THOMAS PHOENIX TRADE PUBLICATIONS AND AWARDS
Paul Kulb (yellow shirt) and Joe Allen (red shirt) won multiple events to take home the Grand Prize and Best Quality awards.
Joe Allen and Paul Kulb win National Roofing championship games
METALCON 2016 “Battle Stars Over Baltimore” National Metal Roofing Championship Games
Thomas Phoenix’s Joe Allen and Paul Kulb win the Grand Prize and Best Quality prizes in a series of five skills challenges.
“METALCON 2016, the single largest gathering of metal construction industry professionals, was the site for the spectacle, which lured 10 different teams of two crew members to compete during the two-day event.”
Gary T. Smith at Metal Construction Hall of Fame awards ceremony in Baltimore, MD
Gary Smith Inducted into Metal Construction hall of fame
Metal Construction News November 2016 Article
Metal Construction News honors Gary T. Smith with selection to the Metal Construction Hall of Fame, citing his work in the industry as well as the Metal Buildings Assembler apprenticeship program and AC-478.
On the apprenticeship program… “I gave the whole thing to MBI,” he says. “I wanted to legitimize our trade. I wanted young people to be proud to be a steel erector.”
Prestone, Freehold, NJ.
TPI Prestone Project
Metal Construction News “Project Focus” September 2016
Thomas Phoenix International’s “Prestone” project in Freehold, NJ is featured in the September 2016 Issue of Metal Construction News. Nucor Building Systems fabricated the building for Blue Rock Construction. TPI performed the PEMB erection.
TechFlex, Sparta, NJ
TPI Wins MBCEA AWARD
2016 MBCEA Award of Excellence
Thomas Phoenix International’s “TechFlex” project wins the 2016 Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association "Award of Excellence” in the Manufacturing category. Butler Buildings fabricated the building for Hance Construction. TPI performed the PEMB erection.
Gary Thomas Smith at the MBCEA National Convention.
MBCEA Helps Build Strong Teams
Metal Construction News November 2015 Article
Gary T. Smith spells out why reputable erectors should strive to achieve AC-478 accreditation.
“Accreditation is tangible proof that you are performing to a certain standard. It is not fluff on your website or LinkedIn page. It is not a rubber stamp. It is the real deal.”
Teamwork is vital to safety and effectiveness.
MBCEA Helps Build Strong Teams
Metal Construction News August 2015 Article
Gary T. Smith lays down a gameplan for making sure everyone in your company understands their role and what is expected.
“… if you want a strong team, everyone on the team needs to know what is expected of them and what to expect from others…. When you take the time to review your processes, procedures and people, you ensure a finely tuned team.”
Bent Glass, Hatboro, PA
TPI Wins MBCEA Award
2015 MBCEA Award of Merit
Thomas Phoenix International’s “Bent Glass” project wins the 2015 Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association "Award of Merit” in the Manufacturing category. Star Building Systems fabricated the building for Schlosser Steel Buildings, Inc. TPI performed the PEMB erection.
AC-478 accreditation demonstrates a metal building erector’s commitment to safety and quality control.
Approval of AC478: Hit it out of the park!
Metal Construction News April 2015 Article
Gary T. Smith and Tim Seyler announce the new IAS AC-478 standard for the accreditation of metal building contractors and erectors.
“Contractors and erectors can now prove they have the personnel, organization, experience, knowledge, management procedures and commitment to assemble metal building systems.”
Involving field personnel in trade events benefits everyone in the organization.
Bench Strength
Metal Construction News February 2015 Article
Gary T. Smith discusses involving field personnel in trade organizations and talks about succession planning.
“Active participation in organization like the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) is crucial to the development of your team.”
Training work includes work ethic and personal responsibility.
Good employees are created, not hired!
Metal Construction News November 2014 Article
Gary T. Smith details his strategy for building a better workforce.
“Successful teams have a culture of accountability and shared responsibility. There is a pride in what is done.”
Gary Smith addresses a national trade organization regarding accreditation.
Crafting a standard to recognize
Metal Construction News May 2014 Article
Gary T. Smith makes the case for PEMB contractor and erector accreditation through the IAS accreditation body.
“This accreditation will provide a benefit to the public by helping to identify contractors who are committed to quality workmanship, safety, training, and education.”
TPI Telehandler Safety Training begins in the classroom
Reduce the cost of safety
Metal Construction News February 2014 Article
Gary T. Smith relates the correlation between safety, training and successful steel erection.
“Today’s smart contractors and erectors have a well-developed safety plan that is not just words on paper sitting on a shelf but an actual program put into practice every day.”
Justin Hopta rigging a PEMB rafter
An apprentice’s tale
Metal Construction News October 2013 Article
Gary T. Smith chronicles the development of a journeyman from new hire through apprenticeship.
“…he is no longer the sullen boy with a chip on his shoulder. He loves his job. He looks forward to coming to work every day. He earns a good living and has a solid trade, one that will serve him for many years to come…”
The MBCEA continues to expand its offerings and influence
The chapters are growing
Metal Construction News July 2013 Article
Gary T. Smith gives an update on the national growth and improvement of the MBCEA’s chapter expansions.
“Get involved and stay involved. Join a trade association, attend your chapter meetings, go to the national conference.”
Gary T. Smith, Newly-elected MBCEA President
The Strength of the MBCEA is in the chapters
Metal Construction News February 2013 Article
Gary T. Smith sets goals for the expansion of the Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association.
“What makes a company fit today? Education, training, knowledge and networking, which is exactly where the MBCEA and its sister organization, the Metal Buildings Institute (MBI) come in.”
Matt Cox competing in MetalCon roofing games
OUT EDUCATE, OUT BUILD, out innovate
Metal Construction News November 2012 Article
Gary T. Smith urges all erectors to strive for improvement.
“This is an open plea to all companies that erect pre-engineered buildings. Our industry needs you to take an active leadership role in the training and development of your crews.”
MBI Video Training
Produced by erectors for erectors.
Education and Collaboration Benefits all
Metal Construction News June 2012 Article
Gary T. Smith explains how inter-industry collaboration improves both products and producers.
“At the end of the day, a trained workforce benefits everyone. It is never too late to learn something new.”
Gary T. Smith and Eric T. Kay
The Industry’s future? A Trained Workforce
Metal Construction News March 2012 Article
Gary T. Smith advocates apprenticeship for young people looking for a career instead of college.
“For too long, academic elites and politicians - both Democrats and Republicans - have oversold us on the necessity of getting a college degree. We have reached the point at which it has become almost un-American to admit that for a sizeable number of our young people, college in a waste of time.”
Gary T. Smith recieving the “Oilcan” award from Bob and Bev Ketenbrink
An apprenticeship program provides discipline for an entire organization
Metal Construction News October 2011 Article
Gary T. Smith describes how the Metal Building Assembler trade benefits both erection companies and clients.
“The U.S. Department of Labor came to understand that we were not iron workers, not carpenters, and not sheet metal workers. We were a trade class all our own.”