For this art wall at HBKU Doha University's student center, Zahner engineered and manufactured the painted aluminum panels and substructure in Kansas City and shipped the completed pieces to Doha, Qatar, where local installers placed the large metal plates on…

Last year, Intech Mechanical of Roseville, California, bid on a plumbing job for the Sacramento City Unified School District. To their surprise, a routine bathroom upgrade for several elementary school campuses led directly to a series of architectural sheet metal…

When finished, the JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s 70-story tower will be twice as high as the building it's replacing. AABCO Sheet Metal Co., Inc. of Maspeth, New York, specializes in meeting the unique needs of commercial towers that exceed 850…

A large manufacturing company in Harvey, Illinois, needed 170 feet of R-12 Thermaduct with dimensions of 148 inches by 60 inches. Sheet Metal Werks had to lift and install the pieces onto a rooftop feeding two air units.  In this industry,…

Some of Welsch's most reliable marketing tactics include billboards, online ads and positive company reviews.  When Welsch Furnace was founded in 1895, the only marketing the company did was paint its name on the side of a horse-drawn wagon.  …

Aaron Hilger The first quarter is always busy at SMACNA. We have lots of association events, our technical department is out in force, labor is starting its bargaining season and the government relations team is focused on many regulatory issues. …

Tony Kocurek With the pandemic entering a new phase, construction has boomed with what are now widely known as “megaprojects.” Every day, it feels like there’s a new stadium, microprocessor factory or some other massive project getting underway. The demand…

SMACNA was asked to be part of a policy roundtable on supply chain for highly efficient heat pumps and related decarbonization technologies that are key parts of whole house retrofits. SMACNA’s Executive Director of Government & Political Affairs, Stan Kolbe,…

This picture shows how zinc can be transformed with different oxides. Sustainability is more than just an industry buzzword at Zahner. It's a daily commitment to preserving and protecting the natural resources we’ve been entrusted with and using them responsibly in…

Metals are different from nearly all other materials used in our built environment. Once the useful life has ended, the metal is collected and recycled. During the recycling, the metal is remelted and reshaped, gaining back all of its original…

Nick Espinosa Bulletproofing your business against a cyberattack can help protect you from today’s threats. Here are the most urgent items to put on your list to quickly prepare your business. Update ALL Critical Infrastructure, Operating Systems and Software. We…

Ronald J. Eagar In the last issue of SMACNews, I presented the first five of Grassi’s Top 10 Contractor Strategies for 2023. Those approaches to purchasing, procurement, prequalification, increased costs and project management are designed to cut through the noise…

Grant Collins For contractors with collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) expiring in 2023, it is important to remember that most CBAs, including the Standard Form, include an “evergreen” or “automatic renewal” clause. The clause provides that the CBA will be automatically…

Jennifer Lohr worked 24-hour shifts to convert about 250 hospital rooms into negative airflow isolation spaces in Philadelphia hospitals during the onset of the pandemic. Almost overnight, the conversation about indoor air quality shifted into the mainstream.  Now as vice…

In 2007, L. William Zahner, CEO of A. Zahner Company of Kansas City, Missouri, collaborated with Jan Hendrix, a world-famous Dutch artist based in Mexico City, on the Art Wall of Doha in Qatar. “Jan and I became good friends,”…

The Big Island of Hawaii is home to six active volcanoes, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), with Kilauea being one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Some vents have continuously flowed for almost 35 years —…

The opportunity to work with the United States Air Force has been equally exciting and challenging for United Mechanical, headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The company is just beginning work on the KC-46A Three Bay Maintenance Hangar at Tinker Air…

Like any market, success in the high-end residential sector comes down to some critical know-how of the ins and outs. We recently caught up with Thomas E. Martin, president of T.H. Martin Inc., in Cleveland, Ohio, to give us some…

   Aaron Hilger I am proud of the effort our strategic planning committee put into the development of SMACNA’s 2023 strategic plan (thank you to all who participated). The plan was approved by SMACNA’s Board of Directors in January, and…

  Tony Kocurek, SMACNA President As SMACNA’s president, I find myself measuring and evaluating engagement frequently — when I travel to chapter meetings, lobby for passage of local legislation or even participate in an interview with a national trade magazine.…

A side view of the offset framing that GES installed on a building at the historic Culver Studios, which has produced films since the silent era. The framing helped complete the look and design of the structure. When supply chain…

Both chambers were in session in early February for the State of the Union legislative week. On Feb. 7, President Biden gave the State of the Union address to a pre-pandemic-sized crowd in the House chambers.  THE SENATE Senators returned…

Nick Espinosa  With reports telling us that cyberattacks have been perpetually on the rise, and with the cybersecurity industry not only short millions of qualified professionals but also suffering from burnout, preparing for attacks is getting tougher.   More cyberattacks…

Ronald J. Eagar With 2023 well underway, there is still a lot of noise in the world today that detours business owners from charting a confident course through this new year. For construction contractors, who are now feeling the real…

Grant Collins In recent years, states have moved quickly to pass laws legalizing marijuana. To date, 21 states have legalized recreational marijuana and an additional 16 states have authorized marijuana for medical use. Despite these state law changes, since 1970,…

Elite Academy is a SMACNA Colorado program that aims to teach third- and fourth-year sheet metal apprentices the lessons that may be left out of industry training classes: profitability, business management and personal communication.  Did you ever wish that someone…

Aaron Hilger It’s tough to scan the news these days and not see a story on indoor air quality (IAQ). For the built space, indoor air quality remains a primary focus, especially as we get deeper into the winter months…

Tony Kocurek The shift from client conversations about comfort to those about improved indoor air quality (IAQ) is a big one, and one that I, and SMACNA, are committed to help make happen.  It’s a great conversation to have because…

The Biden DOL has many important SMACNA policy issues left on its regulatory agenda, including major rules that are expected to face scrutiny in the newly Republican-controlled House.  Prevailing Wages  Prevailing Wages: A final rule SMACNA worked long and hard…

Mike Clancy As we look toward 2023, there’s much uncertainty around the economy and the operating environment. As leaders, we must remain agile and set clear strategic directions to take advantage of opportunities and mitigate any setbacks. Responding to increasingly…

   Ronald J. Eagar Grassi’s 2022 Construction and Architecture & Engineering (A&E) Survey uncovered the latest strategies that general contractors (GCs), subcontractors, architects and engineers are deploying to address price fluctuations, cash flow challenges, labor costs and more. Here are…

Bill Lowe  The Biden Administration, and federal agencies and enforcers, continue their broad-based push to reshape the workplace in favor of regulatory and labor interests, as well as increased private-sector unionization efforts. Several ongoing developments, in particular, merit ongoing monitoring…

All photos: SMACNA “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional.” This infamous quote by leadership author and speaker John C. Maxwell was a continuous theme heard throughout SMACNA’s annual convention, which welcomed nearly 1,000 attendees from Sept. 11 – Sept. 14…

When Interstate Mechanical Corporation (IMC) was able to offer some fabrication options that would save a general contractor time and money, it was a persuasive selling point on a large building project in their headquarters hometown. That — along with…

A Duct Fabricators Inc. crew goes through Toolbox Talks training on jobsite safety topics, including fire safety. Photos: John Sickle Jr. Fall is the perfect time for education on the latest fire safety standards. This year, it is also time…

Installing massive ductwork comes with its own set of challenges. The crew had to disassemble it for transport and then reassemble it on site. Photos: Apollo Mechanical Contractors From the outside, the site of Apollo Mechanical Contractors' recent project in…

Summit Sheet Metal Ltd. installs complete HVAC systems for high- and low-rise residential buildings — all without having their own shop for fabrication. Photos: Summit Sheet Metal Ltd. There was a time when Summit Sheet Metal Ltd. was working toward owning and…

Tony Kocurek It is a great privilege to serve as SMACNA’s president and to have seen so many of you at SMACNA’s National Convention in Colorado Springs. As I mentioned on stage, one of my favorite sayings to live by…

Aaron Hilger It was wonderful to see so many SMACNA members at our convention in Colorado Springs. The Broadmoor is one of my favorite destinations, and it did not disappoint. I have always admired their ability to provide outstanding customer…

Given the political uncertainty leading up to the midterm elections in November, congressional leaders are unlikely to strike a bipartisan spending agreement before current funding runs out, necessitating a continuing resolution to keep the government funded for a few more…

Bill Lowe A flurry of late-summer activity from the Biden-dominated NLRB has produced at least two noteworthy changes for employers regarding displays of union insignia, and joint-employer status. In Tesla, Inc., 370 NLRB No. 131 (Aug. 29), a divided Board…

Ethan Cowles Field supervisors, project managers and superintendents represent an outsized slice of the struggle to attract and retain talented people. There are two major challenges to finding and keeping good field leaders. The first is the overall construction talent…

Ronald J. Eagar The Inflation Reduction Act, signed and passed into law on August 16, 2022, includes $369 billion in climate and energy spending. One of the most exciting parts of the package expands the benefit of Section 179D, which…

Nick Espinosa  Honestly, this freight train is heading toward the construction industry. While some contractors know and work on this, many construction companies have yet to learn about this potentially harmful (financially) compliance standard. So let’s break down some of…

Cutting Edge Metal Fab, Elkhart, IN UPM Mechanical LLC, Henderson, CO SiteTrace, Millbrae, CA Hermanson Co.,  Kent, WA Springfield Sheet Metal, West Babylon, NY Tru-Sheet Metal Inc., Holtsville, NY Penn Air Control Inc., N. Chesterfield, VA  

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the awareness levels of Americans to new heights when it concerns the quality of air and safe environments in which they work, live and play. The pandemic has shined an especially bright spotlight on indoor…

What does Gen Z want from a career?  Money? Regular promotions? Professional development? Company-paid pet insurance?  And can HVAC construction offer the kind of work environment and benefits that will attract some of the 68 million young people in the…

Al LaBella As we head into convention, I have conflicting emotions. On one hand, I am excited to see everyone at SMACNA’s Annual Convention at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, a great venue to bring everyone together and offer…

Aaron Hilger As I travel around the country, it has been wonderful to see how busy SMACNA members are. Most regions have strong current work and quite a few are anticipating mega projects that will put a real strain on…

The Senate Armed Services Committee recommended $45 billion more for national defense in FY2023 than the White House record DOD budget requested. The House also passed the FY2023 NDAA with a $37 billion boost to the U.S. Defense Budget, including…

Ronald Eagar The 2022 tax year is the final chance for businesses to take advantage of 100 percent bonus depreciation under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). Bonus depreciation is a tax-savings strategy that allows businesses to…

Bill Lowe On July 12, 2022, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) updated its COVID-19 guidance in several key respects.  The EEOC’s updated guidance comes at a time when many employers continue to grapple with issues related to COVID-19, as…

Air Force One HVAC LLC, Kennesaw, GA BR Productions, Yorkville, IL Commercial Air Inc., Lebanon, IN CRS Metalworx Inc., Barberton, OH Helm Group, Westmont, IL Hill Mechanical, Indianapolis, IN Patterson Mechanical, Franklin, IN PB Ventilating Systems, Astoria, NY  

Photo: Dilfo Mechanical Infrastructure dollars and emissions awareness are a couple of factors driving an influx of transit projects across the country, with more than three times as many slated for completion in 2022 compared to last year. From light…

Photos: A. Zahner Co., Poynter Innovations in laser welding and the adoption of high-power fiber lasers have created new possibilities in the shop and field. But this new technology has also increased the necessity of prudent safety measures. Joseph Lansdell,…

BIM Designs Inc. Talent. It is a crucial component to success in every phase of a construction project, but talent can be challenging to find in today’s tight labor market. That is why SMACNA firms like A.O. Reed & Co.…

Photo: Central Sheet Metal A grain elevator does quite a lot for an industrial business in the feed industry.  It can not only lift a crop product like corn from the ground level to the top of bins, but it…

Photo: Enterprise Fleet Management. Dain Giesie Managing a fleet is a big part of a residential HVAC contractor’s business.  Customers are spread throughout a service area and technicians need to get to them in an efficient manner. With gas prices…

Al LaBella As I write this, the seasons are changing. While there isn’t a noticeable change day-to-day, it always serves as a reminder to me that change is constant. I see it in our businesses, in our industry, in our…

Aaron Hilger You may have seen in a recent Member Update or a press release announcing a new SMACNA associate member, Bespoke Metrics. Their platform, Compass, helps streamline third-party certification. You may not have seen the full impact of third-party…

On March 18, 2022, DOL published a proposed rule to update regulations implementing the Davis-Bacon Act, which applies to federal and federally assisted construction projects. Advocating for rule changes for years, SMACNA requested feedback from its members and chapters on…

A General Sheet Metal employee bends metal in the shop. GSM of Clackamas, Oregon, has performed fabrication for other contractors for more than 40 years. Photo: GSM If someone calls ACP Sheet Metal asking if it can quickly make duct…

Mike Clancy When a company begins a new building, the first thing that everyone wants to see is the plan. What will it look like? How will it start? What is the final goal? What will be the process? These…

Ronald J. Eagar Not much about the last two years has been predictable. The uncertainty caused by deteriorating backlogs, ultra-competitive bidding fields, rising costs and supply chain issues has plagued contractors and made it difficult to set realistic goals and…

Nick Espinosa If there's one thing that's interesting about my job, it's that I get paid to lie for a living. In order to fully assess an organization's cybersecurity capabilities, figuring out creative ways to break in is key. Do…

Bill Lowe Officials at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are continuing to aggressively advance a new National Emphasis Program (NEP) aimed at preventing or responding to the dangers of heat in the workplace — and roofers and other construction…

Advantage Mechanical Group LLC, Flint, MI Arnold Stove & Fireplace, Arnold, MO CJ Industries LLC, Kansas City, MO Connelly Waldinger, Springfield, MO Halo Mechanical, Columbia Station, OH HVAC Fittings LLC, Addison, IL J.F. Ahern Co., Fond Du Lac, WI Kenetic…

Al LaBella Our trade has a certain rhythm to it. From proposals to pipelines to projects, there is a routine that keeps our businesses humming. When something challenges that routine, I have always been impressed by our industry’s ability to…

Aaron Hilger It has been a very productive four months since I started in January as SMACNA’s CEO. As you would expect, my transition into SMACNA was seamless. Vince Sandusky and I enjoy working together and he has delivered on…

“Let’s go Tradesmen, Lets Go!” “Let’s go Tradesmen, Lets Go!” There is a small village south of Madison, Wisconsin, where the trades are celebrated every week. Hundreds of local residents fill the Oregon Ice Arena to cheer on their hometown…

As Congress has been working through its priorities and dealing with the ramifications of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, SMACNA has been active on the issues important to SMACNA contractors.   The President Signs 2022 Funding Bill:  More Infrastructure Money Unlocked SMACNA had…

Bill Lowe Following the Supreme Court’s June 2021 decision in California v. Texas, which rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”), the often-debated statute has largely remained out of the news. Contractors should not ignore…

Mike Clancy  It has long been an axiom that more industry firms go bankrupt during expansionary periods than during recessionary ones and that firms are more likely to fail due to cash crises than profitability problems. It seems the industry…

  Ronald J. Eagar As the construction industry focused heavily on pandemic-related changes over the past two years, other necessary changes were created or delayed. It is important not to overlook the new compliance requirements and existing strategies that can…

Air Conditioning Solutions Inc. – Altadena, CA American Veteran Mechanical – Colorado Springs, CO Climate Works Heating, Cooling & Plumbing – Richmond, ON Canada CornerStone One – Brookfield, WI Dark Horse Industrial Services Inc. – Idaho Falls, ID D&G Mechanical…

Americans are getting older. While the proportion of the U.S. population age 65 and older has grown steadily for more than a century, the rate of that growth is picking up. Projections from the Census Bureau indicate roughly 20% of…

Ensuring your business is at the top of Google, Bing, Yahoo and other search engines is an important and sometimes misunderstood step for SMACNA members. The goal for any website is to get as close to the top of the…

Vidimos installs fume collection systems like these for industrial clients in Indiana. Industrial facilities, such as those that specialize in manufacturing a variety of products, including steel making, refining, chemical production, and manufacturing of many consumer products, can be susceptible…

The mechanical area above the framing for the acoustical ceiling. Artlip & Sons Inc. of Aurora, Illinois, works with Starbucks Coffee Co. almost continuously. “I think I’ve got five Starbucks projects going right now,” says Hank Artlip, president of Artlip…

The city of Detroit is roaring back to life. “Over the last 10 years, Detroit has become a more vibrant city,” says Glenn Parvin, owner of Custom Architectural Sheet Specialists in Detroit. “Its rebirth is stunning.” CASS is a key…

Typical DOAS unit serving a single floor of the building. C403.3.5 Dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS). For buildings [with certain occupancy classifications], outdoor air shall be provided to each occupied space by a dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) which delivers 100…

Al LaBella We all know our training centers offer apprentices the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques in a classroom setting augmented by time in the contractor’s shop and/or field. It’s a powerful example of a Registered Apprenticeship Program…

Ronald J. Eagar As contractors head into 2022, it may seem like not much has changed from last year. COVID-19 outbreaks and workforce restrictions remain, the skilled labor shortage is increasing, materials remain scarce and more expensive, and cash flow…

Mike Clancy  Employees are your greatest assets, particularly now as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, and there’s even more turmoil and turnover across industries. According to data from ADP, the national turnover rate was 6.8% in the third quarter…

Lee Mullin Over the last few years, BIM-related careers have evolved to be much more than simply managing model coordination and clash detection. Intended to be a strategic technology-leader role, the sheer amount of repetitive work and additional demands has…

ERV and HRV units can help keep humidity levels between 30% to 50%, depending on the season. In the alphabet soup of industry terms that residential contractors discuss  with homeowners — HVAC, IAQ, Btu, etc. There’s at least a couple…

(ALL PHOTOS): Extra durable, 11-gauge steel duct was used to endure the continuous effect of sandblasting, which results from asphalt production.  David MacDonald, project manager for Black & McDonald in Scarborough, Ontario, has extensive experience with industrial air handling systems,…

TOP: New Horizons guide BELOW: Tom Martin Jr. For Tom Martin Jr., one of the most frustrating experiences in his three-decade career involved a university lab and cleanroom project that seemed to drag on forever.  The president of Cleveland mechanical…

Heather and Little Limited of Toronto recently dominated the annual North American Copper in Architecture (NACIA) competition, winning three of the twelve awards presented by the Copper Development Association.  The Sun Tower is a Vancouver landmark that's been around since…

However, Democrats have the narrowest possible margins in both the Senate and House, and, historically, bipartisan agreement is hard to come by in an election year. So, the year ahead will require challenging work and strategy to achieve our objectives…

TABB Lab Joint apprenticeship and training committees, more commonly known as JATCs, are nothing new for the sheet metal industry. For decades, tradespeople have relied on them for training and continuing education. Over time, however, JATCs have grown more sophisticated.…

   Ronald J. Eagar The purpose of a prequalification process is to evaluate whether a contractor is qualified to bid on a specific construction project. However, the bidding landscape was drastically altered by COVID-19, so it is increasingly important to…

   Mike Clancy For over 30 years, the construction industry has struggled to attract talent, and skilled workforce challenges have been a constant drumbeat. “The war for talent” has started to feel like the Hundred Years’ War. In last year’s…

   David Sombrio Although some sectors of our industry are certainly slower to innovate than others, it’s difficult to make broad strokes about the entire industry. As a construction technology consultant, I am fortunate to see a wide spectrum of…

  It’s not just automakers and semiconductor manufacturers that have been hit by surging prices, material shortages and other supply chain problems in the last year and a half. The residential HVAC industry is also grappling with many of the…

Top conical section leaving our shop. Location, location, location. The owners of Vidimos Inc., a SMACNA member in East Chicago, Indiana, know the old real estate adage also applies to the business of custom steel fabrication. Scott Vidimos, president of…

This is a medium pressure horizontal supply duct terminating at the mechanical shaft. This duct will feed several terminal units and chilled beams in individual patient rooms. As manufacturing and semiconductor businesses return stateside, the Phoenix economy is booming as…

CASS Sheet Metal workers are putting in a historically accurate double-lock batten-seam cooper roof. At 11:30 a.m Jan. 5, 1988, an Amtrak train left the Michigan Central Station for the last time, bringing 75 years of passenger service in Detroit…

Total engineering and construction spending for the U.S. is forecast to end 2021 up 3%, compared to up 6% in 2020. Strong growth across the residential sector, especially within single-family and improvements, will continue to uphold industry spending levels in…

Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, Aaron Hilger will assume the role of SMACNA’s CEO upon the retirement of Vincent Sandusky, who has been the association’s CEO since 2008.  Serving as executive director of SMACNA Rochester and SMACNA New York State, Hilger…