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For HVAC Techs, Attitude, Appearance as Important as Aptitude

The sheet metal industry provides a great opportunity for career development and job stability, but not everyone is suited to every job. Service technicians require certain skills to really excel in their roles.

Withdrawal Liability and the Sale of a Business

Generally, when a contractor sells its business, it either sells the stock of the business or it sells the assets of the business. The sale of stock does not constitute a withdrawal from a multiemployer pension plan, and if stock is sold, there need be no accommodation for withdrawal liability as part of the sale transaction.

Benefit Funds

An overview and resources related to the  Pension Protection Act; the Affordable Care Act on multiemployer trust funds;  guidance on  withdrawal liability; and information on national sheet metal plans such as the Sheet Metal Workers' National Pension Fund and SASMI.

HVAC: HVAC for Healthcare

Brandt works on massive mechanical and plumbing project in the healthcare sector. 

Milwaukee Tool

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.

Safety Award Program

Each year SMACNA conducts a Safety Awards Program to recognize SMACNA members with the lowest injury/illness rates during the prior calendar year.

Contractor Fabricates Solution to Common Problem Confronted During COVID-19 Crisis

It’s not just toilet paper and personal protective equipment that’s in short supply during the coronavirus pandemic.

Leveraging Tech to Combat COVID-19 Productivity Losses

It’s been a tough year for construction margins. To bolster their chances of profitability, savvy contractors are leveraging software to meticulously document COVID-related delays, track productivity from the field, and automate COVID-related protocols wherever possible.

Partners in Progress

A joint venture between SMACNA contractors and SMART members that reinforces the mutual goal of delivering quality workmanship for sheet metal applications and heating ventilating and air conditioning systems—using accepted industry standards—performed in a productive, efficient, and environmentally conscious manner.

Training

SMACNA Training provides contractors and their employees with learning opportunities with a goal of performing a specific skill or behavior. 

Making a Difference in America’s Comeback City

CASS helps build an upscale subdivision in Detroit, installing the metal roofing and siding.

NJAB Article X, Section 8 Submittal Forms

Parties wishing to have a contract renewal or specialty addenda dispute heard by the NJAB should make a submission on the approved Article X §8 forms. Please note, there are no approved forms for making a submission under SFUA Article X §10.

Regulatory

The rules, policies and regulations enacting a law often have a tremendous impact on how a company conducts business. Regulatory lobbying is narrowly focused on these specific rules, rather than broader issues. Running afoul of governmental policies can result in significant financial penalties and business disruption. It is crucial to express concerns about potential adverse consequences of regulatory (or deregulatory) actions before rules are finalized in order to limit or expand the scope of a statute.

Eli Howard

This fast paced presentation will cover SMACNA’s Technical Services Standards, Manuals & Guidelines Collection of newly revised documents and further research & products for the Sheet Metal Industry. SMACNA’s Technical Staff will also cover the key issues emerging in today’s market for the HVAC & Architectural industry.

Eli P. Howard, III

Eli P. Howard, III is the Executive Director of Technical Services and Research SMACNA. Howard has been with SMACNA for 25 years responsible for all SMACNA Technical Standards, Manuals and Guidelines for the HVAC, Industrial, Residential and Architectural industry.

Team Leadership

This issue of SMACNews deals with industry trends to watch in 2019. We’ve seen a strong trend in leadership over the last decade that continues to gain momentum, and that’s the shift from a singular leader to a team of leaders.

Donor Club Structure & Recognition

Mariah M. Becker, MAAA, EA, ACA

Mariah Becker joined the National Coordinating Committee for Multiemployer Plans (NCCMP) in 2016 as the Director of Research and Education. In this role, she works extensively to evaluate and design policy & technical proposals to protect and strengthen the multiemployer system, as well as to develop analysis to evaluate the economic impact of federal policies, regulations and industry developments.

Jessica Looman

Jessica Looman is the Principal Deputy Administrator of DOL's Wage and Hour Division, which is responsible for enforceing worker protections and providing outreach and education about federal labor laws.

Peer Group Survey

Joining a peer group allows members a unique opportunity to network and build relationships with fellow members and share their expertise.

Department of Energy Acquisition Guide

Regulatory requirements for the acquisition process are set forth in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and are supplemented in the Department of Energy Acquisition Regulation (DEAR). 

Expertise Ads (Internal)

Erykka Thompson

OSHA reporting rule on post incident drug testing

Summarized reporting requirements under the OSHA rule for electronic reporting of injury and illness data and provides further information on post incident drug testing. 

How to Make Your Meetings Effective & Concise

Read about three easily implementable recommendations that will make your business meetings shorter and more successful.

Collective Bargaining

Whether it’s preparing for or navigating collective bargaining negotiations or dealing with issues that arise during the life of your collective bargaining agreement, SMACNA has resources available to answer your most pertinent questions. 

Mike Russell

Mike Russell is Vice President - Surety Marketing Manager for Federated Insurance and Granite Re. Mike manages Federated’s team of surety marketing specialists across the country and serves on the board of directors for Granite Re.

A Contractor's Guide to New FFCRA

Provides an overview of the paid leave requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) for contractors. 

Reference Manual For Labor Units Program

This cloud-based  program provides members with the labor units data required to fabricate and install HVAC materials and equipment.

Construction Industry Procurement Coalition (CIPC)

The Construction Industry Procurement Coalition is a coalition of 15 trade associations representing construction design professionals, prime contractors, specialty trade contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, sureties and surety bond producers.

Department of Labor

The purpose of DOL is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

Matherly Installs Largest Energy Efficiency Project at Tinker Air Force Base

Matherly Mechanical Contractors has been working at Tinker Air Force Base since the 1960s — taking the lead as well as subcontracting on a wide variety of HVAC, sheet metal, and mechanical jobs.

New Opportunities and Industry Growth in 2019

More design/build work, large-scale capital projects, and industry growth. SMACNA industrial contractors are confident this year promises to be a positive one for the industrial sector. Read on to hear more from H.T. Lyons, Central Industrial Sheet Metal, and Gribbins Insulation.

Residential Service: A New Norm in a COVID-19 World

From personal protective equipment to customer anxiety, contractors are navigating an unprecedented landscape.

The Hard Work: Start with Culture

In our last column, we talked about the harder work of leadership. All aspects of leading a team or organization are tough. Particularly during this difficult time, our full attention might be drawn to the urgent and immediate.

College of Fellows Spring Meeting Registration

Procore

Procore is a leading global provider of construction management software. Our platform connects every project stakeholder to solutions built specifically for the construction industry—for the owner, the general contractor, and the specialty contractor. Visit procore.com/SMACNA to learn about special pricing for SMACNA members.

Effective Communication AND Action Planning

The ability to communicate well and to set actionable goals are two of the most powerful accelerants for your career. During this session, you will learn how to sharpen your communication skills and refine your goal setting and action planning abilities.  

International Training Institute

Jointly sponsored by SMACNA and SMART, ITI supports apprenticeship and advanced career training for union workers in the sheet metal industry throughout the United States and Canada. ITI produces a standardized curriculum supported by a wide variety of training materials free of charge to apprentices and journey-level workers.

Stanley E. Kolbe, Jr

Stanley E. Kolbe, Jr. is Executive Director of Government and Political Affairs for SMACNA. Kolbe has been a construction industry Washington representative for 3 decades, working on industry issues representing SMACNA and prior to that, the American Institute of Architects. Earlier in his career, Kolbe worked for the US Conference of Mayors and the United States Senate Small Business Committee.

Disaster Preparedness Tips from Federated Insurance

While businesses face different dangers depending on their region of the country, one thing is constant: Preparation is key.

LJAB Guidelines and Forms

To assist in conducting grievance hearings at the Local Joint Adjustment Board (LJAB) level, SMACNA and SMART have prepared LJAB Guidelines. Included in the guidelines are instructions for LJAB Chairs during the hearing, recommended procedures, guidance on issues of jurisdiction and timeliness, and examples of properly completed forms for requesting LJAB, Panel and NJAB hearings.

Financial Boot Camp Schedule

Frank Caliendo

Frank Caliendo is an American comedian, actor, and impressionist. 

Sean McGarvey

Sean McGarvey started his building trades career with the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) in 1981 in Philadelphia. He subsequently worked his way up through various IUPAT leadership positions. In 2005, Sean was elected Secretary-Treasurer of NABTU, and in 2012, he was unanimously elected to NABTU’s office of president. Sean is a respected union construction thought leader among labor, government, corporate, and private sectors. He has dedicated his life to improving the economic security and career opportunities of current and future construction workers and their families, and his fervent commitment has strengthened NABTU’s impact and value to owners, contractors and whole communities.

Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Spotlight on Opioids

The Spotlight on Opioids assembles opioid-related information from the Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health into one document to better inform the general public, especially family and friends of people with an elevated risk of opioid overdose, opioid misuse, and/or opioid use disorder.

Diversification is Key in Northern Ontario

Diversification has ultimately been a great business strategy for Lopes Limited. The Northern Ontario, Canadian SMACNA company started out in 1976 as a small sheet metal shop operating out of a garage.

Do You Know Who You're Hiring?

You’re looking to bring on a new employee, and your prime candidate looks great on paper — plenty of experience, consistent work history, and ideal professional credentials.

Women at Work

The sheet metal trade offers opportunities for every motivated candidate — gender aside. 

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

SMACNA has published a list of articles and resources on mental health, suicide, and drugs and alcohol prevention. Have a resource to add? Email Justin Crandol, SMACNA's Director of Safety.