We spent this week walking The Buildings Show at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre — three days, both halls, and a good share of the North American building sector in one room.
What the floor showed
It is a strong signal for the industry that Toronto hosts a show this size. Companies came from all over the world and brought their best products, expertise and forward-thinking ideas — new technologies, materials and building solutions, side by side, in one place.
What stands out walking a floor like that is the pace. The building sector is changing quickly, and the range of what was on display is a fair reflection of how quickly.
Why a nonwoven manufacturer walks a building show
Our material ends up inside buildings. High loft nonwoven does thermal and acoustic work in wall and panel assemblies; filtration media does the air-quality work in the HVAC equipment those buildings run on. Standing in front of the people specifying and building those assemblies is the fastest way to learn what the material has to do next.
It is also where the supply-chain conversation happens honestly. Construction schedules do not wait for ocean freight, and a domestic source for insulation and filtration media is worth more to a project than a slightly cheaper container that lands late.
What we took home
Ideas to apply, contacts to follow up, and a clearer picture of where the building sector is heading. We will be back.