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IBS Builders Show – Las Vegas Report

The 81st NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) took place from February 25-27 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, drawing more than 81,000 builders, remodelers, developers, and other industry professionals. Hosted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), IBS is the world’s largest annual light construction event, and this year marked its biggest show in 17 years.

CBS attended the event for the first time, represented by Carl Taylor, Claire Taylor (Shareholder 1023), Pete (Board Member & Shareholder), and Pete’s wife, Elaine. The team explored over 1,800 exhibitors—including 750 first-time exhibitors—across 728,000 square feet, showcasing cutting-edge building products and technologies.

Daily Recap

Day 1 – Initial Exploration

The day was spent scanning all four exhibition halls to identify key areas of interest. It quickly became apparent how many opportunities exist in the U.S. for building materials, with innovative products and competitive pricing standing out.

Day 2 – Focused Research & Networking

A slower-paced day focused on key building material suppliers, making valuable new connections, and handpicking potential opportunities for integration into the New Zealand supply chain.

Day 3 – Supplier Meetings & Market Insights

The final day was dedicated to meeting with suppliers and gathering industry insights. A key highlight was an interview with the CCO of Home Depot, discussing U.S. market trends and trade focus. While no filming was permitted due to legal concerns, Home Depot agreed to provide CBS with a written statement on the current market conditions.

Key Highlights & Takeaways

1. Meeting with Home Depot CCO

  • The U.S. market remains strong and buoyant.
  • Home Depot is shifting towards a trade-focused model with the introduction of Home Depot Pro (similar to Buildertrend), aiming to better serve professional builders.
  • Sales for fiscal 2024: $159.5 billion (+$6.8 billion, +4.5% YoY).
  • Comparable sales for 2024: Decreased by 1.8% in both the U.S. and overall.

2. Meeting with Julian Leys (President, New Zealand Building Federation)

  • Julian was also attending IBS, and a follow-up meeting in New Zealand has been scheduled to explore potential collaboration opportunities.

3. Innovative Polystyrene Foundation Boxing System

  • A revolutionary product that eliminates the need for traditional boxing, reducing labour and material costs.

4. Project Management Software Alternative

  • Met three ex-Buildertrend IT coders who have developed a similar project management platform at a fraction of the cost. Discussions will continue to assess its viability.

5. Construction Industry Comparisons – NZ & Australia vs. USA

  • Significant gap in construction methods and materials between the U.S. and Australasia.
  • The variety of cladding, building papers, and window systems in the U.S. is vast and significantly cheaper than in New Zealand.

6. U.S. Trade Purchasing Trends

  • U.S. tradespeople purchase much like New Zealand tradespeople through merchants, with a strong focus on customer service.

7. Business Coaching for Builders

  • Business coaching for builders is a major focus in the U.S., helping companies scale operations effectively.
  • Example: How to grow a building company from 5 to 10 houses per year—an area worth exploring.

Standout Products

1. Polystyrene Moulding for Slab Boxing

  • Eliminates the need for traditional timber boxing, improving efficiency.

2. Expansive Range of Interior Doors from China

  • Stunning, high-quality doors at competitive prices.

3. Extensive Selection of Windows & Front Doors

  • Huge variety, including massive sliding doors and luxury Hollywood-style entrances.

4. Plywoods & Building Papers

  • An impressive range of cost-effective, high-quality materials for construction applications.

5. Clopay® VertiStack® Avante® Garage Doors

  • A space-saving garage door solution that stacks vertically without traditional tracks, allowing for cleaner aesthetics and more functional overhead space.

Final Thoughts

The IBS Show confirmed the significant opportunities in the U.S. construction sector, from cutting-edge products to scalable business strategies. The level of innovation, affordability, and market accessibility far exceeds what is currently available in NZ and Australia, providing valuable insights for future growth.