Metal buildings take the spotlight in Charlotte

By Karen Edwards.

Networking tips, live broadcasting and meaningful awards made the 2025 MBCEA Conference one to remember.

The 56th annual MBCEA Conference brought together metal contractors, erectors and manufacturers in Charlotte, North Carolina for three days of learning and networking opportunities. The event included activities for two industry associations, the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) and the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA).  

By working together, the conference presents a unique opportunity for the manufacturers of the materials to network with the contractors that build the structures. The two groups are integral to each other’s success and being able to spend time together is invaluable to identifying and understanding the challenges and needs of each of these audiences.  

MetalCoffeeShop was in the house, broadcasting live onto YouTube throughout the event. If you weren’t able to be there you can check out the full playlist on the MCS YouTube channel.  

Keynote for success

The conference kicked off with keynote speaker Caleb Campbell, a West Point graduate and former NFL player who shared his story, including why he hung up his cleats after just two years. He explains in his book, The Inner Advantage, “Despite reaching my goals, I felt overextended, disconnected and weighed down by the relentless pressure of expectations. I had to confront the discomfort I’d avoided for years – and in doing so, I discovered how to expand from within.”  

Caleb’s journey of growth and discovery was life changing and he shared with attendees how to recognize the expander (the thing we are afraid of), how to reframe it (change your perspective) and finally how to respond to it with a plan to move forward.  

Following the inspirational keynote address, the conference shifted into the awards ceremony to celebrate members’ achievements and craftsmanship.  

MBMA Safety Awards

The MBMA recognizes its members for outstanding commitment to safety in their operation. The awards were established in 2011 and since then 445 manufacturing plants have been recipients of a safety award. This year’s winners included:

BSM Superior Safety Award

• Cornerstone Building Brands - Atwater, California
• Nucor Building Systems - LaCrosse, Virginia and Lathrop, California
• Dean Steel Building  
• Package Steel Systems - Sutton, Massachusetts

BSM Safety Performance

• Behlen Building Systems - Columbus, Nebraska
• Cornerstone Building Brands – Elizabethton, Tennessee; Houston, Texas; Lexington, Tennessee
• Inland Buildings - Culman, Alabama
• Nucor Buildings Group - 5 plant locations  
• Red Dot Buildings - Athens, Texas
• Whirlwind Steel Buildings - Houston, Texas

Associate Member Superior Safety

• S-5! - Iowa Park, Texas
• Global Building Products - Elkhart, Indiana
• Sherwin-Williams - Garland, Texas; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• METALSPAN - 6 plant locations  
• Silvercote - 18 plant locations
• Bay Insulation Systems - 24 plant locations
• PSI Preferred Solutions Inc. - Cleveland, Ohio

Metal Industry Hall of Fame inductions

Metal Construction News started the Hall of Fame in 2012 to recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the metal industry. Nominees are judged on five categories: unique contribution, body of work, legacy, integrity and longevity. This year’s inductees are:  

• Ken Gieseke  
• Ron Schell  
• Randy Haefli  
• Sasha Demyan  

MBCEA Building Awards

• Commercial Award of Merit: Bahnmiller Construction, Inc. West Harbor Project, San Pedro, California; Manufacturer: VP Buildings
• Commercial Award of Excellence: Red Dot Buildings Athens, Texas; Circuit of the Americas T11 Car Condos (Carbondale, Colorado); Manufacturer: Red Dot Buildings
• Community Award of Merit: Schlosser Steel Buildings (Hatfield, Pennsylvania); Project: Sawmill Sports Hub (Willowbrook, Illinois) Manufacturer: Chief Buildings
• Community Award of Excellence: Sure Steel Inc. (South Weber, Utah); Western Sports Park (Farmington, Utah); Manufacturer: American Building Systems
• Manufacturing Award of Merit: Steel Work Solutions (Groveland, Florida); Blue Oval Ford, Gemini Building (Stanton, Tennessee); Manufacturer: VP Buildings
• Manufacturing Award of Excellence: H.A. Dorsten, Inc (Minster, Ohio); Rode’s Meats (Delphos, Ohio); Manufacturer: Chief Buildings
• Building of the Year Winner: Ironhide Construction Inc (Lincoln, Nebraska); Advent Health Sports Park at Bluhawk (Overland Park, Kansas); Manufacturer: Chief Buildings

Robert & Beverly Ketenbrink Service Award (Oil Can Award)

This award gives recognition to the recipient for their service to the metal building industry and their contributions to MBCEA and MBI. This year’s winner was Wes Young, product innovation manager, Behlen Building Systems. He is active on the AC 478 committee, Marketing and Membership committee and the Metal Building Curriculum Committee.

Student design competition

Finally, the MBMA shared the results of its undergraduate and graduate student design competition where architecture students were tasked with designing a sports recreational facility that featured a climbing wall. This year’s undergraduate winner for the second year in a row was Maya Westbrock from Cal State Sacramento and the graduate student winner was Pragathi Chandramouli from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The MBMA is excited for next year’s design challenge which will be a botanical garden and event center.