SMACNA Arizona, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association

Industry News

LEAN CONSTRUCTION
SMACNA Arizona, P.I.P.E. and the Arizona Chapter of NECA recently hosted a free seminar on Lean Construction, helping contractors learn more about how to focus on the value they provide to their customers.

Attendees heard presentations designed to foster lean thinking within their companies, including the seven types of waste common to operations; how lean is being used successfully in construction to drive out waste and add value; and the lean techniques to help a company be more competitive.

Pictured are (l-r): executive directors Carl Triphahn of P.I.P.E., Debra Margraf of NECA's Arizona Chapter and Carol Goguen of SMACNA Arizona, along with Doug Pruitt, chairman and CEO of Sundt Construction, a guest speaker at the workshop.

SMACNA ARIZONA CELEBRATES INNOVATION AWARD
SMACNA Arizona, the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association's Arizona chapter, has awarded John Fuller and Jeremy Hand of Q.C. Analytical Services a $1,000 cash prize for winning the 2nd Annual SMACNA Arizona Innovation Award.

The craftsmen were recognized for their innovative approach in finding a cost-effective way to repair and maintain temperature levels for a client's cooling towers.

Entries were judged by a panel from SMACNA Arizona based on the significance of a solution formulated from a given challenge related to the heating, ventilating and air conditioning industry.

Specifically, the award cites Q.C. Analytical Services' development of a solution to the client's cooling towers, which were having problems achieving the desired water temperatures during the hot summer months - a problem called "short cycling." The team decided that the cooling towers needed velocity stacks on top to maintain the temperature, but the stacks were out of the client's price range. Instead, the craftsmen took measurements and collaborated on the design of a new stack that could be built by a local sheet metal shop at a much lower price.

SMACNA Arizona contractors are leaders in the HVAC industry. The organization's technical manuals are the accepted standards for sheet metal and air conditioning and they are constantly striving to update them or publish new editions to move the industry forward in the areas of new applications, new materials, safety and training.

The union contractors who comprise the SMACNA Arizona chapter are dedicated to progressive actions that improve both the trade and the construction industry. SMACNA Arizona is committed to quality work and ensuring quality workers for the future. SMACNA is an international association of union contractors in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry representing 4,500 contributing contractor firms. The organization is focused on upholding the highest standards of quality and excellence in all facets of the sheet metal and air conditioning industry. To demonstrate that commitment, SMACNA Arizona has contributed more than $2.5 million statewide toward skills training and apprenticeships programs.

Bel-Aire Mechanical's Open House
John Sapien, President of Bel-Aire Mechanical and SMACNA Arizona President at his companies open house. Bel-Aire Mechanical recently moved into their new building.

Participants take a tour of Bel-Aire Mechanical during their open house.

LOCAL CONTRACTOR RECEIVE SAFETY EXCELLENCE AWARD

SMACNA Arizona, the Arizona Chapter of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, has announced that University Mechanical of Tempe has won a national 2008 Safety Excellence Award.

University Mechanical was recognized as the safest SMACNA contractor firm nationally in the category of more than 500,000 man-hours worked per year. It is the only Arizona company to be recognized.

The SMACNA Safety Excellence Award Program (SSEAP) is an annual program which enables SMACNA to track the safety history of the industry and recognize members for outstanding safety performance.

The results for the 2008 SSEAP represent over 48 million man-hours worked in the 2007 calendar year. Two hundred thirteen members participated in the 2008 survey with nearly 50 percent responding "online" through the SMACNA website, a significant improvement from previous years.

Of particular note, 65 member companies reported "zero injury incidents". As a group, these 65 companies worked over 5 million man-hours without an OSHA recordable injury or illness.

"This is an exceptional accomplishment that reflects the high level of safety culture and awareness within these organizations," said Carol Goguen, executive director of SMACNA Arizona. "To have one of our contractors win this prestigious award two years in a row demonstrates to the industry that SMACNA Arizona contractors lead the industry through their commitment to safety, along with their professionalism and ongoing training."

SMACNA TO SEND ITS WORKFORCE TO THE MOVIES; VIEWS LABOR DAY AS WAY TO SAY 'THANKS'

SMACNA Arizona, the Arizona chapter of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, will once again send employees of its member companies to the movies as part of the organization's Labor Day celebration.

This marks the ninth consecutive year that all members of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association Local No. 359 have received two tickets to the movies, courtesy of SMACNA Arizona.

"We value the effort our workforce puts forth on a daily basis to ensure that SMACNA Arizona contractors lead the HVAC industry," said Carol Goguen, SMACNA Arizona's executive director. "We recognize how important our highly skilled and trained craftspeople are".

"SMACNA Arizona believes Labor Day is a special time and provides our contractors with an excellent opportunity to recognize our skilled craftspeople and thank them for the work they do day-in and day-out," Goguen continued. SMACNA Arizona is the standard-bearer of the HVAC industry throughout the state.

The organization's technical manuals are the accepted standards for sheet metal and air conditioning and they are constantly striving to update them or publish new editions to move the industry forward in the areas of new applications, new materials, safety and training.

The union contractors who comprise the SMACNA Arizona chapter are dedicated to progressive actions that improve both the trade and the construction industry. All SMACNA Arizona members are signatory contractors of the Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local 359, which ensures that they employ highly trained and skilled craftspeople. Their support of the Phoenix Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program means that a pool of talent will be here in the future.

SMACNA is an international association of union contractors in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry representing 4,500 contributing contractor firms. The organization is committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and excellence in all facets of the sheet metal and air conditioning industry.

SMACNA conducts many programs in Arizona and nationwide that benefit the construction industry. Their inspectors training programs, leadership seminars and resource library are just a few of the assets they offer the industry. SMACNA Arizona has contributed more than $2.5 million statewide toward skills training and apprenticeships programs over the past three years.

STAYING ABREAST OF INDUSTRY TRENDS
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SMACNA ARIZONA AFFIRMS PLEDGE TO ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY'S DEL E. WEBB SCHOOL OF CONSTRUCTION

SMACNA Arizona, the Arizona Chapter of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, is pleased to announce its pledge in the amount of $50,000 to Arizona State University's Del E. Webb School of Construction.

SMACNA Arizona is joined by member contractors Bel-Aire Mechanical, Dynamic Systems, Inc. and University Mechanical in providing support for the construction of an advanced lab for mechanical contracting students.

"SMACNA Arizona holds training and education for our contractors, future and present, in very high regard," said Carol Goguen, executive director of SMACNA Arizona. "We are extremely proud to be a part of a program that aligns with these values and prepares its students to be quality competitors in the construction industry."

The union contractors who comprise the SMACNA Arizona chapter are dedicated to progressive actions that improve both the trade and the construction industry. "I am excited that SMACNA has chosen to make a $50,000 gift toward the building fundraising effort," said James Ernzen Ph.D. P.E., director of the Del E. Webb School of Construction. "Their gift, along with other mechanical contractors, will allow us to build an advanced classroom/laboratory to teach the next generation of leaders for the mechanical contracting industry. This gift shows the level of trust the sub-contracting community has given to our program and I am committed to making the Del E. Webb School of Construction a program they can be proud of."

Arizona State University's Del E. Webb School of Construction is one of 52 accredited construction programs through the American Council for Construction Education and one of two schools of construction in the country. The school's mission is to become a national center for construction education, research and technology transfer, to study innovative technologies for implementation in the construction industry and to promote international relationships.

SMACNA Arizona is committed to quality work and ensuring quality workers for the future. SMACNA is an international association of union contractors in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry representing 4,500 contributing contractor firms. The organization is focused on upholding the highest standards of quality and excellence in all facets of the sheet metal and air conditioning industry. To demonstrate that commitment, SMACNA Arizona has contributed more than $2.5 million statewide toward skills training and apprenticeships programs. �

CAP Military Project

Members of SMACNA Arizona (the Arizona chapter of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association) and Local 359, Sheet Metal Workers International Association, along with their families, show off loads of care packages that they helped put together at a recent volunteer project to aid Arizona soldiers. The items donated by SMACNA Arizona and Local 359 will help dozens of Arizona troops stationed overseas who are in need of everyday products.

SMACNA ARIZONA RECOGNIZES TOP APPRENTICES

The names are from left to right:
Apprentices - Jeremy Hand, Brandon Volopich, Roy Elliston, Daniel Narvaez and Marcus Mirelez. Also pictured are John Sapien, President of SMACNA Arizona and SMACNA Arizona Trustees Terry Flood, Carlos Ramirez and Darrell Fox.

SMACNA Arizona (the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association's Arizona Chapter) has honored five skilled craftsmen with its annual Apprenticeship Award.

The 2007 award winners are first-year apprentice Jeremy Hand of Q.C. Analytical Services, second-year apprentice Brandon Volopich of Kinetics, third-year apprentice Roy Elliston of Dynamic Systems Inc., fourth-year apprentice Daniel Narvaez of Boyer Metal Company and fifth-year apprentice Marcus Mirelez of Bel-Aire Mechanical Inc.

The apprentices were selected by the Phoenix Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) from nearly 150 current students, based on the input of instructors and evaluations submitted by their worksite foremen. The apprentices were recognized for their leadership, willingness to help others, ability to work through problems and other practical skills.

SMACNA Arizona, which supports the JATC, is committed to quality work and ensuring quality workers for the future. SMACNA is an international association of union contractors in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry representing 4,500 contributing contractor firms. The organization is focused on upholding the highest standards of quality and excellence in all facets of the sheet metal and air conditioning industry. To demonstrate that commitment, SMACNA Arizona has contributed more than $2.5 million statewide toward skills training and apprenticeships programs. For more information on SMACNA Arizona, call (602) 734-0214. For more information on the JATC, call (602) 275-6511.

TWO LOCAL CONTRACTOR FIRMS RECEIVE SAFETY EXCELLENCE AWARDS

SMACNA Arizona, the Arizona Chapter of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association, has announced that University Mechanical of Tempe and Metro Mechanical Inc. of Phoenix are recipients 2007 Safety Excellence Awards.

SAFETY EXCELLENCE -- (left) Dick Cramer, past president of SMACNA (the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association), presents Dominic Caminiti of University Mechanical with a national safety award.

University Mechanical was recognized as the safest SMACNA contractor firm nationally in the category of more than 500,000 man-hours worked per year. In the category for 300,001 to 400,000 man-hours worked, Metro Mechanical Inc. came in second place. They are the only Arizona companies to be recognized.

The SMACNA Safety Excellence Award Program is an annual program which enables SMACNA to track the safety history of the industry and recognize members for outstanding safety performance. Although reported man-hours increased from last year's survey results, the number of reported incidents and lost workdays decreased. In the latest SMACNA Safety Statistics Profile, comprised of data for 2006, the average incidence rate declined to its lowest level since the Occupational Safety and Health Administration revised the reporting requirements in 2004.

"To have two SMACNA Arizona companies receive such prestigious awards speaks well to the professionalism, training and commitment to safety that SMACNA contractors have," said Carol Goguen, executive director of SMACNA Arizona. SMACNA is an international association of union contractors in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry representing 2,000 contributing contractor firms. The organization is committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and excellence in all facets of the sheet metal and air conditioning industry. To reach this goal, SMACNA Arizona has contributed more than $2.5 million statewide toward skills training and apprenticeships programs over the past three years.

TOPS IN ARIZONA
SMACNA Arizona (the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association's Arizona Chapter) recently honored five skilled craftsmen with its annual Apprenticeship Award.

The award winners are (l-r): first-year apprentice Kenneth Finkle of Bel-Aire Mechanical, second-year apprentice Frank Figarelli of Kinetics, third-year apprentice Pablo Trigueros of Metro Mechanical, Inc., fourth-year apprentice Corey Degenstein of Accu Duct, and fifth-year apprentice Alan Lomayesva of Boyer Metal Company.

Recognizing winners were SMACNA Arizona's board of trustees: Carlos Ramirez of Ramirez Mechanical, John Sapien of Bel-Aire Mechanical, Nick Ganem of Metro Mechanical, Inc., Terry Flood of Q.C. Analytical Services, and Kathy Kingsland of Kinetics and president of SMACNA Arizona's board of trustees.

Apprentices were selected by the Phoenix Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) from nearly 150 current students, based on the input of instructors and evaluations submitted by their worksite foremen. The apprentices were recognized for their leadership, willingness to help others, ability to work through problems and other practical skills. SMACNA Arizona, which supports the JATC, is committed to quality work and ensuring quality workers for the future. SMACNA is an international association of union contractors in the sheet metal and air conditioning industry representing 4,500 contributing contractor firms.

The organization is focused on upholding the highest standards of quality and excellence in all facets of the sheet metal and air conditioning industry. To demonstrate that commitment, SMACNA Arizona has contributed more than $2.5 million statewide toward skills training and apprenticeships programs. For more information on SMACNA Arizona, call (602) 734-0214. For more information on the JATC, call (602) 275-6511.

SMACNA ARIZONA'S COOL AIR PROJECT

SMACNA Arizona (The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association, Arizona Chapter) visited Urban League Manor with box fans for residents of the senior center. SMACNA Arizona donated 100 fans to the Area Agency on Aging, for distribution throughout Maricopa County to seniors in need. The effort is part of SMACNA Arizona's annual Cool Air Project.

Pictured are: (l-r) Coleen Neely, case manager for Maricopa County's Senior Adult Independent Living Program; Laraine Stewart, chief operating officer, Area Agency on Aging; fan recipients (seated) Delores Crowder, Annie Eliserio and (seated) Lorine Cardwell; Carol Goguen, executive director, SMACNA Arizona; Kathy Kingsland of Kinetic Systems, Inc. and SMACNA Arizona's president; and Nick Ganem of Metro Mechanical and a member of SMACNA Arizona's board of trustees.

As leaders in the HVAC industry, SMACNA Arizona contractors helping needy seniors stay cool during the hot summer months is something member companies do on a daily basis, whether they are working on major commercial air conditioning units at businesses, hospitals or other facilities. The expertise of SMACNA Arizona contractors ensures the comfort and safety of workers and residents throughout the state. For more information, call (602) 734-0124 or visit www.smacna-az.org.

SMACNA ARIZONA PLANS FOR FUTURE

SMACNA Arizona, the Arizona chapter of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association, recently held meetings to review and adjust the organization's strategic plan.

Members of the SMACNA Arizona board of trustees, (l-r) Kathy Kingsland of Kinetic Systems; Terry Flood of Terry Flood of Q.C. Analytical Services; John Sapien of Bel-Aire Mechanical, Inc.; Nick Ganem of Metro Mechanical, Inc.; and Carlos Ramirez of Ramirez Mechanical Systems, Inc., all participated in the session.

In addition, participants not pictured included: Lou Maple and George Sapien of the Phoenix Sheet Metal Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee; Tom Morrison and Dan Chacon of Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Local Union No. 359; Darrell Fox of Dynamic Systems, Inc.; Jim Dinan of Bel-Aire Mechanical, Inc.; Regina Ramirez of Ramirez Mechanical Systems, Inc.; and Carol Goguen, executive director of SMACNA Arizona.

The group addressed topics such as expanding marketshare, promoting the SMACNA Arizona image, improving contractor performance and other organizational goals designed to further position SMACNA Arizona contractors as leaders in the HVAC industry.

Archived News

2002 - JATC Inaugural Apprenticeship Award

2003 - JATC Second Annual Apprenticeship Award

2004 - SMACNA Night at the Glendale Arena

2004 - SMACNA CONTRACTORS ARE "FAN"TASTIC

2004 - TOPS IN ARIZONA

2004 - AWARD-WINNING PROJECTS

2006 - JATC Annual Apprenticeship Award

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