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Key highlights from FMI's 4th Quarter, 2021 North American Engineering & Construction Outlook:

The latest Nonresidential Construction Index (NRCI) feedback suggests ongoing, albeit challenged, optimism heading into the fourth quarter of 2021.

Aaron Hilger Named CEO of SMACNA

Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, Aaron Hilger will assume the role of SMACNA’s CEO. Vincent Sandusky, who earlier in the year announced his retirement, has served as SMACNA’s CEO since 2008.

LaGuardia Transformation

Sheet metal and HVAC contractors play key role in LaGuardia redevelopment. 

A New Day

SMACNA welcomed attendees back in person with new guidance, lessons and insight on how contractors can improve themselves and their businesses after two years of pandemic-induced changes.

Capitol Hill Update: Infrastructure Law a Big Win for SMACNA Contractors

Pres. Biden signed into law the largest infrastructure investment package seen in decades, 1.8 trillion Build Back Better Act passed House, and a looming government shutdown was barely averted.

From the President: Did You Get Better Today?

My transition to SMACNA President after two amazing years with Angie Simon serving in this role is my opportunity to help our industry grow more competitive.

More Info from Mestek

SMACNA Convention Interview: Ernie P. Menold

Ernie P. Menold, VP at Ernest D. Menold, Inc., spoke with SMACNA’s Jeff Henriksen about the company’s work during the pandemic and their focus on workforce development.

December 2021 Council of Chapter Representatives Meeting Presentations

SMACNA Celebrates Historic Infrastructure Deal as an Industry Win

SMACNA announced its support for the long awaited and historic Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The $1.2 trillion deal cleared the U.S. Senate in August and the House of Representatives in November.

Aaron Hilger Named CEO of SMACNA

Aaron Hilger has been named as SMACNA's new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2022. Hilger is assuming the role upon the retirement of Vincent Sandusky, who has been SMACNA’s CEO since 2008.

OSHA ETS Rule Says Contractors w/100+ Employees to Mandate COVID-19 Vaccination or Testing by 1/4/22

Today, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (“OSHA”) released its much-anticipated Emergency Temporary Standard (“ETS Rule”) relating to Vaccination and Testing.  The OSHA COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard was announced in conjunction with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) vaccination requirement which covers healthcare workers at its 76,000 participating hospitals and facilities. 

SMACNA Appoints Al LaBella as New Board President

SMACNA, the leader in promoting quality and excellence in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry, today announced Al LaBella of Blue Diamond Air Systems has been elected by the Board of Directors to serve as president. LaBella’s year-long term in office begins at the close of SMACNA’s 77th Annual Convention in Maui, Hawaii.

Tom Martin Appointed to SMACNA’s Executive Committee, 2021 Legislative Contractor of the Year

SMACNA announced Tom Martin, president of T.H. Martin, Inc., has been elected by the Board of Directors to serve as vice president. Martin’s year-long term in office begins at the close of SMACNA’s 77th Annual Convention in Maui, Hawaii, during which he was also named Legislative Contractor the Year, a distinguished honor given to a contractor in recognition of their exceptional effort and unsurpassed leadership in legislative and political action on behalf of their company, their association, and their industry during the preceding year.

SMACNA Names Ohio Leader John Sindyla as 2021 Chapter Executive of the Year

SMACNA announced John Sindyla, Chief Executive Officer of SMACNA-Cleveland, is this year’s Chapter Executive of the Year. Announced at SMACNA’s 77th Annual Convention in Maui, Hawaii, this special award is given to the person who has made a positive and significant impact on SMACNA as a national association and the local chapter. 

Auburn Mechanical Empowers the Field Through Data Mobility

SMACNA member, Auburn Mechanical, recently talked to Procore about how their fully mobile digital construction management solution puts their voluminous project information literally at the fingertips of craft labor in the field. The mobile, real-time task clarity streamlines processes and reduces risk as a result, and their innovative culture drove success for the whole company.

Improve Body Language in Virtual Settings

Many of our meetings today occur virtually. Our body language in virtual meetings is just as important as it is in in-person meetings.

MCAA, NECA and SMACNA Announce Continued Partnership for MEP Innovation Conference

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), the National Electric Contractors Association (NECA) and SMACNA announced a joint partnership for the second consecutive year leading the annual MEP Innovation Conference, which now has open registration for the in-person January 2022 session.

COVID-19 Vaccine Resources for Contractors

 Collectively and quickly responding to this pandemic is the most important immediate issue we face as an industry. The COVID-19 vaccine is a safe and easily implemented tool now at our disposal to battle the pandemic and return to a normal life at home and on the job. The following resources will help contractors to educate employees and encourage a healthy and vaccinated workforce.

Charities

Welcome New SMACNA Members

Don’t Take the Bait from Phishing Scammers

Phishing emails are sent by scammers to try to gain access to basic information from users. Once they have this, they may be able to infiltrate your email, I.T. network, bank account, or other accounts. Even the use of spam filters may not be enough to catch every phishing email that tries to sneak into your inbox.

Human Dimensions Assessment of Top-Performing Personnel

This study from the New Horizons Foundation identified the human dimensions (personality, emotional intelligence, and behavioral traits) of key job roles within SMACNA contractors. The study uncovered a lot about the top 10% of performers among Project Managers and Field Leaders.

Participate in a New NHF Study on Project Risks

Over the past several years, the project risk environment has become substantially more one-sided and challenging with risk shedding efforts by CMs, GCs, and designers. This alarming and apparent trend has in turn created significant impacts on trade contractors, including SMACNA members.

Avoid Workplace Hazards with Slip, Trip, and Fall Controls

Each year, thousands of workers are injured or disabled as a result of slips, trips, and falls, which may occur anytime, anywhere, or to anyone. These injuries could create long-lasting complications for workers who sustain them, and unfortunately, they are not uncommon occurrences in the workplace — about 20 to 25 percent of all occupational-injury accidents involve slips, trips, and falls.

Contractor Spotlight Video: R.F. Knox Company, Inc.

R.F. Knox Company, Inc. is a fourth-generation straight-line sheet metal business based in Atlanta, Georgia. SMACNA met with Jack Knox, president, and his team about the company’s commercial HVAC work, which makes up 85% of its business.

Webinar: The Steel Pricing Crisis

With the price of steel rising steadily and showing no signs of dropping soon, many contractors are left facing situations where profits on projects are suffering. SMACNA designed this webinar to provide the critical information our members need to come up with practical solutions when facing profit loss due to the current price of steel.

Why Not to Specify the Density of Thermal and Acoustic Duct Insulation Used in HVAC Ductwork

This technical resources bulletin explains the importance of specifying performance parameters for insulation and why not to specify the density of thermal and acoustic duct insulation used in HVAC ductwork.

SMACNA Greater Chicago

SMACNA Greater Chicago provides a common voice in legislative issues and labor relations for contractors involved with HVAC, architectural sheet metal work, roofing, TAB, retrofit and other projects, providing members with the latest training, education, news and services criticall to maintaining their edge in the sheet metal industry.

Contractors Embrace Upfront Strategies for Gaining Efficiency

Steve Otis, virtual design and construction supervisor with mechanical contractor Hermanson Company, offers a unique description of the business of construction.

Design-Build Delivers Best Possible Outcomes

Being an engineer and running a full mechanical contracting company, I appreciate the benefits of bringing together architects or engineers and different trades to discuss projects before they are on the jobsite.

Is an ESOP the Right Succession Plan Option for Your Company?

When planning the succession of your construction company, one of the first questions to ask is ‘How do I envision the company after my ownership exit? If your goal is keeping the company intact — and possibly retaining your leadership position — relinquishing control to a third party is not an option.

Prevailing Wage, Buy American, Energy Efficiency and Labor Standards Efforts

Bills that will benefit energy efficiency and increase SMACNA contractor market opportunities are also under consideration. There is an encouraging amount of focus on federal labor standards favorable to SMACNA members in infrastructure and energy bills. 

The Harder Work: Leading Toward a Preferable Future

Without a compelling vision, leaders often feel they are alone and on their own, the only one pedaling while everyone else is along for the ride. It can be crushing and leads to bitterness and resentment toward employees. 

Welcome New SMACNA Members

New SMACNA members as of June 2021.

HVAC: WSCC’s Summit Expansion a Peak Project for Contractor

The Washington State Convention Center (WSCC), the premier meetings and events facility in the Northwest, is doubling in size with its new Summit building in downtown Seattle. 

5 Ways to Reduce Administrative Burden for Office, Shop and Field Employees

Redundant work, convoluted processes and inefficiencies do more than cause frustration, they waste time and money, ultimately negatively affecting your business’s bottom line. Implementing construction technology to improve operations reduces administrative burden, freeing employees to focus on their key job functions. 

Choosing the Right Metal for Architectural Design

Stainless steel will never corrode or rust. Aluminum is too expensive for many applications. And zinc is quick to deteriorate. L. William “Bill” Zahner III said those beliefs are common among architects and designers in the architectural metals industry. They’re also wrong. 
 

Organizational Adoption of New Technologies: Best Practices for SMACNA Contractors

SMACNA members are eager to adopt new technologies, operational processes, and business strategies. Yet the implementation of organizational change – defined as an intentional, company-level adoption of new practices, technologies, or management approaches – can be extremely difficult. This white paper identifies the top eight most effective technology implementation management practices.

Webinar: Leveraging Technology & Innovation to Gain a Competitive Edge

This exclusive event provided attendees with strategic information that will benefit their companies as they plan future investments in new technology, or in some cases, a full digital transformation.

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.

ENR Specialty Contracting Today: Preparing for the Future

In the article, "Navigating Current Challenges and New Opportunities, " construction and association leaders report new areas of growth, lessons, learned and some concerns as we emerge from the pandemic. SMACNA CEO Vince Sandusky is featured in the article. 

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.