Sheet Metal Machinery

Tariff Relief for HVAC? Contractors Still Waiting for the Rulebook

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:46:58 -0400

A new Trump administration policy lowers tariffs on some HVAC equipment, but leaves contractors confused as complicated new rules and eligibility requirements take effect.

Construction Jobs Grow in May, Driven by Data Center Boom but Facing Potential Headwinds

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:16:05 -0400

U.S. construction employment rose by 17,000 jobs in May, driven by demand for nonresidential projects such as data centers, though economists say future gains could be hampered by policy risks and economic headwinds.

Levelers vs. Straighteners: What Sheet Metal Contractors Need to Know

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:38:33 -0400

Coil straighteners tackle coil set and crossbow, but only levelers can deliver premium flatness by correcting length variations like edge wave and center buckle.

Rethinking Prefab: Why 90% Efficiency Isn’t Good Enough

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:25:27 -0400

Forget what you’ve heard about prefab being the silver bullet: Tom Santos argues the real gains in construction efficiency come from rethinking the messy, human processes upstream.

Inside the Hill Group’s Sheet Metal Playbook: Data, Tech, and Advice

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:23:44 -0400

At SMACNA Fab Forum, The Hill Group shared how data, technology, and hard-earned lessons are reshaping estimating, fabrication, and field operations.

Trump’s Section 232 Tariff Shake-Up Raises Costs, Uncertainty

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:02:21 -0400

President Trump’s recalibration of Section 232 tariffs is driving up costs and deepening uncertainty for U.S. contractors, with industry voices warning that relief is still out of reach.

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.

How Digital Tools Are Transforming HVAC, Sheet Metal Contracting

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:27:58 -0500

Sheet metal contractors are rewriting the rules, as companies like Hermanson and shops around the world use real-time digital workflows, and automation to make fabrication faster and more collaborative.

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 Advances in Prefabrication Are Changing Mechanical Project Delivery

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 11:02:52 -0500

Prefabrication is now at the center of project planning – helping contractors overcome labor shortages, boost quality, and speed up schedules.

Hamlin Sheet Metal Solves Heavy-Duty Duct Insulation with Spiracoustic Plus

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 12:08:42 -0500

Insulating a 62-inch duct is no small ask. Between engineering concerns with weight in an older building and the logistics of something so large, the folks at Hamlin Sheet Metal in Benson, North Carolina, needed an alternative to a double-walled system.

Stratus CEO Charts a New Era for Sheet Metal Fabrication

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 13:14:15 -0500

With fresh investment and a renewed focus on HVAC sheet metal, Jake Olsen shares how Stratus is helping contractors run modern, data-driven fab shops – while staying true to the roots of the trade.

Data Centers vs. the Grid: Power, Private Investment, and Where Sheet Metal Fits

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 11:26:21 -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, rising energy prices, and supply chain chaos.

Beyond Ductwork: Why Mechanical Thinking Is Holding Back Smart Buildings

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 09:05:50 -0500

A candid look at why most “smart” buildings fall short, and what it really takes to get building automation (and integration) right from the start.

Wisconsin’s Tweet Garot Expands Into Michigan After Southwest Push, Acquires Traverse City Firm

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 12:33:36 -0500

New acquisition follows company’s recent Phoenix expansion and reflects Tweet Garot’s nationwide growth ambitions.

Inside M&D Mechanical’s Marathon Retrofit at Marshall Space Flight Center

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:19:02 -0400

This year, M&D Mechanical’s work at Marshall Space Flight Center earned national recognition at Associated Builders and Contractors’ Excellence in Construction Awards in Las Vegas – a nod to both the technical challenges and the teamwork required to keep a 24/7 NASA lab running.

Stratus Integration Comes to Mestek Spiral Duct Machines

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 10:20:53 -0400

Mestek Machinery’s latest spiral duct machines now feature direct Stratus integration, automating cut lists, tracking, and production for sheet metal fabricators nationwide.

How TDIndustries Is Cutting Clutter with Ancillaries

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 10:59:49 -0400

TDIndustries’ adoption of digital ancillaries for joint tracking is redefining fabrication workflows, clearing out digital clutter and giving detailers the freedom to focus on what matters most: building smarter, faster, and with fewer headaches.

American Metals Supply and Mestek Machinery’s New Distribution Strategy

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:05:49 -0400

American Metals Supply and Mestek Machinery have teamed up to launch the Midwest’s first large-scale, in-stock HVAC fabrication machinery distribution program to meet surging demand.

Study Finds Major Gains for Women and Black Workers Thanks to Pre-Apprenticeships

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 17:01:31 -0400

Pre-apprenticeship programs spark record growth among women and black workers in Illinois construction, outpacing national trends and reshaping the industry’s workforce.

Change Order Payment Reform Bill Returns to Congress, Drawing Strong Industry Support

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 12:16:32 -0400

Federal contractors would benefit from a recently introduced bill that promises to ensure they will get paid on time for change orders on federal construction projects.

UF Engineers Pioneer Laser-Formed Sheet Metal for Space Construction

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:25:00 -0400

University of Florida researchers advance orbital manufacturing by testing precision metal fabrication techniques for spacecraft assembly.

Industrial Sheet Metal Fabricators Build Success with Innovation on the Shop Floor

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 13:12:41 -0400

Industrial sheet metal fabrication solutions are evolving rapidly, driven by innovative technologies and dedicated teams. At the forefront are companies like Badger Sheet Metal Works and Vidimos, Inc., who are setting new standards for industrial ductwork, custom ventilation systems, and high-quality metal fabrication.

NEMI Launches Megaproject TAB, IAQ Resource Center

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:22:46 -0400

NEMI launches Megaproject resource center to meet surging demand for specialty skilled workers.

Five Proven Elements of an Effective Construction Safety Program

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:15:03 -0400

Employees who understand not just what safety procedures to follow, but why they matter, are more likely to adopt a safety-first mindset that influences their actions every day on the job site.

Trump’s 50% Metal Tariffs Increase Steel, Aluminum Costs for HVAC Manufacturers

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 07:00:00 -0400

This story examines the sweeping impact of President Trump’s decision to double Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, detailing the immediate price shocks, legal maneuvering, and mounting concerns from manufacturers, unions, and economists about America’s industrial future.

A Guide to Sheet Metal Clinching for HVAC Contractors

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 14:55:18 -0400

If you’re considering alternatives to spot welding or traditional fastening in your HVAC fabrication line, clinching is worth a close look.

Sheet Metal Leaders Call for Tax Cuts to Tamp Down Tariffs’ Impact on the HVAC Industry

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Fri, 09 May 2025 10:28:15 -0400

With domestic giants like Cleveland-Cliffs idling plants and the federal government refusing to grant new tariff exclusions, or expedited tax relief, the HVAC industry is preparing for supply chain disruption.

Family Legacy Forged in Sheet Metal at Morlin Manufacturing

keatinga@bnpmedia.com (Austin Keating) — Mon, 05 May 2025 16:18:40 -0400

How a father-son duo built an Illinois sheet metal equipment company into a manufacturing success story that spans 40 years and two generations.