International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
IUPAT is a nonprofit labor union founded in 1887 that represents 140,000 workers across the U.S. and Canada in seven finishing trades, including commercial and industrial painting, drywall finishing, glazing, and floor covering, delivering collective bargaining, apprenticeship training, and pension/benefit services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1887
- HeadquartersHanover, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What International Union of Painters and Allied Trades does
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) is a nonprofit labor union founded in 1887, headquartered in Hanover, Maryland, and domiciled in the United States. It represents 140,000 workers across the U.S. and Canada in seven finishing trades: commercial painting, drywall finishing, floor covering, glazing and glasswork, industrial painting, sign and display work, and trade show work. The organization operates through 100+ Local Unions and District Councils, with member representation, collective bargaining, and apprenticeship training delivered via the International Finishing Trades Institute (iFTI) using a Learning Management System. IUPAT's wholly-owned benefit entities include the Industry Pension Fund, Industry Annuity Funds, the Painters and Allied Trades Veterans Program (PAT-VP), the Helping Hand substance abuse and mental health program, the PATCH Foundation, and the Labor Management Cooperation Initiative (LMCI). Members access services through local union halls, a Mobile Member Portal app (iOS/Android), the IUPAT UNITE app, and the Union Plus benefits program.
IUPAT generates revenue exclusively through recurring membership dues from its 140,000 members; per-capita dues rates are not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market motion is community-led, with recruitment driven by organizing new shops, collective bargaining campaigns, the Job Corps pre-apprenticeship pipeline (59 programs in 32 states since 1969), and the iFTI apprenticeship program (minimum 144 hours classroom instruction plus on-the-job training). Marketing channels include the iupat.org website, the quarterly Painters & Allied Trades Journal, social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube), the triennial General Convention, and District Council community events.
The value proposition centers on measurable wage and benefits advantages: union members earn 15% more than non-union counterparts on average, IUPAT tradespersons earn 12% above the national average, 96% of unionized workers have health benefits (vs 69% non-union), and 84% have retirement plans (vs 49% non-union). The core technology stack is administrative rather than product-oriented: Google Analytics, JotForm, Mailchimp, a WordPress-based website, and the iFTI LMS. IUPAT does not develop or deploy AI/ML capabilities. Leadership is headed by General President James A. Williams Jr. and General Secretary-Treasurer Gregg Smith, with regional and functional General Vice Presidents; the organization has achieved several historic "firsts" in building trades leadership, including the first Black General President (2013), first Latino General Vice President (2020), and first female General Vice President (2023).
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
- Legal name
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
- Website
- https://iupat.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1887
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- IUPAT is a nonprofit labor union founded in 1887 that represents 140,000 workers across the U.S. and Canada in seven finishing trades, including commercial and industrial painting, drywall finishing, glazing, and floor covering, delivering collective bargaining, apprenticeship training, and pension/benefit services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Labor Union Services
- NAICS
- Specialty Trade Contractors (238), Painting and Wall Covering Contractors (23832), Other Building Finishing Contractors (238390)
- SIC
- Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Employment & Job Readiness Support Services (BPAGAEAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Worksite Financial Wellness & Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) (FSAIAMAN)
Keywords
Where International Union of Painters and Allied Trades is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hanover
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Union Membership Dues: IUPAT generates revenue through membership dues paid by its 140,000 members across the United States and Canada. Members pay dues in exchange for representation, collective bargaining, training programs, pension benefits, annuity funds, and other member services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IUPAT is a labor union that represents approximately 140,000 workers across the United States and Canada in seven finishing trades: commercial painting, drywall finishing, floor covering, glazing and glasswork, industrial painting, sign and display, and trade show work. Core services delivered to members include collective bargaining representation, apprenticeship and continuing education through the International Finishing Trades Institute (iFTI), retirement benefits via the Industry Pension Fund and Industry Annuity Funds, health and welfare benefits through Union Plus, a Mobile Member Portal app, and various member assistance programs.
Product overview
IUPAT (International Union of Painters and Allied Trades) is a labor union representing 140,000 workers in the finishing trades across the United States and Canada. The organization operates as a union organization rather than a technology product company, offering trade representation for seven skilled finishing trades (Commercial Painter, Drywall Finisher, Floor Coverer, Glazier and Glassworker, Industrial Painter, Sign and Display Worker, and Trade Show Worker). Member services include the Mobile Member Portal (MMP) mobile app, Industry Pension Fund, Industry Annuity Funds, and Union Plus benefits program. Educational programs include the iFTI (International Finishing Trades Institute) apprenticeship program, continuing education courses, Job Corps pre-apprenticeship training, and the Painters & Allied Trades Journal. Additional support programs include Helping Hand (mental health/substance abuse assistance), PATCH Foundation (youth support), PAT-VP (veterans program), and CORE Committees for diversity and inclusion. The organization also offers LMCI for labor-management cooperation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Mobile Member Portal (MMP)
Quantifiable outcome
- Members earn 15% more than non-union counterparts
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Job CorpscoreIUPAT has operated a Job Corps pre-apprenticeship program since 1969, offering training across 59 programs in 32 states. The program provides entry points for workers into finishing trades careers.
- Labor Management Cooperation Initiative (LMCI)coreLMCI promotes the interests of skilled IUPAT workers and employers through labor-management cooperation.
- PATCH FoundationminorSince 2001, PATCH has supported organizations that provide education, medical services, and sports for youth.
- Union PluscoreUnion Plus provides benefits, services, and product discounts for union members and their families, including scholarships, health insurance, legal programs, and discounts on various products and services.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves11 records
Expansion highlights6 records
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE): Building trades union representing heavy equipment operators, mechanics, and surveyors in construction. Comparable to IUPAT in structure (local unions, apprenticeship programs, multiemployer funds) and in concentration on construction craft labor.
- United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Techs: Building trades union representing 350,000+ plumbers, pipefitters, and HVAC service technicians. Operates a parallel apprenticeship/training infrastructure, multiemployer pension plans, and structured collective bargaining much like IUPAT's finishing trades model.
- SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers): Building trades union representing sheet metal workers, HVAC technicians, and transportation workers. Operates apprenticeship programs and multiemployer benefit funds analogous to IUPAT's iFTI and Industry Pension Fund.
- International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC): Building trades union representing bricklayers, tile setters, plasterers, and cement masons. Operates an International Training Center and multiemployer pension funds with the same union model as IUPAT, serving construction finishing-adjacent trades.
- United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America: One of North America's largest building trades unions, representing carpenters across commercial and residential construction. Like IUPAT, UBC organizes workers via local unions, negotiates collective bargaining agreements, runs joint apprenticeship programs, and operates multiemployer benefit funds.
- International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers: Building trades union representing ironworkers in structural and ornamental construction. Shares IUPAT's emphasis on apprenticeship delivery, collective bargaining, and union-only job placement through local unions.
- Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA): Represents construction laborers, with a comparable model of training (LIUNA Training), multiemployer pension/health funds, and District Councils. Operates in the same construction end-markets as IUPAT.
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW): Major building trades union representing ~775,000 electrical workers across construction, utilities, and manufacturing. Mirrors IUPAT's model of local union halls, apprenticeship training, and multiemployer pension/benefit funds serving construction craft workers.
Broad incumbents
- AFL-CIO: National federation of 60+ unions including IUPAT itself. Sets broad labor policy, organizes political advocacy, and provides shared services to affiliated building trades unions; comparable at the federation level rather than as a direct competitor.
- North America's Building Trades Unions: Umbrella organization of building trades unions (including IUPAT) that coordinates apprenticeship standards, project labor agreements, and federal infrastructure advocacy. Functions as a peer federation rather than a competing union for members.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades social profiles
Digital presenceInternational Union of Painters and Allied Trades financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries8 records
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
What does International Union of Painters and Allied Trades do?
IUPAT is a labor union that represents approximately 140,000 workers across the United States and Canada in seven finishing trades: commercial painting, drywall finishing, floor covering, glazing and glasswork, industrial painting, sign and display, and trade show work. Core services delivered to members include collective bargaining representation, apprenticeship and continuing education through the International Finishing Trades Institute (iFTI), retirement benefits via the Industry Pension Fund and Industry Annuity Funds, health and welfare benefits through Union Plus, a Mobile Member Portal app, and various member assistance programs.
Is International Union of Painters and Allied Trades a public or private company?
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was International Union of Painters and Allied Trades founded?
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades was founded in 1887. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is International Union of Painters and Allied Trades based?
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades is headquartered in Hanover, United States, in the North America region.
How does International Union of Painters and Allied Trades make money?
One revenue line is on record: union Membership Dues.
Who are International Union of Painters and Allied Trades's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Techs, SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers), International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (BAC), United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers, Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA) and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). Broad incumbents are AFL-CIO and North America's Building Trades Unions.
Does International Union of Painters and Allied Trades have an API?
No public API is recorded for International Union of Painters and Allied Trades.
What industry is International Union of Painters and Allied Trades in?
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades's product category is Labor Union Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAJ, Employment & Job Readiness Support Services, with a secondary code of FSAIAMAN, Worksite Financial Wellness & Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). Its NAICS code is 238 and its SIC code is 1700.