e-newsletter July 2023

7/24/2023

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Connector Newsletter | July 2023

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Registration is Now Open for the 2023 Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament

Back at the Lonnie Poole Golf Club, the annual fundraiser will be held on October 13, in Raleigh, North Carolina. The fundraiser supports the association's Craft Training Grants and other Safety and Education Projects. More than $40,000 has been awarded in grants and put towards the development of training videos. In addition, World Class winners of the Craft Training Excellence Award each receive $1500 for future craft training programs.

Interested in sponsoring the golf tournament? There are more than a dozen sponsorships for the fundraiser including an on-course promotional tent, company logo on the golf balls, beverage carts, team sponsors, unlimited tee/hole sponsors, and much more. Read More

Click on the brochure to view tournament details and sponsorship information

SEAA Honors Two Individuals for Their Positive Impact on the Steel Construction Industry

(L-R) David Deem, Geoff Kress, Drew Heron, Pete Gum

(L-R) Bryan McClure, David Deem, Drew Heron, Pete Gum

During its annual convention in April 2023 in St. Augustine, Florida, Geoff Kress, President of Gardner-Watson Decking, Oldsmar, Florida, and Bryan McClure, Partner in Trivent Safety Consulting, Westminster, Colorado, received two of the association’s most prestigious recognitions.

Kress received the William Davis Service Award, and McClure was named Person of the Year. The William Davis Service Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated a life-long commitment to service in the steel construction industry. The award is the association’s highest honor and is not issued annually. Recipients of the Person of the Year award have dedicated many hours supporting the association and providing their expertise. Read More

SEAA Director Tom McAleese Retires

Tom McAleese, Account Manager for Mazzella Companies, and formerly of Indusco Wire Rope & Supplies, recently retired from a lifelong career in the rigging supply business. He first got involved in SEAA in the late 1980s. During that time, he served as a SEAA Director for more than 20 years.

“Tom’s extensive experience in crane ropes, block applications, rigging and fall protection enabled him to offer valuable information to erector members over the years,” said David Deem, President of SEAA. “He has been my go-to guy when it comes to rigging inspection and safety.” Read More

(L-R) Thomas Schlickbernd and Tom McAleese

Don't miss the Summer issue of Connector!

COVER STORY: 2023 Project of The Year Showcase

Featuring Structural Steel & Rebar Contractors

MANAGEMENT: Asking the Right Detailing Questions

Why Communication Problems in Construction Increase the Price Tag

IN THE FIELD: Ironworkers Have Superpowers

But are we listening when "kryptonite" makes them vulnerable?

SPECIAL FOCUS: 2023 Convention & Trade Show Recap

UPCOMING EVENTS

How the Right Accounting System Can Transform Your Business

August 2nd at 2:00 PM ET

Fall Meet & Greet

October 12, 2023

Raleigh, N.C.

Sponsorships Available

Dave Schulz Memorial Golf Tournament

October 13, 2023

Raleigh, N.C.

INDUSTRY REPORTS

56,000 U.S Bridges to be Rebuilt by 2026

In 2021, it was reported that U.S. bridges had accrued a $125 billion backlog of critical maintenance needs. That was because 42 percent of them had been in service for more than 50 years. The same report found that it could possibly take 50 years to complete the backlog of critical bridge maintenance projects that would be required. That sobering news most likely encouraged elected officials to prioritize expediency related to repairing or replacing bridges in America. The bipartisan infrastructure bill provides $5 billion per year for bridge maintenance and repair until 2026. That funding is encouraging state and local officials to reimagine how they deliver bridge projects. Read More.

Three-Day Auction of Assets of an International Cooling Tower Erector

August 15 – August 17 beginning at 9 AM

The three day auction contains winches and cranes, over 200 electric hoists, large quantity of erector components, scaffolding, rigging equipment Shackles, spreader bars, snatch blocks, forklifts, trucks, trailers, construction vehicles, light towers, connex containers, concrete forms, welders, generators and thousands of handheld, power and pneumatic tools, steel scrap and much more.

Visit us here for more information.

MEMBER UPDATES

Flawless Steel Welding to Host Peer Group in Denver on August 23

SEAA has partnered with member company Flawless Steel Welding to form a new peer group in Denver, Colorado. This Denver Peer Group aims to bring together individuals that are passionate about the steel industry to foster collaboration, networking, and knowledge sharing. Whether you have years of experience or are just starting out in the field, this group provides a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals, exchange ideas, and stay updated on the latest industry trends.

If you're interested in kick-starting this peer group, we encourage you to join us on August 23rd at the Raices Brewing Company from 5-8 PM. We welcome Union or Non-Union Erectors, Fabricators, Project Managers, Safety Coordinators, Engineers, Architects, Vendors, and all steel professionals to join us on this exciting journey.

To get involved or learn more about the SEAA Peer Group in Denver, please reach out to Victor Garcia at Victor@fsw-denver.com. Don't miss out on this chance to connect with industry peers, expand your professional network, and contribute to the growth of the steel erection community in Denver.

MKE Iron Erectors Utilizes TyBOT on Wisconsin Bridge Project

MKE Iron Erectors recently used TyBOT, an autonomous rebar-tying robot, to complete a bridge project in Wisconsin, a first for the state. Developed by Advanced Construction Robotic, TyBOT performed 17,823 ties in two shifts across a 7,775-sq-ft area on the IH-39 Structure B-11-166 bridge in Columbia County, north of Madison. That’s more than 1,100 ties per hour.

The bridge MKE was repairing is in a congested area, so shutting down traffic lanes was a problem. “It would have been a very tight job and required a lot of manpower to get the work done,” said MKE CEO and President Barbara Sheedy. “So, not only the ability to have the TyBOT tie so quickly compared to human ties, but the ability to have the TyBOT work second shift was important to us.” Read More

Magni Telescopic Handlers Names New Equipment Dealer

Magni Telescopic Handlers has announced Taylor Machine Works Inc. as an authorized equipment dealer. This arrangement allows Taylor to offer the complete range of Magni’s telehandlers, including the rotating telehandler (RTH), heavy lift (HTH), and fix boom telehandler (TH) models, to its customers in Mississippi, Western Arkansas, New Orleans, La., and Eastern Louisiana parishes. Magni telehandlers are renowned for their performance, versatility, and advanced features that cater to various industries such as concrete construction, masonry, steel erection, framing, and more. Read more