SMACNA CONTRACTORS BASK IN GLOW OF AWARD-WINNING PROJECTS

Three SMACNA Arizona (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association) contractors have been recognized for their work on some of the state's top projects during 2004.

University Mechanical and Engineering Contractors, Inc., Thomas Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. and Bel-Aire Mechanical, Inc. were recognized by Southwest Contractor's "Arizona Best of 2004" for their work on three different projects. University Mechanical was part of the team that completed the Banner Estrella Medical Center, the publication's "Best of 2004, Private, Over $5 million." DPR Construction Inc. was the general contractor on the seven-floor, 453,000-square-foot hospital, located in west Phoenix.

University Mechanical successfully completed the installation of the total mechanical, plumbing, and medical gas packages at the new state-of-the-art hospital. The firm was a key participant in the "Design Assist" process of this project and worked closely with the design engineer, general contractor, and other key subcontractors to successfully install over 750,000 pounds of sheet metal in the highly congested and technical environment that exists at today's hospitals.

Thomas Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. worked on the Express Scripts warehouse, office and manufacturing facilities, recognized as Southwest Contractor's "Best of 2004 Interior Project Under $5 million." hardison downey served as the general contractor on the 93,000-square-foot building, which features 16,000 square feet of office space and 77,000 square feet of production space. Thomas Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. installed a complete mechanical system consisting of rooftop package units that serve office, pharmacy, packaging and shipping areas. This project was an existing shell space and was a fast-track project.

Bel-Aire Mechanical, Inc. was cited for its work on the $25 million Arizona State University Foundation in Tempe. McCarthy Building Cos. was the general contractor on the project, selected as Southwest Contractor's "Best of 2004 Steel Project." The project included a six-story office building and a 1,200-space parking garage on a 3-1/2 acre space.

Bel-Aire Mechanical, Inc. installed six large capacity air handlers with energy efficient adjustable motor speed controllers to assist in future Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification, or "Green Building" classification. Also as part of the project, Bel-Aire Mechanical, Inc. tied into A.S.U.'s existing chilled water piping loop within the campus' subterranean service tunnel that required seamless energy shutdowns without disrupting normal campus operations.

"Top projects like this showcase the craftsmanship and quality that SMACNA Arizona's union contractors demonstrate on a daily basis," said Carol Goguen, SMACNA Arizona's executive director. "To have a role in constructing three of Southwest Contractor's best projects for 2004 is certainly a reflection on what SMACNA Arizona contractors stand for - and we're proud of these accomplishments."

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.

For more information on SMACNA Arizona, visit www.smacna-az.org or call (602) 734-0214.

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2004 - AWARD-WINNING PROJECTS

2005 - JATC Annual Apprenticeship Award

2006 - JATC Annual Apprenticeship Award

2007 - JATC Annual Apprenticeship Award

2008 - JATC Annual Apprenticeship Award