Partners in Progress – July 2020
Vol. 13, No. 7: The Perfect StormView the magazine on the Issuu bookshelf, on your computer or using the iOS* or Android app, or download the issue in PDF format. If you are using the issuu iOS app, follow Partners in Progress to get push notifications whenever we upload a new issue. |
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If asked to list the first three words that come to mind beginning with the letter “C” in 2020, those words would likely be COVID, coronavirus, and curve. Some other words beginning with the third letter of the alphabet describe the sheet metal industry strengths and standards that posture SMACNA and SMART to proactively respond to challenges or adversity. Those words are care, compassion, and community. The construction industry is facing a perfect storm for mental health issues. In addition to the economic insecurity, people are at home more than usual and feeling isolated because they’re unable to visit family and friends. However, throughout COVID-19 and beyond, a strong labor-management partnership will be there to support members through any mental health storm that may arise. Local 49 Business Manager Vince Alvarado is am a third-generation union sheet metal worker from El Paso, Texas, who also serves on SMACNA and SMART’s joint Best Practices Market Expansion Task Force. Find out about his journey in the industry. Spanning Generations: Benefits of Mentoring SMART’s Joseph Sellers, Jr. and SMACNA’s Angie Simon have been talking about As Baby Boomers look retirement in the eye, the sheet metal industry, like many other trades, is facing one of it’s biggest challenges: the silver tsunami. In the next five to 10 years, around 50% of the sheet metal workforce is expected to be eligible for retirement. So, who exactly is going to step into their well-worn shoes? Zahner & Local 68: A Small Project with a Big Impact Although SMACNA’s Zahner pushes the envelope of sheet metal’s design capabilities, a small project that took only a few weeks to complete is having a massive impact of a different kind: keeping people safe. Specifically, Zahner joined forces with architects HKS and Local 68 to create personal protection equipment (PPE) for medical professionals and health care staff caring for COVID-19 patients. The 5 Best Tech Opportunities for Construction Companies As more technology comes into play, the industry is finally waking up to the impact it can have on bottom line profitability. Here are some of the technology opportunities construction companies should have on their radar. During times of adversity and uncertainty, leaders need to not be reactive, but rather stop and remember that this is a moment to bring empathy, understanding, and wisdom to leadership. |