Cover Story Virtual Design and Construction: Visualizing and Designing a Better Building Streamlining the process of designing building projects, virtual design and construction not only provides a greater sense of collaboration and common purpose among collaborators, it builds trust, improves communication, and simplifies information-sharing between stakeholders. More
Architectural Architectural: New ITI Strike Force Wall Paneling Training Makes Major Projects Possible The International Training Institute’s Strike Force training delivers tailored instruction to increase craftspersons skill levels on the double. More
HVAC Powering Up the Historic Power and Light Building MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions met a tight deadline to upgrade Portland, Oregon’s iconic Power and Light Building More
Residential The Beauty of Maintenance Programs and Why Contractors Should Offer Them Planned maintenance agreement programs provide a big bonus---work and steady cash flow year-round. More
Industrial Hawaii Hotel Co-gen Plant Produces Electricity From Waste Heat Letting nothing go to waste, a co-generation plant is producing electricity for one of the finest hotels in Waikiki. More
CEA National Issues Conference: Doing Nothing is Not an Option! The annual CEA National Issues Conference, May 8-10, in Washington, D.C., brought together an impressive group of legislators, policy experts, and contractors to share opinions and strategies on multiemployer pension plans, infrastructure investment, paid family and sick leave, energy efficiency, tax reform, and more. More
Capitol Hill Update: SMACNA Endorses and Urges Action on Master Limited Partnership Parity Act The recently introduced Master Limited Partnership Parity Act would level the playing field for energy-efficient facility rehabilitation and renewable and clean-energy technology. More
President's Column: The "Super Bowl" Event of the Year SMACNA’s Annual Convention is a game-changer for me because it takes me out of my daily routine and opens my eyes to new opportunities while motivating me to focus on the future. More
“Focus on What’s Important” SMACNA Board Member: James M. Morgan of Ashland, Massachusetts When SMACNA Board member James M. Morgan, president and CEO of Worcester Air Conditioning LLC, Ashland, Mass., bought the company ten years ago, he had little experience in construction, but plenty of experience as a successful entrepreneur. With a history of running several businesses, he credits the technical expertise of his staff with helping make his transition to construction a success. More
SMACNA Adds Senior Project Manager Patrick J. Brooks, MBA, PE, new senior project manager with SMACNA’s Technical Resources Department, brings more than 30 years of industry experience to SMACNA National. With his extensive knowledge, Brooks is an exceptional resource for SMACNA members and staff. More
Becoming a Person of Influence with New Advanced Project Managers Institute SMACNA’s new Advanced Project Managers Institute is being held in Raleigh, N.C., this October. The course takes project managers beyond the basics and helps them learn how to proactively lead others, work from their personal strengths, manage productivity, and resolve project issues more effectively. More
Members: Have a Say in SMACNA’s Economic Response Plan SMACNA is requesting that members share their thoughts and experiences by July 27 with their chapter executives on what labor and management need to work on together, so the industry can survive and thrive during challenging economic times. More
Executive Leadership Development Program is Developing Future SMACNA Stars Industry executives and business owners from around the country learned how leaders can effect meaningful change in their organizations during SMACNA’s recent Executive Leadership Development Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. More
Know How to Protect Your Workers from Falling By law, employers must set up their work places to prevent employees from falling off platforms, ladders, and elevated work stations or into holes in floors and walls. More
Financial Boot Camp: Taking the Mystery Out of Financials “I try to take a lot of the mystery out of the financial process, so attendees can play with financial information, and really make it work for them.” said John Murdough, CPA, MBA. More
Business Insurance for Contractors SMACNews asked Federated Insurance National Account Executive Jack West how they can meet SMACNA members’ business insurance and risk management needs. More
Meets with...Rep. Dave Loebsack of Iowa Paul Elgatian (right), executive director of the llowa Sheet Metal Contractors Association, discussed issues facing the construction industry with Rep. Dave Loebsack (D-2nd-Iowa) at a meeting on Capitol Hill during the CEA National Issues Conference in Washington, D.C. More