ceremoniously hands off the gavel to incoming board chair Mike Turner.
The passing of the gavel between the outgoing Fenestration and Glazing Industry Alliance (FGIA) chair of the board, Rob Grommesh (Cardinal Glass Industries[2]), and the incoming chair, Mike Turner (YKK AP[3]), took place during the 2026 Annual Conference[4] in Huntington Beach, Calif.
“My two years as board chair are coming to a close,” said Grommesh. “The board is a thoughtful, wonderful group working on your behalf. It has been my honor.”
After Turner was sworn in by FGIA executive director Janice Yglesias, he offered some remarks to begin his new term as chair.
“I am deeply honored to serve in this position,” said Turner. “As FGIA has evolved, one thing has remained constant: the quality of the individuals who make up this association. It is your dedication at every level that defines us and I am so proud to serve alongside you. I thank Rob for his leadership over the past two years as he has guided our discussions with a steady and fair hand, always making sure voices were heard.”
With this transition, Kevin Seiling (VEKA[5]) serves as vice chair of the board, and Aaron Ryan (Pella Corporation[6]) fills his vacancy as a newly elected Residential Products Council (RPC) representative. In addition, Ray Garries (MITER Brands[7]) is now treasurer.
Wood’s Powr-Grip (WPG) has promoted Shane Anderson to senior web developer and added Eric Skyler as web developer.
Anderson leads front- and back-end development, focusing on performance, accessibility, and e-commerce growth. He brings more than 15 years of experience in web development and digital technologies, including work with national brands.
Skyler supports website and system optimization across front-end, back-end, and cloud environments. With a background in data science and application development, he contributes to feature development, system integration, and performance improvements.
Together, the team supports WPG’s continued investment in digital infrastructure for its vacuum lifting and material-handling solutions.
Sherwin-Williams Expands Coil Coatings Plant in Bowling Green, Ky.
by David Flaherty | 30 March 2026 7:44 am
[1]Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings has completed an extensive expansion of its manufacturing plant in Bowling Green, Ky.
Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings[2], a manufacturer of coil and extrusion metal coatings, has completed a major expansion at its manufacturing plant in Bowling Green, Ky., to align its production with the expected growth trajectory of the metal roofing and construction markets.
“Our Performance Coatings Group continues to invest in advanced technologies that support innovation and long-term partnerships,” said Karl Jorgenrud, president, Sherwin-Williams Performance Coatings Group. “The Bowling Green[3] expansion will strengthen our supply chain resilience and ensure our customers receive high-performance solutions without interruption.”
The company significantly upgraded the 32-year-old facility with state-of-the-art technology, advanced automation, increased batch sizes, and expanded production capacity to meet accelerating demand in the roofing, metal building, and OEM manufacturing markets.
The expansion adds a 60 percent overall increase from 2025 and enables larger batch production. According to a press release, Sherwin-Williams says enhanced automation will also improve formulation accuracy, reduce any defects, increase consistency, and strengthen the plant’s ability to meet lead-time commitments.
“Industry experts predict demand increasing across roofing and siding markets, and this expansion bolsters our ability to deliver our products in less than five days, which is advantageous to our many customers,” said Drew Waldroup, vice president of sales for Sherwin-Williams. “Increased capacity and automation also enhance our reliability, provide greater operational flexibility, and allow us to collaborate seamlessly with other Sherwin-Williams manufacturing sites nationwide.”
The Bowling Green facility manufactures polyester coil coatings (PolyPREMIER) designed for interior and moderate exterior applications such as lighting fixtures, appliances, garage and entry doors, and building products.
Metal Construction News Hall of Fame 2026 Inductee: Mark Detwiler
by David Flaherty | 29 March 2026 3:57 pm
[1]Mark Detwiler
Throughout a career spanning the full spectrum of structural engineering—from the granular details of project design to the broad influence of national standards—Mark Detwiler has been a cornerstone of the metal construction industry. His trajectory is defined not merely by his professional advancement from hands-on engineering to senior technical leadership, but by a tireless commitment to the safety, reliability, and advancement of metal building systems. Mark’s work represents a rare bridge between the theoretical rigors of applied research and the practical realities of the field.
Mark’s influence is etched into the very components that define modern metal construction. His technical expertise has directly shaped the development and optimization of roof and wall systems and cold-formed steel members. Beyond the physical products, Mark’s intellectual contributions have revolutionized how the industry understands performance. He has been a primary driver in evolving wind load and uplift performance methods, creating the design tools and testing protocols that ensure the resilience of metal panels, clips, anchorage, and framing systems.
His impact is not confined to a single organization or company; it is commercially deployed and globally recognized. By refining evaluation approaches, Mark has provided the industry with the data-backed confidence required to push the boundaries of what metal buildings can achieve.
Mark’s leadership extends deep into the committee rooms where the future of construction is codified. Through his active participation and leadership in the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), he has been a steady hand in developing industry specifications.
He didn’t just follow the code; he improved it. By advancing evidence-based design through exhaustive testing, Mark ensured that load paths and uplift resistance were understood with unprecedented clarity. These efforts have transitioned research from the academic vacuum into practical, actionable guidance used by engineers, manufacturers, and builders every day. Under his influence, industry practices have evolved to reflect real-world performance better, significantly raising the technical credibility of the entire sector.
What sets Mark apart is his unique ability to communicate across the industry’s different “languages.” He is equally at home discussing theoretical structural mechanics with academics as he is troubleshooting field applications with contractors.
“It takes an entire team from owners to manufacturers to erectors working daily to make the impossible happen on schedule and under budget, and I’m always humbled at how often this industry pulls that off,” Detwiler says.
This versatility has made him a trusted subject-matter expert and a natural leader on research teams. His colleagues recognize him as a person of immense technical command, yet he remains focused on the human element of engineering: the safety and reliability of the structures people inhabit.
The hallmark of a Hall of Fame inductee is an impact that transcends the requirements of a job description. Mark has consistently exceeded the scope of his professional roles by dedicating himself to industry-wide initiatives with immense benefit to the public good.
He took on leadership roles on national technical committees, volunteering his time and expertise to shape standards used across North America. He has been a prolific contributor to the industry’s collective knowledge, regularly publishing and presenting findings that improved safety and efficiency for his competitors and peers alike. Mark’s career is a testament to the idea that authentic leadership is measured by what one gives back to their field. His sustained, outward-facing impact has driven innovation that will protect and support the metal construction industry for decades to come.
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