Tom Sturges hadn’t even thought of doing anything unconventional a year ago when he was preparing to break ground on a new headquarters for his family’s 107-year-old business. But the builder said he was looking at a new way that could really cut energy costs. The process led Sturges to being the first owner of a building made of accel-E “Steel Thermal Efficient Panels” (STEPs) created by a new company, Accelerated Building Technologies.

When Tim McGuire figures it’s time for another major renovation to his home, he doesn’t have to go far for creative advice or expert craftsmanship to turn his place into an architectural showpiece, strong on the “wow-factor,” and well suited for his growing family.

For those who have dealt with Master Wall since its humble beginnings in 1987, it’s clear that a “Culture of Excellence” has been at the heart of the company all along, and has been a major reason for its steady growth.

Inventory control got a lot easier for contractors and dealers last April when the internet-based business ConnectSource.com opened for business with the novel idea of selling steel framing connectors by the piece, not by the box.

Thanks to an increasing array of flexible vinyl bead and trim, complex architectural designs can be easily installed in virtually any room by drywallers, giving them the capability of offering to customers premium options that would have been unthinkable not long ago.