Featured image (above): Attendees at the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach review photo displays featuring the CFSEI’s winning Design Excellence Award and Creative Detail Award projects.

This year’s winning projects highlighted the growing sophistication of cold-formed steel applications across the municipal, residential and hospitality sectors. Award-winning entries featured complex curved geometries, long-span roof systems, advanced prefabrication, highly coordinated BIM workflows and intricate structural detailing designed to solve challenging field and constructibility conditions.

CFSEI also recognized six recipients of its 2026 Stipend Program, which supports young engineers attending the conference. In addition, CFSEI honored Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, of Johns Hopkins University with the 2026 John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service for his leadership and contributions to the cold-formed steel industry.

For additional highlights and sponsor coverage from the 2026 CFSEI Expo, see the related article.

First Place: American Way Engineering

Super Nintendo World Orlando, Orlando, Florida

Derek Putz, P.E.

Derek Putz, P.E., Senior Engineer and COO
American Way Engineering

American Way Engineering earned first place in the commercial category for its work on Super Nintendo World Orlando, where cold-formed steel framing helped bring Bowser’s Castle, Peach’s Castle and Mario Motors to life.

The project required nonstructural and select structural CFS framing for the themed exterior façades. The work included extensive radiused framing used to create towers, turrets, battlements and curved entrance features.

American Way Engineering won first place in the Commercial category of the 2026 CFSEI Design Excellence Awards for its Super Nintendo World Orlando designs. Image courtesy of American Way Engineering

The engineering challenge was unusual: Design cold-formed steel framing that could support durable, code-compliant construction while preserving the cartoon-like appearance of the theme park architecture. Radiused tracks, straight studs, concealed equipment bays and carefully anchored framing systems helped create the illusion of massive castles and animated forms.

Second Place: McClure

10 World Trade, Boston, Massachusetts

Michael Castleman

Michael Castleman, Legal and Structural Design Professional
McClure

McClure received second place for 10 World Trade, a 17-story mixed-use building in Boston’s Seaport district. The project includes laboratory, office and retail space.

McClure served as delegated/specialty engineer for radiused, non-bearing CFS systems throughout the building. The scope included curved ceiling framing supporting heavy in-plane wood panels. It also included exterior canopy eyebrow framing, façade framing and interior wall assemblies.

McClure won second place in the Commercial category of the 2026 CFSEI Design Excellence Awards for its 10 World Trade designs. Image courtesy of McClure

The project’s main challenge involved coordinating curved geometry, heavy panel loads and dense MEP and fire protection systems within tight plenum spaces. McClure developed flexible design guidelines using radiused backer studs, hat channels, stud hangers, kickers and strong backs. The approach gave the construction team a coordinated path to execute the architect’s vision.

Third Place: Industrialized Construction Solutions

Orlando Health Bayfront Medical Pavilion, St. Petersburg, Florida

Matthew Comber, S.E., P.E.

Matthew Comber, S.E., P.E., Co-founder and COO
Industrialized Construction Solutions, Inc.

Industrialized Construction Solutions earned third place for the Orlando Health Bayfront Medical Pavilion, a six-story, 132,000-square-foot health care facility on an active urban hospital campus.

The project used a prefabricated, panelized CFS curtain wall system to support architectural cladding and high-performance enclosure assemblies. ICS was brought in after portions of the post-tensioned concrete structure and cast-in anchorage embeds were already in place.

Industrialized Construction Solutions, Inc., won third place in the Commercial category of the 2026 CFSEI Design Excellence Awards for Orlando Health Bayfront Medical Pavilion. Image courtesy of ICS

The team designed the exterior framing system around fixed as-built conditions, limited site access and an accelerated schedule. ICS used BIM workflows, prefabrication coordination and custom panels to maintain load paths, accommodate existing embeds and support efficient installation.

First Place: Lochsa Engineering

Las Vegas Convention Center Renovation, Las Vegas, Nevada

Derrick Suarez, P.E.

Derrick Suarez, P.E.
Lochsa Engineering, LLC

Lochsa Engineering earned first place in the municipal category for its work on the Las Vegas Convention Center renovation, a major modernization project that transformed one of the nation’s premier event facilities through advanced cold-formed steel engineering and digital coordination.

The project included a dramatic dual-curved “Sno-Cone” lobby ceiling featuring highly irregular geometry that transitioned between interior and exterior spaces. Traditional layout methods could not reliably define framing locations or coordinate the compound curves with existing conditions.

Lochsa Engineering won first place in the Municipal category of the 2026 CFSEI Design Excellence Awards for the Las Vegas Convention Center Renovation. Image courtesy of Lochsa Engineering

To address the challenge, the team developed a fully coordinated, point-cloud-based CFS framing model integrating the architect’s geometry with the as-built structure. The process enabled precise stud and track placement, coordination with dense MEP systems and highly accurate field layout references.

Second Place: Martin/Martin

U.S. Air Force Academy Visitor’s Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Shane Ewing, P.E.

Shane Ewing, P.E., Principal
Martin/Martin, Inc.

Martin/Martin received second place for the U.S. Air Force Academy Visitor’s Center, a 32,000-square-foot facility designed to resemble an aircraft taking flight. The structure features four progressively upward sloped rooflines symbolizing the Academy’s aviation mission.

The project presented major structural challenges due to the building’s exposed mountain location and clerestory walls rising more than 80 feet high. The structure was designed for 140 mph wind loads while maintaining the architect’s sweeping forms and extensive glazing systems.

Martin/Martin won second place in the Municipal category of the 2026 CFSEI Design Excellence Awards for the U.S. Air Force Academy Visitor’s Center. Image courtesy of Martin/Martin

The design team used cold-formed steel framing to achieve the required strength while minimizing structural weight. The project incorporated 10-inch stud framing, intermediate structural supports, horizontal built-up girts and curved framing systems to create the building’s distinctive wing-like soffits and roof profiles.

Third Place: Salas O’Brien

Barclays Center Renovation Phase 2: Modelo Bridge CFS Design, Brooklyn, New York

Daniel Stadig, P.E.

Daniel Stadig, P.E., Senior Vice President
Salas O’Brien

Salas O’Brien earned third place for the Barclays Center’s Modelo Bridge renovation, part of a larger revitalization project designed to create immersive fan experiences within the arena.

The centerpiece of the renovation was a bi-level cold-formed steel platform that spans above existing arena seating. The elevated space functions as a gathering area for fans and includes dramatic bridge-inspired architectural elements overlooking the arena bowl.

Salas O’Brien won third place in the Municipal category of the 2026 CFSEI Design Excellence Awards for the Barclays Center Modelo Bridge CFS Design. Image courtesy of Salas O’Brien

Engineers designed the platform to resist floor live loads, maintenance loads, seismic forces, sway loads and scissor-lift loading while coordinating framing around existing structural systems. The project also required complex modeled framing and tieback systems to integrate architectural bridge features with the existing arena structure.

First Place: McClure

Kindred Resorts, Keystone, Colorado

Josh Garton, P.E., S.E.

Josh Garton, P.E., S.E., Technical Manager
McClure

McClure earned first place in the residential/hospitality category for Kindred Resorts. The multi-building mountain resort featured highly complex roof geometry and extreme structural loading conditions.

Located in a Colorado ski-resort environment, the project was designed for snow loads ranging from 100 to 200 psf. The structure also resisted significant seismic drag forces and vertical seismic loading. The roof system included vaulted ceilings, multi-plane geometry, long spans and integrated attic mechanical systems.

McClure won first place in the Residential/Hospitality category of the 2026 CFSEI Design Excellence Awards for Kindred Resorts, Keystone, Colorado. Image courtesy of McClure

McClure’s delegated scope included engineering, detailing and modeling of the roof framing system. Over the course of construction, the engineering team resolved more than 100 field-driven issues. These involved embeds, weld access, clip substitutions, diaphragm transitions and complex load paths.

Second Place: Steel-IQ

Riviera Lane Residence, Southlake, Texas

Najeeb Khan

Najeeb Khan, Founder & CEO
Steel-IQ, Inc.

Steel-IQ received second place for the Riviera Lane Residence, a luxury single-family home built entirely with cold-formed steel framing. The home has no traditional wood framing or structural steel systems.

The project featured steep mansard rooflines, vaulted ceilings, curved dormers and complex geometric transitions. These conditions required highly customized framing solutions. Engineers developed piggyback CFS truss systems to manage the long spans and complex roof forms while maintaining continuous load paths.

Steel-IQ won second place in the Residential/Hospitality category of the 2026 CFSEI Design Excellence Awards for the Riviera Lane Residence, Southlake, Texas. Image courtesy of Steel-IQ

The project also incorporated engineered curved framing systems, segmented members and advanced digital coordination. These elements achieved precise architectural detailing while minimizing field modifications during construction.

Third Place: Martin/Martin

Revival on Platte, Denver, Colorado

Grant Doherty

Grant Doherty, Senior Project Engineer
Martin/Martin, Inc.

Martin/Martin earned third place for Revival on Platte, a seven-story, load-bearing, cold-formed steel building. The developers constructed the residential structure over a two-level concrete podium.

The project emphasized prefabrication and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) principles through extensive use of panelized wall systems and prefabricated floor cassettes produced by Mortenson Construction’s BLUvera operation.

Martin/Martin won first place in the 2026 CFSEI Creative Detail Excellence Awards for Revival on Platte in Denver. Image courtesy of Martin/Martin

Engineers developed innovative solutions for tall stair shafts, exterior elevator shafts and rated wall assemblies, reducing reliance on structural steel and concrete. The project also required BIM coordination among the architect, engineers and MEP teams to integrate the framing with the other building systems.

First Place: Martin/Martin

Revival on Platte, Denver, Colorado

Grant Doherty

Grant Doherty, Senior Project Engineer
Martin/Martin, Inc.

Martin/Martin earned first place in the Creative Detail category for an innovative horizontal lifeline (HLL) connection detail developed for the Revival on Platte project in Denver.

A challenge emerged after the roof framing was installed. The required HLL anchor spacing did not align with the typical cold-formed steel roof framing layout, creating significant challenges. To solve the problem, the team developed a custom detail that distributed loads across multiple joists. Engineers added joist blocking at anchor locations, tied the blocking into the diaphragm and used clips to resist additional shear forces generated by the lifeline system.

Martin/Martin won first place in the 2026 CFSEI Creative Detail Excellence Awards for Revival on Platte in Denver. Image courtesy of Martin/Martin

One of the most innovative aspects of the detail used shear wall hold-down anchors welded directly to joist stiffeners. Because standard hold-downs could not fit within the 10-inch joist depth while providing adequate capacity, the team modified larger hold-down anchors as a solution.

Second Place: Excel Engineering

Rutter’s No. 82, Altoona, Pennsylvania

Joe Wilkum

Joe Wilkum, Project Manager
Excel Engineering, Inc.

Excel Engineering earned second place in the Creative Detail category for a unique non-bearing shear wall detail developed for the Rutter’s No. 82 convenience store project in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

The single-story structure used non-load-bearing cold-formed steel infill framing attached to structural steel framing through slip connections. During review of the structural plans, engineers identified plywood shear walls combined with slip-track framing conditions that created concerns regarding proper lateral load transfer.

Excel Engineering won second place in the 2026 CFSEI Creative Detail Excellence Awards for Rutter’s No. 82, Altoona, Penn. Image courtesy of Excel Engineering

Limited industry guidance existed for slipped shear wall applications. So, Excel Engineering developed a creative collector detail using a wide-flange stud positioned within a slotted slip track to transfer shear forces while still supporting vertical movement from live-load deflection. The detail set up a continuous load path from the structural steel beam through the slotted slip track, wide-flange collector, top track and plywood sheathing.

Third Place: McClure

Legends 267 Apartments, Kansas City, Kansas

Marcus Himmelberg, P.E.

Marcus Himmelberg, P.E., Structural Team Leader
McClure

McClure also received recognition in the Creative Detail category for Legends 267 Apartments, a five-story cold-formed steel residential structure constructed above a three-story precast parking podium.

The project required detailing to transfer loads from the CFS structure into the precast podium system while accommodating precast camber, punching shear limitations and complex diaphragm load transfer conditions.

McClure won third place in the 2026 CFSEI Creative Detail Excellence Awards for Legends 267 Apartments, Kansas City. Image courtesy of McClure

Engineers developed custom support details using tube members, embed plates and header studs. These details distributed shear-wall reactions into the precast topping slab while maintaining construction tolerances and preserving the overall cold-formed steel lateral system. The solution allowed the project team to avoid more expensive alternative systems. It also delivered a durable, high-density residential structure above the parking podium.

CFSEI Stipend Program Winners

Recipients of the 2026 CFSEI Expo Stipend Program gather during the conference in Long Beach, California. The program supports young engineers and their university instructors. Winners received Expo registration and $1,200 for travel and lodging expenses.

Recipients of the 2026 CFSEI Expo Stipend Program (left to right): Jiachen Zhang, University of California San Diego; Zachary Johnson, Devco Engineering; Michael Keegan, Milwaukee School of Engineering; Aaron Boucher, Modulus Designs; Elizabeth Viox, McClure Engineering Co.; and Lia Zhu, MTE Consultants.

Dr. Benjamin Schafer Honored

CFSEI named Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, of Johns Hopkins University as the recipient of the 2026 John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service. The award recognizes individuals who have dedicated their time, expertise and leadership to advancing the cold-formed steel industry.

Jeff Klaiman, P.E., CFSEI managing director, presents the 2026 John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service to Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University. The presentation took place during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

Schafer has made numerous contributions to the steel framing industry. He has served on the AISI Committee on Specifications and Committee on Framing Standards — now the SFIA Standards Committee. Schafer also serves as a liaison between the CFS industry and numerous standards-writing and professional organizations, including AISC and ASCE.

He was instrumental in adding AISI S100 to AISC 360. Schafer has written and reviewed dozens of cold-formed steel design guides and CFSEI Tech Notes. He has also spoken around the world in support of advancing CFS design.

Schafer also formed a group of CFS researchers to advance CFS design and standards. This later became the Cold-Formed Steel Research Consortium (CFSRC). He coordinated major research initiatives involving CFS seismic design and resistance. In addition, he helped LGSEA transition to CFSEI and served as CFSEI’s first president.

Additional Resources

• More Than 250 Engineers Gather in Long Beach for 2026 CFSEI Expo (May 18-20)
• Attendees Profited from a Great Speaker Lineup at 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California (May 18-20)
• Guidance on Out-of-Plane Bracing Forces for Load-Bearing CFS Walls During CLT Floor Panel Installation
• CFSEI Releases Tech Note J200-26: Vibration of Cold-Formed Steel Joist Framed Floors

The post CFSEI Announces 2026 Award Winners, Stipend Recipients and Distinguished Service Honoree appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• CFSEI Announces Speakers for 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California (May 18-20)
• CFSEI Announces Winners of 2026 Expo Stipend Program
• CFSEI Announces Winners of 2026 Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design

 

SFIA member MAREK played a central role in constructing the new Ismaili Center in Houston, Texas. Turning the complex design into a finished building required coordination, prefabrication and precise field execution. General contractor McCarthy Building Companies selected MAREK for its cultural and institutional project experience. Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing played a central role throughout the project’s construction.

SFIA member MAREK helped construct the new Ismaili Center in Houston using prefabricated cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. Image Credit: MAREK

MAREK relied on prefabricated CFS framing to support performance, constructability and demanding architectural requirements. 

• CFS framing helped crews maintain progress despite shifting schedules and complex detailing 
• CFS framing supported the exterior enclosure systems 
• CFS framing helped crews achieve tight alignment tolerances 

Prefabricated CFS systems improved trade coordination and installation efficiency across the multi-story structure.

The Ismaili Center is the first of its kind in the United States and one of seven worldwide. The project demonstrates how experienced teams and CFS framing systems support detailed institutional construction.

Read the full article from MAREK. 

ClarkDietrich Obtains Certification for Connectors

SFIA member ClarkDietrich received a third-party evaluation report for its series of rigid connectors. The report, IAPMO ER-731, confirms the connectors meet specific performance standards and code requirements. The report also permits ClarkDietrich rigid connectors on California state-funded projects requiring third-party testing.

SFIA member ClarkDietrich received third-party certification confirming its rigid connectors meet specific code and performance requirements. Image Credit: ClarkDietrich

The evaluation report confirms that ClarkDietrich’s rigid connectors comply with the following building codes:

• 2024, 2021, and 2018 International Building Code® (IBC)
• 2024, 2021, and 2018 International Residential Code® (IRC)
• 2025 California Building Code (CBC), including Division of State Architect (DSA) and Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI)
• 2025 California Residential Code (CRC)
• 2023 Florida Building Code—Building
• 2023 Florida Building Code—Residential

“Third-party verification through IAPMO builds trust and reduces liability for specifiers, architects, engineers and building officials,” says Janine Dallies, category manager for ClarkDietrich. “This evaluation report includes blast design limit states, which is critical for Department of Defense projects and other high-security, high-performance building types.”

Read the full article from ClarkDietrich. 

U.S. Steel Invests $1.9B in America’s First DRI Facility

United States Steel Corporation, an SFIA member, will invest $1.9 billion in a direct reduced iron facility at its Big River Steel Works site in Osceola, Arkansas. The project connects Minnesota mining operations with Arkansas electric arc furnace steel production. The investment supports a vertically integrated steel supply chain from iron ore mining through steel production.

SFIA member United States Steel Corporation will invest $1.9 billion in a new direct reduced iron facility in Arkansas. Image Credit: U.S. Steel

The facility will be the first of its type in the United States. The company expects on-site DRI production to strengthen feedstock sourcing and improve production efficiency.

“This investment strengthens our ability to create steel that is truly mined, melted and made in America, from start to finish,” says David Burritt, U.S. Steel president and CEO. “By vertically integrating DRI production directly at Big River Steel Works, we enhance efficiency, secure our competitive advantage and position U.S. Steel for long-term success.”

Read the full article from U.S. Steel.

Additional Resources

• Update #8: University of Houston’s Radar and AI Tech, Grabber’s Stud Cutter, ClarkDietrich’s Bridging Bar
• Update #7: ClarkDietrich’s iTools, Scottsdale’s Roll Forming Videos, U.S. Steel’s Learning Mill All Help Transform CFS
• Update #6: T.J. Wies Redefines Hospital Prefab, Contractors Back Steel Growth, U.S. Steel Invests in the Future
• Update #5: U.S. Steel Upgrades, Nucor Mill Targets 2027 Launch, Startup Reinvents Housing
• Update #4: L&W Supply Expands in Oregon, CEMCO Adds ArcelorMittal’s Magnelis® Coating, ClarkDietrich Obtains Connector Certification
• Update #3: Grabber Introduces New Fastener, TSN Expands in Texas, ClarkDietrich Connector Reduces High-Rise Noise
• Update #2: CEMCO Reaches 50, FRAMECAD Unveils New CFS Platform, ClarkDietrich Adds Sustainability Glossary
• Update #1: BlazeFrame® Tape, Bridging Connectors and Steel-Framed Glass Curtain Walls

The post Update #9: MAREK Builds Ismaili Center, ClarkDietrich Receives Certification for Connectors and U.S. Steel Invests in DRI appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• CFSEI Announces 2026 Award Winners, Stipend Recipients and Distinguished Service Honoree
• Update #20: Cold-Formed Steel Used for Resilient Housing, Scalable Infrastructure and Modular Floor Systems
• Update #7: ClarkDietrich’s iTools, Scottsdale’s Roll Forming Videos, U.S. Steel’s Learning Mill All Help Transform CFS

 

Hands-on “Tool Time” demonstrations and networking mixers energized attendees throughout the conference. Technical sessions explored seismic design, adhesives, prefabrication and emerging technologies in cold-formed steel engineering.

CFSEI Expo: Learning, Networking, Fun

Hosted by the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI), the three-day event combined technical education, networking and recognition of industry excellence. Sessions addressed pressing engineering challenges while exploring the future of building with cold-formed steel systems.

Attendees packed technical sessions during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. Attendance exceeded 250 people, setting a record for a CFSEI Expo event.

Jeff Klaiman, P.E., of ADTEK Engineers; Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University; Kara Peterman, Ph.D., of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst; and Frank Pospisil of USG unwind during the 2026 CFSEI Expo.

Research Pushes CFS Engineering Forward

Among the conference highlights was the keynote presentation, “Advancing Cold-Formed Steel in Mid-Rise Building Systems in High Seismic Zones: Accomplishments of the CFS-NHERI and CFS10 Capstone Programs,” presented by Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, of Johns Hopkins University, Lynn Padgett, ClarkDietrich Engineering Services and Tara Hutchinson, Ph.D., of the University of California San Diego. The session examined years of large-scale seismic testing and research focused on improving the performance and resilience of cold-formed steel building systems in earthquake-prone regions.

Steel-to-Steel Adhesives

One of the conference’s most discussed sessions was “A Sticky Subject: Adhesives for Steel-to-Steel Connection,” presented by Kara D. Peterman, Ph.D., of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Peterman shared results from a four-year experimental research effort examining the design space for adhered steel connections, an emerging area of interest as structural adhesives become increasingly common in facades, structural components and other building systems.

Kara D. Peterman, Ph.D., of the University of Massachusetts Amherst launches her presentation, “A Sticky Subject: Adhesives for Steel-to-Steel Connection.”

Jeffrey Kreinke, P.E., S.E., of Excel Engineering, Inc., addresses attendees during the 2026 CFSEI Expo after being confirmed as chair of the CFSEI Executive Committee.

Nicola Ishaq of Bailey Metal Products enjoys a presentation during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. Attendees packed technical sessions throughout the record-setting conference.

CFSEI confirmed its 2026–2027 Executive Committee during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. Pictured left to right are Chair Jeffrey Kreinke, P.E., S.E., Excel Engineering Inc.; Immediate Past Chair Tammy Gleed, P.E., ClarkDietrich Engineering Services; Vice Chair Josh Garton, P.E., S.E., McClure; Kara Peterman, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst; Dana Hennis, P.E., S.E., WSP USA; Riley Mahaffey, P.E., Lochsa Engineering; Clifton Melcher, P.E., S.E., Simpson Strong-Tie Co.; Patrick M. Hainault, P.E., raSmith; and Karl Schroeder, P.E., Devco Engineering.

“The program this year reflected where the industry is headed,” said one attendee. “The sessions combined serious technical depth with practical application.”

The Expo also recognized excellence in cold-formed steel engineering and construction through the 2026 CFSEI Design Excellence and Creative Detail Awards. The honored projects showcased innovative uses of cold-formed steel across commercial, institutional and residential applications, highlighting both large-scale structural achievement and creative problem-solving through thoughtful detailing.

Young Engineers

CFSEI continued to emphasize professional development and industry mentorship through programs focused on emerging engineers and students. The conference included a Young Member Group networking mixer and technical sessions that explored training gaps and career development within the cold-formed steel profession.

Young engineers gather during the Young Member Group Mixer at the Westin Long Beach during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

Young member panelists Alyssa Pease, P.E., raSmith; Elizabeth “Ellie” Viox, McClure; Daniel Church, Excel Engineering; Lia Zhu, MTE Consultants; and Kamryn Miller, P.E., Simpson Strong-Tie, pose following their presentation at the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

Student Competition

The Expo also recognized winners of the 2026 CFSEI  Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design. Students were honored for innovative design solutions that demonstrated creative problem-solving and technical understanding of cold-formed steel systems.

Michael Keagan accepts recognition for winning the 2026 CFSEI Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design. Tammy Gleed, P.E., of ClarkDietrich Engineering Services and 2025–2026 CFSEI chair, presented a $2,000 check.

Michael Keagan discusses his award-winning project during a presentation at the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. Keagan was recognized as a winner of the 2026 CFSEI Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design.

Maihan Ali (right) of George Mason University accepts recognition for third place in the 2026 CFSEI Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design.

Luke Albert of Lindenhurst UFSD, the second place winner of the 2026 CFSEI Student Competition on Cold-Formed Steel Design, was unable to attend the awards presentation in Long Beach.

Stipend Program Winners

Recipients of the 2026 CFSEI Expo Stipend Program gather during the conference in Long Beach, California. The program supports young engineers and their university instructors. Winners received Expo registration and $1,200 for travel and lodging expenses.

Recipients of the 2026 CFSEI Expo Stipend Program (left to right): Jiachen Zhang, University of California San Diego; Zachary Johnson, Devco Engineering; Michael Keegan, Milwaukee School of Engineering; Aaron Boucher, Modulus Designs; Elizabeth Viox, McClure Engineering Co.; and Lia Zhu, MTE Consultants.

Dr. Benjamin Schafer Honored

CFSEI named Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, of Johns Hopkins University as the recipient of the 2026 John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service. The award recognizes individuals who have dedicated their time, expertise and leadership to advancing the cold-formed steel industry.

Jeff Klaiman, P.E., CFSEI managing director, presents the 2026 John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service to Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University. The presentation took place during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

A Strong Industry Community

Outside the technical sessions, the energy of the 2026 CFSEI Expo remained strong through networking mixers and hallway discussions. Informal conversations connected engineers, researchers, manufacturers and students throughout the conference.

From Tool Time demonstrations to the Young Member Group mixer and Aquarium of the Pacific events, attendees exchanged ideas and built professional connections.

As the 2026 CFSEI Expo concluded in Long Beach, one message stood out clearly. Cold-formed steel engineering continues evolving through research, collaboration and practical innovation. CFSEI remains at the center of those industry conversations.

Attendees at the 2026 CFSEI Expo enjoyed breakfast each morning before technical sessions began. The buffet offered a wide variety of options for engineers, researchers and industry professionals gathering in Long Beach, California.

CFSEI Expo Attendees Unwind

Importantly, the 2026 CFSEI Expo also gave attendees opportunities to relax and connect outside classroom sessions. The conference opened Monday evening with networking mixers at The Westin Long Beach. One mixer focused on early-career engineers in the Young Member Group.

Brian Norby of American Way Engineering and Chris Raebel of the American Institute of Steel Construction join Tom Sputo of the Steel Deck Institute during CFSEI Expo’s Monday evening welcome reception.

CFSEI Expo attendees compete in cornhole during the Monday evening welcome reception at The Westin Long Beach in Long Beach, California.

The 2026 CFSEI Expo attendees take a moment to relax and unwind at the Westin Long Beach, enjoying downtime after the first day’s activities.

Dinner at the Aquarium

On Tuesday evening, 2026 CFSEI Expo attendees enjoyed a private dinner sponsored by ClarkDietrich at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California.

After a full day of technical sessions and networking, attendees at the 2026 CFSEI Expo relax Tuesday evening at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California.

Marcus Himmelberg of McClure touches a jellyfish at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. The aquarium visit gave CFSEI Expo attendees an opportunity to unwind and network.

Attendees at the 2026 CFSEI Expo enjoy dinner beneath a giant blue whale and calf at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California. ClarkDietrich sponsored the networking event.

Jonathan Fox of Silver Sponsor Argos Systems explores an exhibit at the Aquarium of the Pacific during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. The aquarium visit gave attendees an opportunity to network and unwind following a full day of technical sessions.

Spotlight on Sponsors

The 2026 CFSEI Expo was made possible through the support of industry sponsors. Their contributions helped fund the conference’s technical programming and networking events. Also, sponsors provided breakfasts, lunches, social mixers and hands-on demonstrations. In all, they created additional opportunities for education, collaboration and professional networking.

Diamond Sponsors

Chuck Webb of SFIA member and CFSEI Expo Diamond Sponsor ClarkDietrich helps Allyssa Pease, P.E., of SFIA member raSmith sharpen her fastening skills during “Tool Time” at the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

The Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), a Diamond Sponsor of the 2026 CFSEI Expo, played a central role in connecting engineers, manufacturers and industry professionals throughout the conference.

Diamond Sponsor USG Corp. showcased its Structo-Crete product during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. Phil Garner and Clint DeShon manned the booth.

Jason Warren represented the Steel Stud Manufacturers Association, a Diamond Sponsor of the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach. SSMA also sponsored the conference’s Monday evening social mixer.

Platinum Sponsors

Steve Farkas of SFIA member and CFSEI Expo Platinum Sponsor CEMCO showcased his company’s advanced cold-formed steel (CFS) framing solutions at the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach.

Platinum Sponsor GRAITEC showcased its STRUCSOFT software, which integrates with Revit, during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. Engineers explored how the software supports cold-formed steel design and project coordination.

Gold Sponsors

Mahsa Mahdavian and Cydney Skeens of SFIA member and CFSEI Expo Gold Sponsor Scottsdale Construction Systems featured their company’s steel framing technology during 2026 CFSEI Expo’s “Tool Time” event.

Carleton Elliott and Tyler Elliott of Gold Sponsor SURE-BOARD highlighted the product’s strength and noncombustible properties during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

Darren Myler and Randy LaPlant of Gold Sponsor hsbCAD showcased the company’s offsite construction software, hsbLGS, during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

Sebastian Higdon and Cory Chen of Gold Sponsor MEGABOARD showcased the company’s noncombustible structural building panels during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

Gold Sponsor Hilti showcased its tools and Nuron cordless platform to engineers Bala Surampudi, P.E., of GPLA and Maihon Ali of George Mason University during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

Silver Sponsors

Silver Sponsor and SFIA member Grabber featured its new TrueShear shearing press during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. Jason Roxburgh, the tool’s product developer, demonstrated how the tool can improve field productivity.

Ken Charles of the Steel Deck Institute visits with Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, of Johns Hopkins University during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach. SDI participated as a Silver Sponsor of the conference.

Alyssa Pease, P.E.,  of SFIA member raSmith works on a structure at CFSEI Expo Silver Sponsor Simpson Strong-Tie’s “Tool Time” booth at the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach. Whether it was a dollhouse or doghouse remained open for debate.

Jonathan Moore of Silver Sponsor Integra Steel Truss showcased its cold-formed steel (CFS) truss systems and offsite framing capabilities during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach.

Silver Sponsors Continued

Silver Sponsor Aerosmith Fastening Systems displayed its innovative fastening tools and fasteners during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. Aerosmith systems eliminate the need for predrilled holes and reduce time-consuming screwing in the field.

Israel Vigil and Jonathan Fox from Silver Sponsor Argos Systems highlighted the company’s Vertex BD cold-formed steel (CFS) design software during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. Vertex BD streamlines projects from detailing to manufacturing to construction.

ASC Steel Deck showcased its structural floor and roof deck profiles during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. The company’s steel deck systems are fully tested for commercial construction applications. ASC Steel Deck participated as a Silver Sponsor of the conference.

Silver Sponsor BECK featured its fastening systems during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. The fourth-generation family business combines decades of fastening expertise with a portfolio of more than 34,000 products across multiple industries and applications.

Silver Sponsors Continued

Kevin Engmann and Chad Onorfio from Silver Sponsor DragonBoard highlighted the company’s floor panel system during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. DragonBoard is designed to install quickly on cold-formed steel (CFS) joists using standard tools.

Silver Sponsor MAX USA Corp. featured its line of construction tools during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. MAX products include pneumatic nail guns, high-pressure compressors and steel fastening tools.

Silver Sponsor MBA Metal Framing featured its framing systems and accessories during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. Ryan Fogarty and Steve Spicknall touted the company’s studs, track, jamb and header systems, web stiffeners and framing accessories.

Silver Sponsor New Millennium featured its engineered steel framing and floor systems during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. The company manufactures steel joists, joist girders, roof deck and composite floor systems.

Silver Sponsor NEXGEN highlighted the company’s MgO-based construction products during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. NEXGEN products are designed to support resilient and sustainable structures.

Representatives of Silver Sponsor Stockton Products showed Karl Schroeder, P.E., Devco Engineering, its products during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach. The company’s product line includes accessories and components for cold-formed steel (CFS) framing.

Additional Resources

• More Than 250 Engineers Gather in Long Beach for 2026 CFSEI Expo (May 18-20)
• Attendees Profited from a Great Speaker Lineup at 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California (May 18-20)
• Guidance on Out-of-Plane Bracing Forces for Load-Bearing CFS Walls During CLT Floor Panel Installation
• CFSEI Releases Tech Note J200-26: Vibration of Cold-Formed Steel Joist Framed Floors

The post Research, Resilience and Real-World Solutions Shape the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

       

The award recognizes individuals who have dedicated their time, expertise and leadership to advancing the cold-formed steel (CFS) industry through research, education, standards development and professional service.

Advancing Cold-Formed Steel Research and Education

Schafer, a professor in the Department of Civil and Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, has advanced cold-formed steel research for decades. His work has influenced structural design methods, engineering standards and seismic research across North America.

He has also served as a longtime contributor to CFSEI and the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), helping bridge academic research with practical industry application.

“Ben Schafer’s impact on the cold-formed steel industry has been extraordinary,” said Don Allen, SFIA executive director. “His commitment to research, education and collaboration has helped shape the direction of modern cold-formed steel engineering.”

Don Allen, executive director of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA); Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University; and Tara Hutchinson, Ph.D., of the University of California San Diego pause during a break at the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

Jeff Klaiman, P.E., of ADTEK Engineers addresses attendees before announcing Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University as the recipient of the 2026 John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

Schafer has authored and contributed to numerous technical publications, research initiatives and design resources related to cold-formed steel framing and structural systems. He has also mentored students and engineers entering the profession, helping develop the next generation of CFS design professionals.

Keynote Highlights Seismic Research

During the 2026 CFSEI Expo, Schafer joined the keynote presentation, “Advancing Cold-Formed Steel in Mid-Rise Building Systems in High Seismic Zones.” The presentation highlighted years of large-scale seismic testing and research. Researchers focused on improving resilience in earthquake-prone regions.

The John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service is one of CFSEI’s highest honors. Named for John P. Matsen, a longtime leader who helped advance cold-formed steel engineering and construction.

CFSEI presented the award during the 2026 CFSEI Expo, held May 18–20 at The Westin Long Beach in Long Beach, California.

Additional Resources

• Larry Williams Honored as CFSEI’s 2025 Distinguished Service Award Receipient
• Dr. Reinhold Schuster Named the 2024 Winner of the CFSEI John P. Matsen Award
• SFIA’s Pat Ford Receives Distinguished John P. Matsen Award from CFSEI

The post Benjamin Schafer Receives CFSEI’s 2026 John P. Matsen Award for Distinguished Service appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

       

CFSEI FAQ OF THE MONTH

CFSEI Hotline: 1-800-79STEEL

Bracing for Load-Bearing CFS Walls

Question

Is there any specific code-provided guidance on forces to consider when designing out-of-plane bracing of load-bearing CFS walls during construction? 

Specifically on projects with CLT floor panels supported by metal stud bearing walls. I am assuming for most conditions, the governing out-of-plane force to consider would be a horizontal force when a floor panel is placed onto the bearing walls.

Temporary bracing helps cold-formed steel framing resist construction loads, including gravity, wind and impact forces during installation.

Answer

There are construction loads that require temporary bracing. These loads are generally gravity loads (i.e., self-weight and live loads), horizontally imposed wind loads and impact loads.

CFSEI Tech Note W500-23, Construction Bracing for Walls, provides design guidance for temporary construction bracing.

In addition to the CFSEI Tech Note W500, the AISC Design Guide No. 10 Erection Bracing of Low-Rise Structural Steel Buildings provides an excellent discussion on construction loading.

1.800.79STEEL

If you have any cold-formed steel (CFS) questions, contact CFSEI experts online or call CFSEI Hotline at 1.800.79STEEL.

Read more CFSEI “FAQ of the Month” questions and answers here:

CFSEI FAQ OF THE MONTH

CFSEI Hotline: 1-800-79STEEL

Additional Resources

• FAQ: Does Limitation 2 of AISI S220, Section A1.2.1, Conflict with Limitation 3?
• Ask an Expert: CFSEI Responds to a Question about the Anchored Leg of a Clip Angle
• FAQ: Does Verbiage about Shear Walls and Strap-Braced Walls Removed from S400-20 Still Apply?

The post Guidance on Out-of-Plane Bracing Forces for Load-Bearing CFS Walls During CLT Floor Panel Installation appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• FAQ: What code guidance applies to out-of-plane bracing forces for load-bearing CFS walls during CLT floor panel installation?
• CFS 101 In Practice: Real-World Examples of Project Teams Using Cold-Formed Steel
• Steel Framing: The Often Overlooked Key to a Better Kitchen and Bathroom Remodel

 

Held May 18–20 at the Westin Long Beach, the three-day conference combines technical education, networking and hands-on demonstrations. Expo focuses on the latest developments in cold-formed steel (CFS) design, engineering and construction.

Day One of the CFSEI Expo focused on hands-on demonstrations from manufacturers and special networking events for attendees. CFSEI also hosted a separate mixer for younger engineers.

Featured image above: Chuck Webb of ClarkDietrich Engineering Services helps Allyssa Pease, P.E., of raSmith sharpen her fastening skills during Tool Time at the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

‘Tool Time’ Takes Engineers to the Field

The Expo opened Monday afternoon with “Tool Time,” a hands-on outdoor demonstration session that has become one of the event’s signature attractions. Rather than beginning with classroom presentations, attendees gathered around live demonstrations featuring fastening systems, framing components, layout tools and installation techniques.

As Grabber’s Sam Sanderson watches on, Maihan Ali of George Mason University, a CFSEI student competition award winner, uses the TrueShear shearing press from Grabber to cut a sample cold-formed steel (CFS) stud during Tool Time at the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

Jaime Manzo of CEMCO demonstrates the CEMCO FireRip® for fire-rated drywall assemblies to engineers attending Tool Time at the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

Cydney Skeens of Scottsdale Construction Systems demonstrates pop-riveting tips to engineer Suyun Sun of Gregory P. Luth & Associates during Tool Time at the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. Skeens is host of the “Roll Forming with ScotCyd” video series.

Manufacturers and suppliers showcased products while engineers, contractors and design professionals discussed constructability, performance and field applications. The atmosphere of the lead-off session felt closer to an active job site than a traditional engineering conference. Tool Time reflected a broader theme to run throughout the 2026 CFSEI Expo: practical engineering built around resilient cold-formed steel systems and grounded in real-world construction experience.

“Tool Time helps connect engineering theory with what actually happens in the field,” one attendee said during the session. “You can see how products perform, ask questions directly and have conversations that are difficult to replicate in a classroom setting.”

CFSEI Expo Attendees Relax at Evening Socials

The first day concluded with a social mixer that gave attendees an opportunity to continue their “Tool Time” conversations.

CFSEI also hosted a special networking mixer focused on younger engineers. The event reinforced the organization’s emphasis on mentorship, professional development and strengthening the next generation of cold-formed steel design professionals.

“These conversations remain one of the Expo’s biggest draws,” said one attendee.

“The ability to sit down with people who deal with the same design challenges every day is incredibly valuable,” another attendee said.

Structural engineers, designers, researchers and construction professionals relax during the 2026 CFSEI Expo social mixer following the conference’s first day in Long Beach, California.

Jeff Klaiman, P.E., of ADTEK Engineers; Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., of Johns Hopkins University; Kara Peterman, Ph.D., of the University of Massachusetts-Amherst; and Frank Pospisil of USG unwind during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

Nicola Ishaq of Bailey Metal Products, Ltd. and his wife, Maram, relax during the 2026 CFSEI Expo social mixer following the conference’s first day in Long Beach, California.

Young engineers gather during the CFSEI Young Member Group Mixer at the Westin Long Beach during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California.

Tuesday’s Keynote to Highlight CFS Resilience

The 2026 CFSEI Expo technical program will feature presentations on seismic design, prefabrication, structural research and emerging trends in cold-formed steel framing. Engineers will earn continuing education credits while exchanging ideas with peers from across North America.

The 2026 CFSEI Expo keynote will provide a rare opportunity. Attendees will hear directly from researchers leading one of the most significant structural experiments ever conducted on a cold-formed steel building.

KEYNOTE: “Advancing Cold-Formed Steel in Mid-Rise Building Systems in High Seismic Zones: Accomplishments of the CFS-NHERI and CFS10 Capstone Programs,” will be presented Tuesday, May 19, from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Tara Hutchinson, Ph.D., of the University of California San Diego and Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, of Johns Hopkins University, and Lynn Padgett, ClarkDietrich Engineering Services, will examine recent research and full-scale testing focused on improving the seismic performance of cold-formed steel building systems.

Leading Researchers Behind CFS-NHERI and CFS10

The keynote will be presented by three internationally recognized researchers in structural engineering.

Dr. Tara Hutchinson

Tara Hutchinson, Ph.D.

Tara Hutchinson is a professor in the Department of Structural Engineering at University of California, San Diego. Her research spans geotechnical, structural and earthquake engineering.

Much of her work involves large-scale shake-table and fixed-reaction experimentation. Hutchinson earned her Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis, and her M.S. from the University of Michigan. Hutchinson joined the UC San Diego faculty in 2007 and currently serves as director of the Powell Laboratory. In 2024, she was appointed the Jan Talbot Endowed Chair in the Jacobs School of Engineering.

Dr. Benjamin Schafer

Benjamin Schafer, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI

Benjamin Schafer is the Hackerman Professor of Civil and Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and director of the Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute.

Schafer is widely recognized for his contributions to cold-formed steel structural research and design standards. He serves on several national committees focused on steel building engineering. His work has earned numerous awards for research, teaching and professional leadership.

Lynn Padgett

Lynn Padgett

With three decades of engineering experience, Lynn Padgett, senior project manager at ClarkDietrich Engineering Services, LLC, specializes in cold-formed steel (CFS) multi-story load-bearing building design.

Since 2006, Padgett has been part of a design team for MSLB building systems with a focus on value engineering, efficient structural solutions, constructibility and good client service. His experience includes design, testing, and construction for many load-bearing wall and lateral force-resisting configurations including steel sheet and flat strap shear walls, CFS joist floor and roof, structural steel integration into CFS assemblies, and exterior non load-bearing framing.

Prior to joining ClarkDietrich, Padgett was an engineer at Worthington Construction Group, where he was part of a design-supply-build team advancing the application of CFS building systems in commercial and residential markets in China, Africa and the Middle East. He is a 1996 graduate from Fenn College of Engineering at Cleveland State University.

Attendees packed technical sessions during the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California. Registration exceeded 250 people, setting a record for a CFSEI Expo event.

Professionals attending the 2026 CFSEI Expo will gain insight into the research shaping the future of cold-formed steel construction. The keynote offers a timely look at the data and design insights that could expand the material’s role in seismic regions.

Expo Capitalizes on CFS Framing Growth

Cold-formed steel framing continues to expand into mid-rise buildings, panelized systems and prefabricated construction. That growth has increased demand for engineers with specialized CFS knowledge, helping drive attendance at events such as the CFSEI Expo.

CFSEI’s annual conference has become a central meeting place for engineers working in cold-formed steel design and research. The event draws both longtime industry engineers and specialists and younger engineers entering the profession.

This year’s Expo underscores the continued momentum behind cold-formed steel framing. Engineers, manufacturers and contractors look for resilient and more sustainable building systems.

Additional coverage from the 2026 CFSEI Expo will appear on BuildSteel.org in the coming days and weeks.

Additional Resources

• Register for the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California (May 18-20)
• CFS-NHERI and CFS10 Capstone Seismic Research to Take Center Stage in Keynote at 2026 CFSEI Expo
• CFSEI Expo’s Emerging Technologies Session to Showcase the Future of Cold-Formed Steel Design (May 20)
• Building for Fire: How Cold-Formed Steel Is Changing Noncombustible Construction (May 20)
• CFSEI Announces Speakers for 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California (May 18-20)

The post More Than 250 Engineers Gather in Long Beach for 2026 CFSEI Expo (May 18-20) appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

       

See the highlights in this video:

Steel Framing Shapes Award-Winning Church

The Vietnamese Martyrs Parish church in Tukwila, Washington, uses cold-formed steel (CFS) framing throughout. Crews demolished much of the original structure before constructing a two-story addition. The design draws inspiration from the Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon.

The 44,000-pound central dome used custom cold-formed steel (CFS) framing engineered and fabricated before installation. Image credit Mehrer Drywall

CFS framing supports the structure’s Gothic design elements. These include twin bell towers, arched openings, a soaring nave and a 44,000-pound central dome. Crews engineered and fabricated the dome as a detailed custom steel-framing assembly before erection. The installation required continuous layout adjustments as framing progressed upward.

Crews prefabricated much of the framing offsite before craning the main dome and tower into place. Offsite construction helped crews manage the project’s scale and complex geometry more efficiently. Despite the level of custom work involved, crews completed the project within budget. 

The project received a 2026 Outstanding Projects of the Year Award from The Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau. Judges reviewed design, workmanship, material use, jobsite innovation and overall project impact.

Read the full article.

Prefabricated Steel Framing Supports Affordable Housing

Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing plays a central role in the new $53 million Etherow Grange housing development in Glossop, England. The project includes 156 homes, with 40 designated as affordable housing. The development features a mix of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes designed to expand local housing availability.

Project teams say the offsite process can reduce construction schedules by 30%. The approach also reduces vehicle traffic and site disruption during construction. Fewer deliveries help limit congestion, dust and emissions around the development.

Read the full article. 

CFS Strengthens Workforce Training Center

The award-winning Industry and Trades Education Center in Eugene, Oregon, features cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. The center serves as a new workforce training facility at Lane Community College. It replaces Building 12, which had various maintenance and seismic deficiencies. The new facility supports career technical education and apprenticeship programs through flexible learning environments.

 

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Designers selected CFS framing to support long-term durability, energy efficiency and future flexibility within the building. Designers also targeted LEED Gold certification through energy-efficient systems, durable materials and responsible construction strategies.

Crews managed an aggressive schedule targeting occupancy within 19 months of groundbreaking. Early procurement, detailed planning and close coordination helped crews maintain progress despite material procurement challenges. CFS framing also helped crews address seismic concerns identified in the original structure. 

The project earned a 2026 Outstanding Projects of the Year Award from The Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau. Judges reviewed design, workmanship, material use, jobsite innovation and overall project impact.

Read the full article.

Additional Resources

• Update #20: Cold-Formed Steel Used for Resilient Housing, Scalable Infrastructure and Modular Floor Systems
• Update #19: Cold-Formed Steel Used for Apartment Project, Pickleball Complex and Fire Station
• Update #18: Cold-Formed Steel Accelerates Housing Projects in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Brazil
• Update #17: Cold-Formed Steel Advances Healing Facility, History Center and Middle East ConTech
• Update #16: Cold-Formed Steel for Wildfire Recovery, Campus Housing and Martha Stewart Prefab Homes

The post Update #21: Cold-Formed Steel Supports Award-Winning Church, Affordable Housing and a Noted Training Center appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Industrialized Construction Solutions Wins SFIA Award for 7-Story Apartments, Design Saves $1 Million
• CEMCO Wins SFIA’s ‘Conversion from Another Material’ Award for Unique California Design Center
• CEMCO Wins SFIA’s ‘Conversion from Another Material’ Award for a Unique California Design Center

 

At Structures Congress 2026 in Boston, Massachusetts, a technical session examined how to address those challenges in load-bearing CFS systems. The session, “Best Practices and Design Examples for Load-Bearing Cold-Formed Steel Structures,” addressed design, coordination and constructability.

Members of the ASCE/SEI Committee on Cold-Formed Steel Members developed and presented the session. They included:

• Zane Clark, P.E., S.E., Zane Clark Consulting
• Hyeyoung Koh, Ph.D., P.E., Washington State University
• Zhanjie Li, Ph.D., SUNY Polytechnic Institute
• Cheng Yu, Ph.D., P.E., University of North Texas
• Bill Zhang, Ph.D., P.E., S.E., Kansas State University

L-R (in photo above): Zane Clark, P.E., S.E., Zane Clark Consulting; Hyeyoung Koh, Ph.D., Washington State University; Bill Zhang, Ph.D., P.E., Kansas State University; Cheng Yu, Ph.D., P.E., University of North Texas; Zhanjie Li, SUNY Polytechnic Institute; Perry Green, Ph.D., P.E., Fellow, ASCE

Why Design Coordination Is Important

Today, many building projects delegate design to specialty engineers or panelizers. This approach improves efficiency but often introduces coordination gaps. These gaps occur when the engineer of record is not fully engaged.

• Successful CFS projects require clearly defined roles across the design team 
• Early coordination helps prevent conflicts
• Coordination ensures that load paths remain continuous from design through construction

The “Best Practices” session reinforced that message. Strong coordination, clear responsibilities and complete load paths drive successful outcomes in load-bearing CFS systems, the panelists said.

Load Path Continuity in CFS Wall Systems

Load-bearing wall systems function as integrated assemblies. Studs, tracks, bracing, sheathing and connections must work together to provide stability.

The ASCE/SEI session compared steel bracing systems with sheathing bracing. Steel bracing systems, such as cold-rolled channel and strap bracing, provide discrete restraint. These systems require explicit force design and detailing. Sheathing provides distributed restraint along the stud length. Designers often do not fully account for this contribution.

Brace force resolution emerged as a key design requirement. The theory was that forces accumulate along bridging lines and must be reconciled through a discrete load path. As has been found with more recent research – and is being entered into the latest framing standards – ordinary attached gypsum panel absorbs this bracing force more than adequately when it is used.

Proper alignment and detailing ensure load-bearing walls function as complete systems. Each component contributes to a continuous and reliable load path.

Most field issues relate to load path breakdowns. The session presenters noted common conditions that reduce performance. These include:

• MEP penetrations that weaken studs and interrupt load paths
• Misaligned or missing bridging that reduces bracing effectiveness
• Improper stud seating that creates gaps and introduce eccentric loading

Alignment and detailing also play a critical role. Misalignment introduces unintended bending. Poor detailing at openings, ledgers and supports concentrates loads in critical areas.

The takeaway is clear. Engineers must treat load-bearing walls as complete systems. Every component must contribute to a continuous and reliable load path, the presenters said.

Lateral Systems Demand Early Decisions

The ASCE/SEI session then shifted to lateral force-resisting systems. These systems include all elements and connections that resist wind and seismic forces.

Key standards include AISI S100, S240 and S400. These standards define design methods, framing requirements and seismic provisions. Early decisions in the design process remain critical.

Engineers must decide whether to follow full seismic detailing requirements under AISI S400 or design for higher forces with simplified detailing. This decision affects system behavior, detailing complexity and project cost.

In moderate seismic regions, this choice becomes especially important. Teams must balance lower design forces against the added detailing required to ensure energy dissipation.

Expected strength and overstrength concepts also play a central role. Non-yielding components must resist forces generated by yielding elements. This approach allows controlled energy dissipation during seismic events.

Lateral design extends beyond primary systems. Engineers must design the full load path, including:

• Collectors and drag struts
• Anchors and hold-downs
• Diaphragm and track connections

Each component transfers forces through the structure. Missing or under-designed elements can compromise overall performance.

The program also addressed floor, roof and ceiling systems within the overall load path. These systems act as diaphragms that transfer lateral forces to vertical elements. Proper diaphragm design and connection detailing remain critical to system performance.

Floor systems play a critical role in the load path, acting as diaphragms that transfer lateral forces to vertical elements, with proper design and connections driving performance.

Shear Walls and Strap-Braced Systems

The panelists gave practical guidance on shear wall and strap-braced system design. A structured approach to Type I shear walls includes checks for shear strength, overturning resistance, anchorage and drift, they said.

Aspect ratio and boundary conditions play a critical role in performance. Wall geometry influences system behavior and can limit design options. Hold-downs resist overturning forces but do not carry vertical loads. Engineers must ensure that anchorage and boundary elements provide adequate resistance, the panelists said.

Architectural layouts often introduce constraints. Narrow wall conditions can limit the use of standard shear walls. In these cases, alternative systems become necessary.

Strap-braced walls offer an efficient solution in constrained layouts. These systems act as tension-only braced frames and provide flexible placement options. However, they require careful detailing of connections and load paths to perform as intended.

Proprietary systems and moment frames may also provide viable alternatives. System selection should align with project geometry, loading and constructability.

Early system selection improves coordination and reduces redesign risk.

Coordination Defines Success

The final portion of the ASCE/SEI session addressed coordination and clearly defined roles. Delegation does not remove responsibility from the engineer of record.

The engineer of record must define performance requirements, establish load paths and review delegated designs. Clear direction during design reduces confusion during construction.

Common coordination challenges include:

• Conflicts between structural framing and MEP systems
• Incomplete load paths at openings and transitions
• Unclear responsibility for connection and detailing design

These issues often stem from gaps in communication and documentation. When roles are not clearly defined, coordination suffers and field issues increase.

A guided design exercise reinforced these concepts. Participants developed gravity and lateral systems for a sample structure. The exercise showed how early coordination improves constructability and system performance.

Key Takeaways

Cold-formed steel continues to expand as a structural solution. It offers efficiency, resilience and predictable performance across building types.

Successful projects require more than material selection. Engineers must approach CFS as a complete system. They must define load paths, coordinate across disciplines and carry design intent through construction.

Early collaboration remains essential. When project teams align from the start, CFS systems deliver efficient construction and reliable performance.

Additional Resources

• Does Delegated Design Make Sense for Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) Interior Framing Applications?
• Research Finds Strap Bracing Superior to K-Bracing
• Designers: Update to SFIA’s 2025 Tech Guide for the Latest CFS Load and Span Tables

The post Best Practices for Load-Bearing CFS Design: Insights from Structures Congress 2026 appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

       

But these individual CFS components work together to deliver predictable performance, speed and flexibility. The 2025 Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) Industry Project and Product Awards reinforce that point: Teams choose CFS to reduce structural weight, improve tolerances and accelerate installation.

What Is Cold-Formed Steel?

CFS framing starts with structural-quality sheet steel, typically formed at room temperature into C-sections and other shapes. The process produces straight, consistent members for interior partitions, exterior walls, floors, roofs and engineered assemblies. BuildSteel’s “Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) Framing 101: A Practical Guide for Designers, Builders and Owners” says teams choose CFS because it installs quickly, stays straight, resists fire and pests and supports prefabrication and panelization.

For architects and engineers new to CFS, the first lesson is simple: CFS is not just “metal studs.” 

CFS serves both nonstructural and structural applications, including:

• Partitions, soffits and ceilings
• Exterior walls and load-bearing walls
• Floor systems 
• Roof framing
• Engineered assemblies

Cold-formed steel (CFS) posts support the second floor of college sports facility. Image credit: ADTEK Engineers

CFS is more than just metal studs or light-weight steel. The BuildSteel CFS Framing 101 Guide says:

Architects: “CFS framing supports flexible layouts, straight lines and consistent dimensions.”

Engineers: “CFS framing systems support clean specifications that reduce ambiguity in submittals.”

In this CFS Framing: In Practice guide, we highlight real-world applications from recent SFIA award-winning projects. 

CFS Reduces Weight with No Performance Loss

Several projects used SFIA-certified steel framing products because CFS’s strength-to-weight ratio solved problems that heavier systems complicated.

Cost Savings Through CFS Load Path Design

At West Point II Apartments in Tucson, Arizona, Industrialized Construction Solutions used CFS to deliver a seven-story superstructure without a concrete podium. The team vertically aligned bearing walls from the upper residential floors to the foundations, eliminating concrete or red-iron transfer systems. Engineers also used built-up CFS stud packs instead of HSS members for shear wall hold-downs and balcony supports, saving more than $1 million while maintaining performance.

Achieving Long Spans with CFS Joists and Trusses 

At Kindred Resort/One River Run in Keystone, Colorado, the project used 12-inch CFS joists and CFS trusses to create lightweight vaulted ceilings and long, open spans. MiTek engineered the CFS trusses to transfer diaphragm loads and reduce dead load on the building.

Supporting Complex Interior Assemblies with CFS 

At the Mullin Transportation Design Center in Pasadena, California, CEMCO’s CFS products helped convert a former supersonic wind tunnel into a 31,000-square-foot education and design facility. The team used CFS in place of wood and structural steel in interior assemblies, reducing weight and supporting floating architectural features without added supports.

CEMCO’s cold-formed steel (CFS) framing products helped transform a historic Caltech wind tunnel into a unique education center.

CFS Supports Repeatable Construction

CFS appeals to project teams when schedule risk matters. Because members are consistent and dimensionally stable, teams can shift work off site, improve quality control and reduce job-site congestion.

Up to 3 Days Saved Per Floor

West Point II Apartments provides another practical lesson. The Tucson project used prefabricated CFS panels on a tight infill site with limited staging. The CFS framing process reduced the schedule by roughly two to three days per floor, and crews erected the structure in 75 days.

35 Buildings in 3 Months

At UCSC Student Housing in Santa Cruz, California, crews framed 35 residential buildings and two community centers in three months using panelized CFS production. ADCO Drywall and Metal Framing framed the walls off site, trucked the panels to the job site and craned them into place. CEMCO custom produced and cut materials to length, minimizing waste.

CFS Attachment Saves Labor, Waste

At 24th & Rio Grande Housing in Austin, Texas, ClarkDietrich supplied CFS framing for prefabricated exterior panels on a 30-story student housing tower. The team fabricated framing, sheathing, windows, vents, weatherproofing and EIFS off site. A drift track attachment method helped crews create a continuous exterior skin while reducing labor and material waste.

ClarkDietrich pre-cut CFS materials based on panelized shop tickets, which optimized usage and reduced waste at the 24th & Rio Grande Housing project.

CFS Can Create Complex Geometry

CFS also serves architects when design intent includes curves, slopes, radiused walls and unusual openings.

Framing Large Openings with CFS Headers

At Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino, raSmith engineered CFS framing for 30-foot-plus floor-to-floor heights, large openings, curved and sloped walls, soffits and multi-tiered column covers. In several nearly 30-foot-wide openings that originally called for HSS members, the team value engineered a CFS solution using a box header and additional studs framed like an L-header.

2-6 mm Tolerances Achieved

At the Westerly 2 South Tower canopy in Etobicoke, Ontario, Maxan Interior Systems used standard CFS studs and angles to form a free-flowing canopy. The team used 3D scanning and modeling to plan the geometry, then cut and fit each stud with precision. Field tolerances came in at 2 to 6 millimeters against a 10-millimeter allowance.

Executing Complex Geometry with CFS Framing

At the Populus hotel in Denver, CEMCO supplied 150 tons of CFS for interiors with no straight, 90-degree angles. The project team value engineered interior wall systems with CFS to provide strength, save costs and fulfill Studio Gang’s design intent.

The Populus project team value engineered the interior cold-formed steel (CFS) framing system to provide strength, save costs and fulfill the architect’s curvy window opening design.

CFS Can Reduce Building Weight

Cold-formed steel does not replace structural steel in every condition. But award projects show that it can reduce the amount of hot-rolled steel needed when engineers coordinate load paths early.

CFS Replaces Structural Steel

At Allston Labworks in Boston, T.J. McCartney installed 133 tons of CFS framing. The project used CFS in place of structural steel to support unitized and metal panel curtainwalls, reducing cost. The team also used BIM coordination and laser layout systems to maintain tolerances.

Using CFS Studs to Support Masonry Loads

At The Trade Milwaukee, raSmith tailored CFS framing to varying floor-to-floor heights, including extra-tall levels for professional athletes. Where possible, the team avoided structural steel in favor of CFS. In one late-stage condition, the team used installed CFS studs to support brickwork above first-level openings, avoiding added steel members and protecting the schedule.

R.S. Smith designed an elaborate cold-formed steel (CFS) framing system with multiple jambs and headers interconnecting at various levels to accommodate varying floor to floor heights.

CFS Supports Sustainability Goals

Cold-formed steel can also contribute to energy performance when teams use it as part of a coordinated envelope strategy.

Steel Panels Trump Tilt-Up Concrete

At Sunset & Decatur Industrial Park in Las Vegas, Industrialized Construction Solutions used load-bearing prefabricated CFS panels instead of tilt-up concrete for six warehouse buildings. The panels supported continuous exterior rigid insulation and cavity batt insulation. The system helped the project meet energy requirements and positioned the buildings for long-term operational savings.

The same project used 35-foot-tall CFS panels, long-span roof trusses and mezzanine joists. CNC roll forming allowed the fabricator to produce profiles on demand, avoiding schedule disruption and maintaining consistent tolerances.

Industrialized Construction Solutions designed the shell of Sunset & Decatur Industrial Park, Phase I, in Las Vegas. The project features long-span cold-formed steel (CFS) trusses.

CFS Rewards Early Coordination

For designers new to CFS, the biggest takeaway may be this: CFS performs best when architects, engineers, fabricators and installers coordinate early.

CFS at Its Most Custom

The Central Florida themed attraction by KHS&S Contractors shows why. The project used 550 tons of CFS across six connected structures, including long-span ceilings, tall walls, themed façades and complex rooflines. The team relied on 3D models, shop drawings and weekly coordination to keep framing aligned with the design intent. In one 175-foot wall, no sections over two to three feet repeated.

That project also shows CFS at its most custom. Nearly every stud, screw and angle was customized to match the architectural drawings and 3D sculpt model. In repetitive areas, the team prefabricated mansard roof trusses and flew them into place where access was limited.

What Designers New to CFS Should Remember

CFS is a lightweight, durable framing system made from sheet steel and formed into repeatable shapes. It can serve structural and nonstructural roles. It can reduce dead load, support prefabrication, improve dimensional consistency, contribute to fire and moisture-risk strategies and help teams execute complex geometry. 

But it is not a magic substitution. The award projects show that CFS works best when teams define performance requirements, separate structural and nonstructural scopes, coordinate load paths and engage CFS expertise early.

That is why project teams choose cold-formed steel framing: not as a replacement for every system, but as a precise, efficient solution when performance and constructability must align.

Locate trusted cold-formed steel (CFS) products and service suppliers near you using BuildSteel’s ultimate steel framing resource.

Next Steps for Beginners

1. Download: A Beginner’s Guide to Cold-Formed Steel Framing (PDF). 
2. Use a spec “cheat sheet”: Checklist for Architects and Engineers Writing CFS Specifications.
3. Stay aligned with current codes and standards: Complying with New Codes and Standards for Cold-Formed Steel Framing. 
4. Search for products and providers: The BuildSteel Product and Provider Directory

Additional Resources

• Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) Framing 101: A Practical Guide for Designers, Builders and Owners
• Cold-Formed Steel Framing 101
• SFIA’s Steel Framing Learning Portal Has Metal Framing Education (24/7/365)

The post CFS 101 In Practice: Real-World Examples of Project Teams Using Cold-Formed Steel appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Cold-Formed Steel (CFS) Framing 101: A Practical Guide for Designers, Builders and Owners
• FAQ: What code guidance applies to out-of-plane bracing forces for load-bearing CFS walls during CLT floor panel installation?
• Steel Stands Firm as Termites Threaten Homes, Real Estate Agents Say

 

“Perry has strengthened the technical foundation behind structural steel and cold-formed steel design,” says Don Allen, executive director of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA). “His contributions continue to influence codes, standards and how engineers approach structural stability.”

Featured Image: (left to right) Jennifer Goupil, P.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE, managing director of Structural Engineering Institute; Perry S. Green, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE; and Edwin Huston, P.E., S.E., F.SEI, M.ASCE, of Huston Structural Engineering and FY26 president of SEI.

Following a NASCC 2026 session in Atlanta, Don Allen, executive director of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA); Andy Newland, P.E., principal at ADTEK Engineers; Mohammad Adil Dar, assistant professor of structural engineering at BITS Pilani; Perry S. Green, Ph.D., P.E., F.SEI, F.ASCE; and Zhanjie Li, professor at SUNY Polytechnic Institute, gather for a photo.

Perry Green: Decades of Leadership

In the spirit of the Hardesty Award, Green has been a  longstanding member of the Structural Stability Research Council. He has supported the council’s transitions throughout his career and helped shape its direction. Peers consider him a historian of SSRC for documenting its history and preserving institutional knowledge.

His work includes inelastic members using high-performance and CFS framing. He also serves as a subject matter expert in the nuclear power plant industry. His work demonstrates broad knowledge and commitment to structural engineering and structural stability.

Perry S. Green, Ph.D., P.E., edited Cold-Formed Steel Connections to Other Materials: A Design Guide and has influenced CFS design standards for decades.

Recognized by the Engineering Community

Industry peers recognize Green’s impact and influence.

“Green embodies a unique blend of technical expertise, translational research and dedicated service to the stability community,” says ASCE. “[He] has been recommended by many of the prominent engineers and researchers in the structural stability community.”

Additional Resources

• ASCE’s Structural Engineering Institute Releases CFS Connection Guide
• Cold-Formed Steel Design Innovations Take Center Stage at 2026 NASCC: The Steel Conference
• CFSEI Releases Updated Tech Note G500-25: Field Guide – Inspection Checklist for Structural CFS Framing

The post Perry Green Receives Shortridge Hardesty Award for Advancing Steel Codes and Standards appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

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• SFIA Appoints Jay Larson as Secretariat of the Newly Formed SFIA Standards Committee
• Simpson Strong-Tie Promotes Ron Gaines to Senior VP of North American Sales
• Nucor’s Tabitha Stine to be Featured in ‘Women of Carbon’ Documentary

 

DreamWeaver Homes is advancing plans for its Puerto Rico manufacturing facility using cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. It is moving the facility into production. The company, based in Pennsylvania, is responding to repeated housing loss across the island. Hurricanes and earthquakes have damaged or destroyed more than 250,000 homes. Thousands of families still live in temporary conditions.

A 1,500 sq ft home built with cold-formed steel (CFS) framing weighs 65–70% less than concrete – reducing loads from up to 350 tons to as little as 80 tons. In Puerto Rico’s karst terrain, this lighter system improves safety, lowers foundation costs and expands buildability. Photo Credit: DreamWeaver Homes

DreamWeaver uses CFS framing to address the failures of traditional materials. Wood framing rots, burns and fails under hurricane-force winds. Concrete has become cost-prohibitive under 2018 building codes. Nearly 30% of Puerto Rico’s terrain is limestone with sinkholes and subsurface voids. These conditions drive foundation costs up to 40% of total construction cost.

Steel framing offers a lighter, noncombustible system. It lowers foundation demands and performs more reliably than wood or concrete.

The company has launched a $7.5 million Series A round. It will move the factory into production. The facility will produce high-volume CFS framing homes for Puerto Rico. These homes are engineered to exceed 2018 emergency building codes. They can withstand Category 5 hurricanes and meet seismic standards. The approach supports long-term resilience and aligns with disaster recovery funding.

Read the full article. 

Steel Framing Changes Construction Methods

India is rapidly expanding its infrastructure, with projects advancing at an accelerated pace. Developers face shrinking timelines and tighter capital scrutiny. They also face rising expectations for sustainability and structural reliability. For decades, reinforced concrete defined construction. However, it brings heavier foundations, longer curing cycles, limited flexibility and slower delivery. Today, India’s developers and engineers are shifting their approach to using more steel systems.

India’s infrastructure growth demands faster delivery and higher performance. Steel systems reduce foundation loads and accelerate construction schedules.

Wootz Buildsys is a pre-engineered buildings company in India. It is helping drive this transition by advancing steel solutions across many projects. Its focus on prefabricated steel framing systems improves construction speed, precision and consistency. This approach reinforces the value of performance driven building methods.

Across India, developers are recognizing the economic advantages of steel systems. These systems reduce foundation loads, accelerate timelines and support modular construction. Prefabrication helps limit site waste. Integrated insulation improves energy efficiency.

Read the full article. 

Steel Chassis Reshapes Modular Building Efficiency

MMC Modular, based in Australia, developed a system that rethinks modular construction from the ground up. Led by owner John Davis, the company focuses on solving long accepted problems of welded steel chassis. Davis draws on decades of experience across Australia, New Zealand and the United States. He identified issues with transport damage, labor demands and slow production. These challenges have limited modular growth.

MMC Modular’s ModFloor system uses cold-formed steel (CFS) framing to replace traditional chassis. It reduces weight, limits transport deflection and eliminates welding and cutting. Photo Credit: MMC Modular

Using cold-formed steel (CFS) framing, the ModFloor system replaces traditional chassis. It delivers a lighter, more consistent solution. The system minimizes deflection during transport. It removes the need for welding, cutting and skilled labor. CFS framing components arrive ready to assemble. Small crews can complete chassis builds in hours. MMC Modular supports this with proprietary rollforming machinery. This increases production speed and allows rapid profile changes. It enables more efficient and scalable manufacturing.

MMC Modular extends the system beyond the chassis. It integrates design and procurement into a single workflow. Builders can reuse designs and reduce engineering overhead. They can also streamline material supply. The steel-based system lowers transport damage and crane requirements. It also reduces reliance on concrete. This expands modular construction into remote and multi-level applications. It also improves delivery certainty.

Read the full article. 

Additional Resources

• Update #19: Cold-Formed Steel Used for Apartment Project, Pickleball Complex and Fire Station
• Update #18: Cold-Formed Steel Accelerates Housing Projects in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Brazil
• Update #17: Cold-Formed Steel Advances Healing Facility, History Center and Middle East ConTech
• Update #16: Cold-Formed Steel for Wildfire Recovery, Campus Housing and Martha Stewart Prefab Homes
• Update #15: Cold-Formed Steel for Student Housing, Greenhouse and Fire Station

The post Update #20: Cold-Formed Steel Used for Resilient Housing, Scalable Infrastructure and Modular Floor Systems appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

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• Update #9: MAREK Builds Ismaili Center, ClarkDietrich Receives Certification for Connectors and U.S. Steel Invests in DRI
• CFSEI Announces 2026 Award Winners, Stipend Recipients and Distinguished Service Honoree
• Research, Resilience and Real-World Solutions Shape the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California

 

Member purchases from AD suppliers increased 28%.

AD’s member count increased by 74 on a net basis during the quarter, primarily driven by the merger with The Commonwealth Group (TCG). AD members also acquired 9 fellow members and 14 companies outside of AD.

Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg said, “Our strong start to 2026 reflects growth across our divisions, driven by member expansion, increased engagement, and the successful integration of The Commonwealth Group. We look forward to building on this momentum in the months ahead.”

Read the original AD news release.

Additional Resources

• AD Member Sales Reach a Record $100 Billion in 2025
• AD and The Commonwealth Group, An Alliance of PHCP distributors, Announce Their Intent to Merge
• AD Names 2025 LLC Board of Directors After Vote, Some Are New to the AD Board

The post AD reports robust member sales growth in the first three months of 2026 appeared first on BuildSteel.org.