Written by: Chris Hoyt
July, 2026- The ever-changing structural steel market is now defined by accelerated demand, compressed schedules and ongoing supply constraints. Many projects require faster turnaround times and greater material flexibility, so hollow structural sections (HSS) are gaining renewed attention.
Perhaps the greatest example of this shift is in data center construction. The rapid expansion of AI and cloud computing infrastructure has fueled a wave of large-scale projects across the U.S. Demand for wide-flange beams and large sections remains strong, yet lead times for some products are now extending to six or more months. For fabricators working against aggressive schedules, availability is just as important as design preference.
That environment is creating new opportunities for HSS in structural applications where engineers and fabricators may have tradition- ally defaulted to wide-flange sections. HSS offers advantages that align well with the realities of today’s construction market, including strength-to-weight efficiency, clean aesthetics and design flexibility. In addition, HSS is a lighter weight product with similar or superior performance to beams in many applications. It can also help simplify fabrication and improve project timelines when traditional wide-flange beam availability becomes limited.
DIGITAL ENGINEERING TOOLS
The increased interest in HSS is also changing the way engineers and fabricators approach project planning. Structural teams are being asked to evaluate alternatives earlier in the design process and move more quickly when material conditions shift.
To support this changing environment, Atlas Tube continues to invest in resources to improve collaboration among engineers, detailers and fabricators. The HSS Connections Hub provides users with access to standardized HSS connection details and design resources to streamline design and fabrication workflows. This resource, launched in spring 2025, surpassed 3,000 users in less than a year’s time and is updated monthly with more calculators, typical details, and added functionality for both the U.S. and Canadian markets.
Atlas is also expanding its wide flange-to- HSS comparison tools, which allow users to evaluate HSS alternatives based on structural performance and application requirements for beam and column applications. These tools provide project teams with quick insights and flexibility to evaluate structural options to use HSS in beam and column applications.
In fast-moving markets, that flexibility can help fabricators keep projects on track when product availability conditions change.
THE HUMAN TOUCH
The human element is still very much a part of the equation, however. Meeting the demand for HSS also will require investment in people and operational consistency. Atlas Tube continues to expand its engineering team to help architects, engineers and fabricators better understand how HSS can be used across a wider range of applications. That includes sup- porting conversations about design, material availability and fabrication efficiency. We also have the value-added Shuriken product, which can simplify and accelerate the fabrication process by using a bolt instead of welding.
Over the past several months, we’ve also added more than 100 teammates across multiple facilities and expanded internal training and leadership development efforts through programs focused on onboarding, front-line leadership and operational best practices. That investment reflects a broader industry reality.
As manufacturing becomes more advanced and project complexity increases, workforce development is a competitive advantage. Skilled operators, experienced maintenance teams and knowledgeable production leaders all play a role in helping fabricators and con- tractors receive reliable products on schedule.
We also can’t ignore the elephant in the room: artificial intelligence. Across the entire industry, companies are exploring how AI and data-driven systems can improve forecasting, operational planning and customer support. Our parent company, Zekelman Industries, recently hired a vice president of AI and innovation to lead an enterprisewide strategy to accelerate AI adoption.
LOOKING AHEAD
Structural steel markets are evolving quickly, and flexibility matters more than ever. Access to engineering support, digital tools and reliable supply help project teams respond more effectively to changing project conditions. HSS is positioned to play a larger role in that environment, particularly as owners and contractors continue searching for ways to improve speed, efficiency and long-term project performance.
The next phase of growth in structural steel will likely be shaped by collaboration as much as capacity. Fabricators, engineers and manufacturers who can work together efficiently will be best positioned to meet the demands of an increasingly fast-paced construction market.
CHRIS HOYT is president of Atlas Tube (atlastub.com), a division of Zekelman Industries and North America’s leading producer of hollow structural sections.
