International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

What International Brotherhood of Boilermakers does

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO is a North American labor union organized in 1880 and headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri (12200 N Ambassador Dr, Suite 303). The union represents skilled craftsmen, women, and industrial workers across the United States and Canada, operating through more than 200 local lodges, over 40 construction lodges, and the National Transient District Lodge (NTDL) serving traveling workers. Its membership is employed in heavy industry, shipbuilding, manufacturing, railroads, cement, mining, and metalwork, and the union engages in constructing and repairing electric power plants (including nuclear, gas-fired, and advanced coal-fired facilities), refineries, pulp and paper mills, steel mills, naval and commercial vessels, locomotives, and related infrastructure.

The union delivers member value through three core institutional programs: the Boilermaker National Apprenticeship Program (BNAP) for workforce pipeline development (including a Welding Bootcamp option), MOST Programs for standardized safety and skills training delivery, and the Boilermaker National Funds providing pensions, health and welfare coverage, and annuity trust services. Ancillary member benefits include the Boilermaker Disaster Relief Fund, National Scholarships, Legal Services, Vacation Trust, and the Boilermaker Reporter publication. Political advocacy is centralized in the LEAP (Legislative Education Action Program), which maintains a permanent presence via the Government Affairs Department office in Washington, D.C. Leadership is provided by International President Timothy Simmons, supported by Directors of Political and Legislative Affairs and Government Affairs, and the union is affiliated with the AFL-CIO federation.

Revenue is generated primarily through membership dues collected across the lodge network, with the union's economic relationship to employers mediated through collective bargaining agreements in industries such as heavy construction, shipbuilding, railroads, cement, and manufacturing. Distribution runs through local lodge representation, the NTDL traveling-member program, and strategic partners on the employer side including the National Association of Boilermaker Employers (NABE), AFL-CIO, IndustriALL Global Union, Bank of Labor, ULLICO, Union Insurance Group, Union Plus, and Helmets to Hardhats. As a nonprofit labor union, IBB does not publicly disclose revenue; financial transparency is provided via US Department of Labor LM-2 filings rather than corporate reporting.

Name

International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

Legal name

International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers, AFL-CIO

Website

https://boilermakers.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1880

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

10,001+ employees

Short description

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers is a North American labor union founded in 1880, representing skilled workers across shipbuilding, heavy construction, manufacturing, railroads, cement, and mining through more than 200 local lodges, with revenue derived from membership dues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Labor Union Services

NAICS

Labor Unions and Similar Labor Organizations (81393), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Boilermaking, Pressure Vessels & Tank Fabrication Training (EDAOADAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pipe Welding & Industrial Piping Fabrication Training (EDAOADAB), Workforce Mobilization, Training & Construction Support Services (EUAKAAAN), Boiler Installation & Replacement (HSAOACAC), Industrial Boilers, HRSGs & Steam Generators (IMAHAFAF)

Keywords

• Trade union membership
• Apprenticeship training
• Collective bargaining
• Skilled trades representation
• Industrial workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Kansas City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The union generates revenue through membership dues paid by its skilled craftsmen and women members employed in various industries across the United States and Canada.
2. Collective Bargaining Agreements: Revenue generated through collective bargaining agreements with employers in heavy industry, shipbuilding, manufacturing, railroads, cement, mining, and related industries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers is a labor union that recruits, trains, and represents skilled boilermakers, welders, fitters, and industrial workers across heavy construction, shipbuilding, manufacturing, railroads, cement, and mining in the U.S. and Canada. It delivers its core offering through registered apprenticeship programs (BNAP), standardized MOST skills training, and a network of 200+ local lodges that provide collective bargaining representation, member benefits (pensions, health/welfare, annuity, scholarships, legal services, vacation trust, disaster relief), and political advocacy via its LEAP program.

Product overview

The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers operates as a labor union offering a portfolio of member services rather than a traditional product platform. The core offerings include Boilermaker National Funds (pension, health/welfare, and annuity), MOST Programs for standardized training, and the Boilermaker National Apprenticeship Program (BNAP) for workforce development. Member benefits encompass disaster relief, scholarships, legal services, and vacation trust programs. Political advocacy is delivered through the LEAP program, while the National Transient District Lodge enables traveling work opportunities. The union also partners on maritime workforce initiatives through the Rotational Workforce Program. These services support members across industries including shipbuilding, heavy construction, manufacturing, railroads, and cement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Boilermaker National Funds National funds providing pension, health and welfare, and annuity trust benefits to Boilermaker members, delivering retirement and healthcare support as part of union membership.
• MOST Programs (Management, Organizational, and Skilled Trades) Standardized training and workforce development programs delivering construction skills and safety training to Boilermaker members across North America.
• Boilermaker National Apprenticeship Program (BNAP) Registered apprenticeship program providing paid on-the-job training for individuals seeking careers as Boilermakers, including a Welding Bootcamp option.
• LEAP (Legislative Education Action Program) Member-driven political and legislative action program advocating at the local, state, and federal level for legislation affecting Boilermaker jobs and job security.
• Boilermaker Vacation Trust Vacation trust benefit program supporting Boilermaker workers with seasonal employment cycles and time-off accruals.
• National Transient District Lodge (NTDL) Traveling-member program allowing Boilermakers to work where jobs are available across North America without permanent relocation.
• Rotational Workforce Program Program developed with Bartlett Maritime Corporation to attract skilled inland Boilermaker workers to coastal shipyards without requiring permanent relocation, addressing maritime labor shortages.
• Boilermaker Disaster Relief Fund Financial assistance program providing support to Boilermaker members impacted by natural disasters.
• Boilermaker National Scholarships Scholarship program for Boilermaker members and their families to support educational pursuits.
• Boilermaker Legal Services Legal services available to Boilermaker members through partner benefits.
• The Boilermaker Reporter Official publication of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers providing news, updates, and industry information to members.

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• M.O.S.T. ProgramscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManagement, Organizational, and Skilled Trades programs providing training delivery system and professional development for Boilermaker members and leaders
• Boilermakers National Apprenticeship Program (BNAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational apprenticeship program providing comprehensive training for boilermakers, welders, fitters, and related trades - recognized as one of the best apprentice programs in America
• Boilermaker National FundscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational funds for pensions, health and welfare, and annuity trust providing comprehensive financial benefits to union members
• Union Sportsmens AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for member engagement through conservation activities and sportsmen events
• Helmets to HardhatscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProgram connecting transitioning military service members with careers in the building and construction trades - helping veterans enter Boilermaker apprenticeship programs
• AFL-CIOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederation of Unions affiliated with the Boilermakers, providing political advocacy, legislative support, and labor movement coordination
• IndustriALL Global UnionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal union federation connecting Boilermakers with international labor movement for workers' rights advocacy worldwide
• National Association of Boilermaker Employers (NABE)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAssociation of employers working with Boilermakers union, representing contractors and construction industry stakeholders in labor negotiations
• Union PlusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProgram providing consumer benefits, discounts, and services to union members and their families
• Bartlett Maritime CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Rotational Workforce program to attract skilled inland workers to coastal shipyards without requiring permanent relocation, addressing maritime labor shortage

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Helmets to Hardhats: Non-profit career training program connecting military veterans to building trades apprenticeships, including IBB's BNAP. While not a union, it serves as a critical recruitment pipeline for IBB and other building trades.
• AFL-CIO: National labor federation of which IBB is a core affiliate. AFL-CIO provides shared political advocacy, organizing resources, and inter-union coordination that IBB directly benefits from and partially depends on.

Direct peers

• United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Service Techs (UA): Sister building trades union with overlapping jurisdiction in pipefitting, welding, and industrial construction. UA members frequently work alongside Boilermakers on the same industrial projects.
• United Steelworkers (USW): Large industrial union with significant overlap in steel mills, manufacturing, and heavy industry. USW represents workers in many of the same sectors (steel, paper, mining, refining) and competes for the same membership base as IBB.
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW): Major building trades union affiliated with AFL-CIO, with significant overlap in power plant, industrial, and construction work. IBEW and IBB often have parallel collective bargaining structures on the same job sites.
• International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE): Building trades union operating heavy equipment on construction sites. IUOE members work on the same heavy construction and industrial projects as IBB members, often with parallel local lodge structures.
• International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM): Major industrial union representing workers in manufacturing, aerospace, and shipbuilding—directly overlapping IBB's shipbuilding and heavy manufacturing segments.
• Iron Workers International Union: Building trades union representing structural iron and steel workers, with significant overlap in heavy construction, power plants, and bridge/infrastructure projects that also employ Boilermakers.
• Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA): Building trades union with significant overlap in HVAC, industrial sheet metal, and construction. SMWIA members frequently work on the same industrial and power plant projects as IBB members.

Broad incumbents

• United Auto Workers (UAW): Large industrial union with manufacturing focus and similar dues/benefits structure. While primarily automotive, UAW represents industrial workers in adjacent sectors and competes for the same general manufacturing labor pool.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ibbstream
• Xx.com/boilermakernews
• Facebookfacebook.com/Boilermakers.Union
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-brotherhood-of-boilermakers

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

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 International Brotherhood of Boilermakers