Today, the business is run by Jim Mazzella, Sr.’s son, and Mazzella Companies’ CEO, Tony Mazzella. Tony’s two sons, Matt Mazzella and Adam Mazzella, are now the third generation involved and act as Presidents of Mazzella’s Lifting and Metals businesses, respectively.
“Celebrating 70 years of our family business, we honor the legacy of my grandparents, whose vision and hard work laid our foundation. My parents nurtured this dream with dedication, resilience, and love—steering us through challenges and triumphs. My brother Matt, with his innovation and spirit, represents our bright future. Together, we embody the past, present, and future, united by values and aspirations that guide us. Here’s to our family's journey and the promise of many more successful years ahead,” said Adam Mazzella, President of Sheffield Metals and New Tech Machinery. Building a Stronger Future: Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategies for Steel Contractors8/19/2024
 According to the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), workers in the steel construction sector are at a higher risk for mental health concerns and suicide compared to other construction trades. Of the 11 construction occupations cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, structural iron and steel workers are #1 and reinforcing iron and rebar workers are #2 for highest rates of suicide.
The high-stress environments, physically demanding tasks, and stringent deadlines, coupled with the sometimes-isolated nature of the work, can contribute to mental health struggles among the steel industry. Additionally, the culture within the industry can sometimes stigmatize mental health issues, making it challenging for workers to seek help. Construction Suicide Prevention Week is September 9-13. The initiative aims to raise awareness, educate, and promote mental health and suicide prevention across the construction industry. Participating in events and activities during this week can help reinforce the importance of mental health and provide workers with valuable resources and support.  July 24, 2024 (Winston-Salem, N.C) The Board of Directors for the Steel Erectors Association of America names officers elected for a one-year term beginning July 2024. In addition, association members have confirmed a new slate of directors.
The Board of Directors consists of up to 19 individuals. From among the directors five officers are elected semi-annually, while the Immediate Past President is an appointed position. The incoming SEAA President is Jack Nix, Chief Operations Officer for Shelby Erectors, Inc. He is supported by David Deem of Deem Structural Services as Immediate Past President and Chris Legnon of Cooper Steel as President-Elect. Nix has been involved with SEAA since 2008 and has served on the board since 2011. He is a previous recipient of the association’s Person of the Year award and previously led the Membership Committee as its Chairman. Nix began his career in 1985 as an ironworker. In 2022, Shelby Erectors was featured on an episode of Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, highlighting rodbusters. “There’s no other subcontractor owner organization out there that focuses on what we do—building with steel. My goal as SEAA’s next president is to continue to grow our membership, but especially among my reinforcing steel and decking contractor colleagues,” said Nix. The other new officers include:
Four incumbents were re-elected to new terms (2024-2027).
In addition, two individuals were appointed to vacated positions. Jamie Hopkins of United Rentals was appointed by the Executive Committee to fill the remaining term of Dave Brown. “Big Dave” Brown passed away on May 31, 2024. He joined SEAA’s Board of Directors in 2014 and championed the Boom Lift Ball Drop fundraiser, which helped to fund many projects dedicated to the safety and education of steel professionals. Geoff Kress, Gardner-Watson Decking, was appointed by the Executive Committee to fill the remaining term of Tom Schlickbernd, who recently retired. SEAA is currently seeking dedicated members to join several of its key committees. This is a valuable opportunity for those looking to make an impact within the industry while contributing to the organization's growth and success.
We have openings in the following committees:
Committees are made up of employees of member companies. Each committee is led by a chairperson. Members serve for three-year terms. “We are looking for enthusiastic members who are committed to advancing the steel construction industry and enhancing our association’s activities. Participation provides a stepping stone to serving on the board of directors,” said Pete Gum, Executive Director. “The opportunity to collaborate with other industry professionals and leaders is the best way to get value out of your membership,” said Jack Nix, President of SEAA and Chief Operations Officer for Shelby Erectors. If you’re interested in joining a committee or learning more, please contact Krista Whittemore.  By: Tracy Bennett Three of the five winning Projects of the Year– presented by SEAA in April 2024 to members from Arizona, Georgia, and Kentucky– shared common challenges of space constraints and difficult site access. In Atlanta, Georgia, Porter Steel, Inc., had to deliver materials for an 8,625 lb AESS staircase to be installed between 9th and 10th floors of an office building using a 5 ft x 8 ft elevator. Likewise, All Things Metal faced setting structural steel by hand in the basement and upper floors of a 100 year-old building conversion into a posh boutique hotel. Located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, the building was hemmed in on one side by a light rail line. At 691+ tons of steel erected, Cumberland Steel Company’s project was on a larger scale than the other two. However, they faced similar difficulties building an immersive sports, entertainment and arts venue in The Colony, Texas. The jobsite location was not much larger than the overall footprint of the structure itself, and had residential buildings on two sides, access roads that could not be shut down, and several other active projects surrounding it. Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
 By: John Miebers Maintaining profits and keeping jobs on track is not easy in the construction industry. There are bills to pay, materials to order, teams to manage and everything else in between. That’s why you need accurate, real-time Work in Progress (WIP) reports to keep projects running smoothly—and to grow your bottom-line profit. Work in Progress (WIP) is an essential part of construction accounting. It calculates the progress of all ongoing work, allowing you to see what’s been done and what’s left to do—helping you manage budgets effectively. This information can then be used to generate reports and track project development using “percentage complete” figures. Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
 By: Kevin Cunningham Digital transformation is changing customer experiences, business models, and operations across most industries. In steel construction, contractors can analyze digital data from past accidents to help build a culture that continuously improves safety. That kind of safety culture prevents accidents, saves lives, and reduces the likelihood of lawsuits. Establishing an effective process for continuous safety improvement requires contractors to transform compliance-based mindsets to a holistic view of safety culture. Companies can use advanced tools like risk analytics to look at the causes of past incidents in order to reduce or eliminate them in future. In a true safety culture, legal compliance is a natural outcome instead of the primary driver. Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
By: Tracy Bennett The correlation between physical and mental health is a topic worth discussing as the construction industry faces high suicide and substance use disorder rates. A recent article published by Conexpo-Con/Agg quoted Carol Nixon, PhD, research health scientist, NIOSH Spokane Mining Research Division. She said: “Manual labor increases risk of work-related injuries and strain; and pain is the most common reason for receiving an opioid prescription. Opioids are extremely addictive. It can take just five days to become addicted.” “The high rates of substance use disorder and overdose in industries like construction and mining are not an indictment of the workers who take these jobs,” Nixon says. “Rather, this is an urgent call to identify workplace factors that may contribute to these devastating outcomes and how those may be modified to prevent illness, injury and death and promote employee health and well-being.” Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
 Lifting over Manhattan Metropolitan Walters, a steel erector in the Tri-State area, faced a unique challenge when working on a project for the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. The jobsite was located above FDR Drive and was surrounded on all sides by water, roadways, and buildings. Steel and other supplies had to be barged in and lifted by tower crane. Full Brim Face Shield from Studson STUDSON has announced three face shields, the Arc Flash Tint Welding Shield, the Clear Shield, and the Shade 5 Green Tint Shield. No Welding Required for Simpson Strong-Tie’s Yield-Link® Brace Connection Simpson Strong-Tie’s Yield-Link® Brace Connection (YLBC) for structural steel applications is used to dissipate energy through a fuse connection, creating a resilient steel frame that protects beams, columns, and braces during seismic and wind events. JLG Upgrades 40 ft Class Scissor Lift The new ES4046 electric scissor lift from JLG Industries boasts 40 percent more duty cycles than its predecessor R4045. Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
 ALP Industries, Brooksville, Florida, distributes quality industrial lifting products. Referred by: Jack Nix, Shelby Erectors Big Box Erectors LLC, Avon, Indiana, provides expert steel erection services for warehouses nationwide. Cascade Nut & Bolt Inc., Salem, Oregon, is a commercial fastener distributor. Castillo Iron Works Inc., Bronx, New York, specializes in all steel work including fabrication, stairs, steel beams and columns. Engineered Supply, LLC, Bayport, Minnesota, provides expertise in roof anchor points, wall anchor points, rigging sleeves, and davit arms. Greco Steel Products, Inc., Springdale, Pennsylvania, is a fabricating and detailing shop that also includes design and erection capabilities. Henderson Fab, Loganville, Georgia, is an AISC Certified Fabricator and Erector for new construction and tenant improvements in the manufacturing, warehousing, cold storage, entertainment, and data storage market sectors. Referred by: Duke Perry, Gardner-Watson Studs High Structural Erectors LLC, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, erects a wide variety of steel and precast structures and specializes in precast concrete parking garages and architectural precast building cladding. Infra-Metals, Newtown, Pennsylvania, features products ranging from beams and tubes to sheets, channels and expanded metal, and processing capabilities include everything from cutting and drilling to blasting and painting. Referred by: Jack Nix, Shelby Erectors See the full list of new members and more by clicking the button below. Be sure to click the red subscribe button above to receive your digital copy.
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Projects in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas July 10, 2024 (Winston-Salem, N.C.) The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) announces the winners of its 2024 Projects of the Year. Two companies were recognized for Miscellaneous Metals and three for Structural Steel projects.
Projects that were topped out in 2022 or 2023 were eligible and must have been completed without significant accident or injury. Submissions are reviewed and winners are selected by an independent panel of judges from an engineering firm not affiliated with the association. “Only one of the five winning companies is a prior recipient of this award, and two of them are relatively new members of SEAA,” said Drew Heron, Chairman of the Awards Committee. “Regardless of the size or scope, each of these projects demonstrated the grit and talent it takes to be an ironworker,” he said. Winners receive trophies, feature article coverage in Connector magazine, and the chance to participate in peer panel discussions. Summaries provided below. June 27, 2024 (Winston-Salem, N.C), During the President's Dinner at the Steel Erectors Association of America’s 2024 Convention & Trade Show in Glendale, Arizona, two long-standing Board Members were recognized for their years of dedicated service. David Deem, Founder and President of Deem Structural Services, LLC, received the William Davis Service Award, and Chris Legnon, Vice President of Technology at Cooper Steel, was named SEAA’s Person of the Year.  David Deem - 2024 William Davis Service Award (Left to right) Drew Heron, Chairman of SEAA’s Awards Committee, David Deem, President of Deem Structural Services, R. Pete Gum, SEAA's Executive Director
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kenilworth, NJ -- Magni America LLC, a subsidiary of Magni Telescopic Handlers SRL, the global leader in rotating and heavy lift telehandlers, is excited to announce the grand opening of its new American headquarters. This event, held on June 18th, showcased a state-of-the-art facility designed to elevate customer support for the Magni brand. The grand opening was well attended and featured a keynote address by Riccardo Magni, President and Founder of Magni Telescopic Handlers, who shared insights on the company’s vision and its commitment to exceptional customer service. Guests enjoyed live music, and Italian cuisine and were given a tour of the new headquarters, highlighting its modern features and customer-focused design.  Photo courtesy of Nucor Rebar Fabrication, Inc. via Advanced Construction Robotics website Advanced Construction Robotics (ACR), a leading innovator in construction robotics, announced it has entered into an agreement with Nucor Rebar Fabrication, Inc. (Nucor), North America’s premier fabricator and installer of rebar. This partnership marks a significant step forward in the construction industry, showcasing Nucor Rebar Fabrication’s dedication to safety by integrating modern technologies into its operations.
 Image credit: Occupational Safety and Health Administration The clang of steel meeting steel, the hum of heavy machinery, the pop of a powder actuated tool, the scream from a saw, and the roar of construction activity. These are the sounds of the steel erection industry. However, there is a hidden danger: the threat of occupational noise exposure. Recognizing this risk, OSHA has established rigorous standards to ensure the hearing safety of workers. Additionally, modern technology that detects sound decibels, such as sound apps for a smartphone, has become a valuable tool in monitoring and managing noise exposure.
From GWY: Our industry relies on the innovation and passion of up-and-coming engineers and tradespeople. That’s why we’re proud to be a silver-level sponsor for this year’s Student Steel Bridge Competition, hosted by the American Institute of Steel Construction. For over 30 years, the Student Steel Bridge Competition has asked college students from across the U.S. to develop a solution to a real-life engineering challenge, then go head-to-head with their designs at the national finals. This year, the GWY team got to see the finalists present their scale-model steel bridge designs at Louisiana Tech University — and watched the University of Florida take home 1st Place! Competitions like these are invaluable for novice engineers to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world problems, and also to make industry connections with potential future employers and colleagues. Take a look at some highlights from the event:
 CHICAGO - The American Institute of Steel Construction’s new Sustainability Partner Program is a win for specifiers, fabricators, and--of course!--the environment.
"Few people recognize that structural steel fabricators are the key player for a project's sustainability," said AISC Director of Sustainability and Government Relations Max Puchtel. "Fabrication itself accounts for less than 8% of structural steel's cradle-to-gate carbon footprint, but a fabricator's procurement responsibility means that their upstream influence is far greater." Thank you to the SEAA member companies that participated in OSHA’s 2024 National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction earlier this month and shared their photos with us! Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction employees, accounting for 395 of the 1069 construction fatalities recorded in 2022 (BLS data), and the National Stand-Down aims to raise awareness in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries. The Fall Prevention Stand-Down resources page, which includes this year’s printable poster that featured R.A.D. Ideas for Fall Prevention, focused on Research, Awareness, and Delivery, is available year-round for anyone looking for fall prevention resources and training materials. The 2024 hard hat sticker will also be available for members to purchase all year. SEAA is committed to the cause and works to provide our members with the knowledge and resources to help them keep safety at the top of mind.
View Fall Prevention Resources View Photos from the 2024 Stand-Down Over the last few years, SEAA has developed more than 80 Ironworker Training Videos that align with specific learning modules from the SEAA/NCCER Ironworker Custom Curriculum. These videos have been available exclusively through SEAA’s SteelPros Training Portal, but now, five of them can be accessed for free on our YouTube Channel.
“We decided to make a few of the videos publicly available so that members could get an idea of the variety and quality of content that is available in the SteelPros Training Portal,” said Tim Eldridge, President of Education Services Unlimited and SEAA’s Craft Training and Assessment Administrator. “There is a complete list of the ironworker training videos we have developed on the association website under Member Tools.” Click here to see the list. Each member company is entitled to 1 free user license. Companies can upgrade to an Admin Account and add additional learners for the discounted rate of $35 each. View the sample videos. Get more information on SteelPros. Congratulations to the winners of the George R. Pocock Memorial Golf Tournament and our first-ever Pickleball Tournament, which took place this past April during the 2024 Convention & Trade Show in Glendale, Arizona. Winners of SEAA’s first Pickleball Tournament 1st Place: Mark Upton, Thornton Tomasetti and Kendall Clyde, Nucor-Vulcraft Verco Group
2nd Place: Glen and Susan Pisani, MAS Building & Bridge 3rd Place: Greg Slape, Bluearc Stud Welding and Lee Shaw, BZI  We're excited to announce the launch of the new Member to Member Discount program! Through this program we are able to provide members with access to special discounts and promotions. Remember to keep an eye on this page as new discounts and promotions are coming!
If you are looking to take advantage of a discount, please reach out the main contact on the listing and provide proof of SEAA Membership (paid dues invoice or link to membership directory listing), they will then give instructions on how to check out. Interested in offering a discount to SEAA members? Fill out the Enrollment Form or reach out to Keri Goldstein with any questions you may have.  Ironworkers and rodbusters are even more at risk of dying by suicide than other types of construction workers. Of the 11 construction occupations cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, structural iron and steel workers are #1 and reinforcing iron and rebar workers are #2 for highest rates of suicide.
“As SEAA was made aware of the staggering statistics surrounding mental health and suicide rates in our industry, the association’s Board of Directors made the decision to join other industry stakeholders to provide education and resources for our members,” said R. Pete Gum, Executive Director. Along with the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, SEAA pledges to STAND Up. In May, the association created a Stand Up for Mental Health resources page, with construction-focused resources and training materials. On this page, you will also find a list of events that will be held throughout the year that help bring awareness to the issue. “SEAA encourages everyone to use these events and resources as a way to prepare your teams for the conversation surrounding mental health and suicide prevention,” said Gum. Find Mental Health Resources.  The Q3 Board of Directors meeting will take place on July 25 from 10 am - 3 pm at the Lakewood Country Club in Westlake, Ohio. The board meeting is open to all members of the association, we just ask that you RSVP in advance so we can set the room accordingly.
SEAA will be hosting a Steel Connections Peer Group and a Meet & Greet Reception following the board meeting on July 25. Both of these events are open to members and non-members of the association. The peer group meeting will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 and is limited to 35 attendees. The Steel Connections Peer Group is designed to bring the industry together for a collaborative conversation about the latest news and market developments and to create an environment in which we can learn from each other. If you are interested in attending the peer group you must RSVP in advance to save your spot. The Meet & Greet Reception will take place from 6-8 pm. As a collective body of steel erectors, fabricators, rebar contractors, suppliers, and general contractors, SEAA is dedicated to advancing the common interests of all those engaged in steel construction. Meet & Greet attendees will get to learn more about our mission to provide members with tangible benefits and resources to help with hiring, training, and retaining in today's workforce. Plus, hear from product suppliers with ideas and solutions to improve your business. To register for SEAA’s meetings, click here. SEAA Member Nelson Stud Welding will be hosting an Innovation Forum over a series of days around the SEAA meeting that is open for members to attend. It includes tours of their facility, hands on demos, and fun networking opportunities. For more information about the Innovation Forum, click here. SEAA is also seeking two vendors or service providers who will partner with us in inviting local erectors to this networking event. Meet & Greet Sponsorships provide vendors and service suppliers a chance to present a short non-promotional presentation to an exclusive group of erectors, fabricators, rebar contracts and steel decking and contractors. Click here to learn more and contact Kathy Epperson to secure a sponsorship. |
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