| IDEAS
AT WORK |
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Cold-Formed
Steel – Well Positioned for the Changing Landscape
of Green |
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In September 1969, at a conference in Seattle,
Wash., U.S. Sen. Gary Nelson announced that in the spring
of 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration
on the environment that was intended to thrust conservation
and sustainability onto the national agenda. More |
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| TOP
STORIES |
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Surveys
Find Consumers More Upbeat About Home Buying
U.S. consumers remain relatively gloomy in their assessment
of the state of the nation’s economy, according
to a poll released on April 16 by Reuters/Zogby, but by
a small majority they agree that now is a good time to
buy a new home. More |
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Housing
Expert Sees Green Building As Growth Area
A housing industry expert told lawmakers recently that
while home builders are suffering from the nation's current
economic downturn and housing crisis, hope may be at hand
in the form of energy efficient construction and green
building. More |
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InSync – With
Green Building Standards Plan
Have you noticed? A lot of buildings are going “green,”
and contractors want to present a “green”
image when they bid on such projects. Should you market
yourself as a “green” contracting firm? You
better hold off. More |
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| MARKETPLACE |
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NAR Predicts
Housing Upturn in Second Half of 2008
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said its index
of pending home sales – which measures signed purchase
agreements in the United States – fell 1.9 percent
month-over-month, though recovery is possible in the second
half of 2008. More |
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Residential
Market May Be Stablizing
February’s 1.0% fall in residential construction
spending was the smallest in almost two years because
of an outsized 11% month to month rise in remodeling spending.
This is suspect. More |
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Builder Confidence
Remains Unchanged In April
Builder confidence in the market for new single-family
homes remained unchanged for a third consecutive month
in April, according to the National Association of Home
Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released
today. More |
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Steel Demand Remains
Sturdy Thanks to Emerging Economies
World steel demand is expected to grow strongly this year,
despite concerns about the performance of the US and European
Union economies, according to the industry's world body.
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High Steel Prices
May Limit Opportunities For Construction Projects
PITTSBURGH - The pain of rising steel product prices could
spark a shift to cheaper materials in construction projects,
according to some sources. More |
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New-Home Sales Plunge
To Lowest Level In 16 1/2 Years
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Sales of new homes plunged in
March to the lowest level in 16 ½ years as housing
slumped further at the start of the spring sales season.
More
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Random Lengths
Market Lumber Report
According to the Random Lengths, the weekly report on
the North American wood products markets, framing lumber
prices stayed on a firm to higher track. More |
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March 2008
Crude Steel Production
BRUSSELS — World crude steel production for the
66 countries reporting to the International Iron and Steel
Institute (IISI) was 119.5 million metric tons (mmt) in
March. More |
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March Imports
Up 1.2% Vs. February
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Based on preliminary Census Bureau
data, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) reported
today that the U.S. imported a total of 2,513,000 net
tons (NT) of steel in March 2008, including 2,064,000
NT of finished steel (up 1 and 7 percent, respectively,
vs. February final data). More |
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| INDUSTRY
WATCH |
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SFA’s
Fire & Acoustic Guide Now Includes More Than 220 Rated
Assemblies
The Steel Framing Alliance (SFA) recently announced that
updates to its “A Guide to Fire and Acoustic Data
for Steel Floor, Wall and Roof Assemblies” now also
provide 20 rated assemblies for roofs and ceilings as
well as Sound Transmission Class (STC) values for more
than 90 assemblies lacking acoustic values in previous
versions. More |
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American
Steel Industry Committed To A Sustainable Future
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Iron and Steel Institute
(AISI) held an environmental briefing today on Capitol
Hill, highlighting the industry’s commitment to
reducing its environmental footprint through research
projects at universities around the country, and featuring
a lead researcher who discussed one of the promising technologies
currently being developed. More |
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John H.
McConnell, Steel Magnate/Worthington Industries Founder,
Dies at 84
John H. McConnell, longtime steel industry magnate and
founder of Worthington Industries in Columbus, Ohio, passed
away on April 25, 2008. More |
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| FROM
THE FIELD |
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Economic
Conditions for Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana
While uneven across several industries, economic indicators
for the Gulf Coast states of Alabama, Mississippi and
Louisiana are showing some improvement. More |
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| SFA
NEWS |
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SFA Presenting Education
Session At NAHB Green Building Conference
In an effort to help builders and designers get the maximum
advantage from steel framing and the new proposed National
Green Building Standard™, the Steel Framing Alliance
(SFA) will deliver a presentation at the National Association
of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 10th annual Green Building
conference in New Orleans this month. More |
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SFA To Meet Steel
Framing Training Request For Louisiana Building Officials
Following an overview of cold-formed steel presented this
winter to the Building Officials Association of Louisiana
(BOAL), the Steel Framing Alliance (SFA) will provide
an expanded training session at the association’s
quarterly training meeting scheduled for May 15th. More |
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Industry Experts
To Judge First CFSEI Award For Innovative Design
The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI), technical
institute of the Steel Framing Alliance (SFA), today announced
the distinguished judging panel for the inaugural CFSEI
Award for Innovative Design. All submissions are due by
June 1st. More |
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CFSEI Announces
Board Of Directors Roster For 2008-2009
The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) announced
during its Annual Meeting last month the election of its
2008-2009 officers and newly elected directors. More |
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