Industry News

Weiler Abrasives launches free Cost Savings Calculator

Weiler Abrasives, a global supplier of surface conditioning solutions, has launched its Abrasive Cost Savings Calculator, a free online tool that helps manufacturers and metal fabricators estimate potential annual savings from improvements in abrasive use and labor time.

Affordability challenges push new home sales lower

High mortgage rates and economic uncertainty continued to keep potential home buyers on the sidelines and constrain new home sales in September, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

ABC launches cybersecurity roadmap for federal contractors

Associated Builders and Contractors announced the launch of its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Roadmap for Contractors.

Woodgrain names vice president of retail

Woodgrain, a manufacturer and distributor of millwork and building materials, announced the promotion of Daniel Banks to vice president of retail.

NetPlus announces award winners from Annual Meeting

NetPlus Alliance, an industrial and contractor supplies buying group, hosted its 13th Annual Meeting in Grapevine, Texas, Oct. 18–20. The event drew more than 800 attendees representing 185 distributor companies, 170 supplier companies, 15 business service providers, and 13 independent manufacturer’s representative (IMR) agencies.

TiTE x IHT 2026 grand opening: Taiwan's largest hardware show draws over 10,000 visitors on Day 1

Co-organized by the Taiwan Hand Tool Manufacturers' Association (THTMA) and Lanza International Co., Ltd., the 2026 Taiwan International Tools & Hardware Expo x International Hardware Expo Taiwan (TiTE x IHT) opened Oct. 20 at the Taichung International Con-vention & Exhibition Center (TICEC), running through October 22.

Construction materials prices jump 2.2% in September

Construction input prices increased 2.2% in September compared to the previous month, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data released Oct. 15.

MAX USA Corp. named a 2026 ACDI Circle of Excellence winner

MAX USA Corp., a manufacturer of high-end industrial tools, is proud to announce that it has been named a 2026 ACDI Circle of Excellence Award Winner, recognizing the company’s continued commitment to innovation, quality, and performance in the concrete and reinforcing construction industry.

ABC welcomes permitting reform bill, urges Senate passage

Associated Builders and Contractors issued a letter last week in support of S. 5653, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act of 2026.

Woodgrain adds MiraTEC exterior trim across key distribution markets

Woodgrain, a manufacturer and distributor of millwork and building materials, announced the addition of MiraTEC treated exterior composite trim products to select locations throughout its distribution network.

ToolWatch upgrades Universal Maps functionality 

AlignOps ToolWatch has rebuilt its Universal Maps functionality, bringing asset location data together in one clear searchable view. Users can see everything they own including tools, equipment and materials, wherever it sits, thus eliminating hours of searching.

White Cap, DEWALT partner to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 

White Cap, a distributor of specialty construction supplies and safety products for professional contractors, and DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand and provider of total jobsite solutions, announce a fourth annual partnership supporting the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: Finding cures. Saving children.

Single-family permitting declines through August

Single-family permitting activity continued to soften through the first eight months of 2026, while multifamily permitting remained stronger compared with the same period last year, according to data from the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB).

Builder sentiment falls on rising rates

Rising mortgage rates, energy and material costs, and worsening labor and lot conditions have pushed builder sentiment to a 14-year low. Builder confidence in the market for newly built single-family homes fell three points to 29 in October, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. The reading was the lowest since June 2012.

Viking Electric recruits 70 women to build Habitat for Humanity Homes in Chicago

On Friday, Oct. 16, 70 women in the electrical industry came together to build homes in Chicago's West Pullman neighborhood. The event, organized by Viking Electric (and the company's two Sunrise Electric locations in Chicago) is a part of Habitat for Humanity's Women Build initiative.

Winsupply hires industry veteran to lead strategic metro expansion

Winsupply Inc., one of the nation's largest wholesale distributors, has named Ken Resuta as regional Development Manager, effective Sept. 28.

Q3 remodeling market sentiment remains stable 

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released the NAHB Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the third quarter, posting a reading of 62 — up one point compared to the previous quarter.

ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator rises again in September 

Associated Builders and Contractors reported its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.7 months in September, according to an ABC member survey conducted Sept. 21 to Oct. 5. The reading is up 0.2 months on both a monthly and yearly basis.

NAHB: Median age in construction holds at 42

The median age of construction workers is 42, one year older than a typical worker in the national labor force, according to NAHB analysis of the latest 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) data.

Streamlight Portable Scene Light III wins 2026 OH&S new product of the year award

Streamlight Inc., a provider of high-performance lighting tools, announced that its Portable Scene Light III (PSL III) has been named a 2026 Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) New Product of the Year Award winner in the Lighting category.

MuleHide apoints new technical director

Alan Rosencrans has joined low-slope roofing manufacturer MuleHide as technical director. As the company’s senior technical authority, he will oversee its technical administrative services, technical field services, warranty and claims support, codes and approvals, specification and systems development, and quality assurance functions.

Channellock names director of product management

Channellock Inc., a manufacturer of high-quality pliers and hand tools, promoted Mark Yoder to director of product management.

Milwaukee to release new PPE vests for women

Milwaukee will be announcing the Class 2 Women's Yellow High Visibility Performance Safety Vest in weeks to come.

Roofing Alliance issues call for funding proposals

The Roofing Alliance is now accepting funding proposals for innovative research projects designed to advance the roofing industry.

Winsupply sponsors the University of Dayton Flyers

Winsupply Inc. is returning as an official partner of the University of Dayton (UD) Division of Athletics for the upcoming basketball season.

Point of Rental Software announces investment from Accel-KKR

Point of Rental Software, the provider of rental performance systems, announced Oct. 7 a strategic investment from Accel-KKR, a technology-focused investment firm.

Sonic Tools USA introduces the SFS Drawer Configurator

Sonic Tools USA, a provider of professional-grade tool solutions and equipment, announced the Sonic Foam System [SFS] Drawer Configurator, a free online resource to design the perfect toolbox setup across the entire lineup of 163 SFS modules within five foam-size categories: extra-small, small, medium, large, and extra-large.

DEWALT unveils Tool Connect Partner Network 

DEWALT, a Stanley Black & Decker brand,announced the launch of the DEWALT Tool Connect Partner Network, a first-of-its-kind ecosystem that integrates leading technology providers to deliver the most comprehensive jobsite asset tracking solution in the construction industry.

Hitachi Global Air Power receives Community Impact Award from Indiana Manufacturers Association

Hitachi Global Air Power US, LLC, a provider of compressed air solutions, has been awarded the Community Impact Award from the Indiana Manufacturers Association (IMA).

ABC report: Proactive safety technology protects workers, jobsites

Associated Builders and Contractors released its sixth annual construction technology report on health and safety tech and innovation, which spotlights how contractors are leveraging technology, data and collaboration to address the industry’s health and safety challenges while creating measurable improvements in workforce performance and operational excellence.

Westlake Royal Building Products consolidates US Tile, Newpoint Roofing brands 

Westlake Royal Building Products (Westlake Royal) has consolidated two of its roofing brands — US Tile Clay Roofing Products and Newpoint Concrete Roof Tile — under one national brand name: US Tile Concrete and Clay Roofing.

Services sector keeps expanding in September

Economic activity in the services sector continued to expand in September, according to the latest ISM Services PMI Report. The Services PMI registered 54.9%, the 27th consecutive month in expansion territory.

Malco Group expands in Latin America

The Malco Group is expanding its presence in Latin America following Aspen Pumps Group’s acquisition of Brazil-based Forming Tubing, an established manufacturer of tubular components for the refrigeration and air conditioning market.

Malco Tools introduces new tools for metal roofing pros

Malco Tools, a manufacturer of high-quality tools for the HVACR and building construction trades, is providing an exclusive first look at new metal construction tools to support various applications, including panel cutting and fabrication, seaming, finishing and curated professional tool kits, at METALCON 2026 in Orlando.

Construction gains over 20,000 jobs in September

Employment in construction changed little in September (+11,000). In September, employment in nonresidential specialty trade contractors continued to trend up (+12,000).

Home builders association applauds bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act

Bill Owens, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and remodeler from Worthington, Ohio, issued the following statement after Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act.

ABC: Data centers power construction job growth in September

The construction industry added 11,000 jobs on net in September, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has increased by 109,000 jobs, or 1.3%.

August construction spending up 1% over July estimate

Construction spending during August 2026 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,203.1 billion, 0.9 percent above the revised July estimate of $2,184.5 billion.

Informa opens World of Concrete registration

World of Concrete's show owner Informa announced registration is now open for the annual construction event at the Las Vegas Convention Center Jan. 18–21.

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CONTRACTOR SUPPLY MAGAZINE

The October/November 2026 issue of Contractor Supply magazine is here!

In our cover story, Human to Human, MC Tool & Safety Sales competes with larger distributors by putting relationships, service and customer knowledge first.

Also in this issue are Industry Updates.

The digital edition, sponsored by BECK AMERICA Inc., is fully searchable and contains live links to every advertiser and new product listing. Click away!