SFIA: 2017 Economic Outlook for Cold-Formed Steel Framing

FALLS CHURCH, Va., Nov. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The incoming administration's strong focus on rebuilding the nation's infrastructure—driven by president-elect's proposed 10-year, $1 trillion infrastructure plan—also will spur private investments in new residential and commercial construction and a concomitant demand for cold-formed steel framing and related products, according to Kathryn Thompson, CEO of the Thompson Research Group (TRG) and leading industry observer. 

In a forecast prepared by her organization for the Steel Framing Industry Association, Thompson also notes that non-residential construction is nearing what historically would be considered a peak, but forward momentum is still present as the recovery follows a long, shallow, multi-year growth trend.

"Bipartisan federal and state support for rebuilding infrastructure—including highways, schools and hospitals, water systems and the electric grid—appears poised to help engender new private construction projects in areas served by that new and refurbished infrastructure," Thompson said.

"Residential construction continues to grow, but not at the rate experienced in prior cycles," Thompson added. "The strongest sector in the current cycle, multifamily construction, is cooling and may signal a shift to more single-family construction where there is room to grow to meet current needs."

One of the tools used by the Thompson Research Group to track and interpret market directions is the TRG Building Product Survey, which collects information and opinions from building product distributors, buying groups, and manufacturers across the United States.

Just as in the prior year, those surveyed report that bottlenecks in the construction process—including labor and material shortages, and overly selective contractors who refuse projects—are affecting all segments of the market. Permitting also remains an issue.

"Architects in the eastern U.S. report that permitting is their biggest bottleneck overall," Thompson said. "They report three- to six-month delays because of an inability to obtain permitting on time."

At the same time, Thompson said, the new research reveals many reasons to anticipate further growth in 2017 in addition to the momentum provided by new infrastructure:

• 75 percent of respondents surveyed by the Thompson Research Group reported "Up" year-over-year volumes in steel studs in October 2016; and provided more overall consistent feedback of strong volume trends, which were up by mid-to-high single digits year over year.
• Contractors reported that the volume of projects coming to market continues to improve, if at a somewhat slower pace.
• 46 percent of contractors reported increased bidding activity—particularly in the Healthcare, Education, Highway and Road, and Data Centers.
• 54 percent of sureties reported an increase in nonresidential bonding requests over the last three months year over year.
• The AIA Architectural Billing Index has been above 50 for 40 of the last 45 months, and architectural firms continue to hire in order to meet increased demand.

"This year's survey indicates an overall positive outlook for 2017," Thompson said. "In addition, the infrastructure dollars related to a potential federal stimulus plan would provide upside to 2018 and 2019. Based on our prior experience, those dollars would likely start flowing in a more meaningful way by mid-2018."

Larry Williams, Executive Director of the Steel Framing Industry Association and host of the forecast, said that the steel framing industry appears to be one of the major winners in this scenario.

"The prospect of widespread multi-year economic stimulus resulting from new infrastructure projects presents a once in a generation opportunity to those who manufacture, distribute and install steel framing," Williams said. "At SFIA, we will continue to work to help our industry make the most of this unique opportunity."

To access the 2016 Market Forecast For Cold-Formed Steel Framing webinar, please email - dpatel@latitudeworldwide.com

Steel Framing Industry Association
The SFIA represents more than 1,300 members, including steel mills, coil coaters, processors, roll-formers, fabricators, engineers, material distributors and framing contractors. Its 31 stud manufacturer members produce nearly 80 percent of the cold-formed steel stud and track used in the US. SFIA promotes using cold-formed steel framing, advocates pro-industry codes and standards, conducts seminars and supports competiveness through innovation.  SFIA provides statistical and trend data for the industry regarding safety, steel usage and prices. For more information, visit http://www.cfsteel.org/.

Thompson Research Group
Thompson Research Group (TRG) is an independent equity research and consulting firm focused on the construction and industrial industries. Our true industry expertise and financial acumen allows us to identify industry inflection points and secular trends early. We translate industry information into actionable stock ideas, benefitting clients with alpha generating investment ideas.

Contact: Larry Williams
703-538-1613 
williams@steelframingassociation.org

Darshana Patel
571-235-7238
dpatel@latitudeworldwide.com

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SOURCE Steel Framing Industry Association