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SMACNA Video: Chad Bunting

Chad Bunting, president of Schoppe Co. Inc., in Salt Lake City Utah, comments on SMACNA’s incredible achievement of 75 years, noting that his firm has been around for 140 years. 

HVAC Insider: Ohio Contractor Tom Martin Named SMACNA 2018 Contractor of the Year

Tom Martin, President of T.H. Martin Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio, received the annual SMACNA Contractor of the Year award at the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association’s 75th Annual Convention in October.

SMACNA Interviews Bob Tuck of Atlas Heating & Air Conditioning

Bob Tuck, president of Atlas Heating & Air Conditioning Company, in Oakland, California, wishes SMACNA a happy 75th anniversary and shares the secrets to his 110-year-old firm’s longevity.

Scott Vidimos Discusses Industrial Sheet Metal

Scott Vidimos, president, of Vidimos Inc. in East Chicago, Indiana, reflects on his industrial sheet metal company in the highly industrialized area of Indiana.

SMACNA Video: Bernie Antchak, NW Sheet Metal

Bernie Antchak, business operations manager, of NW Sheet Metal in British Columbia, Canada, talks about the challenges of moving and running a full-service sheet metal shop that performs both manufacturing and contracting.

Video Interview: Al LaBella, Blue Diamond Sheet Metal

Get to know Al LaBella, owner of Blue Diamond Sheet Metal, in Medford, New York, and a future SMACNA President.

SMACNA President Nathan Dills on the future of SMACNA and the industry

Nathan Dills, SMACNA’s President, believes the industry’s future is bright. President Dills shares what amazes him about technology and his focus on future issues including recruiting and mentoring those in junior management so they are prepared to step in when the baby boomers retire.

The Cramers Discuss Successful Transitions

Former SMACNA President Dick Cramer and son Matt Cramer share their thoughts on transferring the family firm, Dee Cramer Inc., from father to son.

SMACNA Interviews Joseph Sellers, General President, SMART Union

SMART General President Joe Sellers reflects on his years in the sheet metal industry starting as an apprentice in 1980 and spanning to today as General President of SMART.

Tony Kocurek, SMACNA Vice President, Discusses Current Business Trends

Anthony Kocurek, owner of Energy Balance & Integration in Albuquerque, New Mexico, shares his thoughts on how his business has changed and how it will continue to evolve thanks to technology.

SNIPS Magazine: New SMACNA president Nathan Dills: Leveraging our legacy

Nathan Dills, president of the Oklahoma-based ACP Sheet Metal Company and managing partner of Midwest Fabricators LLC, still remembers working in the shop at seven years old for the family business.

Building Enclosure: SMACNA Appoints New Board President

The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), the leader in promoting quality and excellence in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry, announced today that Nathan Dills of ACP Sheet Metal Co., Inc. has been elected by the Board of Directors to serve as president. Dills’ year-long term in office began at the close of SMACNA’s 75th Annual Convention on October 17.

AMCA Inmotion: High-Performance Air Systems for Improved Comfort, Energy Efficiency, IAQ

In almost all cases a high-performance air system (HPAS) will have the lowest installed first cost of systems commonly considered. In addition, they achieve and maintain comfort by providing engineers with data indicating where to place grilles, registers, and diffusers to ensure proper air distribution and eliminate drafts.

Construction Superintendent: SMACNA Chapter Executive of the Year Encourages Innovation

From the northwest corner of the United States, Julie Muller-Neff, executive director of the Western Washington chapter of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association’s and 2017 SMACNA Chapter Executive of the Year, is doing her part to change her industry.

Climate Engineers Video Shows Benefits of Prefabrication

In this video, eastern Iowa-based Climate Engineers describes the benefits and business opportunities of an efficient prefabrication process from fabrication through installation.

Soldering Copper Flat Lock Roof Seams

This study tests the use of 1/2 inch wide flat lock seam soldered joints. The industry’s current recommended widths are 5/8-inch-wide flat lock seams (Architectural Sheet Metal Manual by SMACNA) and 3/4-inch-wide flat lock seams (Copper and Common Sense by Revere Copper).

Actuary's "Best Estimate" Needed for Withdrawal Liability Calculation

A federal judge in New York ruled that using the “Segal Blend” interest assumption to calculate a withdrawing company’s multiemployer pension liability was a “mistake” and unsupported by the record. 

PBGC Issues Policy on Alternative Withdrawal Liability Payment Rules

In April, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation issued guidance to assist multiemployer pension plans seeking to have the PBGC review their alternative plan rules for satisfying employer withdrawal liability. The

Guide to EEO Compliance

SMACNA contractors who work on federal contracts have certain equal employment opportunities (EEO) obligations imposed upon them that may not apply to contractors who do not work on federal contracts.

Rethinking Offsite Construction

FMI research in 2018 surveying owners offers a high-level snapshot of U.S. offsite construction environment at the time.

Building Boom Continues in Canada

The economy’s prolonged strength has left Canadian sheet metal and air conditioning contractors working on major projects across the country in 2019.

Zahner’s South Korean Tower Sparkles

A dramatic curved stainless steel façade gave the A. Zahner Co. of Kansas City, Missouri, another opportunity to further expand its geographic reach to the Harim Tower in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea.

Report: Safety Management in the Construction Industry

Published by Dodge Data and Analytics, this new report builds on two other reports examining the positive impacts that today’s policies, procedures, and technology have on safety cultures in the construction industry.

ACHR News: SMART Heroes Program a Success

“The SMART Heroes program provides training and employment opportunities in the sheet metal industry to well-qualified military veterans,” said Jack Knox, president, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA). “SMACNA and SMART are proud to be able to give back to those who have given so much to us by their military service.

SNIPS Mag: Tips to keep your sheet metal shop OSHA compliant

When Seeber and Natale gave a talk on strengthening shop safety program this year at the annual SMACNA convention, they had some unexpected advice.

Collective Bargaining Considerations for Monitoring Technology

An overview of the law under the National Labor Relations Act concerning use of technology to monitor employees and employer property. 

Virtual Design and Construction Practice: Benefits, Challenges, and Proven Strategies for AEC Team

This 2017 white paper offers insight into the growing use of virtual design and construction on construction projects. It describes the opportunities and challenges of VDC including three projects conducted by a leading architectural metal firm, A. Zahner and Company, where VDC played an important role.

OSHA Rule on Silica in Construction

The OSHA rule for silica in construction became effective September 23, 2017 although OSHA included a 30-day “grace period” for full enforcement. SMACNA members affected by this rule are encouraged to take a “holistic” approach to silica compliance by assessing the tasks and processes where silica (found in concrete) is disturbed (cut, drilled, grinded, etc.). SMACNA members should be aware that “Table One” and dust collection tools are not the only options for compliance. 

Building Energy Codes: Why Should Homeowners Care?

Residential HVAC contractors take note: Homeowners overwhelmingly put energy efficiency at the top of their list of essential and desirable features, according to a survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). 

Who is Paying that Bill?

It is sometimes in a trustee’s best interest to retain an attorney at the outset of an investigation by the Department of Labor (DOL) for possible violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

Decision-Making Framework for New Market Opportunities: A 10-Step Process

Are you ready to add a new line of work or a new market for your existing line of work? Market opportunities can present themselves in a variety of ways:

• a customer could ask your company to expand geographically;
• an employee might offer up specific skills;
• or a new market in need of service can have a strong pull.

Enhancing Your Organizational Structure: An Approach to Profitable Operations

This white paper focuses on traditional and functional organizational structures. It offers a simple and easily understood contrast and comment on the appropriateness of each approach. In contrast to the traditional structure, the paper concludes that a functional analysis of a firm’s operations can be “a tool for designing their organization going forward. It views a contracting company as a system of various inputs coordinated to create one desired outcome.”

A Well-Run Benefit Fund is Clear, Concise, and Careful

Effective communication with plan participants is key to having a well-run benefit fund. Guidance on effective communication is abundant. In short, be clear, be concise, and be careful. 

Lean construction methods: efficient work, happy customers

This article describes how lean construction is a way of working that reduces waste, increases efficiency, helps the environment, and allows for working smarter, not harder. But while the concept is one that has unofficially been practiced in the unionized sheet metal industry for years, the ITI is leading an effort to make the concept more standardized in apprentices’ training.

Waiver of Recourse: Don't Get Caught Holding the Bill

ERISA trust funds are required by law to purchase a fidelity bond covering breaches of honesty by covered individuals. Fiduciary liability coverage on the other hand is not required by ERISA. 

2017 Update for Architectural Fascia and Coping Wind Tests Report

SMACNA’s Technical Resources Committee completed wind uplift testing on custom-fabricated fascia and coping architectural elements constructed in accordance with the SMACNA Architectural Sheet Metal Manual.

Navigating the Slippery Slope: Testing Apprentices

This is part of a three-part series providing guidelines for Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs) to follow when recruiting and selecting individuals into an apprenticeship program. For information on

Navigating the Slippery Slope: The Application and the Interview

This post is second in a three-part series providing guidelines for Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs) to follow when recruiting and selecting individuals into an apprenticeship program. For information on

Homeowners and contractors alike benefiting from PACE residential programs

In 2017, the U.S. Department of Energy released revised guidelines for best practices incorporating lessons learned from successful PACE programs.

OSHA agrees to SMACNA recommendations on flat roofs requirements

SMACNA contractors performing service work on flat roofs (low-sloped roofs) received a significant win after OSHA “agreed to” comments submitted by SMACNA and other industry stakeholders.

The Impact of Prefabrication on Productivity

This white paper offers a set of best practices to optimize the use of prefabrication to obtain peak productivity for HVAC and sheet metal contractors.

Using a Board of Directors, Peer Groups and Other Resources to Challenge and Enhance Performance

This white paper offers advice and suggestions on the effective use of outside resources to improve performance of HVAC and sheet metal contractors.

Navigating the Slippery Slope to Selecting an Apprentice for Training

Under the law, for all intents and purposes, when a local Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) selects apprentices for its program, it is treated as an employer. 

Compliance with Mental Health Parity Law Under Investigation

In 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) let  people know they will be investigating their health fund’s compliance with the mental health parity laws.