New Horizons
The New Horizons Foundation commissions critical investigations of business management issues and strategies that are important to every contractor’s growth and productivity. The Foundation develops workforce capabilities through leading-edge educational programs that combine well-researched best practices with fundamental skills, and provides a knowledge link among industry members, suppliers, contracting industry partners, colleges and universities, other national and international trade associations, and customers.
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This project updates research conducted in 2005. The need for the update was driven by the increasing complexity of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and sheet metal construction industry. Advancements in technology, financial
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This report defines how to create and foster a learning environment in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and sheet metal industry.
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The HVAC & Sheet Metal Industry Futures Study: Industry Trends & Drivers Shaping Alternative Futures
To increase the understanding of factors influencing the business and to gain greater clarity for the future of the industry and its constituents, the New Horizons Foundation contracted with FMI Corporation to research and analyze potential industry
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The New Horizons Foundation sponsored this study that compared operating costs of union and nonunion contractors. The study concluded that cost differences in total costs, labor costs, fabricated ductwork, and crew mix contributed to the operating
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The purpose of this implementation manual, developed as part of a three-phase research project, is to present a comprehensive preconstruction planning process, with 50 step-by-step activities in 12 key planning categories.
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The research objective of this study was to identify the impact of incompatible software on the HVAC and sheet metal industry and to investigate recent interoperability initiatives within the architecture, engineering, and construction and facility
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Customer loyalty can be the key to business success or failure. The New Horizons Foundation initiated and funded a study to gain greater understanding of customer requirements with the intent to improve the competitiveness of HVAC and sheet metal
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This study examines trends and drivers that will impact future scenarios, specifically for the HVAC industry and the union segment of the trade. The research was developed through a combination of interview and surveys with HVAC industry stakeholders
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This study recommends the development of a new procurement process to achieve better time, cost, and quality. This can be accomplished through direct collaboration with all stakeholders in the procurement chain to produce a horizontally integrated
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This guide provides practical considerations, tactics and processes that apply specifically to managing tools, equipment and off-the-shelf, consumable materials. It provides an easy-to-reference list of considerations, tactics, and processes for
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The study identifies what “lean” means in the sheet metal and HVAC construction industry. It also suggests how lean can be transferred and implemented in the construction industry and which techniques are most applicable. It compares and reviews
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The New Horizons Foundation formed a research team to focus on the impact of change orders on labor productivity specifically for the sheet metal industry. The team developed a model that can estimate the productivity loss on a project impacted by
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This study shows how schedule compression affects sheet metal contractors’ labor productivity, and quantifies the effects of overtime, shift work, and overmanning. Models that quantify the impact of each on the labor productivity of sheet metal
New Horizons Foundation Podcast
Eric Anderton talks to stakeholders about issues facing sheet metal and HVAC contractors as they look for ways to grow their business.