Turning Research Into Top Quality Educational Programs

Conducting meaningful research that translates into practical professional educational programs for sheet metal contractors and their management teams is a primary goal of the New Horizons Foundation (NHF)—An HVAC and Sheet Metal Industry Initiative. In addition to SMACNA’s longstanding, well-respected education programs SMACNA contractors and their senior executives now have ready access to top-quality, “important-to-know” education programs based on the research efforts of the NHF.

Incoming Foundation Chairman, Mark Watson (Climate Engineers, Cedar Rapids, Iowa) explains, “Every time the New Horizons Foundation commissions a new study, we have two very specific goals in mind. First, make the research meaningful to our industry so that our businesses can continue to grow. Second, make sure that the research results will translate well from research-speak to contractor-speak. When we hand off a new educational program to SMACNA to offer to its chapters, we are definitely delivering critical programs that are designed for and focused on our industry and our contractors.”

Two New Horizons researchers who are getting their research into the hands of HVAC and sheet metal contractors are Awad Hanna, PhD., P.E. (professor and chair, Construction Engineering and Management Program, University of Wisconsin – Madison) and Dennis Sowards (president, Quality Support Services Inc., Mesa, Ariz.). During 2008, SMACNA chapters from the Bay Area to Minnesota to Boston engaged these researchers for presentations to their members on topics such as Pre-Construction Planning, Customer Loyalty, Lean Works, Change Orders, and Effects of Schedule Compression on Labor Productivity.

Dr. Hanna is keenly aware that he has a direct responsibility to ensure that contractor participants receive valuable education from each session. SMARCA of Minnesota-North Dakota-South Dakota recently enlisted Dr. Hanna to present programs on “The Effects of Schedule Compression” and “Project Tracking.” Shortly after the session, Reid “Huck” Finn, Business & Leadership Development, APi Construction Company, wrote to say, “The six attendees from APi Construction Company agreed it was probably the best SMARCA seminar we have attended to date, and we were able to take a lot of information away from the classes.”

Eighty members from SMACNA of Western Washington met with Dennis Sowards to learn more about Lean Works in Construction. In Oklahoma, there were 40 participants for the program. Mr. Sowards reported back, “I was tremendously pleased to see the level of interest in this topic. The depth and sophistication of the questions asked during the presentations solidifies my belief that the contractors in this industry are ready to implement new practices and take on new challenges to make their companies stronger.”

Helping make companies stronger is high on the “to do” list of every SMACNA chapter executive. Glenn Rex, executive director from Houston SMACNA, is a strong advocate of bringing New Horizons Foundation research directly to contractors. “Our contractors knew that schedule compression had a real impact on their bottom line. Dr. Hanna showed them how to quantify this and turn it around to justify their billings. There was a good “buzz” about this session and those who couldn’t attend know they missed an important education opportunity. We plan to have him back.”

Over its eight-year history, the New Horizons Foundation has commissioned 18 projects and has several more in the pipeline. The final report for each project is delivered directly to every SMACNA member free of charge and is also available online.

So, why is the Foundation handing over its finished product to SMACNA? Foundation Executive Dennis Bradshaw explains, “The primary purpose of having an industry foundation is to help keep the industry strong. We can leverage our resources to bring new concepts and new recommended practices directly to contractors. Companies would never commit the time or the dollars to take on these topics internally. The Foundation engages researchers of the highest integrity who know and understand our industry. Then, each project has an assigned task force of contractors who make sure that the work stays on topic. That way, we know the results will be meaningful and useful to the HVAC and sheet metal industry.”

SMACNA contractors, chapters, and industry partners have put together the resources as mentioned by Mr. Bradshaw. As of Nov. 1, 2008, the Foundation’s Summit Challenge initiative had received commitments and pledges approaching $6 million. Mark Watson is pleased with the progress. “Our national SMACNA launched New Horizons with a major grant. That gave us the running room to get some key research accomplished. Now, we are in position to give back to the industry from every project. It’s a working partnership and we hope more SMACNA chapters will take advantage of the excellent education component.”

For additional information about the New Horizons Foundation, contact Dennis Bradshaw, executive director, at dbradshaw@newhorizonsfoundation.org. To schedule a specific research presentation for chapter members, contact your local SMACNA chapter executive.