Walls & Ceilings

ABC Supply Co., Inc., announced its 2026 managing partner inductees. This year, 45 branch managers entered the Managing Partner Program — 33 from ABC Supply, 11 from ABC Supply Interiors, formerly L&W Supply Corporation, and one from its Canadian division, ABC Supply Co. — all honored for their exceptional leadership and contributions. This distinction recognizes branch managers who exemplify outstanding leadership, operational excellence and a commitment to customer success.

Walls & Ceilings will once again be on hand to cover the event, reporting on the latest products, technologies, educational sessions and industry trends from the show floor. The annual convention combines technical education, business management strategies and networking opportunities with one of the industry's premier trade shows.

Habitat for Humanity International announced that Lowe's has renewed its longstanding national partnership to support home repair and rehab projects undertaken by local Habitat affiliates. The renewed partnership will help more than 300 individuals remain in their homes. Lowe's will fund grants supporting more than 200 projects across 20 Habitat for Humanity affiliates to address urgent needs that enhance the safety, health and resilience of owner-occupied homes.

Exterior Key Takeaways Expanded metal façades combine architectural versatility with durability, offering customizable patterns, finishes, and installation methods that create seamless, modular, or highly artistic building exteriors. Beyond aesthetics, expanded metal improves building performance by providing solar shading, glare reduction, ventilation, privacy, and energy efficiency while maintaining visibility and natural light.

The Texas Lathing and Plastering Contractors Association has elected Tina Cannedy, director of business development – architecture for Atlas Roof and Wall Insulation, as its next president, making her the first woman to lead the association in its history. Cannedy was elected June 9 during the TLPCA Annual Convention in Marble Falls, Texas, where Walls & Ceilings was in attendance to witness the announcement and the industry's recognition of this historic leadership milestone.

ExteriorWalls and Ceilings News ATAS International announced that the Brookley Flats in Boston, Mass.,  is the recipient of the Publisher’s Choice Award in the 2026 Metal Architecture Design Awards. Its unique cladding features dynamic-colored coatings that reflect the culture of its artist-community occupants. This prestigious recognition highlights ATAS International’s dedication to pushing boundaries and elevating design with metal.

Campbell joined Benjamin Obdyke in 1980 as controller, representing the third generation of Campbell family ownership following three generations of Obdyke family leadership. He became president in 1995 before being named CEO in 2011. During his tenure, the company expanded its reputation well beyond specialty building products, establishing itself as a leader in building science-driven solutions for high-performance homes.

Walls and Ceilings News Associated Builders and Contractors’ Construction Backlog Indicator fell to 8.8 months in June, a 0.3-month decline from May, according to an ABC member survey conducted June 22 through July 8. Despite the monthly decrease, backlog remained 0.1 months higher than in June 2025 and above every monthly reading recorded between September 2023 and April 2026. Only the Middle States region experienced monthly backlog growth in June.

Educate the Client About the Values of SPF Spray polyurethane foam consultant Tom Harris and Editor John Wyatt discuss how contractors can build trust by educating customers, specifying tested and code-compliant products, and using building science, code references, and third-party data to support their recommendations. Learn practical strategies to stand out from the competition, protect your margins, and close more jobs through credibility and transparency.

Stucco/EIFS Key Takeaways Plaster and stucco performance depends heavily on managing weather conditions, since temperature, moisture and sun exposure directly affect cement hydration, curing and long-term durability. Cold weather slows or stops hydration, increasing risks such as cracking, delamination, freeze-thaw damage and efflorescence, while hot weather accelerates moisture loss, causing rapid drying, reduced workability and weaker finishes.