The Frame Building Expo took place at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee, from January 18-20. Although before the show opened the pandemic had many questions hanging in the air, more than 120 exhibitors greeted attendees over the course of the three-day event. Exhibitors offered everything from cupolas to FootingPad foundation plates, metalworking equipment to fasteners. Whatever component or detail builders were on the hunt for, there’s a good chance they found it in Nashville.

DMI Frame Building Expo 2022
David Quehl at Direct Metals Inc. (DMI) answers questions about their product lines. Find DMI at the Construction Rollforming Show in October.
DripStop has been tried and tested on non-insulated metal roofs in every climate condition. The membrane absorbs the water caused by condensation, which prevents dripping from the roof. Find DripStop at the Construction Rollforming Show in October.

It was a pleasure seeing familiar faces of representatives from suppliers and manufacturers you’ve come to know and trust: DripStop, MWI Components, Plyco Corp., Direct Metals and so many more. 

There were new companies, too. We met up with the founders of Wildcat, LLC, a new fastener company. Co-founder Lane Morrison said they hand-assembled 500 (really cool) sample boxes to prepare for the show. It was worth it; the new entrepreneurs came away with a lot of new business connections and a lot of ideas.

Cupolas and FootingPad foundation plates were the stars of the AG-CO, LLC booth.

Regional Sales Manager Matt Orsini mans the rFOIL booth. rFOIL is designed to reduce radiant heat gain and loss and eliminate condensation in metal buildings. Find rFOIL at the Construction Rollforming Show in October.

Metal Wholesale LLC is another new company that exhibited at the Expo. The company supplies lumberyards throughout the Midwest with fasteners, accessories, sealants, ridge vents, pipe flashings, trims and panels. 

In speaking with exhibitors, many had the same concerns about the upcoming year in the construction industry: supply chain issues, labor shortages and rising costs — all of which push the importance of providing outstanding customer service to an even higher level. 

At the end of the show it was obvious exhibitors were ready to pack it in. Though exhausted, they appeared pleased and satisfied that showing up and taking the gamble paid off. 

Polled after the show closed, some of the exhibitors shared their Expo experiences. Matt Greiner, owner and COO of Greiner Buildings, said, “It was an amazing experience. Nashville certainly didn’t disappoint. I have not reviewed the actual stats from an NFBA perspective, but I have to believe it was a good show all around. 

Graber Post Buildings has been manufacturing and supplying building materials for over 45 years. Everything needed for your next post-frame project can be purchased from one location. Find Graber Post at the Construction Rollforming Show in October.
Rural Builder editor Linda Schmid learns about below-grade insulation from the folks at the HitzHalter booth. Find Hershey’s The Metal Meister at the Construction Rollforming Show in October.

“For me,” he continued, “winning several awards, including the Bernon G. Perkins award, and playing live music in front of a healthy crowd of industry peers, it was certainly a magical experience.”

The H.B. Fuller booth demonstrated expanding composite urethane foam, an alternative to using concrete for setting posts. They reported: “We were very impressed with the turnout at the NFBA Expo this year.  Fast 2K™ was displayed among high-quality industry vendors and attendees. There was much traffic at our demos and we look forward to exhibiting next year!”

 Kimberly Blanton, director of marketing for Union Corrugating and Reed’s Metals, said, “It was a refreshing to see how the tradeshows are starting to come back to life after COVID. Both Reed’s Metals and Union Corrugating participated in the Frame Building Expo that was held in Nashville and received favorable feedback from many vendors and customers who were excited to see our products and offerings on display once again.”

Traffic was impressive at the Union Corrugating and Reed’s Metals booths. “Overall I would say this particular trade show seemed to be running at 85% capacity year over year as compared to past NFBA show,” said Kimberly Blanton, director of marketing, Reed’s Metals and Union Corrugating. Photo courtesy of Reed’s Metals

Mark Stover, President, Perma-Column, was enthusiastic about the turnout and the activity: “It was great to get out of the office and be with industry friends after two years of COVID issues. 

“There was a lot of excitement about 2021 growth and 2022 is trending in the same direction,” he continued. “There’s still concern with volatility with building material costs and supply, along with a tight labor market – most do not expect it to get better this year. The good news is we have experience (2021) in leading and managing through these challenges. I’m looking forward to a great 2022. I hope everyone else is, too. If we collectively grow the post frame market – we succeed together!”

Having recently merged with like-minded companies, Hixwood is now supplying metal to builders and roll formers in 17 states throughout the Midwest and East. Find Hixwood at the Construction Rollforming Show in October. 
Representatives of Levi’s Building Components were kept busy throughout the show. Find Levi’s at the Construction Rollforming Show in October.
Dave Gruhlke mans the Plasti-Sleeve Post Protection booth. The company offers products that protect posts and skirt boards from decay-causing elements.
Richland Laminated Columns offers Glulams, Naillams, Perma-Column foundation solutions, Green Posts, FootingPad foundation pads and more. 
Palram Americas is a leading manufacturer of polycarbonate and PVC sheets.
Rando Colburn (waving) and Brian Smith (blue sweatshirt) discuss the venue and keys to success with Shield Wall Media publisher Gary Reichert. Smith said owning their own trucks and the service that their sales team provides helps set Mill Creek Lumber Products apart from the competition.
Perma-Column foundation products are precast concrete columns that keep wood out of the ground, ensuring your building’s foundation will not rot. They are the first product to combine the economy of post-frame construction with the durability of a concrete foundation.
Exhibiting the Ridgeline Safety System, the RFS Rapid Framing System, and The Badger Post Hole Cleaner, booth 715 was a trade show in itself.
Tough Trade Tools offers innovative tools to make metal panel installation more efficient, safer and more accurate. 
RigidPly Rafters has improved the quality of post-frame buildings by manufacturing and distributing the original 100% glue-laminated post.
Buddy Pullen (right), vice president of Pro Sales, TUFTEX, speaks with an attendee at the Frame Building Expo 2022. Find TUFTEX at the Construction Rollforming Show in October.

The next Frame Building Expo is scheduled for February 22-24, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky.  FBN

Editor’s Note: If you’d like to share your Frame Building Expo experiences, send your comments to editor Karen Knapstein at [email protected] or to editor Anthony Brass at [email protected].

By Karen Knapstein