The French Steel Construction Syndicate (SCMF) presents its annual economic outlook and organizes the celebration of its 140th anniversary.

A word from the President

According to Emmanuel de Laage, President of the SCMF: « The year 2026 opens in a challenging context for the French steel construction industry. With slowing markets, regulatory uncertainties, and investment pressures, French steel construction companies are operating in a constrained and sometimes unstable environment. Nevertheless, the sector has never been more strategic for the country. Decarbonizing buildings, reindustrializing regions, producing faster, better, and more sustainably: the French steel construction industry aims to be at the heart of all future solutions. We expect a clear, coherent, and stable policy from the government, capable of securing investment, encouraging innovation, and recognizing the decisive contribution of our sector to the ecological transition and industrial sovereignty. The SCMF will remain fully committed to defending our companies, representing the voice of the steel construction industry, and influencing regional, national, and European debates.

Based on the observation recently made to him by a SCMF member executive: “Steel is not the problem, it is an essential part of the solution,” Emmanuel de Laage confirms: “This conviction must now be fully shared by public decision-makers.” Before concluding: “This year also has strong symbolic significance: the SCMF will celebrate its 140th anniversary. One hundred and forty years of commitment to an industry that has never stopped innovating and building France. At this pivotal moment, our collective responsibility is clear: to transform today’s constraints into levers of competitiveness and sustainable growth for tomorrow.”

Current economic situation

Indeed, the SCMF (French Metal Construction Federation) notes an estimated slowdown of -3,69% in terms of revenue, which translates into a tonnage of between 740.000 and 760.000 tonnes (compared to 773.365 tonnes in 2024). It should be noted that, at the same time, the activities of French metal construction companies are not limited to the national territory but continue to be successful internationally, with 5 to 10% of total revenue generated outside of France.

Breakdown of activity

The French metal construction sector (850 companies employing approximately 25.000 people) is traditionally divided into six segments based on the type of structure. In 2025, industrial buildings remain a major activity within the industry, with a virtually stable share of total tonnage (60,18% vs. 60,65% in 2024). It is worth noting that other structures (carports, photovoltaic power plant supports, etc.), which accounted for 12,41% in 2024, are expected to see a slight increase, reaching 12,76% of the tonnage used.

While agricultural buildings, silos, and hoppers are declining slightly, falling to 11,02% in 2025 (compared to 11,95%), other buildings (commercial, sports, social, educational, hospital and healthcare facilities, and housing) are growing by more than 2%, increasing from 7,03% to 9,43% of the total tonnage. Finally, the pylons sector is rising to 1,94% in 2025 (compared to 1,88% in 2024), while bridges and footbridges are decreasing to 4,67%, down from 6,09% the previous year.

Monthly evolution of tonnage of orders received from January 2023 to November 2025

Despite surges in activity in February-March, then July and October 2025, the monthly tonnage of orders received by the French metal construction industry is down over the whole year compared to 2024. In fact, while the total tonnage of orders received for the period September/November 2025 is down 10% compared to the same period in 2024, the tonnage of orders received (excluding civil engineering works and exports) for December 2024/November 2025 is down -7,3% compared to the period December 2023/November 2024.

The SCMF analyzes this decline by several factors: a difficult investment climate, investor caution, and longer decision-making processes.

Productivity (tonnage per person)

SCMF members, mostly family-owned SMEs and mid-sized companies, are known for regularly investing in their production tools and for continuously optimizing their processes to move towards Industry 4.0 units. The program includes advanced automation as well as workshop reorganizations, which generates this evolution in productivity.

Average production capacity utilization rate

This activity rate is linked to the French production capacity utilization rate index, published by the Bank of France. At close to 80%, this index reflects sustained industrial investment, resulting in construction projects (expansions, new production units) for French metal construction companies. Having fallen from 73,3% in the last quarter of 2023, it subsequently returned to growth: +1,35 points in the last quarter of 2024 and +1,95 points (to 76,60%) in the last quarter of 2025.

Evolution of the surface area of ​​non-residential buildings

During the months of September to November 2025, registrations of permits for the construction of non-residential premises amounted to 10,2 million m²² and show a slight increase (+1,6%) compared to the same three months in 2024.

Over the same period, 5,8 million m² Construction starts for non-residential premises increased by 12,8% compared to the same period in 2024. Over the last 12 months, from December 2024 to November 2025, permits for non-residential premises totaled 38,5 million m².² and increased (+4,1%) compared to the same 12 months a year earlier. During this same phase, with 20,9 million m², the registration of housing starts is progressing (+4,5%) compared to the previous 12 months.

Metal construction workforce

Although the number of SCMF members is not changing much (recruitment difficulties, specific know-how, etc.), the 2025 data will only be available at the end of the first half of 2026 (2023 workforce established at 25.000 employees).

However, it should be noted that the latest available data, dating back to 2024 (excluding temporary workers), shows a slight increase of 1,40%, with the total workforce (including temporary workers) growing by 0,96%. While the number of managers and technicians/supervisors is expected to remain stable, the number of temporary workers decreased by 7,58% in 2024 (compared to 2023). As for the construction workers category, it increased by 2%, and the workshop workers category grew by 2,48%.

The SCMF: 140 years of history, a future to build

In 2026, the French Metal Construction Syndicate celebrates 140 years of commitment to an industrial and construction sector that has profoundly marked the French, European and international landscape.

Since its creation, the SCMF has supported, structured and represented metal construction companies, defending a unique know-how based on innovation, technical performance and quality requirements.

According to Hervé Gastaud, General Delegate of the SCMF: “This anniversary is not merely a time for commemoration. Above all, it is an opportunity to affirm a vision: that of metal construction at the heart of the ecological transition, industrial sovereignty, the attractiveness of its professions, and the transformation of its regions, fully aligned with contemporary challenges. Under the banner of “Generation Metal,” the 140th anniversary program unfolds along two timelines. It celebrates the legacy of a pioneering sector, made up of bold men and women, iconic structures, and decisive innovations, while simultaneously projecting metal construction into the future, in dialogue with architects, engineers, public decision-makers, the media, and the general public. Throughout 2026, a series of events, publications, and communication initiatives will punctuate this celebration.” The highlight will be the SCMF's annual congress at the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine in Paris, which will of course bring together members and, exceptionally, architects, design offices and numerous specifiers, representative bodies and partners of the sector. And to conclude “Through ‘Génération Métal’, the SCMF affirms a clear ambition: to make the 140th anniversary not just a celebration, but a lever for collective projection for the metal construction sector.”

Find all the news about the 140th anniversary of the SCMF on the Syndicate's website.

2026, the highlights of the SCMF's 140 years

A multi-channel campaign for "Generation Metal"

From March–April until December, the SCMF is deploying a multi-channel communication campaign featuring a logo specially designed to celebrate its 140th anniversary.

The program includes a series of videos and podcasts, as well as speeches from key players in metal construction, highlighted through interviews and testimonials from women and men in the industry.

While this campaign aims to embody metal construction, to promote the trades and to raise awareness among a wider audience, especially younger generations, it is also an opportunity to promote the full range of metal construction trades: draftsman/designer, site manager, foreman, as well as design office engineer, project technician, quality manager, dismantling operator, metalworker/carpenter or even welder or painter…

To transmit and promote the heritage through a reference work: "140 years of metal construction"

The SCMF has published a collector's book retracing 140 years of innovations in metal construction in France. Designed with contemporary graphics and featuring diverse contributions, this 96-page, richly illustrated book has a dual purpose. The first is to preserve heritage, showcasing an exceptional industrial and architectural legacy through emblematic projects, major technological advances, and inspiring stories. The second is to offer a forward-looking perspective, demonstrating how metal construction is already addressing the challenges of sustainability, resource efficiency, building reversibility, and ecological transition. Hervé Gastaud explains: "This book will be presented at the 2026 congress and will become a tool for transmission, collective pride, and strategic reflection."

The "Immersive Eiffel" exhibition

Another highlight of its 140th anniversary celebrations was the SCMF's partnership with Pépites Production for the co-production of the "Immersive Eiffel" exhibition. Hosted in the former CIDJ building, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, from June to December, this exhibition offers a spectacular immersion into the world of Gustave Eiffel. Going far beyond the eponymous Tower, through bridges, viaducts, train stations, and structures built on four continents, this exhibition highlights the major role of metal construction in the Industrial Revolution.

Thanks to immersive devices and virtual reality, visitors will be able to discover, from the inside, the design and construction of the Eiffel Tower and, more broadly, the legacy of this visionary engineer. It's a way to showcase the nobility of steel construction to the general public.

The SCMF Congress, in June, at the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine – Paris

On June 25 and 26, 2026, the French Steel Construction Association (SCMF) will hold its exceptional annual congress at the Cité de l'architecture et du patrimoine (City of Architecture and Heritage), an iconic venue for dialogue between history, architectural creation, and construction innovation. This major event will be the highlight of the SCMF's 140th anniversary year, with a dedicated space for partners. In addition to an exclusive opening evening the night before, bringing together members, institutional partners, representatives of public authorities, and key players in the industry, Thursday, June 25, will be a true showcase of contemporary steel construction. The SCMF plans to hold several high-level roundtables in the afternoon, in partnership with EMB (Steel Building Envelope – sheet metal, roofing, and cladding) and Galvazinc (steel corrosion protection), focusing on steel and sustainable construction.

Next, the SCMF will present the special edition of Steel.in, a leading event organized by ConstruirAcier, showcasing steel in contemporary architecture and design. The event will conclude with the presentation of the Eiffel Architecture Awards, recognizing innovative projects, particularly those led by younger generations, as well as two exceptional "140 Years" awards, intended to distinguish outstanding projects completed by steel construction companies, perfectly illustrating the technical, architectural, and environmental excellence of the industry.

It should be noted that June 26 will be dedicated to statutory and governance matters, punctuated by an Extraordinary General Meeting of the SCMF and a General Meeting of the Maison de la Construction Métallique (MCM), affirming the complementarity and coherence of the structures serving the industry.

A travelling exhibition in the territories in October

In partnership with the architecture centers and the national council of the order of architects, the SCMF is organizing a traveling exhibition across the regions, in five stages. This initiative promotes local engagement, bringing together members, architects, and local stakeholders around emblematic projects and providing opportunities for discussion on territorial issues.

A photo contest with journalists

In association with AJCAM (Association of Journalists of Construction and Home Activities), SCMF is launching a photo competition open to all journalists (professional press, general public, national daily press, regional daily press…), on the theme of the human element in metal construction, with an awards ceremony planned during the Batimat trade fair in September/October.