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Baseball Analogies to Help Improve Your Team

Contractors can learn a lot from the teamwork that goes into creating a winning sports team. Angie Simon, CEO of Western Allied and SMACNA President, delves into how she applies the lessons she learned on the field playing competitive softball to how she runs her business “off the field” to successfully grow it from a $40 million business to the $110 million contracting giant it is today.

OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary COVID-19 Standard

This new emergency temporary standard has been put in place to protect healthcare workers from the coronavirus, while offering additional guidance to employers and workers in other industries to protect those who are still not vaccinated.

Now Available - Ventilation Verification Webinar

Hear directly from several industry experts on the benefits of adding Ventilation Verification to your existing service offerings and how already familiar TAB skills and techniques can play an important role in offering this service to clients.

Updated Contracts Bulletins Help Contractors Mitigate Risks

SMACNA’s updated contractor bulletins are designed to help members mitigate risks as pricing spikes and material shortages continue to impact their businesses. Shifting the Risk of Rising Material Costs; Force Majeure Provisions – Covid 19; and Force Majeure – A Clause for Our Times contain useful information to help contractors determine the language they should include in new contracts to protect themselves against unforeseen risks.

Vaccine Policies for Contractors

Many contractors have inquired about the best COVID-19 vaccination policy to adopt, what legal pitfalls might exist for mandatory versus “strongly-encouraged” policies. Learn about both your rights as an employer, employees’ rights, the role the union plays in negotiating mandated policies and OSHA guidelines in this important and timely presentation.

The CEO Role, Leadership Transitions & DNA Statements with Angie Simon

The Construction Leading Edge Podcast series helps construction business owners streamline their operations, harmonize workflows, eliminate chaos and maximize revenue. In this episode, host Todd Dewalt speaks with Angie Simon about the future of the industry, why leaders need to help change people’s perception of it, and what she and her team are doing to find and groom the next generation of sheet metal workers and leaders.

Get the SMACNA-SMART Brand Ambassador Program Recruiting for You

Encouraging apprentices to become Brand Ambassadors is one way to help elevate awareness of careers in the sheet metal industry. Brand Ambassadors proactively spread the word about the advantages of SMACNA and SMART careers to friends and family. Industry ambassadors help elevate awareness of careers in the sheet metal industry and also help increase our market share of new apprenticeships while helping to shrink the growing industry labor shortage gap.

May PinP: SMACNA-SMART Celebrate 75 Years of Partnering

The May issue of Partners in Progress completes the third installment in a three-part series exploring the history of labor-management partnerships, including the programs and initiatives that have strengthened the SMACNA–SMART partnership. Plus, learn about the ‘e-volution’ currently sweeping the sheet metal industry.

Contracts Bulletin #65 (2.0): Force Majeure – A Clause for Our Times

Updated June 3, 2021. When a contract contains either rewards or penalties for meeting deadlines, force majeure clauses are essential. Otherwise, the contractor will be held accountable for meeting a deadline, even if the delay is caused by forces outside its control.

Contracts Bulletin #110 (2.0): Shifting the Risk of Rising Material Costs

Updated June 2021. Even in the best of times, material shortages and changing prices are disruptive. Commodities, such as asphalt, copper, steel and other materials are subject to global pressures and price fluctuations. More than ever, contractors need to protect themselves from changes in material prices.

Contracts Bulletin #118 (2.0) : Force Majeure Provisions: COVID-19

Updated June, 2021. Over the last year, many industries have experienced supply delays and workforce shortages resulting from the spread of COVID-19. The construction industry certainly was not immune to these issues. The current situation serves as a good reminder to review and understand contract provisions that cover unforeseen construction delays.

Episode #17: Chuck Gulledge on Leading Through a Pandemic and the Future of Our Industry

The pandemic forced industry leaders to connect virtually, and in some cases, meant more “face” time with members than might have occurred under the previous in-person-meeting model. While most organizations are eager to resume onsite, in-person meetings, the pandemic presented an opportunity to connect with members in a way never before explored. ASHRAE President Chuck Gulledge explains. Plus, how technology will continue to disrupt our industry, resulting in increased innovation and better air quality.

Contractors Required to Negotiate Before Unilateral Change to Working Conditions

The NLRB found that a workplace rule change constituted a material, substantial, and significant change in employees’ terms and conditions of employment in violations of their rights under the NLRA.

Employers May Offer Vaccine Incentives

Updated EEOC guidelines note that EEO laws do not preclude employers from offering incentives to employees who voluntarily provide proof of a COVID vaccinations. Vaccination information must be kept confidential and remain in compliance with all federal disability laws and other protections against discrimination.

Help Raise Awareness About Building Safety

Building Safety Week topics include energy and innovation, training, safety, and disaster preparedness. Modules are available online and can be completed at your own pace, anytime and anywhere from the convenience of your computer. A free Campaign Toolkit includes template resources, such as news releases, advertising, and pre-written social media posts to help drive awareness of building safety topics in your community.

Spring Issue of SMART Journal Available Online

The Spring issue of SMART includes a special focus on building back the union and explores how the Biden administration is positively impacting the industry. The issue also highlights TABB contractors on the frontlines and the SMART–SMACNA diversity initiative.

U.S. Department of the Treasury

The Treasury Department is the executive agency responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the United States. 

U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)

The top priorities at DOT are to keep the traveling public safe and secure, increase their mobility, and have our transportation system contribute to the nation's economic growth.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps Americans start, build, and grow businesses. The SBA was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise, and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.

U.S. Department of Labor

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) administers and enforces more than 180 federal laws. These mandates and the regulations that implement them cover many workplace activities for about 150 million workers and 10 million workplaces. 

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) protects the retirement incomes of over 34 million American workers in private sector defined benefit pension plans. PBGC was created by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to encourage the continuation and maintenance of private sector defined benefit pension plans, provide timely and uninterrupted payment of pension benefits, and keep pension insurance premiums at a minimum.

Federal Acquisition Regulation Council

The Department of Defense (DoD), GSA, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) jointly issue the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) for use by executive agencies in acquiring goods and services.

Milwaukee® Announces the MX FUEL™ CARRY-ON™ 3600W/1800W Power Supply

Rebel Applied™ Packaged Rooftop Systems – Now with Inverter Compressors

Improve HVAC Duct and Fittings Shop Floor Layout for Maximum Productivity

Federated Insurance Presents 1-Day Risk Management Seminar

Hilti Jaibot Construction Robot to Help Contractors on Jobsites

Duro Dyne’s Dyna-Tite Suspension System

New Feature to Collect More Accurate Time & Streamline Payroll

GRIPNAIL® Equipment Financing

Creating Data-Rich Models in Days, Not Weeks

In-Cab Technology: The Future of Fleet Safety

With vehicle crashes on the rise and cost of crash-related litigation skyrocketing, many businesses are leveraging in-cab technology to help protect their drivers, operations, and bottom line.

Residential Wage & Fringe Database

The Residential Wage & Fringe Database tracks benefit information for approximately 25 local areas. This information can be useful to contractors looking at bidding in areas outside their home local when they may not have the other area’s wage sheets.

Episode #16: Diversity and Equity in the Industry

In Episode 16 of Let’s Talk Shop, host Angie Simon, CEO, Western Allied Mechanical, chats with Leah Rambo, Training Director and Fund Administrator at Sheet Metal Workers Local 28, about the diversity, women in the trade and inclusion opportunities in NYC and how she helps ensure there are opportunities in the trade to remain equitable and competitive.

SMACNA’s New Website Is Live!

SMACNA has launched a new website, focused on the needs of members and chapter executives while also serving to raise awareness of our industry. The site contains many new features and advantages outlined below.

TAB Contractor, EB&I, Helps Businesses in New Mexico Evaluate Their HVAC Systems

The pandemic helped create some amazing opportunities for contractors like Tony Kocurek, owner of Energy Balance &, Integration (EB&I), an Albuquerque, N.M.-based TAB business. In 2020, EB&I helped customers from hospitals to casinos address their changing HVAC system needs, not only to deal with extreme climate issues, but also due to the pandemic.

Pension Plans and the American Rescue Plan

The recently passed American Recovery Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) included several provisions that could impact multiemployer plans. This webinar for SMACNA members, chapter executives, and trustees outlined key provisions in the ARPA that are applicable to our industry.

Risk Management Seminars Coming to a Location Near You

SMACNA members are invited to attend an exclusive, complimentary Risk Management Academy session hosted by Federated Mutual Insurance Company.

Georgia-SMACNA, Inc.

Georgia-SMACNA, Inc., is a statewide trade association representing some of the industry’s most innovative and forward-thinking sheet metal contractors who specialize in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, Architectural & Industrial sheet metal, Manufacturing, Testing & Balancing, and Energy management.

Technology and the Future of Contracting Work

The economic recovery continues as we manage the new jobsite reality of additional processes and procedures to help combat the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. My virtual and now in-person visits with members have revealed that there is more focus on the jobsite, especially through two lenses: what keeps our people safe and what can help keep projects on time and on budget.

Capitol Hill Update: SMACNA Endorses Major School Construction and Retrofit Legislation

School Construction, COVID Tax Credits and Recently Endorsed Bills SMACNA has expressed support for S. 96, “The Reopen and Rebuild America’s Schools Act” sponsored by Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) and 27 cosponsors.

UV-C for HVAC Air and Surface Disinfection

Despite decades of research and thousands of applications in hospital emergency and operating rooms, urgent-care centers, universities, and first-responder locations, UV-C has not been widely leveraged. 

Improving Upper-Room UV With Ceiling Fans

Studies show that, in spaces with limited air mixing, natural convection generated by heat gains from occupants and equipment at the floor level can reduce the effectiveness of upper-room/air UV systems.

The Harder Work: Reputation Management and Trust Building

We continue the series on the “harder work” of leadership — important but not urgent responsibilities that are easy to put off, in some cases for decades. In this installment, we’ll examine the responsibility of owners and senior leaders to incessantly enhance their organization’s reputation, refusing to believe it will stand untarnished without constant attention.

Deteriorating Backlogs: Responding to a New COVID-19 Reality

When 2020 kicked off, the construction industry was flying high. With a steady flow of work and bidding opportunities, large infrastructure projects on the horizon and sureties offering a seemingly endless supply of bonding, most contractors were hitting all-time-high revenues and profits, with healthy backlogs to keep the momentum going.

The Bidding Hack: 5 Ways to Increase Your Bid Win Rate

The pandemic led to one of the most difficult years in memorable history for the construction industry — one in which specialty contractors were hit particularly hard. According to a recent report from Autodesk, project bidding dropped roughly 34% in the 60 days following March 19, 2020, the day the first U.S. stay-at-home orders were mandated.

INDUSTRIAL: Putting on the Finishing Touch

The heater boxes fabricated and installed by H.M. White help ensure the paint looks great on every Ford vehicle built at a suburban Detroit factory.

RESIDENTIAL: HVAC Rebates Help “Frontline” Customers

When COVID-19 hit, SMACNA St. Louis looked for ways to help contractors help their customers who worked on the frontline of the pandemic.

HVAC: Now Serving Improved Restaurant Air Quality

As cities and states begin to loosen capacity restrictions, SMACNA members are finding their ventilation expertise in demand as operators work to ensure patrons’ comfort and safety.