Columns

Contractor Bets on a Tertiary Market, Wins Big with New Mattoon Rural King HQ

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Davis-Houk Mechanical, a union shop rooted in Coles County, has landed the full design-build contract for the retailer’s new three-building Store Support Center, now under construction and slated for completion by 2028.

Mechanical Matters: Why the Machines Keeping Patients Safe Are Being Left Behind

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:35:11 -0400

While hospitals race to adopt clinical technology, most still rely on mechanical infrastructure – like boilers and HVAC systems – that’s decades past its prime, quietly threatening patient safety and infection control.

Nippon Steel’s $2.5 Billion Gamble on Mon Valley: Resetting the Sheet Metal Supply Chain

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 16:39:56 -0400

An investment by Nippon Steel is reviving U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works: tighter tolerances and higher-value steel grades will mean less waste, better formability, and more durable end products for contractors.

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.

Chamber Clears Up Tariff Refunds and More at SMACNA Conference

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 28 May 2026 12:58:00 -0400

Sheet metal contractors hoping for relief from the recent Supreme Court-mandated tariff refunds are likely to be disappointed: Unless you are the importer of record, you will not see a direct payout or price break.

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.

Construction Cost Surge Accelerates Nationwide, Squeezing HVAC Contractors

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Fri, 15 May 2026 13:22:55 -0400

Construction input costs are rising at the fastest pace in years – fueled by a global energy shock, metal tariffs, and escalating transportation expenses – putting contractors under pressure.

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.

Inside Kingspan’s All-Electric HQ: How Innovation Drives Sustainability in Commercial Construction

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Fri, 08 May 2026 08:43:18 -0400

Kingspan’s new Florida headquarters redefines high-performance building with all-electric HVAC systems, advanced envelope technologies, and a focus on circularity.

A New Home, A Brighter Future: Anne Carlsen Center Unveils Vibrant, Custom Facility

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:20:48 -0400

The Anne Carlsen Center’s new building combines comprehensive therapeutic services with a playful, colorful design that stands out against North Dakota’s winter landscape.

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.

Experts Weigh Cost, Codes, and the Future of HRVs/ERVs

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:43:54 -0400

AHR Expo experts discuss the evolving role of HRVs and ERVs in home ventilation, focusing on cost, energy codes, and practical challenges for builders and homeowners.

'Dr. Copper' Flashing Mixed Signals for Contractors

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 07:57:41 -0400

Copper prices, after soaring to historic highs, are now sliding back as economic uncertainty and cooling construction demand take hold.

Free Cooling Isn’t Free: Lessons From Operating at the Edge of Climate Extremes

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 11:13:15 -0400

A practical look at what it really takes to deploy free cooling in data centers facing extreme temperatures, from misconceptions to hidden costs and lessons learned.

Sustainable Stadiums: How U.S. Sports Venues Are Rewriting the Playbook on Environmental Impact

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:01:31 -0400

New index reveals how sports venues are adopting data-driven sustainability practices, with special implications for HVAC and sheet metal contractors as more facilities move to year-round operations.

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.

Colorado’s New Emissions Law Leaves Residential Water Heater Market Scrambling

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:20:46 -0400

Colorado’s 2026 clean air law, while reducing pollution, inadvertently sidelines propane water heater users, sparking urgent calls for legislative relief.

Tariffs and Supply Woes Drive Metal Prices Higher, Squeezing U.S. Construction Industry

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 15:38:35 -0500

Contractors face rising input prices and shrinking project pipelines, with industry leaders warning that uncertainty over trade policy and federal funding could stall growth.

State of the SMACNA Chapters: Navigating Change with Tradition and Innovation

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:42:06 -0500

SNIPS NEWS speaks with five chapter executives from across the country for a Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) chapter checkup.

Supreme Court Tariff Ruling Brings Some Clarity, But Metal Tariffs Still Haunt Contractors

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:20:11 -0500

With core metal tariffs untouched and refund rules unresolved, contractors face ongoing price volatility and risk – making federal project bidding as unpredictable as ever.

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.

Mike Kelly on Duct Leakage, Craftsmanship, and the Invisible Costs of Air

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 12:23:17 -0500

A veteran HVAC expert argues that invisible duct leaks cost owners far more than they realize – and that better craftsmanship and stricter standards can pay off for decades.

Small Moves, Big Impact: Strategic Facility Upgrades That Strengthen K-12 Learning Environments

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 10:38:27 -0500

School leaders can improve student outcomes, save on energy, and reduce long-term costs by focusing on strategic upgrades and data-driven decision-making.

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.

Copper Rockets to New Highs, Again

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 07:00:40 -0500

A perfect storm of South American mine disruptions, domestic hoarding, explosive demand from electrification and data centers, and new U.S. tariffs have driven copper inventories to historic lows, igniting an end-of-year price surge.

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 Cloud and AI Are Rewiring Building Efficiency

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 09:57:00 -0500

Explore how advances in cloud-based automation, open protocols, and AI-driven controls are redefining HVAC operations and demand response participation, offering contractors new ways to deliver value in an evolving energy landscape.

Fed Rate Cut and End of Tightening Signal New Era for HVAC Contractors and Sheet Metal Fabricators

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:16:39 -0400

The Federal Reserve’s rate cut and new policy stance bring both relief and fresh challenges for HVAC and sheet metal firms navigating surging tariffs, shifting demand, and economic uncertainty.