SMACNA National Visits SMCA

Representatives from SMACNA National visited SMCA (Philadelphia, PA) to gain a deeper understanding of some of the ongoing industry developments in the Philadelphia area. Laurie Greene and Seth Lennon met with SMCA Chapter Executive Pete Jenkins, Events Director Trish Casey, and Communications Director Julie Frieswyk, who provided detailed information about some of the developments within the area, including business lines and workforce development.

Next, we had a visit with Gary Luthe, SMCA President, at his shop in Cherry Hill, NJ. Luthe toured the shop with the group and touched on many of the critical points that Jenkins had detailed earlier, as well as providing some key historical perspective on how the area has developed to its current state and some of the challenges and opportunities it confronts. He also took the moment to share the family-oriented nature of Luthe Sheet Metal, noting that several members of the Luthe family are involved in the company's day-to-day operations.

Finally, the group got a tour of Sheet Metal Local 19’s training center in Philadelphia. The team was joined by Jen Lohr, Vice President at Fisher Balancing, and by Donald Smith, Jr., Training Coordinator with Local 19, who led the group around the facility.  The tour was highlighted by a sneak peek of the JATC’s ongoing remodel of their TAB training facility, an effort that, once complete, will enable state-of-the-art training for sheet metal workers in this ever increasingly important area.

SMACNA is interested in hearing from our chapters about their story and welcomes any opportunity to collaborate. If your chapter is interested, don't hesitate to get in touch with Laurie Greene.