October 26, 2026
METALCON has announced the winners of its sixth annual Top Products Awards, recognizing innovations in insulation, ventilation and structural steel coatings showcased during the metal construction industry event’s 35th anniversary in Orlando, Florida.
The 2026 METALCON Top Products Awards were determined through public electronic voting before the show and attendee voting during the Oct. 7–9 event. The awards provide metal construction professionals with an opportunity to recognize products, technologies and solutions designed to improve performance, efficiency and installation.
Progressive Foam earned first place in the Insulation category for ReadyClad®, a continuous insulation solution designed for exposed perimeter foundation applications.
ReadyClad combines continuous insulation with built-in treated plywood furring strips. Integrating the fastening surface directly into the insulation panel eliminates the need to install separate furring strips, helping reduce labour, materials, installation time and opportunities for error.
The product uses a Graphite Polystyrene (GPS) core that delivers R-values up to R-9.2. Its vapour-permeable construction is also designed to support drying and moisture management.
The combination addresses both thermal performance and installation efficiency, two important considerations for building envelope and foundation applications.
BH-USA/Elite Fans received second place in the Accessories category for its Elite Electric Fans industrial ventilation solutions.
The Elite Electric Products line includes belt-driven cabinet exhaust fans, wall-mount panel exhaust fans, exhaust shutters and electric motors in multiple sizes.
Designed for commercial, industrial, agricultural and manufacturing applications, the ventilation products can be used in environments including fabrication shops, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, agricultural buildings and equipment storage facilities.
The product line is engineered to provide powerful airflow, durability and ease of maintenance in demanding operating environments.
PPG earned third place in the Coatings category for AQUACRON® Waterborne Shop Primers (WSP), developed for structural steel fabrication applications.
The waterborne primers are designed to help structural steel fabricators improve production throughput while reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions.
According to PPG, the primers are formulated to cure in approximately two minutes under standard heat, helping reduce drying and curing times as well as the production space required during coating operations.
AQUACRON Waterborne Shop Primers can be factory-applied to structural steel components including beams, purlins, joists and framing. The coating also helps protect steel against flash rust and corrosion during transportation, storage and construction.
The 2026 winners demonstrate how manufacturers are developing construction products around practical industry priorities including installation efficiency, building performance, manufacturing productivity and material protection.
“METALCON’s 35th anniversary gave us an opportunity to reflect on how far the industry has come, but the METALCON Top Products Awards are really about what comes next,” said Judy Geller, vice president of trade shows at METALCON.
Geller said this year’s winners demonstrate how manufacturers are addressing real-world challenges through improvements in performance, efficiency and installation.
The three winning products span different areas of the metal construction and building industry: Progressive Foam ReadyClad integrates insulation and a fastening surface into one system; Elite Electric Fans addresses ventilation requirements across industrial and commercial facilities; and PPG AQUACRON Waterborne Shop Primers focus on structural steel coating efficiency and corrosion protection.
Following its 35th anniversary event in Orlando, METALCON is now looking ahead to its 2027 conference and tradeshow.
METALCON 2027 is scheduled for Oct. 26–28 in Louisville, Kentucky, where the industry will once again gather to explore products, technologies and developments influencing the future of metal construction.
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