Smart Local Union No. 104

What Smart Local Union No. 104 does

Smart Local Union No. 104 is a chartered labor union representing over 9,000 active and retired sheet metal workers across 49 California counties, primarily serving construction, HVAC, industrial, architectural/metal, and food service trades. The union operates as a local of SMART International (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation) and traces its organizing history to 1885 with its charter issued in 1903. Its core function is collective bargaining on behalf of members, dispatching skilled labor through a referral system to signatory contractors, and operating five-year registered apprenticeship programs through Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATCs) that combine classroom instruction in CAD detailing with paid on-the-job training on construction projects.

The union's operational technology stack centers on member-facing and training systems rather than a distinct product platform. Members access union services via the JAMS Cloud Mobile App, which provides self-service capabilities for dispatch, benefits, and communications. Apprentice curriculum includes CAD detailing software for technical instruction. The union maintains a multi-office footprint across California, built through historical consolidations of predecessor locals in 1973, 1982, and 1986, supporting training centers and regional offices that give it dispatch and worksite coverage throughout the state.

The business model is funded primarily by member dues — a recurring subscription model — supplemented by apprenticeship training contributions from signatory contractors, credit union operating income, and reserves investment income. Revenue supports organizing staff, training facilities, member benefits administration (credit union, scholarship fund, hardship fund), and regulatory and political advocacy. In 2025, the union participated in advocacy shaping the California Mechanical Code around test-and-balance, damper sealing, and related technical requirements that define the scope of work credentialed members may perform.

Name

Smart Local Union No. 104

Legal name

Sheet Metal Workers' Local Union No. 104

Website

https://smw104.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1903

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Smart Local Union No. 104 is a SMART International-affiliated labor union representing 9,000+ sheet metal workers across 49 California counties. It operates collective bargaining, workforce dispatch, and five-year JATC apprenticeship programs, funded by member dues and contractor training contributions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Labor Union Services

NAICS

Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing (332322), Siding Contractors (238170)

SIC

Sheet Metal Work (3444), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)

akta.pro primary industry

Sheet Metal & Ductwork Contracting (IMAFALAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sheet Metal & Flashing Works (Gutters, Copings, Edge Metal, Downspouts) (IMAFAMAE)

Keywords

• Labor union representation
• Apprenticeship training
• Sheet metal fabrication
• HVAC installation services
• Workforce dispatch services

Headquarters

HQ city

Livermore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices17 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The union operates as a labor organization funded by membership dues. Members pay dues in exchange for union representation, collective bargaining services, access to apprenticeship training, health benefits, retirement funds, and other member services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Sheet Metal Workers' Local Union No. 104 is a labor union representing over 9,000 highly skilled craftspeople across 49 California counties. Its core offerings include collective bargaining representation, a 5-year state-approved apprenticeship training program covering eight craft specializations, dispatch of qualified workers to contractors through regional offices, health and retirement benefits administration, a Federal Credit Union, and a scholarship trust fund.

Product overview

Smart Local Union No. 104 operates as a membership organization providing a unified suite of member services rather than a traditional product company. The core offerings include the JAMS Cloud Mobile App (official mobile application available on iOS and Android) and Member Portal for member access, the Contractor Finder Tool for finding vetted sheet metal and HVAC contractors across California, the SMW 104 Federal Credit Union for financial services, and an Apprenticeship Training Program with multiple craft specializations (Architectural, HVAC, TAB, Industrial, Kitchen Equipment, CAD Detailer, Shop Manufacturing, Service). Additional services include the Robert G. Mammini Scholarship Trust Fund and an online Union Store. The organization spans 49 California counties and represents over 9,000 skilled sheet metal craftspeople.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Apprenticeship Training Program Five-year State-approved apprenticeship program providing comprehensive training in sheet metal work, combining field work experience with classroom instruction at multiple JATC training centers throughout California. Open to individuals entering the sheet metal trade.
• Workforce Dispatch Services Dispatch of qualified, skilled and trained sheet metal workers to construction contractors through 10 regional offices (dispatch halls) across 49 California counties, covering architectural sheet metal, HVAC, industrial, kitchen equipment, and other projects under prevailing rate pay and Project Labor Agreements.
• SMW 104 Federal Credit Union Credit union offering financial services to union members including loans, credit cards, and other banking services. Adjacent operating subsidiary of Local 104 located at 3156 Constitution Dr., Livermore.
• Robert G. Mammini SMW Local No. 104 Scholarship Trust Fund Scholarship program offering Merit Scholarships, Mechanical Engineering Scholarships, and Graduate/Advanced Degree Scholarships to Local 104 members and their dependents. Since inception in 1996, has awarded over 1,329 scholarships with cumulative value exceeding $8.9 million.
• SMW 104 Union Store Online store offering union merchandise, branded apparel, and materials for Local 104 members, accessible at smw104shop.com.

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SMART (Sheet Metal Workers' International Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal 104 is affiliated with the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMART), the international union representing sheet metal workers. The local operates under SMART's umbrella while maintaining autonomous operations for Bay Area and Northern California jurisdictions.
• Building and Construction Trades CouncilscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal 104 works with regional Building and Construction Trades Councils including San Mateo County Building and Construction Trades Council for labor standards, Project Labor Agreements, and coordinated labor advocacy.
• JAMS CloudcoreTechnology or IntegrationJAMS Cloud Mobile App is the official application for Sheet Metal Workers' Local 104, available on iOS and Android platforms for member use and access to union services.
• SMW 104 Federal Credit UnioncoreOthersCredit union offering financial services to union members including loans and credit cards. Located at 3156 Constitution Dr., Livermore.
• Joint Apprenticeship Training Committees (JATC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with multiple JATC organizations including Santa Clara County JATC, Alameda & Contra Costa Counties JATC, Sacramento Area Training Center, Fresno JATC, and Tri-Counties Sheet Metal Workers' JATC for delivering apprenticeship training.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT): Represents 140,000+ members in painting, finishing, and architectural/industrial coating trades; operates under the same building trades council structure in California and partners with Local 104 on architectural sheet metal projects.
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW): Major U.S. building trades union representing 820,000+ members; closely parallels Local 104 in organizing model, apprenticeship training, dispatch halls, and PLA advocacy in California construction markets.
• Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA): Represents 500,000+ construction laborers; partners with Local 104 on California construction sites via the same Building and Construction Trades Councils and shares the prevailing-wage/PLA advocacy framework.
• United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC): Largest building trades union with 500,000+ members; competes with and complements Local 104 across California construction sites, sharing PLA/prevailing-wage advocacy and joint apprenticeship initiatives.
• United Steelworkers (USW): North American industrial union with 1.2M members across metals, manufacturing, and industrial sheet metal. Overlaps with Local 104's Industrial and Shop Manufacturing crafts, particularly in refineries, factories, and power plants.
• United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Techs (UA): National union of 355,000+ plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC service technicians, and welders. Competes with Local 104 for apprentices in HVAC/mechanical trades and works alongside it on joint construction projects under the same Building Trades Councils.
• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE): Represents 400,000+ heavy-equipment operators and stationary engineers; comparable building-trades union with similar training-center infrastructure and PLA-driven work acquisition on California infrastructure and industrial projects.
• International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers: Specialized trade union for mechanical insulation workers; comparable in size, jurisdictional scope, and apprenticeship-driven model, often co-deploying on HVAC and industrial projects alongside Local 104 sheet metal crews.
• Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers International Union (BAC): Represents 65,000+ bricklayers, tile setters, and pointers/cleaners/caulkers; partners with Local 104 on building envelope work and shares the same California Building Trades Council affiliations and prevailing-wage advocacy.

Broad incumbents

• SMART (Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers) International: International parent union of Local 104 representing over 200,000 members across the U.S. and Canada. Directly comparable as the parent organization governing Local 104 and all other SMART-affiliated sheet metal locals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/smwlocal104
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sheet-metal-workers-local-104-health-care-plan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Smart Local Union No. 104