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Industry News
News Archive
Check back here frequently for industry news updates.
Third and Final Phase of Building Envelope Research Gets Underway at U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory
April 9, 2012, Glenview, IL -- The Metal Construction Association (MCA) and U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory announced the start of the last phase of a three year Dynamic Building Envelope Research project. The program, which began in 2009, is aimed at evaluating the future needs of advanced metal roof and wall assemblies. In the final phase of the project, the synergies between various components of metal roof assemblies will be evaluated for their ability to improve energy efficiency. Components in the roof assemblies include insulation, radiant barriers, phase change materials, and above sheathing ventilation. In addition, the current research phase that has begun evaluates the interaction of cool metal roofing and Si crystalline photovoltaic modules in both steep slope and low slope orientations.
Full size roof mock ups are installed on the Envelope Systems Research Apparatus (ESRA) and the Roof Thermal Research Apparatus (RTRA) in the Building Technologies Research and Integration Center (BTRIC) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, TN. The multi-year research project is supported by the Glenview, IL-based MCA, which is the largest North American trade association representing metal building component manufacturers and material suppliers.
"This phase of the research will help us understand more impacts from the interaction between the various components of a roof assembly," says Scott Kriner, MCA's technical director. "Many of the experiments are designed to demonstrate how certain components can store heat or dissipate heat beneath the roof surface and minimize heat gain into the building space below the roof. Results from this final phase will allow us to optimize the design of a metal roof assembly to provide the most energy efficiency in a given climate."
Kaushik Biswas, Ph.D., research and development associate at ORNL who was involved in the test, says: "Apart from demonstrating the reduction in through-the-roof heat gain/loss compared to commonly used shingle roofs, the data generated from these experimental roofs are invaluable from a modeling perspective. Validated simulation models can estimate the actual energy savings from each technology component for different climate zones and provide recommendations for optimum roof design."
One of the missions of the ORNL Buildings Technology Research Center is to work with private industry to accelerate market penetration of the most promising energy efficient opaque building roof and wall technologies. MCA, ORNL, and several suppliers collaborated to install the experimental attic roofs on the ORNL campus. Aside from MCA member participation, other suppliers of materials included CertainTeed, a manufacturer of thermal insulation and building envelope materials, and Phase Change Energy Solutions, a manufacturer of bio-based phase change materials (PCMs).
The Metal Construction Association (MCA) is an organization of manufacturers and suppliers whose metal wall and roofing components are used in buildings throughout North America. The association's mission is to grow the use of metal through market development, education, technical programs, and selective action on public policies that affect the use of metal in building projects. MCA's next meeting is the 2012 Semi-Annual Meeting, set for August 6-8 in Indianapolis.
MCA Honors Alcoa's Sid Peterson with Prestigious Larry A. Swaney Award
January 30, 2012, Glenview, IL -- The Metal Construction Association (MCA) honored Alcoa Architectural Product's Vice President of Sales and Marketing Sid Peterson with the Larry A. Swaney Award at its Annual Meeting, January 24, in Clearwater, FL.
The Larry A. Swaney Award is named for one of MCA founders and its first president who was committed to fostering growth and enhancing the betterment of metal construction. This award is presented to a person who has worked unselfishly for the success of the association and the betterment of the metal construction industry.
"This year we bestow this honor on someone who served more than 40 years in the aluminum industry in a variety of roles and who has constantly supported MCA not only as a volunteer and committee member but as a promoter of the benefits and contributions that MCA has and continues to make to the industry," said MCA Past Chair Jeff Irwin, CEO of Kingspan Benchmark, during the presentation on January 24.
One nominator said, "As a member of the MCA board, Sid brings experience and knowledge of the building and construction industry. As Vice President of Sales for Alcoa, he is an advocate for continuous innovation and improvement of products and their benefits to the marketplace."
"Sid's valuable insight and storytelling are appreciated and respected by MCA members. When he speaks, you know he has a good story to tell that will not only answer your question but will make you think."
"With his vast knowledge of the building and construction industry and his experience in the wall cladding market, Sid brings tremendous input and expertise with all of his activities in the MCA. Sid has a can-do attitude and genuine interest and desire to help the industry grow."
Among his achievements, Sid has served as a member of the MCA board of directors since 2005. He was one of the founders of The Metal Initiative, MCA's market development program.
About the Metal Construction Association
The Metal Construction Association brings together a diverse industry for the purpose of expanding the use of metal in construction through marketing, research and technology and education. Companies involved in MCA gain tremendous benefit from association activities that focus on research, codes and standards, market development, and technical programs. Driving MCA's market development efforts is The Metal Initiative (http://www.themetalinitiative.com/), which is a program to increase the use of metal materials in construction through the education of the building and design communities about the benefits of metal.
Save the Date for METALCON 2012
What: The 22nd annual METALCON International Conference and Exhibition -- it's the one event where metal construction professionals meet to learn, network and establish relationships. METALCON's unbeatable blend of product exhibits, educational programs, and demos of the latest field techniques and trends, offers insight and ideas to help build better structures and strengthen your business. All are related to the use of metal -- long recognized for its low maintenance, high durability and sustainable attributes.
When/Where: Donald E Stephens Convention Center, Hall A, Rosemont, IL USA, Tuesday, October 9 through Thursday, October 11, 2012
Who: This annual one-of-a-kind metal tradeshow draws nearly 8,000 designers, builders, developers, contractors, fabricators, and suppliers from more than 50 countries. Experts from an estimated 300 companies exhibit the latest products and technology and share their knowledge with attendees. METALCON's enormous industry support comes from its sponsor, The Metal Construction Association, and more than 100 related industry organizations and publications.
Highlights:
- More than 800 booths filled with the latest building products and services for those who design and build with metal -- or want to learn all about metal.
- Green Island, an exhibit area featuring metal-related products that meet green building standards for recycled content, recyclability, durability, and energy efficiency.
- Solar Bay, a special pavilion in the show featuring educational forums and Solar Bay Live where world renowned experts use full-scale mock-ups of a variety of solar technologies on metal roofs and walls to present live-action demos that offer tips and trade secrets about metal and solar technology.
- A comprehensive conference program offers continuing education credits and covers every aspect of building with metal from the basics to the latest materials, tools, techniques, building codes, applications, cold-formed steel framing, green building, alternative energy, business management and marketing.
- New Product Harbor, a tabletop area featuring a selection of new product introductions.
- Industry experts from the Metal Construction Association present the latest applications and field techniques in daily demonstrations.
- Daily electronic news feed sends updates from METALCON to a national and international audience.
Background: Since METALCON began in 1991, it has been known as the ideal event to introduce and to learn about new products and ideas for the use of metal in construction.
Contact: For information about exhibiting or attending, visit www.metalcon.com, or call 800-537-7765 or 617-965-0055.
MCA Elects 2012 Board of Directors and Officers
February 1, 2012, Glenview, IL --The Metal Construction Association (MCA) elected its 2012 Board of Directors and Officers at the 2012 Annual Meeting, held January 22-24 in Clearwater, FL.
Todd E. Miller, president of Isaiah Industries, Piqua, OH was elected chair of the association. Karl Hielscher, president/CEO of Metl-Span LLC, Lewisville, TX, will serve as vice chair and treasurer and Renee Ramey, marketing manager for Steelscape Inc., will serve as secretary. Jeff Irwin, CEO of Kingspan Benchmark, will serve as past chair. Also serving on the Executive Committee is John Bernardi, vice president of business development for Firestone Building Products as market development chair, and Bill Hippard, vice president of sales for PreCoat Metals as Chair of the Metal Roofing Alliance.
In addition to the officers, those serving on the 2012 MCA Board of Directors are: John Bernardi; Ken Buchinger, MBCI, Houston, TX; Bill Croucher, Fabral, Lancaster, PA; Jerry Hatley Jr, PPG, Springdale, PA; Bill Hippard; Ed Karper, Akzo Nobel, Columbus, OH; Ted Miller, Miller Clapperton, Austell, GA; Brian Partyka, Drexel Metals Corp., Ivyland, PA; Sid Peterson, Alcoa Architectural Products, Lisle, IL; Renee Ramey; Randy Ridenour, Atlas Bolt & Screw, Ashland, OH; Norbert Schneider, Umicore Building Products USA Inc., Raleigh, NC; Roger Sieja, Wismarq Corp. Inverness, IL; and Jim Tuschall, president and CEO of Tuschall Engineering in Burr Ridge, IL.
MCA's 2012 Annual Meeting, held January 22-24 in Clearwater, FL, was attended by more than 130 current members, potential members, and guests. In addition to the election of officers, the meeting focused primarily on strategic planning, council and committee work, especially technical and market development activities.
The Metal Construction Association brings together a diverse industry for the purpose of expanding the use of metal in construction through marketing, research and technology and education. Companies involved in MCA gain tremendous benefit from association activities that focus on research, codes and standards, market development, and technical programs. Driving MCA's market development efforts is The Metal Initiative (www.themetalinitiative.com), which is a program to increase the use of metal materials in construction through the education of the building and design communities about the benefits of metal. MCA's next meeting is the 2012 Semi-Annual Meeting, August 6-8, 2012 at the Conrad Indianapolis in Indianapolis, IN.
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