Chapter Spotlight: SMACNA Detroit - America’s Comeback City

Projects such as the $1.5 billion, 49-story Hudson’s Detroit mixed-use complex represent the city’s future, while historic restorations of the 113-year-old Michigan Central Station acknowledge its storied past. 

Having a major role in many of these landmark projects are the members of SMACNA Detroit. Representing about 75 union companies, the association’s sheet metal contractors have been involved in some of the largest and most complicated commercial and industrial HVAC projects in southeastern Michigan, along with high-profile architectural work. From advanced manufacturing to critical air quality in health care facilities, SMACNA Detroit members regularly tackle high-performance projects.

Mark Saba, SMACNA Detroit’s Executive Director, says the 63-year-old chapter’s members have a long history of delivering for demanding clients. As the home of the U.S. auto industry, metro Detroit has numerous car plants and research facilities. And SMACNA Detroit members have worked on many of them. That work often encompasses installing large-scale duct systems and HVAC equipment that can handle strict ventilation requirements. 

“We were involved in a lot of industrial work for General Motors and Chrysler (Stellantis), which I’m very proud of,” he says. “Plus, hospital expansion work, especially at the University of Michigan. These hospitals are getting more involved, more technical, and I’m glad we’re part of building these hospitals from the ground up.”

When he talks about SMACNA Detroit, Saba often mentions SMART Local 80, which represents the sheet metal workers SMACNA Detroit members employ. Saba knows a lot about both. A former journeyman sheet metal worker, business agent and manager, in 2017 Saba retired from Local 80 and applied to become SMACNA Detroit’s executive director. 

“I get to see both sides,” he says. “And what I pushed in Local 80 as business manager was ‘together we do it better.’ We have to work together. I never swayed from that. And when I came over to management, I had that same attitude. I think that’s the insight I have — to help both sides to understand where each is coming from.”

When asked to pick a word that describes SMACNA Detroit, Saba doesn’t hesitate. “Dedication,” he says. “One example is working with SMACNA National to bring in expert speakers like Technical Director Eli Howard — not only for our apprentices but also for our journeymen and owners. I think that goes a long way to show that we care about this industry, and we’re going to do whatever it takes to keep this industry strong in the future.” 

Saba suggests other chapter representatives visit the city to see some of SMACNA Detroit’s members’ work. “If you ever get a chance to tour downtown Detroit, all the architectural details you see on some of these buildings — the steeples, the towers — that’s done by one of our architectural contractors, Glenn Parvin, who sits on the SMACNA board and works for CASS Sheet Metal,” he says.  

Like Parvin, the members of SMACNA Detroit and Local 80 are very giving, Saba adds. “It’s amazing how some of the Local 80 contractors and retirees will step up and go to work,” he says.

As the Motor City continues down its comeback path, Saba says that generous spirit will continue to propel the city  and SMACNA Detroit forward.  

Bryce Barler, Operations Manager at Southland Industries; Chris Gourley, Special Projects Director at Hermanson Co.; and Guy Gast, Former President of The Waldinger Corp., discuss how they created HVAC and sheet metal internships at their businesses.

Mark Saba, SMACNA Detroit’s Executive Director.