A contribution from the Beckers Group offers commentary on the effects of the sustainable building movement on the metal coatings industry. The article talks not only of the initial shift toward locally sourced and responsibly manufactured building products, but also of the new emphasis on resource conservation and reducing the amount of toxic substances that are commonly found in building materials. More 

Washington, DC - For the fifth consecutive month, architecture firms recorded increasing demand for design services as reflected in the June Architecture Billings Index (ABI). As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lead time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the June ABI score was 54.2, up from a score of 53.0 in the previous month. More 

"It's the buildings that make you stop and stare. The places that you've always wanted to go inside. The structures that you'll drive the distance to see. Those are the ones that make a difference and leave a mark on your heart," writes Valspar's Jeff Alexander in his latest column for DesignandBuildwithMetal.com. Three metal construction projects that made an impression on Alexander are shown in his column, each featuring long-lasting, premium paint finishes from Valspar. More