Wednesday, July 15, 2026
2025-2026 Activity Report of the Union des métalliers: A Sector in Full Transformation
Union des métalliersActualités
The Union des métalliers published its 2025-2026 activity report in early July. In a challenging economic climate for the construction industry, the report highlights a profession continuing its transformation around several priorities: environmental transition, technological innovation, artificial intelligence, training, and making the trades more attractive. These issues will also be central to Métal Expo 2027.
The Union des métalliers, the "metalwork" component of the French Building Federation, represents today 3,600 companies and 47,000 employeesIt brings together professionals from metalwork, metal joinery, metal construction, locksmithing, ironwork, fire-resistant metalwork, interior design and automation.
The metalwork market is valued at €10.3 billion in revenue. Metalwork in the strict sense constitutes 25.5% of this market, ahead of aluminium metal joinery, which represents 25%, metal construction, 13%, and steel metal joinery, 12.5%.
Mixed activity in a pressured construction market
The report reviews a year marked by a slowdown in new construction, political instability, and economic uncertainties. This situation affects businesses very unevenly.
The annual barometer of the Union des métalliers, carried out among 85 companies, reveals a sector divided in two: 41% of respondents report an increase in their revenue in 2025, while 41% are experiencing a decline. The situation is more concerning regarding cash flow, which 47% of the companies surveyed reported as declining.
Regarding order books, 38% of respondents reported a decrease, compared to 29% who noted an increase. However, in April 2026, the average order book stood at 6.9 months, compared to 6.2 months in the first quarter of 2025. On the employment front, 68% of companies planned to maintain their workforce, 18% to increase it and 14% to reduce it.
These results illustrate one of the main challenges identified by the Union: helping businesses adapt to irregular activity and the decline of certain markets. Among the approaches considered are diversification, innovation, targeting new segments, and conducting a prospective study to better anticipate changes in demand.
RE2020, FDES and wood-metal hybrid construction: preparing for the construction of tomorrow
The environmental transition occupies an important place in the work carried out by the Technical Commission.
In response to the development of mixed-use construction, the Union of Metalworkers, together with the Union of Woodworking Trades, is preparing a guide dedicated to best practices in the wood-metal constructionIt must address issues related to fastening, fire resistance, thermal and acoustic performance, maintenance, insurability, and material compatibility. Its publication is scheduled for 2027.
The Union is also working on updating several Environmental and Health Declaration Sheets, which have become essential for assessing the carbon impact of products within the framework of RE2020. The work focuses in particular on steel railings with sheet metal, tube or glass infill, as well as on straight steel staircases.
These projects are becoming increasingly important with the extension of RE2020 to new categories of tertiary, industrial and craft buildings.
Improving the durability of metal structures
The performance and durability of the structures constitute another structuring axis of the report.
Together with CTICM, the Union des métalliers conducted a comprehensive study on corrosion protection systems and finishes used in metalwork. Several guardrail configurations, surface treatments, and paint types were subjected to accelerated aging tests followed by exposure under real-world conditions.
This work has made it possible to identify design details that may promote the occurrence of corrosion and to formulate recommendations to improve the manufacturing, the choice of surface treatments and the maintenance of metal structures.
In parallel, the Union continues its involvement in standardization work relating to railings, exterior joinery and glass in buildings. It thus supports companies in the application of the standards and regulations that govern the design and implementation of these structures.
Artificial intelligence is entering metalworking companies
Another important finding of the report: artificial intelligence is starting to become a consideration in companies' thinking.
A working group dedicated to the applications of AI in the metalworking trades was created in early 2026. Its objective is to identify the solutions that are truly adapted to the technical activities of the profession and to assess the conditions necessary for their dissemination.
An initial survey shows that 75% of respondents stated they were interested in technical tools using artificial intelligenceHowever, usage is still emerging: 13% indicate using AI-based business solutions in production and 12% are currently experimenting with them.
The Union is continuing to inventory the tools already implemented by companies, while also examining issues of intellectual property, reliability, and liability related to their use. This approach reflects a clear objective: to enable metalworkers to benefit from new digital tools without neglecting safety requirements and technical expertise.
Training and attractiveness: preparing the next generation
The transformation of the sector also depends on skills. The Union des métalliers is involved in initial training, continuing education, and promoting the trades to young people.
Three Professional Qualification Certificates are offered in particular to meet the needs of businesses:
- metalwork designer;
- workshop manager;
- site manager.
The report also highlights the 48th edition of the WorldSkills competition, organized in October 2025 in Marseille. Twelve young metalworkers from regional selections competed in the fabrication of a gate incorporating a moving part and a free design element.
The Métal’Jeunes competition, for its part, dedicated its 14th edition to the theme "Living in tomorrow: the four elements"Aimed at vocational high schools and apprenticeship training centers, it simultaneously promotes technical mastery, creativity, and the possibilities offered by metalworking. These actions address a challenge shared by the entire sector: attracting new talent, developing apprenticeships, retaining employees, and organizing the transmission of know-how.
Metal Expo 2027, a natural extension of this mobilization
At the initiative of the Union des métalliers, Metal Expo will return from September 28th to 30th, 2027 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in an independent and renewed format. The trade fair is one of the key projects of the Partnership Commission. It is largely co-developed with the Union's partners, whose expertise and contributions are integrated into its preparation.
Métal Expo will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, metalwork companies, metal builders, specifiers, project managers, clients and institutional players around the solutions, innovations and skills needed to build and innovate with the metal industry.
