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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. 

ARCHITECTURAL: Metal Press Brakes, Automation Lead to Architectural Improvements

Metal presses are one of the most basic tools of the sheet metal trade. “When we renovated the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor, we shaped the gutters, flashings and downspouts with our press brake,” said David Parke, VP of construction operations at Honolulu-based Dorvin D. Leis Company, Inc.

New Technologies Promise Improved Safety and Efficiency

By now, many of us have seen the videos on the internet of industrial robots traversing warehouse obstacle courses like contestants on American Ninja Warrior. 

EPA Signs SNAP Rule 23

On April 23, the EPA signed the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Rule 23, which expands the list of substitutes for refrigeration and air conditioning.

Call to Members! Share Your Story with Us!

We’re asking you to share your company’s recent experiences with workforce development, community engagement and more.

Join SMACNA’s Online Chapter Executive Community

SMACNA’s Chapter Executives Community in an online forum where leaders can exchange dialogue, share best practices, answer each other’s most pressing questions, promote ideas on chapter administration, discuss industry concerns or learn from their colleagues across the country. 

ACHR News: SMACNA educates young people on sheet metal careers

SMACNA is working to raise awareness among young people of the opportunities available in the sheet metal industry, particularly as 35% of the workforce is set to retire over the next five years. SMACNA's Ignite Your Career initiative includes a website, key partnerships and multi-platform advertising campaign, while the association is also promoting diversity through roundtables, collaboration with other groups and the Women in Construction Leadership Council.

Webinar: Fall Prevention: Slips, Trips, Falls and Common OSHA Citations

Each year, jobsite and workplace hazards related to falls continue to be a common source of OSHA citations, with slips, trips and falls among the most frequent sources of claims.

How 2020 Shaped HVAC Filtration Trends

A recent blog post by Johns Manville examines how for many years there has been a trend toward higher performance filter systems that are also more energy efficient. When COVID-19 surfaced, it accelerated this trend and gave global visibility to the importance of improved indoor air quality in both residential and commercial applications.

Bipolar Ionization Spurs Interest as COVID-Fighting IAQ Solution

In Las Vegas, the tourism-dependent casino industry has been among the hardest hit by COVID-related shutdowns, capacity restrictions and the CDC’s recommendation to avoid nonessential travel.

EPA Signs SNAP Rule 23

On April 23, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) signed the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Rule 23 - New listings for refrigeration and air conditioning; revised listing for fire suppression.

Protecting Ventilation Openings for Storm Shelters & Tornado Safe Rooms

Protecting ventilation openings for storm shelters is critical when severe weather strikes. Both FEMA and the ICC have specific standards for tornado and storm shelters. Do you know what these are?

GRIPNAIL® Equipment Financing

GRIPNAIL® is now offering interest free financing* on their full line of automated duct lining machinery. Don’t let your equipment eat into your bottom line. Make your sheet metal shop run at peak efficiency with the legendary reliability you expect from GRIPNAIL.

The Latest Advancements in Airtightness Testing

From blower doors setups that can test any sized building, to handheld commercial duct testers, Retrotec's line of building diagnostic tools push the industry forward.

When Disaster Strikes Your Electrical Systems

Electricity is vital to our world and businesses, and our reliance on electrical systems creates a risk. Could you continue operating your business without electricity?

Tru-Duct Fabricates Lightweight Phenolic Ductwork for Customer

By fabricating Thermaduct’s round InspiralR and Kingspan KoolDuct rectangular systems, Tru-Duct was able to provide ductwork for this facility that would not require additional structural considerations and eliminate the need for most seismic bracing.

The Market's Most Powerful Cordless Metal Cutting Solutions

Hilti's SSH 6-A22 double-cut shear uses two separate cutting edges to remove thin strips of material and is equipped with a "chip clipper" to terminate the cut without any other tools required, while the SPN 6-A22 nibbler operates like a fast-moving miniature punch-and-die, removing small bits of metal quickly, with extreme precision and accuracy.

Maximize Your ROI with the New D-Max 2.0 Titan

This workhouse model replaces the existing D-Max 1.6E and the D-Max 2.0E for a more powerful tubeformer, offering both high-speed and heavy gauge capacities.

Video: See the Titus HEPA Room Air Cleaner in Action

The Titus HEPA Room Air Cleaner (THRC) is the ideal solution to improve indoor air quality. When equipped with the optional Germicidal Ultraviolet light, it provides superior defense against the spread of infectious airborne particles.

NEW: T&M Ticket to Change Order Workflows in Procore

Procore is the only solution that seamlessly connects the billing process for out-of-scope work from field to office. Say goodbye to damaged or illegible tickets and surprise costs at closeout.

Milwaukee® Launches Major Expansion of Their Headlamp Offering

The leading jobsite lighting provider in the industry, Milwaukee Tool, continues to expand their rapidly-growing Personal Lighting family of products with a major expansion of their headlamp solutions. The line-up includes a new rechargeable light – a game-changing USB Rechargeable BEACON™ Hard Hat Light, which provides 360° of personal safety lighting.

Insulating Plenum Spaces

Knowing which duct insulations to use in plenum spaces can be challenging. Plenums are used to house ducts, pipes, electrical cables, and are common in commercial settings. They often have unique requirements for the materials that are used inside them.

Case Study: Trump International Hotel Waikiki

Energy-efficient, weather-resistant packaged central plants quickly replaced an aging rooftop HVAC system at this five-star hotel, reducing labor costs and installation time by more than half, and trimming utility bills by an estimated $500,000 annually.

FMI Special Report: 10 Things Leaders Must Consider in a Post-Pandemic World

The COVID-19 pandemic fully accelerated changes in the construction industry, and now moving forward, the question is not only how to recover, but also how the future will look...

News Release: April Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Increases in speeding, cell phone use, and hard braking caused over 43,000 deaths in 2020 — almost 3,000 more deaths than in 20191 — so refocusing company drivers on safety is truly a life-saving endeavor.

Webinar: Pension Plans and the American Recovery Act of 2021

The American Recovery Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) included some important provisions that potentially impact multiemployer plans within our industry.

Embedding Purpose into Your Organization

What do chemistry and engagement have in common? More than you might think.

Rooftop Ductwork – Round or Rectangular?

This technical resources bulletin discusses the differences between round and rectangular duct types, and factors to consider when choosing the appropriate duct type for rooftop ductwork applications.  

Federated Insurance

SMACNA Premier Partner
P O Box 328, 121 East Park Square
Owatonna, MN 55060
Ph: (507) 455-5200
Web: www.federatedinsurance.com/association-groups/smacna
Email: PJCunningham@fedins.com

Federated Mutual Insurance Company is proud to partner with SMACNA for the benefit of all members. Since 1904, Federated Mutual Insurance Company has provided insurance that helps protect not only businesses, but business owners’ peace of mind. Our programs and risk management resources are tailored to the exposures of your industry. Visit the SMACNA association page for more on the products and services we offer, and to locate your local marketing representative or association account executive.

Johns Manville

SMACNA Premier Partner
717 17th St.
Denver, CO 80202-3330
Ph: (303) 856-4752
Web: www.jm.com
Email: Michael.Cusick@jm.com

Johns Manville is a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality insulation and commercial roofing, along with glass fibers and nonwovens for commercial, industrial and residential applications. Our history goes back to 1858, when the H.W. Johns Manufacturing Company began operations out of a tenement building in New York City. Today, our products are used in a wide variety of industries including building products, aerospace, automotive and transportation, filtration, commercial interiors, waterproofing and wind energy. A proud member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, we serve customers in more than 80 countries around the globe.

Mestek Machinery

SMACNA Premier Partner
5480 Sixth Street
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Ph: (319) 364-9181
Web: www.mestekmachinery.com
Email: mbailey@mestek.com

Mestek Machinery is an industry-leading provider of the most complete, innovative metal forming solutions, specializing in machinery manufacturing for HVAC ductwork. Our family of companies – Lockformer, Iowa Precision Industries , Engel Industries and Roto Die – have decades of experience addressing every facet of the HVAC industry. The result is a combined knowledge that develops cutting-edge, precision technologies and advanced machining equipment that saves you time, labor, and ensures a finished product that reflects your reputation for quality.

Milwaukee Tool

SMACNA Premier Partner
13135 W. Lisbon Rd.
Brookfield, WI 53005-2550
Ph: (800) 729-3878
Web: www.milwaukeetool.com
Email: michael.kirby@milwaukeetool.com

Since the company began in 1924, Milwaukee Tool has led the industry in developing innovative solutions that deliver increased productivity and unmatched durability for professional construction users. Whether it is through our world-leading M12™ and M18™ cordless systems, the ground-breaking performance of our M12 and M18 FUEL™ products, jobsite lighting, time-saving accessories, or innovative hand tool and storage products, we are dedicated to delivering a continuous flow of advanced, trade-specific solutions. Milwaukee Tool is not simply a manufacturer – we are progressive problem solvers.

Procore

SMACNA Premier Partner
6309 Carpinteria Avenue
Carpinteria, CA 93013
Ph: (866) 477-6267
Web: www.procore.com

Procore is a leading global provider of construction management software. Over one million projects and more than $1 trillion USD in construction volume have run on Procore's platform. Our platform connects every project stakeholder to solutions we've built specifically for the construction industry—for the owner, the general contractor, and the specialty contractor.

Procore's Marketplace has a multitude of partner solutions that integrate seamlessly with our platform, giving construction professionals the freedom to connect with what works best for them. Headquartered in Carpinteria, California, Procore has offices around the globe. Visit procore.com/SMACNA to learn how Procore can help with technology and special pricing for SMACNA members.

Titus

SMACNA Premier Partner
605 Shiloh Road
Plano, TX 75074
Ph: (972) 212-4800
Web: www.titus-hvac.com
Email: communications@titus-hvac.com

For over 75 years, Titus has shown that functionality can also be beautiful. Titus makes air management products that deliver the highest degree of comfort, and these products have redefined what it means to be energy efficient. With a collection of smart technology products that optimize the use of natural resources, the Titus name stands for comfort, forward thinking and reliability.

Knauf Insulation

One Knauf Drive
Shelbyville, IN 46176
Ph: (805) 364-1228
Web: www.knaufnorthamerica.com
Email: Scott.woodward@knauf.com

Knauf Insulation North America is part of the Knauf Group AG, a family-owned global manufacturer of building materials based in Iphofen, Germany. Knauf leverages the expertise of over 35,000 employees across 250 production facilities in 86 countries. In North America, Knauf Insulation is a leading manufacturer of thermal and acoustical fiberglass insulation for residential, commercial, industrial, OEM and metal building applications.

Knauf’s mission is to challenge conventional thinking and create innovative solutions that shape the way we live and build in the future, with care for the people who make them, the people who use them and the world we all depend on.

Autodesk

One Market, Ste. 500
San Francisco, CA 94105
Web: www.autodesk.com

Autodesk Construction Cloud combines advanced technology, the industry’s largest builders network and predictive insights to connect people and data across the entire building lifecycle. With Autodesk Construction Cloud’s unified solutions, teams are empowered to connect workflows across every stage of construction to reduce risk, maximize efficiency and increase profits. SMACNA members can now save 15% on their first purchase of any Autodesk Construction Cloud product they are not already using!

Daikin Applied

13600 Industrial Park Blvd.
Minneapolis, MN 55441
Ph: (763) 553-5330
Web: www.daikinapplied.com

Daikin Applied, part of world’s leading HVAC innovator, is helping perfect the air we share so you can breathe easier. The company’s technology and services play a vital role in creating comfortable, efficient and sustainable spaces to work and live. And its solutions are sold through a global network of dedicated sales, service and parts offices.

DEWALT

701 E. Joppa Rd.
Towson, MD 21286
Ph: (443) 562-3916
Web: www.dewalt.com 
Email: Jon.howland@sbdinc.com

DEWALT provides power tools, accessories, hand tools and anchors to be used on jobsites. They have a continued track record of creating award-winning tools, and always strive to advance the industry with every tool they make. See why millions of professionals choose DEWALT. From their rich history and proven performance to their focus on innovation and technology.

eSUB Construction Software

4875 Eastgate Mall, Suite 250
San Diego, CA 92121
Ph: (858) 759-7266
Web: www.esub.com
Email: greg.fry@esub.com

Cloud based project management, document control, timecards, resource management, corporate management and critical path scheduling provide complete project management functions using any device including iPads, tablets, laptops or smartphones. Our mission is to provide the most comprehensive and easy to use mobile project management solution on the market, tailored specifically for Subcontractors to increase standardization, accountability and productivity across the enterprise.

HILTI

7250 Dallas Parkway, Suite 1000
Plano, TX 75024
Phone: (800) 879-8000
Web: www.hilti.com
Email: Chris.Lamb@Hilti.com

By creating technologies, software, services that stand out from the rest, Hilti means quality, innovation, and direct customer relationships. Customers are at the heart of everything Hilti does. From tools to technologies and software for the construction industry - our products fit seamlessly together so you can use them throughout your design, installation and building management. They're designed for a wide range of applications, from everyday jobs to solutions for the harshest of environments and toughest of jobsites. No matter if you're fastening, cutting, drilling, bolting, or grinding – Hilti’s fleet of powerful, agile, and reliable cordless tools can help you drive performance and profitability to new heights.

Motive Technologies

55 Hawthorne Street 4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Ph: (833) 739-7113
Web: www.gomotive.com
Email: info@gomotive.com

Motive builds technology to improve the safety, productivity, and profitability of businesses that power the physical economy. The Motive Automated Operations Platform combines IoT hardware with AI-powered applications to automate vehicle and equipment tracking, driver safety, compliance, maintenance, spend management, and more.

Motive serves more than 120,000 businesses, across a wide range of industries including trucking and logistics, construction, oil and gas, food and beverages, field services, agriculture, passenger transit, and delivery. Visit gomotive.com to learn more.

ServiceTitan

801 N. Brand Blvd, Suite 700
Glendale. CA 91203
Ph: (855) 899-0970
Web: www.servicetitan.com
Email: nvanderzanden@servicetitan.com

ServiceTitan is the #1 software platform for managing a home & commercial services business. It is used by the world’s leading home & commercial service companies, and it incorporates industry best practices to help you streamline operations, improve sales, provide a better customer experience, lower costs, and manage your business more easily. ServiceTitan is powerful yet easy-to-use, combining scheduling, dispatch, invoicing, sales, marketing, reporting, and more in a mobile, cloud-based platform.

Trane Commercial

800 Beaty St
Davidson, NC 28036
Ph: (800) 945-5884
Web: www.trane.com/commercial
Email: Contact Trane

Trane creates sustainable, energy-efficient systems for commercial and residential projects. Contractors can count on our expertise, partnerships as well as tools and resources to get the job done.

Trimble

10368 Westmoor Drive
Westminster, CO 80021
Ph: (720) 887-6100
Web: www.trimble.com
Email: buildings@trimble.buildings.com

Trimble is transforming the way the world works by delivering products and services that connect the physical and digital worlds. Core technologies in positioning, modeling, connectivity and data analytics enable customers to improve productivity, quality, safety and sustainability. From purpose-built products to enterprise lifecycle solutions, Trimble software, hardware and services are transforming industries such as agriculture, construction, geospatial and transportation and logistics.

VICON Machinery LLC / Plasma Automation Inc.

1801 Arctic Avenue
Bohemia, NY 11716
Ph: (631) 563-7234
Web: www.viconmachinery.com
Email: twalsh@plasma-automation.com

VICON is the industry leader for complete automation of the duct fabrication process. VICON offers patented features and innovative solutions to meet your manufacturing needs. Every machine sold by Vicon Machinery, LLC and Plasma Automation, Inc. is backed by experts in the machine tool industry who pride themselves on making customer service their top priority.  It is with pride we can say everything from the controls and software to the machinery is 100% Designed, Manufactured and Supported in U.S.A.  Our end users go beyond the 50 states into Canada, Mexico, Australia, Central & South America, Middle East, Asia, and Europe. We build the machines, we write the software, we support the customer.  It’s that simple!

75F, Inc.

1650 W. 82nd St., Ste. 200
Bloomington, MN 55431
Ph: (888) 590-8995
Website: www.75F.io
Email: jkress@75F.io

75F is a full-stack IoT Building Management System using smart sensors and controls to make commercial buildings more efficient, comfortable, and healthy. With built-in ASHRAE GPC 36 sequences, Project Haystack native API, integrated digital twin, and secure cloud-based operation, 75F delivers unprecedented energy efficiency, interoperability, and scalability in buildings of all sizes.