Sheet Metal Workers

In the Blink of an Eye: Rethinking Safety and Priorities in the Trades

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:04:44 -0400

A personal story about an unexpected accident sparks a call for urgency, self-care, and greater support for skilled tradespeople facing physical and mental health risks.

Judge Dismisses Federal Charges Against Deported Sheet Metal Worker

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 09:56:49 -0400

A federal judge dismissed all criminal charges against deported sheet metal worker Kilmar Abrego Garcia, but despite his courtroom victory, Abrego Garcia’s status remains unresolved.

Competing Political Pitches to the HVAC Industry

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 28 May 2026 12:56:15 -0400

Democrats and Republicans deliver contrasting strategies for winning midterms, while Rep. Don Bacon’s delivers a fond farewell to the sheet metal industry as he prepares to enter retirement.

America’s Steel Boom Moves Below the Mason-Dixon

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 13 May 2026 12:18:28 -0400

A clash over trade policy underscores a broader shift as new mills, migration, and infrastructure investment redraw the map of U.S. steel production.

How a Pension Crisis Sparked Congressional Action: Lessons from the Experts

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Mon, 11 May 2026 15:14:11 -0400

A behind-the-scenes look at how the looming collapse of union pensions, amplified by the COVID-19 crisis, forced Congress to deliver sweeping rescue legislation after years of gridlock.

From Prefab to HVAC: The Tennessee Titans’ Stadium

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 08:56:31 -0400

The Tennessee Titans’ stadium features oversized HVAC systems, extensive grease ductwork, and unique framing challenges to support continuous operation of kitchens, bars, and outdoor terraces throughout the year.

Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s Tenure as Labor Secretary Ends Amid Scandals and Political Turmoil

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:27:13 -0400

Once hailed as a bridge-builder for skilled trades, Chavez-DeRemer’s tenure ended amid misconduct investigations and leadership upheaval, leaving HVAC and sheet metal contractors wondering what’s next.

Historic Tacoma School Goes All-Electric in $7.8M Retrofit, Setting New Standard for Energy Upgrades

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:36:20 -0400

A century-old Tacoma school has been fully electrified and modernized in a $7.8 million upgrade, balancing historic preservation with cutting-edge energy efficiency.

Plumbing’s Hidden Miracle: Why Savvy Contractors are Betting on the Most Urgent Trade

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:26:14 -0400

Plumbing’s urgent, round-the-clock nature makes it a uniquely steady and profitable growth engine for contractors.

Construction Stands Out While Most Sectors Shrink, But HVAC Contractors Face Labor Crunch

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:38:26 -0400

Despite widespread job losses across most industries, the construction sector continues to add jobs and boost wages, leaving HVAC contractors in fierce competition for skilled workers amid rising costs.

Chris Krumpfer: Tinkerer, Trailblazer, and the Relentless ICON of Bonland

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:48:43 -0400

A hands-on leader whose ingenuity, adaptability, and dedication have shaped shop floors and set new standards across the sheet metal industry. He is SNIPS NEWS' latest Industry ICON.

State of the Union Draws Starkly Opposed Reactions from Construction Powerhouses

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:06:50 -0500

Construction industry giants clash over Trump’s State of the Union, exposing deep divides between merit shop leaders and organized labor on jobs, wages, and the future of the workforce.

Construction Job Growth Driven by Nonresidential Trades as Unions Expand Workforce

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:59:21 -0500

Construction employment jumped in January, yet industry leaders warn that future growth relies on stable investment and policy support.

How Energy Monetization and AI Are Reshaping America’s Service Industry

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:36:20 -0500

Walking into your favorite gym or restaurant feels effortless, but behind that comfort, a quiet tech revolution is reshaping how America keeps the lights on and the air cool – saving owners money without you ever noticing a thing.

SPIDA’s New Chapter: Learning Year-Round, Together

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 12:12:42 -0500

SPIDA’s new quarterly webinars are connecting members year-round with real-world tools, business strategies, and culture-building insights. Here's a report of the first three sessions from the spiral duct association.

Data Center Demand, Immigration Crackdowns, and AI Shape a Mixed Outlook for Construction in 2026

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 12:53:35 -0500

While margins are compressed and contractors are still chasing fewer projects, there’s hope that long-stalled developments are finally moving forward.

One Year Review: Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s Trade Surge

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 10:06:45 -0500

U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer recapped her first year leading efforts to expand skilled trades apprenticeships and more.

Alaska Contractor Sues Over PLA Requirements with Supreme Court Ambition

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:25:54 -0500

Dive into a comprehensive year-end wrap-up on the battle over project labor agreements (PLAs), as groups like Associated Builders and Contractors and Pacific Legal Foundation score new wins in the courtroom for non-union contractors bidding federal work.

How Contractors Can Lead Air Quality Improvement in Schools

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 12:16:10 -0500

A wave of groundbreaking research in Colorado is revealing how targeted measurement and interventions can transform air quality in schools, reduce illness, and help every child breathe easier.

Modular Data Centers and AI: Essential Insights for MEP Professionals

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 10:12:08 -0500

The explosive growth of AI is driving a fundamental overhaul of data center design, pushing MEP professionals to shift design strategies for clients.

Leadership, Innovation, and Compassion Take Center Stage at 2025 SMACNA Awards

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:06:31 -0500

Seattle’s B.J. Giri and Kansas-based P1 Construction both earn national distinction from SMACNA, highlighting remarkable contributions in leadership, workforce development, and jobsite safety.

How the Sheet Metal Industry is Responding to the Data Center Boom

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 06 Nov 2025 22:29:45 -0500

A look at how soaring private-sector investment in data centers is both fueling opportunity and compounding risk, as contractors battle international trade shocks and rising energy prices.

Chicago’s New TAB Lab Expands Access, Sets Gold Standard for Sheet Metal Workforce

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:10:02 -0400

As new factories and data centers fuel a surge in construction, Chicago’s Local 73 opens a state-of-the-art TAB lab to train and certify the next generation of HVAC specialists – and help close a critical skills gap in the sheet metal industry.

California Contractors Get Long-Awaited Change Order Relief as Newsom Signs Landmark Reform Bill

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 08:00:43 -0400

If you’re a sheet metal contractor working in California, change order payment just got a whole lot fairer (and faster).

DOE Cuts Clean Energy Spending, Impacting Sheet Metal Jobs Tied to Megaprojects

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 12:38:18 -0400

A report on how recent federal funding cuts to hydrogen hubs and other clean energy megaprojects are putting sheet metal jobs at risk, with union leaders and state officials warning of job losses and calling for urgent policy action.

Insulation’s Moment: Safety, Predictability, and the New Demands on HVAC Systems

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 11:05:39 -0400

As buildings strive for aggressive decarbonization, insulation has emerged as a critical – yet often overlooked – element in HVAC performance.

Grizzly MEP Enters Mid-Atlantic With Excel Mechanical, Eyes Tech and Federal Growth

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 10:40:01 -0400

Grizzly’s latest acquisition of Excel Mechanical marks a bold move into mission-critical federal markets, marrying national resources with proven local know-how.

Naloxone Cabinets Help Union Sheet Metal Workers Save Lives

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 12:34:34 -0400

SMOHIT is equipping union sheet metal halls and training centers across the U.S. and Canada with naloxone kits.

Eaton Worker’s Federal Complaint Sheds Light on Union Fee Threats in St. Louis

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:33:12 -0400

Workers at Eaton’s IAM union plant face illegal “reinstatement fees” after resigning during a strike, sparking a federal complaint and highlighting ongoing disputes over union transparency and worker rights.

Florida Sheet Metal Workers Face Pay Cuts After Federal Wage Rate Shift

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:11:04 -0400

The Labor Department’s new wage rule means thousands of skilled workers at Florida’s major federal sites will see steep pay cuts, with unions warning of weakened bargaining power and lower area standards.