Nickel Introduces Free ACH Payment Solutions Amid Rising Construction Costs at KBIS 2026

The construction industry is currently grappling with a significant increase in material costs, marking the highest surge since January 2023. In response, the payment and finance platform Nickel is making its debut at the Kitchen Bath Industry Show (KBIS) 2026, showcasing an innovative solution designed to help businesses reduce financial burdens associated with payment processes.

Nickel (nickel.com), previously known as getnickel.com, has a clear mission: to eliminate unnecessary costs in order processing and improve cash flow for its users. The company’s CEO, Ray Fu, asserts, "You can't control steel prices. You can't control tariffs. But you can control what you're paying to get paid." This insight resonates deeply within an industry where margins are being squeezed amid escalating costs for materials and services.

The Current Landscape

The data from the Associated General Contractors of America is alarming; the producer price index for materials related to nonresidential construction surged by 3.6% year-over-year as of November 2025, while contractor bid prices lingered behind at a mere 2.7% increase. This discrepancy is particularly challenging for suppliers and distributors, who are already navigating narrow profit margins between 15% and 30%. As such, they face heightened pressure to maintain sustainability and profitability.

As a response to these pressures, Nickel is positioned as a game-changer in the market, having developed a product that offers free ACH payments and automated invoicing without transaction fees. This allows businesses to collect payments without the historical bottlenecks that often accompany traditional methods.

How Nickel Works

The Nickel platform facilitates ACH (Automated Clearing House) payments, which allow for quick electronic transfers directly from one bank account to another, all while avoiding the hefty fees associated with credit card transactions. With features like real-time synchronization with QuickBooks and the capability to pass on credit card surcharges to customers, businesses can now simplify their finances and keep more of their earnings.

For instance, businesses like Chicago Brass have reported a rapid improvement post-Nickel adoption. Their CEO, Peter Schnakenberg, mentions, "We used to manually take payments using credit card authorization forms and wait on physical checks. Now we do everything on Nickel and see funds land in our account 5-10 days faster."

Moreover, Montaggio's owner, James Schroeder, underscores the cost-saving potential of this platform, stating that Nickel has saved his business over $45,000 annually by allowing clients to either cover credit card fees or make payments via ACH without any fees.

Industry Challenges

The challenges don’t end with high material costs; according to a recent report, a staggering 53% of contractors now cite material prices as their greatest concern. Tariff increases have driven the prices of aluminum up 28% and fabricated structural metal by 16.6%. These increases reinforce the necessity for solutions that augment financial stability.

By potentially removing payment processing fees, Nickel empowers businesses to retain more of their revenue, helping them navigate the storms of escalating costs.

Visit Nickel at KBIS 2026

Businesses interested in learning more about how Nickel can transform their payment processing system can visit Booth #S28094 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from February 16–19, 2026. Nickel aims to showcase its groundbreaking solutions during this key industry event, demonstrating the potential for significant cost savings and improved cash flow solutions.

As the construction sector continues to react in an environment of fluctuating prices and reduced margins, Nickel is poised to be a pivotal player, encouraging businesses to rethink how they manage their finances.