Cover Story The Robotics Revolution The first time Kansas City-based A. Zahner Company used robotics on one of its architectural metal work projects came nearly 10 years ago. The design of a high-end condominium building in New York included 300 stainless steel panels that measured two feet deep by four feet tall by 16 feet long. More
Architectural Fabricating Angled Panels for Missouri Innovation Campus When the University of Central Missouri partnered with local schools to build the new Missouri Innovation Campus (MIC), they wanted to create a distinctive building design that encompassed “innovation” to showcase the new educational program. More
HVAC Central Consolidated Delivers Hospital Air Handler Project Hospitals have unique indoor air quality needs. Air flow, pressure, temperature, and humidity are all closely monitored, therefore HVAC equipment selection and installation needs fall under extreme scrutiny. More
Residential Contractors Stay Sharp with Residential Comfort Systems Manuals When staff members at Centraire Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. refer to the technical aspects of the HVAC systems they’re selling, they turn to SMACNA’s Residential Comfort Systems Installation Standards Manual. More
Industrial Renick Bros. Installs Duct for Steamfitters Training Center Since it opened, the Steamfitters UA Local 449 training center has been cited by the Pennsylvania governor’s office as an excellent example of the kind of skilled training programs the Keystone State needs to meet the required skills of today’s employers. More
From the President: Embracing Technology to Improve Work and Lives Technology. It’s a topic that generates strong emotions ranging from excitement to worry to fear in the sheet metal industry. It evokes questions about keeping pace, affordability, return on investment, and manhour impacts. More
How to Weather Disasters: Advice from Contractors Who Survived Them Randy Novak will never forget the afternoon that he received a call telling him that power was being shut off at the building where his family-owned HVAC company had operated for five decades. More
Capitol Hill Update: “Pre-Apprenticeships to Hardhats Act,” Would Have DOL Fund Pre-Apprentice Programs Rep. Donald Norcross (D-1st-NJ) recently introduced the bill “Pre-Apprenticeships to Hardhats Act,” to direct the U.S. Secretary of Labor to support development of pre-apprenticeship programs in building and construction that serve underrepresented populations. More
Pennsylvania State Sen. Reschenthaler Learns about Lean Manufacturing Senator Guy Reschenthaler (R-37th District-Pennsylvania State Senate), a candidate for Pennsylvania's newly created 14th Congressional District, learned how SMACNA associate member Ductmate Inc. designs and fabricates their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment during a recent visit. More
Federal Contracting: It’s Not That Different Federal contracting attorney Edward DeLisle will share his methods for getting government contracts for members who are considering or actively pursuing public work during What You Need to Know When Contracting with the Federal Government at SMACNA’s 75th Annual Convention in San Diego, Tuesday, Oct. 16. More
Federal Contractors Must Certify EEO Compliance The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is planning to target federal contractors for audits if they don’t certify their Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) compliance to the government, according to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFFCP). More
Soldering On: ITI Offers Certification Through JATCs A renewed interest in soldering certifications has prompted focus on the soldering curriculum offered to SMART members by the International Training Institute (ITI). The ITI provides soldering certifications to workers through their local joint apprenticeship training centers (JATCs). More
SMACNA and AMCA Partnership Highlights Ducted Air Systems SMACNA is joining forces with the Air Movement Control Association (AMCA) to embark on educating HVAC&R industry professionals on the benefits of ducted air systems. More
CAL SMACNA Addresses Worker-Friendly Climate Change The California Association of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors (CAL SMACNA) was recently invited to discuss how workers can be key beneficiaries of the green economy during a conference on Labor in the Climate Transition at the University of California, Berkeley in September. More
SMACNA’s Technical University Provides Value to Contractors Contractors will study the newest apps and key technical standards during SMACNA’s upcoming slate of Technical Universities this year. SMACNA’s Technical Universities are scheduled to come to Boston, Massachusetts, on October 24-25; Detroit, Michigan, on October 29-30; and Salt Lake City, Utah, on January 10-11. More