BuildSteel
BuildSteel is a free educational resource and directory platform for cold-formed steel framing, operated by the SFIA trade association to serve architects, engineers, contractors, and developers across North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersFalls Church, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What BuildSteel does
BuildSteel is an educational resource and marketing platform for the cold-formed steel (CFS) framing industry, operated by the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA). BuildSteel.org was originally launched in 2016 by a coalition of industry players and was acquired by SFIA from the American Iron and Steel Institute in January 2020; the platform has since grown its user base by 42% and serves as the association's primary content and lead-generation channel. The offering consists of the BuildSteel.org content website (articles, case studies, eBooks, technical guides, market data), the SFIA Steel Framing Learning Portal (on-demand AIA CEU-approved courses hosted on Path LMS, launched January 2023), a searchable Product and Provider Directory of 100+ SFIA-certified member companies, and free Project Assistance and Specification Review services for architects and builders.
The platform targets architects, structural engineers, contractors, fabricators, and developers working on multi-family residential and non-residential construction projects in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Panama, Australia, and New Zealand. Its underlying technology is a WordPress-based content site integrated with the Path LMS learning platform and a directory/map tool; SFIA's industry-wide Code Compliance Certification Program — the only such program in the U.S., covering 84% of domestically manufactured steel framing — provides the regulatory backbone. BuildSteel is funded through SFIA membership dues paid by 1,000+ manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, and design professionals, with directory listing fees as a secondary revenue stream; all end-user resources, courses, project assistance, and specification review are provided at no charge.
BuildSteel firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BuildSteel
- Legal name
- Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA)
- Website
- https://buildsteel.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- BuildSteel is a free educational resource and directory platform for cold-formed steel framing, operated by the SFIA trade association to serve architects, engineers, contractors, and developers across North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BuildSteel industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cold-formed steel framing industry education and resources
- NAICS
- Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors (238120)
- SIC
- Fabricated Structural Metal Products (3440)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cold-Formed Steel Framing & Studs (IMADACAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Corporate Learning & Training Content Development (EDAGAKAC), Structural Steel Welding & Erection-Focused Training (EDAOADAC)
Keywords
Where BuildSteel is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Falls Church
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
BuildSteel business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- SFIA Membership Dues: BuildSteel is powered by SFIA. The Steel Framing Industry Association is a trade association funded by membership dues from manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, and other industry stakeholders. Revenue supports certification programs, education, advocacy, and the BuildSteel platform.
- Directory Listing Fees: SFIA members can submit new directory listings or update existing ones in the BuildSteel Product and Provider Directory. The directory submission form is described as 'For SFIA members only'.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Resources - All Users |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Free Online Courses with AIA Credits |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels12 records
BuildSteel product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BuildSteel is an online educational resource platform dedicated to cold-formed steel (CFS) framing, powered by the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA). It delivers free technical articles, case studies, eBooks, online courses with AIA continuing education credits, a searchable directory of SFIA member suppliers and contractors, and complimentary project assistance and specification review services to architects, engineers, contractors, and developers.
Product overview
BuildSteel is a unified educational resource and industry platform for cold-formed steel (CFS) framing, operated by the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA). The offering consists of the BuildSteel.org content website providing articles, guides, case studies, and industry news, supplemented by the SFIA Steel Framing Learning Portal for online courses with AIA continuing education credits. Additional services include a Product and Provider Directory for finding SFIA member suppliers and contractors, plus free Project Assistance and Specification Review services for architects. The platform delivers content through eBooks, newsletters, webinars, and event listings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Steel Framing Learning Portal: An education platform offering cold-formed steel framing educational resources 24/7/365, launched by SFIA in January 2023
- BuildSteel Product and Provider Directory
Products and services
- BuildSteel.org Website Educational resource website and information hub providing articles, guides, case studies, technical resources, eBooks, videos, and industry news about cold-formed steel framing for architects, engineers, contractors, and developers.
- SFIA Steel Framing Learning Portal Online education platform offering cold-formed steel framing courses available on-demand 24/7/365, with AIA-CES continuing education credits including Health, Safety and Wellbeing Learning Units for architects and building professionals.
- Product and Provider Directory Searchable interactive directory and map of SFIA member companies providing steel framing products, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, contractors, and services across North America, filterable by category, service type, location, and certifications.
- Free Project Assistance Service
Quantifiable outcome
- 84% of steel framing manufactured in the U.S. is certified by SFIA
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use BuildSteel
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
BuildSteel technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
BuildSteel partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA)coreBuildSteel is powered by SFIA. SFIA acquired BuildSteel.org from the American Iron and Steel Institute in January 2020. SFIA is the leading industry association for cold-formed steel framing, providing code compliance certification, education, advocacy, and marketing support. SFIA has grown BuildSteel.org's users by 42% since acquisition.
- American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI)minorBuildSteel.org was originally launched in 2016 by a coalition of industry players. SFIA acquired the property from the American Iron and Steel Institute in January 2020.
- Path LMS (Pathlms.com/sfia)coreSFIA's Steel Framing Learning Portal is hosted on Path LMS platform. The portal launched January 2023 and offers on-demand CFS framing education courses with AIA CEU credits.
- SFIA Member CompaniescoreBuildSteel's Product and Provider Directory lists over 100 SFIA member companies including manufacturers (CEMCO, ClarkDietrich, etc.), distributors, contractors, and service providers. Members include CFS manufacturers, connector manufacturers, coil coaters, contractors, design professionals, and equipment suppliers across North America.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BuildSteel competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- CEMCO: CEMCO is a leading SFIA-certified CFS manufacturer highlighted as a featured case study on BuildSteel. As a manufacturer with proprietary technical and marketing resources, CEMCO is an adjacent peer that competes for framing specification attention among engineers and contractors.
- ClarkDietrich Building Systems: ClarkDietrich is a major CFS manufacturer and SFIA member that runs its own extensive marketing, technical resources, and AIA-CE programs. It is an emerging comparable that could partially substitute for BuildSteel's neutral-aggregator role with manufacturer-funded content.
- Simpson Strong-Tie: Simpson Strong-Tie is a leading connector and structural-component manufacturer serving the CFS framing ecosystem as an SFIA member. It offers its own extensive technical education, software, and specification tools that overlap with BuildSteel's engineering resources.
Broad incumbents
- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB): NAHB is the dominant US trade association for residential construction, providing education, certification, and advocacy across all framing materials. It competes for the attention of multi-family and residential builders whom BuildSteel targets with CFS framing content.
- American Institute of Architects (AIA): AIA is the primary professional association for US architects and the issuer of the CEU credits that BuildSteel's Learning Portal distributes. AIA's own continuing-education platform is a broader incumbent for architect learning time and specification-influence content.
- Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI): AWCI represents wall and ceiling contractors and approved SFIA's first industry-wide CFS stud certification in 2011. It is a broader trade association with overlapping membership in steel framing installation, competing for member dues and contractor mindshare.
- Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA): MBCEA serves metal building contractors and erectors with education, accreditation, and resources. It overlaps with BuildSteel/SFIA at METALCON and addresses an adjacent metal framing and erector audience with a similar association-led education model.
Direct peers
- Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI): CFSEI is the engineering-focused sister organization within the cold-formed steel ecosystem, co-hosting webinars and events with BuildSteel/SFIA. It directly competes for the attention of structural engineers on CFS technical content and continuing education.
- Steel Stud Manufacturers Association (SSMA): SSMA is a product-specific trade association for steel stud manufacturers, offering technical data, design guides, and member directories. It directly competes with SFIA/BuildSteel for industry authority on CFS framing products and manufacturer certification.
- American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI): AISI is the original parent of BuildSteel.org before SFIA acquired it in January 2020. As a parallel steel-industry trade association focused on codes, standards, and advocacy, AISI is a direct comparable in the steel-framing education and specification-influence space.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BuildSteel social profiles
Digital presenceBuildSteel financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BuildSteel leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
BuildSteel funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BuildSteel M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BuildSteel
What does BuildSteel do?
BuildSteel is an online educational resource platform dedicated to cold-formed steel (CFS) framing, powered by the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA). It delivers free technical articles, case studies, eBooks, online courses with AIA continuing education credits, a searchable directory of SFIA member suppliers and contractors, and complimentary project assistance and specification review services to architects, engineers, contractors, and developers.
Is BuildSteel a public or private company?
BuildSteel is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was BuildSteel founded?
BuildSteel was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is BuildSteel based?
BuildSteel is headquartered in Falls Church, United States, in the North America region.
How does BuildSteel make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. SFIA Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are directory Listing Fees.
Who are BuildSteel's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are CEMCO, ClarkDietrich Building Systems and Simpson Strong-Tie. Broad incumbents are National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), American Institute of Architects (AIA), Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) and Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA). Direct peers are Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI), Steel Stud Manufacturers Association (SSMA) and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Does BuildSteel have an API?
No public API is recorded for BuildSteel.
What industry is BuildSteel in?
BuildSteel's product category is Cold-formed steel framing industry education and resources. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMADACAF, Cold-Formed Steel Framing & Studs, with a secondary code of EDAGAKAC, Corporate Learning & Training Content Development. Its NAICS code is 238120 and its SIC code is 3440.