6 / FRAME BUILDER - VOL7 NO2 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE A MESSAGE FROM JOE SHIMP NFBA PRESIDENT H ello fellow NFBA Members and friends! We are past the mid-year point of 2026 and rolling right into the end of Summer and beginning of Fall. I have been following economic news from around the world, and there are many ongoing concerns that continue to create uncertainty and instability. Questions surrounding current and potential new tariffs, fluctuations in commodity pricing, and ongoing inflationary pressures continue to present challenges across many industries. While we may have become accustomed to some of the uncertainty and higher pricing in our industry, it has created both new risks and opportunities. Many customers acknowledge that prices have increased, but when they see how much the cost of buildings, materials, and products has changed in just a few short years, the extent of those increases can still come as a surprise. How do we adapt? It starts with proactive communication, from both the NFBA as an industry association, and through all of our individual marketing efforts. We are experiencing a low unemployment rate, and along with that, a shrinking trade workforce. It was predicted for years, and as many other groups have done, we looked for ways to help keep trade workers in post frame construction. One way we continue to do this is through education and a full curriculum. The NFBA is seeking ways to grow usage and implementation of the curriculum to more end users. The NFBA Foundation is also now offering a scholarship for college students who are seeking financial assistance and studying or intending to have a career that is connected to the Post Frame Industry. These efforts are to promote a well-trained and professional workforce for the Post Frame Industry. There is an opportunity for our members to also engage in building up the Post Frame Industry workforce, by providing their employees with opportunities to participate in the education available, to attend annual conferences and expos, or possibly join a committee! The NFBA website also provides many resources to teach or refresh long time Post Frame Industry teams! We also welcome suggestions for developing new resources and programs. Feedback on potential research opportunities, industry challenges, and new ideas are always appreciated, as it helps us continue to support and advance the industry. To close, I hope you all have experienced a strong start to 2026 and want to remind you that we are here to support your needs and help you grow in many ways! Joe Shimp NFBA President Conestoga Buildings THE OFFICIAL NFBA MAGAZINE
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