TopBuild Strengthens Market With Billion Dollar Acquisition of Specialty Products and Insulation

BNP Media Unveils IgniteDemand: A Data-Driven Platform Redefining B2B Demand Generation 

Spackle by Dave Coverly

People News

AMES Expands Georgia Facility and Launches Training Center

Dow Expands Bio-circular Product with ISCC PLUS Certification at Texas Facility

ATAS Announces 2026 Metal Wall Panel Installation Seminars

AD Reports Record Sales and Growth Through Q3 2025

The Best U.S. Cities for Construction Workers in 2025

AMES Expands Georgia Facility and Launches Training Center 

AMES Tools Corp. is excited to announce the expansion of its warehouse and corporate office in Suwanee, Ga. The 40,000-square-foot addition will include a state-of-the-art training center, reinforcing the company’s commitment to workforce development and contractor education.

The new facility will enhance Ames’ existing hands-on training programs, offering both train-the-trainer and contractor-focused courses. These programs provide real-world experience with AMES rental and TapeTech tools, helping tradespeople elevate their skills in drywall, concrete, tile, stucco, insulation, and decorative wall finishes. 

“Training and customer success are at the heart of what we do,” said Mike Ventura, Vice President and General Manager of AMES Tools Corp. “As former contractors ourselves, we understand the challenges faced by tradespeople, and we’re committed to providing the tools, knowledge, and support they need to succeed.” 

The company operates 94 retail and rental stores nationwide and owns several subsidiaries, including TapeTech, Asgard, AllWall.com, ShopAMESTools.com, and WestTechTools.com. Its specialty brand, OJO, focuses on niche construction tools designed to meet the needs of underserved trades. 

The company also partners with unions to provide certification programs, ensuring apprentices gain hands-on experience and proper training with industry-leading tools. Key trainers, including Mark Wilson, Marco Rodriguez, and Anthony Ruiz, bring decades of professional experience to these programs, reinforcing Ames’ reputation as a trusted partner in the construction community. 

Dow Expands Bio-circular Product with ISCC PLUS Certification at Texas Facility 

Dow’s Ecolibrium bio-circular technology enables products with up to 60 percent bio-based material and reduced carbon footprint using the mass balance approach 

The company announced that its isocyanates manufacturing facility in Freeport, Texas, has earned International Sustainability and Carbon Certification PLUS certification. This certification reinforces Dow’s ongoing commitment to advancing more sustainable production and product offerings to customers in the North America region with verified supply chain transparency.  

Dow’s new certification makes all isocyanate products produced at the Freeport facility available with bio-based material from Dow’s Ecolibrium portfolio through mass balance. This is made possible by using alternative feedstocks based on bio-circular materials at the beginning of our integrated manufacturing process. In turn, customers will see zero impact to product quality while achieving material with increased sustainability benefits and reduced carbon footprint. 

“Achieving ISCC PLUS certification at our Freeport MDI Complex marks a significant milestone for Dow. It validates our commitment to credible sustainability practices and strengthens supply chain traceability, advancing our journey to deliver more sustainable products to our customers,” said Laurie B. Thibodeaux, senior unit operational excellence leader. “With this certification, our customers can confidently select materials that support their own sustainability goals and meet the evolving requirements of construction, consumer, and automotive industries.”  

ATAS Announces 2026 Metal Wall Panel Installation Seminars 

ATAS International Inc. announces the 2026 dates for its popular metal wall panel installation seminars. 

The seminar combines classroom instruction with hands-on installation training and, where applicable, a factory tour. In the classroom sessions, participants learn about ATAS’s specific wall panel systems, common substrate types, and recommended installation tools. The practical portion of the seminar covers three panel applications: horizontally applied panels over open framing, vertically applied panels over a solid deck, and metal shingles installed over a solid deck. Classes are taught by industry experts with many years of experience working with metal wall cladding.  

All seminars will take place from Wednesday to Thursday. Day one begins with lunch at ATAS, followed by training, and ends with a group dinner at a local restaurant. Day two begins with breakfast at ATAS, followed by the balance of the training. 

2026 Seminar Dates and Locations 
Allentown, Pa. (ATAS headquarters) 
April 8-9 and Oct. 14-15 

Mesa, Ariz. 
Jan. 7-8 and Nov. 18-19 

University Park, Ill.  
February 11-12 and December 2-3 

For more information or to register for a session, visit atas.com/in-person-installation-seminar. 

AD Reports Record Sales and Growth Through Q3 2025 

Affiliated Distributors reports that member sales through the first nine months of 2025 increased 28 percent to $78 billion across the group's 14 divisions and three countries. Member purchases from AD suppliers rose 31 percent.  

AD serves as a member-owned buying and marketing group, helping independent distributors and suppliers in the construction and industrial sectors compete with national chains. 

A significant percentage of AD’s overall YTD growth was the result of its 2024 merger with IMARK Electrical. However, AD members also acquired 75 companies year-to-date, including 24 fellow AD members and 51 from outside the group.   

Same-store sales of existing AD members increased by 6 percent in the U.S., 5 percent in Canada, and 1 percent in Mexico, in their respective currencies.  

Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg said, “2025 continues to be AD's largest growth year ever, boding exceptionally well for our ability to deliver increased profitability to our owner-members, increased market-share to our supplier partners and cost-efficiently support our growing community of independents for years to come.”  

The Best U.S. Cities for Construction Workers in 2025 

Phoenix, Ariz.; Raleigh, N.C.; and Austin, Texas, have emerged as the top destinations for construction workers in 2025, offering the best combination of job growth, employment opportunities, and competitive wages in the industry, according to a new analysis by heavy machinery parts supplier Astrak. 

The rankings come as the broader U.S. construction sector experiences expansion. Total U.S. put-in-place construction spending is forecast to reach approximately $2.23 trillion in 2025, according to ConstructConnect. That is up about 2 percent year-over-year in 2025, according to FMI Corp.  

In contrast, the U.S. construction industry reported 188,000 job openings at the end of August, marking the lowest level in more than a decade, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. 

Astrak analyzed which U.S. cities offer the best opportunities for construction workers. Their ranking considered several factors, including the share of local employment in construction, year-over-year job growth, new housing units authorized per 1,000 existing homes, and median construction salaries.  

Phoenix takes the top spot as the best city for construction employees, with 8.4 percent of its workforce in the industry, tied for the second-highest share overall. The city also leads the nation in year-over-year construction job growth at 6.9 percent, fueled in part by large-scale projects like the planned $7 billion Halo Vista development. With 21.4 new housing units authorized per 1,000 existing homes and a median construction wage of $55,438, Phoenix offers both opportunity and stability for workers. 

Ranked second, Raleigh also boasts 8.4 percent of its workforce in construction, tying it with Phoenix for the second-highest percentage. Its construction employment grew 5.5 percent year over year, placing it fifth among U.S. cities, and major projects like the $1 billion Raleigh Sports and Entertainment District are driving further momentum. Raleigh tops the nation in housing growth with 28.8 new units per 1,000 existing homes, and workers earn a median wage of $50,802.    

Austin ranks third for construction employees, with 7.7 percent of its workforce in the industry, placing it seventh nationwide. The city recorded a 6.4 percent year-over-year increase in construction jobs, the second highest of any city on the list, driven in part by major initiatives like the $7.1 billion Project Connect Light Rail. With 28.6 new housing units per 1,000 existing homes, the second highest overall, and a median wage of $50,799, Austin remains a prime destination for construction professionals.  

“Construction is in a healthy place right now,” said Calum Mair, commercial director at Astrak U.S. “Cities like Phoenix, Raleigh and Austin are seeing steady growth, with plenty of work and good pay on offer. For skilled tradespeople, it is a great time to be in the industry—there is demand, stability, and room to build a proper career. Our U.S. distribution network is fully stocked to ensure construction companies have immediate access to the critical machinery parts needed to keep their projects running and America thriving.” 

Story by Strategic Content Editor Tanja Kern. The article originally appeared in Roofing Contractor.   

TopBuild Strengthens Market With Billion Dollar Acquisition of Specialty Products and Insulation 

TopBuild Corp. announced the completion of its $1 billion all-cash acquisition of Specialty Products and Insulation, a premier specialty distributor and fabricator of mechanical insulation solutions. The acquisition, finalized on October 7, was funded with cash on hand, including proceeds from TopBuild’s September senior notes issuance, and excludes SPI’s metal building insulation business.  

For the twelve months ended June 30, 2025, SPI generated approximately $700 million in revenue and $75 million in EBITDA, representing a transaction multiple of roughly 12.4x EBITDA, or 8.3x EBITDA when factoring in expected synergies and tax benefits. The acquisition is immediately accretive to earnings per share.  

Robert Buck, President and CEO of TopBuild, described the acquisition as “highly strategic,” noting that it strengthens TopBuild’s customer value proposition and expands its geographic reach. “SPI’s fabrication capabilities and recurring maintenance revenue enhance our portfolio and support our long-term growth strategy,” said Buck. “We’re thrilled to welcome SPI’s talented team to TopBuild.” 

Ray Sears, President and CEO of SPI, expressed enthusiasm about joining forces: “TopBuild is the ideal strategic partner for SPI. Together, we can deliver even greater value through innovative, high-quality solutions. Our shared commitment to safety, respect, and continuous improvement makes this an excellent fit.”Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., SPI employs roughly 1,000 people across 90 branches throughout North America. 

Strategic Benefits of the SPI Acquisition 

• Strengthens Market Leadership: Combines two top specialty distributors with complementary products and a strong commercial and industrial customer base, with 87 percent of SPI’s revenue derived from these end markets. 
• Expands Geographic Reach and Capabilities: Enhances TopBuild’s fabrication and distribution footprint across North America, driving operational efficiencies in a fragmented industry. 
• Increases Recurring Revenue: Approximately 55 percent of SPI’s revenue comes from maintenance and repair, boosting TopBuild’s non-cyclical revenue mix. 
• Delivers Strong Financial Returns: TopBuild expects to realize $35–$40 million in annual cost synergies within two years. The company has a robust M&A track record, completing 45 acquisitions since 2015 and achieving an 18.2 percent return on invested capital as of December 31, 2024. 

TopBuild was advised by Guggenheim Securities, LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, with Jones Day serving as legal counsel. Piper Sandler acted as financial advisor to SPI, while Kirkland & Ellis provided legal counsel.  

This news includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially due to risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in TopBuild’s SEC filings. The company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law. 

BNP Media Unveils IgniteDemand: A Data-Driven Platform Redefining B2B Demand Generation 

BNP Media announced the launch of IgniteDemand, a demand generation and nurturing platform built to transform how businesses engage prospects, accelerate pipelines, and drive measurable growth. Early campaigns are already delivering standout results: in just three months of a six-month pilot, a client generated 330+ qualified leads and achieved engagement rates double the industry benchmark, enabling sales teams to connect faster and convert pipelines more efficiently.

“At BNP Media, we're redefining what it means to be a B2B marketing partner. IgniteDemand delivers not just leads, but intelligence that accelerates sales velocity,” said Tagg Henderson, Co-Chief Executive Officer of BNP Media. “It’s about helping businesses engage deeper, grow faster, and gain more ROI from their marketing and advertising.” 

IgniteDemand moves beyond traditional lead-gen programs that delay delivery or lack actionable insight. Instead, the platform equips B2B companies with real-time intelligence and always-on nurturing, backed by BNP Media's trusted editorial expertise and highly engaged professional communities across 35+ industries. 

Key benefits include: 

• Speed: 24-hour lead scoring & delivery while interest is highest 
• Precision: Behavioral intelligence & affinity pools for sharper targeting 
• Scale: Multi-channel nurturing across email, web, webinars, and more 
• Acceleration: Faster, data-driven sales follow-ups 
• Clarity: AI-powered insights & real-time dashboards 

IgniteDemand represents a cornerstone in BNP Media's evolution from a trusted B2B publisher to a strategic growth partner, offering businesses subscription-like marketing outcomes rather than static campaigns. 

“B2B media has evolved to empower our audience to connect with and through our content,” added Henderson. “IgniteDemand delivers quality leads by connecting advertisers with truly engaged prospects, leveraging our engaged communities and our authentic content. The results truly speak for themselves and I’m proud of what we're now able to do for our advertisers. It’s helping us drive industries forward, which remains the driving mission of our company.”