If you're a building product manufacturer wondering where you fit in a world of AI, automation, and offsite construction—here’s the short answer: you’re more important than ever.
The recent National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) webinar with Sandra Benson, Nancy Novak, and Amy Marks unpacked how modern technologies are driving scalable growth in the built environment. In this blog, we'll explore 6 key takeaways for BPMs:
- Productization Is the Future of Construction
- Digital-Ready Products Win
- AI Will Drive Smarter Product Decisions
- Performance Data Matters
- Collaboration Over Bidding
- Digital Talent Is a Differentiator
Let's dive in!
Photo by AContadini on Canva
1. Productization Is the Future of Construction
Projects are quickly shifting from bespoke builds to repeatable parts, assemblies, and productized systems. That means more reliance on pre-engineered, prefabricated components—and the manufacturers who provide them. BPMs who can support design-assist models, rapid delivery, and reduced packaging gain a strategic edge.
“We’re moving from construction to installation. That’s a different model—and it needs reliable partners.” — Nancy Novak
Want to learn more about the growth benefits of productization? Check out this Forbes article.
2. Digital-Ready Products Win
MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) and structural components that plug directly into BIM or Revit libraries—and integrate into AI-driven workflows—are in higher demand. If your catalog isn’t digitally native, you’re harder to specify.
“Why waste time drawing a fire stair when you can buy or prefab it?” — Amy Marks
Here’s a tip to make your products stand out to specifiers: focus on digitizing your catalog. If you need assistance creating or optimizing your digital design files, our Technical Member Program offers customized solutions to help. Learn more here.
3. AI Will Drive Smarter Product Decisions
As AI continues to advance and increasingly interprets jobsite needs in real-time, products that are easily trackable, specify, and install will gain a significant edge. This means that features like detailed metadata, smart labeling, and clear application instructions are no longer optional—they are critical for success.
With AI-driven workflows, the ability to quickly identify, select, and deploy products on-site will be a game-changer, making it more important than ever to ensure your products are designed with these capabilities in mind. Manufacturers who invest in optimizing these elements will not only meet the demands of modern jobsite technologies but also position their products as leaders in an increasingly tech-driven industry.
4. Performance Data Matters
As regulations around sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) tighten, design and construction firms will increasingly seek evidence-backed product performance. Manufacturers must be ready for greater transparency and accountability in product sourcing, safety claims, and overall environmental impact.
For manufacturers, this means securing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs) for your products. These credentials showcase your commitment to sustainability and safety, making it easier for specifiers to verify your product's environmental and social impact.
To learn more about EPDs and HPDs, check out our Quick Guide for Manufacturers.
5. Collaboration Over Bidding
Manufacturers can no longer depend only on traditional bidding processes, where you compete based on price and deliverables. Instead, the industry is shifting toward more collaborative, long-term partnerships—referred to as "cozy-couple" partnerships. In these partnerships, you and your clients or business partners co-invest in areas like research and development (R&D), ensuring product reliability, and building trust.
“The partners who helped us scale—we co-developed product lines together. That’s how you win.” — Amy Marks
6. Digital Talent Is a Differentiator
Your reps don’t just need traditional sales skills—they need to understand how your products fit into modern technologies like BIM, automation, and AI workflows. That means training or hiring tech-literate talent will set your brand apart.
This expertise not only enhances the sales process but also helps build trust and credibility with AEC customers who are increasingly relying on technology to streamline their operations. Ultimately, you'll position your brand as ready to support the industry's shift towards smarter, more efficient construction and design practices.
Final Thoughts
This NIBS webinar was a powerful reminder of how rapidly our industry is changing—and how much opportunity lies ahead for those ready to adapt. Manufacturers who embrace AI, digital tools, and off-site-ready productization will not only be specified more often — they’ll become essential partners in how tomorrow’s buildings get built.
Learn more or get involved at www.nibs.org.
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Cover image by R Architecture on Unsplash