by John Crowley | Oct 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
HVAC: More Than Just Another Office Project Sustainable. Eco-friendly. Green. The Farmington Hills, Michigan, campus of Japan Solderless Terminals (JST) Corp. was designed to go beyond typical labels. The 10-acre, six-building property takes in its surroundings in a way unlike most corporate campuses. Instead of replacing native vegetation with grass, it preserves and expands the plants. As opposed to buildings that feature huge glass panes, JST’s structures make extensive use of natural materials like wood and stone. Drywall is forbidden. Paint is banished. And synthetic, commercial carpeting is nowhere to be found. It’s not what you might expect for a multinational manufacturer of electrical connectors used in industries such as automotive and HVAC. But it’s keeping in line with Osaka, Japan-based JST’s Asian approach to design, which aims to create spaces in harmony with the environment and that respect nature. Cunningham-Limp, the project’s Construction Manager, calls it “the most holistically sustainable project ever seen in Michigan.” When completed, the JST campus will encompass six buildings: a test lab, sales center, engineering center, annex, center circle loop, and a “tree nest.” The buildings will not disrupt the animals or natural habitats of the heavily wooded site, which sits in the heart of metropolitan Detroit. DEE CRAMER AWARDED PROJECTCunningham-Limp awarded SMACNA member Dee Cramer of Holly, Michigan, a $3-million contract in 2021 to handle HVAC construction for this holistic sustainable building, including duct fabrication and installation, at the campus test lab. The lab, which is an evaluation site for the critical electronic components that JST manufactures, was the first campus building that was erected. Aaron Montgomery, Dee Cramer Project Manager, explained that his company’s work began where the geothermal system tied into the piping (installed by a subcontractor) and the HVAC system. The piping entering the lab connects to 30 ducted fan coil units and numerous branch boxes that help condition the lab’s corridors. “Piping goes into four condensers and then numerous heat exchangers,” Montgomery says. “There’s also dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) — three of them just in the test lab alone.”In addition to the condensers and heat exchangers, the project has a lot of ductwork — 3,390 linear feet in all. “There’s a ton of small duct,” Montgomery says. “All of the latent energy is transferred from the geothermal system into the water-source VRF system and through the heat exchangers.”The test lab used approximately 23,000 pounds of internally lined duct, all of which was fabricated at Dee Cramer’s Wixom, Michigan, facility, about 11 miles from the jobsite. Most of the ductwork was rectangular, with some spiral. AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCEJST’s commitment to sustainable construction presented a learning curve for Dee Cramer and some of the other contractors involved. “It was a bit of a struggle on everybody’s end because it’s a timber-frame building,” Montgomery says. “There’s not much timber-frame construction and carpentry experience here in the local Detroit area. It was such a trying process sometimes.”Nick Seraphinoff, the Vice President of Project Management at Dee Cramer, says the use of timber-frame construction made the project more complicated. “It affected the types of fasteners and hangers that we could use, as well as the coordination with other trades,” he says. The lab was completed in 2023. Officials with Cunningham-Limp and JST were pleased with Dee Cramer’s work. The contractor was hired to perform the HVAC work on four other campus buildings, bringing the total contracts to around $7 million in value. Dee Cramer’s work on the sales building is now underway. Seraphinoff says the JST project is unique. “We’re pretty excited about this job,” he says. “It’s really an honor to be a part of it.”
by John Crowley | Oct 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
Architectural: Shining Symbol of Strength When IBEW 48 upgraded their training center in Portland, Oregon, they chose a unique look, three copper signs with the IBEW logo and three interior walls covered with copper panels. Two 23-foot by 10-foot copper walls accent the hall’s training room, with large TV screens to display lectures. The third wall is in a conference room where IBEW leaders meet with elected officials. “The conference room is their showpiece,” says Shane Crunchie, project manager for General Sheet Metal (GSM) in Clackamas, Oregon. “And its 23 feet by 11 feet copper wall was the architectural focal point. It had to be perfect.” IBEW’s aesthetic gave General Sheet Metal an advantage in the bidding process because other contractors suggested using aluminum panels that had been coated to look like copper. “You can buy many prefinished architectural panels out there, and, basically, they’re all versions of laminate, where they’ve applied a finish to either stainless steel or aluminum,” Crunchie says. The electricians preferred a material that is more authentic to their lives. “Electricians work with copper all day long. We won the project because we could provide real copper.”The architect’s original plan suggested 16-ounce copper, which concerned GSM. “We worried that 16-ounce wouldn’t hold up over time in a room with people walking by the wall and bumping into it,” Crunchie says. Early in the design process, which started around May 2023, GSM recommended moving to a more durable 48-ounce copper. GSM also designed the custom support structure for the panels. “There’s an aluminum clip system behind the copper. The finished copper is glued to aluminum panels, and they’re hung in sections. Wherever we had aluminum panel joints, we glued a piece of copper in place in the field.The green patina that forms when copper is exposed to air stabilizes the copper chemically, making it easier to handle. “Copper starts to oxidize almost immediately after you sand it,” Crunchie says. “But in the submittal process we learned that IBEW 48 didn’t want the patina finish. They wanted to see the brightness of the copper. That created a level of complexity for the project because of the finishing technique.” The owners also wanted a hand-sanded finish to bring out the metal’s natural color variegation. “You had to finish it very carefully to get it to work.” GSM worked closely with the customer throughout the design process. “We did multiple phases where we started out with various samples with patina,” Crunchie says. “That’s when we discovered their desire for a bright finish. We produced more samples with the bright finish with appropriate clear coat.” Before starting production, GSM fabricated a full-sized demonstration panel for the owner’s approval. “When we brought out our first panel, we hung it and did our first in place inspection before we went further down the road. The client was in lockstep every step of the way. We always try to make sure there are no surprises.” GSM developed a quick process for finishing the panels because the clear coat had to be applied while the copper was freshly sanded. “We set up equipment specifically for this project,” Crunchie says. “Anytime you’re doing that, I would advise that you spend the money on what you need and be prepared to make adjustments mid-process to your plan, fabrication or installation method based on something that nobody saw earlier in the process.”The team did the preliminary sanding in the open shop, then wrapped each piece in brown paper for moving to the coating tent. Throughout the project, other teams were fabricating duct in different parts of the busy GSM shop, so the coating tent was pressurized to mitigate dust. “We had a four-step cleaning process before we were able to apply the coating to the panels,” Crunchie says. “Finishing the panels was a white-glove process, and everybody had to be trained and brought up to speed.” Only experienced people touched the sanded copper. “You have to have a group of people who know how to navigate the different variables, because sometimes you’re learning in real time,” he says. In this case, “a single fingerprint could cause a chemical reaction on the face of the copper that would create a blemish.” The clear coat was allowed to dry and harden before the team mounted the copper onto the aluminum panels. The copper walls were the most technically challenging part of the project, but GSM also installed roofing panels, gutters, downspouts and a stainless-steel rail. The company fabricated everything except the roofing panels in their own shop. The project required 2,887 pounds of 48-ounce copper sheet, 2,432 pounds of 5052 aluminum and 200 pounds of stainless steel. “It was labor-intensive,” Crunchie says. The $250,000 project ran from July 2023 through February 2024 and brought GSM 600 work hours in the shop and another 600 work hours in the field for a total of 1,200 work hours. “Ultimately, the client was very happy with us, and the general contractor was very happy with us,” Crunchie says. “They said they couldn’t have hired anybody else to do this project.”
by John Crowley | Oct 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
How Getting Involved Can Make a Big Difference During my time as president, I’ve made it a priority to stay active in every part of our association. Getting involved in politics is a powerful way to make a real difference for your business and our industry. I know politics can feel tiring these days but connecting with lawmakers from any party really does help us make progress on the issues that matter.During my time with SMACNA, I’ve made it a point to get to know our members of Congress and help their staff understand our issues and how they can support the skilled trades. I’ve met with legislators, including Congresswoman Shontel Brown, Congressman Dave Joyce and Congresswoman Emelia Sykes, at events ranging from golf tournaments to tours of our training centers and shop floors. These experiences have been key in helping our allies in Congress see what’s happening in our industry. We’ve discussed important topics, such as registered apprenticeships and how our field offers a path to a debt-free, well-paying career. I also highlight our commitment to workforce development and to creating a welcoming environment where everyone’s skills are valued. Our industry offers both men and women opportunities to grow, advance into management and even become owners. Regardless of your political views, I believe we can all support these goals. But achieving them depends on us. We are the experts, and our legislators rely on us for the information they need to make good decisions for our future. I encourage everyone to reach out to Stan and our legislative affairs team to learn about opportunities for getting involved.As my term as president ends, I hope I’ve made a positive difference for our association. By the end of my term, I’ll have spent over 150 days traveling. It’s been amazing to visit new places and take part in so many great events. I’ve met contractors and chapter leaders from across the country, all of whom are dedicated to supporting SMACNA and our industry. Along the way, I’ve made new friends, listened, offered support and helped tackle challenges when needed. I’ve enjoyed presenting and joining local meetings, and it’s been an honor to keep everyone informed about what’s ahead. Thank you for your trust this past year. It truly has been a remarkable experience. Tom MartinSMACNA President
by John Crowley | Oct 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
SMACNA’s Legacy of Government Relations Government relations have always played a key role at SMACNA. I first met Stan Kolbe and Dana Thompson from the National SMACNA staff back in 1993. After my freshman year at the University of Rochester, I interned with the National Roofing Contractors Association. Thanks to Stan and Dana, SMACNA remains as strong now as it was in the 1990s. The relationships they built then still matter today. Being consistent and knowledgeable about policy, as well as attending meetings, are all essential for success. When I served as a chapter executive, government relations was one of the biggest ways I added value. Like Stan and Dana, I spent years in New York building relationships that made a difference for our members. Managing several groups helped us share costs, but what really mattered was being a trusted policy expert and always being open to conversation. Working with great partners like Denise Murphy McGraw, who supports SMACNA’s state and local programs, has also made a significant difference.Some of you joined a recent webinar we hosted with my friend, New York State Assemblyman Harry Bronson. I’ve worked with Harry for almost 20 years, starting when he was counsel to the Assembly Labor Committee and a top staffer for a member I knew well. Today, Harry chairs the Labor Committee, which is especially important for SMACNA members. We didn’t always agree, but we always discussed issues and policy openly. Together, we achieved a lot for our community and union contractors. One highlight was a $1 billion school renovation program that improved city schools and created significant work for our members, all with clear and transparent PLAs.I also worked with another assembly member who later became the majority leader of the New York State Assembly. Joe Morelle is now a leading Member of Congress and a strong supporter of union contractors. We first started working together on insurance issues in 2004. That work then moved to economic development and project funding and was very successful for our community. Building relationships with great members of Congress like Morelle takes years of effort and partnership at the local level!Many of our chapters are actively engaged in state and local issues. Some states have already passed indoor air quality legislation, and others are considering it. Labor and construction bills often arise, and we don’t always agree with all of them. Permitting can be a challenge for projects, but we can help make it easier. Chapters can also support economic development and get involved early in new projects that need political backing to succeed.SMACNA will continue to support state and local efforts, just as we have in recent years. I’m also happy to share that SMART is now investing nationally in state-level work. This will help us work together more effectively on shared issues and create more opportunities for our members.If there’s an issue that matters to your chapter, please let us know. Small local issues often grow into bigger national concerns. SMACNA wants to be involved early and do everything we can to support our members.I look forward to seeing you at the convention and hearing about the work you are doing! Aaron HilgerSMACNA CEO
by John Crowley | Oct 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
Welcome New SMACNA Members Advanced Air Service Group, Aston, PennsylvaniaF.D. Ramsey & Co. Inc., La Porte, IndianaIndustrial Contracting & Engineering, Angola, IndianaPayne Mechanical Inc., Flushing, MichiganU.S. Engineering Service, LLC, Wichita, KansasYork Plumbing & Mechanical, Tulsa, Oklahoma
by John Crowley | Oct 21, 2025 | Uncategorized
Fifth Circuit Finds NLRB Structure Likely Unconstitutional The Fifth Circuit concluded that the removal protections for NLRB Members and Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) likely violate the U.S. Constitution.The Fifth Circuit’s ruling does not shut down the NLRB. The decision is binding only in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas — the states covered by the Fifth Circuit. But it marks another setback for the NLRB, which is already facing litigation over President Trump’s firing of NLRB Member Gwen Wilcox and is hampered by a lack of “quorum” that prevents the Board from taking official action.Removal Protections Likely Unconstitutional, Fifth Circuit SaysThe Fifth Circuit focused on how, under the NLRA, decision makers are shielded from termination by the President. Specifically, Board Members may be removed only “for cause,” and ALJs are doubly protected: they may be removed only for cause and only through another board.The court concluded that these removal protections for NLRB Members and ALJs likely violate the U.S. Constitution. It further held that being subjected to unconstitutional proceedings constitutes irreparable harm, granting the employers’ requests for an injunction to halt their NLRB proceedings.The NLRB is expected to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, which will ultimately decide whether the NLRA’s removal protections are constitutional.The NLRB’s “Quorum” CrisisAdding to the uncertainty, the NLRB currently lacks a quorum. According to a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision, the NLRB must have at least three members to exercise its authority. After President Trump fired NLRB Member Gwen Wilcox in February 2025, the Board was reduced to two members: David Prouty and Marvin Kaplan. Kaplan’s term expired on Aug. 27, leaving the NLRB with only one member. Without a quorum, the Board cannot issue decisions, leaving hundreds of cases in limbo.There is some hope that the quorum crisis may end. In July 2025, the White House nominated Scott Mayer, who is currently Chief Labor Counsel for Boeing Co., and James Murphy, a longtime NLRB attorney and counsel to multiple Republican members, to fill the vacancies. If confirmed by the Senate, the Board would have the three members needed for quorum. However, the Senate has not yet scheduled hearings on either nomination.States Attempt to Step into the FrayIn response to the NLRB’s paralysis, several states are moving to fill the gap by proposing “mini-NLRAs.”New York — Legislators in New York have passed Assembly Bill A8590/Senate Bill S8034A, which would empower the state’s Public Employment Relations Board to handle private-sector labor disputes when the NLRB cannot act. It has passed both houses and awaits Governor Kathy Hochul’s signature.California — Legislators in California are currently considering Assembly Bill 288, which would authorize the state’s Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) to handle private-sector labor disputes if the NLRB fails to act in a timely manner.These efforts may clash with federal law, which normally preempts state regulation of private-sector labor relations, but legislators say they are necessary backups.The NLRB Fires BackOn Aug. 15, Acting NLRB General Counsel William Cowen issued a memo warning that any state attempt to assert jurisdiction over matters governed by the NLRA would be preempted. The memo cited San Diego Building Trades Council v. Garmon, 359 U.S. 236 (1959), which held that states may not regulate conduct “that the NLRA protects, prohibits, or arguably protects or prohibits.” Cowen says legislation like that in New York and California “cannot be reconciled with the Supremacy Clause, found in Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution.” The message was clear: the NLRB intends to continue operating and defending its authority, despite the Fifth Circuit ruling and its current lack of quorum. Grant Collins is a specialist in labor and employment law at Felhaber Larson. Reach him at gcollins@felhaber.com.
