Architectural & Structural Metals Mfrs NAICS 3323

Jul 18, 2026 - Weak Billings Signal Softening Demand For Metals

• The decline in the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) signals weaker demand for architectural and structural metals manufacturers over the next 9 to 12 months, as fewer commercial building projects move from design to construction, Metal Construction News reported in July. The ABI fell to 44.5 in May, its lowest level since January, while project inquiries and new design contracts also declined, reflecting growing client caution amid higher inflation and economic uncertainty. (An ABI score below 50 indicates contraction.) Billings weakened across all regions and building sectors, with particularly sharp deterioration on the West Coast and among institutional projects. Because architectural billings are a leading indicator of nonresidential construction, the slowdown suggests softer future demand for structural steel, architectural metal products, fabricated components, and related building materials unless project activity rebounds later this year.
• Rooftop solar installations are creating new opportunities for structural metals manufacturers, Metal Center News reports. Metal buildings and metal roofs are a good fit for solar panels because they typically last longer than the solar systems installed on them, helping building owners avoid costly roof replacements during a system's lifespan. Greater opportunities exist when metal building systems and solar installations are planned together from the start. Structural metals manufacturers can benefit by developing solar-ready roofing systems, integrated mounting solutions, wire management systems, equipment enclosures, and other products that make solar installations faster, easier, and less expensive. As more states and municipalities adopt solar-ready building requirements and demand for commercial and residential rooftop solar continues to grow, structural metals manufacturers that offer products designed to support solar integration will be well positioned to capture additional business and benefit from the ongoing expansion of renewable energy projects.

• The Middle East conflict and effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz are disrupting global metals supply chains, according to analysts at Wood Mackenzie. The region is a key supplier of aluminum and steel inputs, and disruptions to ports and shipping routes are tightening supply and raising market risk for manufacturers that purchase metals. Aluminum markets were already projected to face a deficit, and interruptions to exports from Gulf producers could further tighten supply and push prices higher. The most immediate impact is on steel markets. Iran typically exports about 4 million tons of finished steel and 7–8 million tons of semi-finished products annually, roughly 11% of global semi-finished steel trade. With ports disrupted, this supply has effectively disappeared, causing billet prices to surge as buyers seek alternative sources. For manufacturers that rely on steel and metal inputs, the conflict increases the likelihood of higher raw material costs, shipping delays, and supply volatility.
• Producer prices for architectural and structural metals manufacturers reached another record high in June, rising 5.3% from a year earlier after increasing 7.1% in the previous June-to-June comparison, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Higher tariffs on steel and aluminum have increased raw material costs, while strong construction activity and ongoing supply constraints have enabled manufacturers to pass those costs on to customers. Meanwhile, employment in the industry grew 2.7% year over year in May, and the average hourly wage rose 5% to $28.37, although wage growth moderated from its peak in the prior month, BLS data show.