Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local #359

What Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local #359 does

Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local #359 (SMART Local 359) is a nonprofit building-trades labor union headquartered at 2604 E. Adams Street, Phoenix, Arizona, chartered on July 22, 1937 and affiliated with the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART). It represents approximately 1,400 members across the state of Arizona, following the 1978 consolidation of Tucson Local #426 into Local #359 that created a single building-trades local for the state. The local operates a five-year apprenticeship program delivered through the Homer D. Dukes Sheet Metal Training Center (built 1982) and the Robert H. Walker Training Center (opened 1999), with NCCRS college-accredited classroom instruction covering HVAC fabrication and installation, architectural sheet metal, AutoCAD, BIM design, Testing Adjusting and Balancing (TAB), and welding across mild steel, stainless, aluminum, copper, and brass.

The local's primary products and services are the apprentice training program, journeyman continuing education and specialty certifications (TAB, BIM, service), and workforce placement to mechanical and architectural contractors throughout Arizona. Member benefits administration, including health insurance, dental, vision, prescription, pension, and 401(k), is delivered through Southwest Service Administrators (SSA) and partners such as Delta Dental, TruHearing, and Elixir RX, with a 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and SMART PAC political advocacy rounding out the service portfolio. Five pricing schedules are published: Phoenix-area apprentice wages scaling from 47% of journeyman scale in year one to 71% in year five, Phoenix journeyman at $36.15/hr base plus $19.26/hr benefits, Tucson journeyman at $28.06/hr base plus $16.36/hr benefits, and apprentice tuition at $285 per semester / $855 annually.

The business model is membership-fee and tuition-based: members pay recurring dues (amount not publicly disclosed) for representation, benefits, and training access, while apprentices pay tuition on top of on-the-job training hours. Distribution is direct and relationship-driven, with in-person apprentice applications at the Phoenix JATC office, contractor partnerships providing on-the-job training sites, and recruiting channels including high-school counselor referrals, Helmets to Hardhats for veterans, and word-of-mouth from current members. The local serves a diversified base of commercial, industrial, residential, and food-service contractors as well as manufacturing partners such as Price Industries, ADTI, Metal Form Manufacturing, SubZero/Wolf, and Exential US, with a small staff of approximately 15 administrative and representative personnel led by Business Manager Jeff Holly.

Name

Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local #359

Legal name

SMART Local 359

Website

https://smw359.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1937

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local #359 (SMART Local 359) is an Arizona-based building-trades labor union representing approximately 1,400 members. It runs a five-year NCCRS-accredited apprenticeship and journeyman continuing-education program, places skilled sheet metal workers with mechanical, architectural, and manufacturing contractors statewide, and administers member benefits including health, pension, and 401(k).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Union Services

NAICS

Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors (238120), Structural Steel and Precast Concrete Contractors (23812), Other Specialty Trade Contractors (2389)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Sheet Metal & Ductwork Contracting (IMAFALAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Labor Hire & Specialist Workforce Services (Operators, Trades, Technical Staffing) (IMAKAKAL), Sheet Metal & Ductwork Fabrication/Installation (EDAOACAH), Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE), Sheet Metal & Flashing Works (Gutters, Copings, Edge Metal, Downspouts) (IMAFAMAE)

Keywords

• Sheet metal fabrication
• HVAC installation services
• Trade apprenticeship training
• Union labor workforce
• Construction skilled trades

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Member Dues: Union members pay dues to maintain their membership and receive benefits including healthcare, pension, training, and representation
2. Apprentice Tuition: Apprentices pay tuition for the five-year training program: $285.00 per semester, with three semesters per year ($855.00 annually)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local #359 (SMART Local 359) is a trade union that recruits, trains, and supplies skilled sheet metal workers to contractors across Arizona. Its core offerings are a five-year college-accredited apprenticeship program, journeyman continuing education and workforce placement services, and administration of member benefits (health, dental, vision, pension, and 401(k)) through partner administrators.

Product overview

Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local #359 is a trade union offering a portfolio of workforce development and member services. The core offerings include a five-year apprentice training program providing college-accredited instruction in AutoCAD, TAB (Air Balancing), welding, and HVAC fabrication/install; journeyman continuing education services; and sheet metal workforce staffing for contractors. Member benefits encompass health/welfare administration through Southwest Service Administrators, dental coverage via Delta Dental, hearing care through TruHearing, prescription benefits via Elixir RX, and 24/7 employee assistance through Union EAP. The union also operates a Political Action Committee for legislative advocacy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Apprentice Training Program Five-year apprenticeship combining paid on-the-job training (1,600 OJT hours/year) with NCCRS-college-accredited classroom instruction covering AutoCAD, TAB (air balancing), refrigeration/service, welding, and HVAC fabrication and installation. For prospective apprentices and entry-level sheet metal candidates.
• Journeyman Continuing Education Continuing education and advanced training services for skilled sheet metal journeymen, including service training, TAB certification, and BIM training. For union journeymen seeking to advance their skills.
• Sheet Metal Workforce Placement for Contractors Staffing of highly trained sheet metal journeymen and apprentices to contractors for commercial, industrial, residential, and food service projects; services span design, fabrication, and installation of flashing, gutters, metal roofs, ductwork, kitchen equipment, and HVAC systems, including CAD/BIM and welding. For sheet metal and HVAC contractors across Arizona.
• Member Benefits Administration Multi-employer benefits administration handled through Southwest Service Administrators (SSA) for union members, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, two pension plans, and 401(k). For active and retired Local #359 members and their families.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 24/7 confidential support through licensed Care Coordinators providing mental health support, substance use resources, crisis support, legal consultation, and financial resources. For union members and their families.
• Delta Dental Coverage Dental insurance providing preventive care coverage, negotiated lower fees with dentists, and support for oral health maintenance. For union members and their families.
• TruHearing Program Hearing care program providing savings on hearing aids and professional care through TruHearing, with tiered pricing from Value ($499) to Premium ($1,799) per aid. For union members and their families.
• Elixir RX Prescription Benefits Prescription drug benefits and mail order prescription services through Elixir Solutions, including Medicare Part D insurance options. For union members and their families.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Training InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe International Training Institute is the education arm of the sheet metal and air conditioning industry, providing curriculum and support for apprenticeship programs across the country.
• Southwest Service AdministratorscoreOthersIndependent Third Party Administrator specializing in labor-management, Taft-Hartley Fund Administration. Provides SSAPortal offering 24/7 access for member and provider online assistance.
• Western Apprenticeship Coordinator AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional association coordinating apprenticeship programs across the western United States.
• Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute TrustminorOthersTrust focused on occupational health and safety in the sheet metal industry.
• Price Industries, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSheet metal manufacturing partner. Testimonial from President/COO Marv DeHart describes cordial and respectful working relationship with the union, treating it as a partner in many areas.
• Air Distribution Technologies, Inc (ADTI)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner company producing air movement and heating/cooling equipment.
• Metal Form ManufacturingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSheet metal fabrication and manufacturing partner.
• Exential US, Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSheet metal production services partner.
• SubZero, Wolf Appliance, IncminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAppliance manufacturing partner for sheet metal production.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER): National craft training and credentialing organization for construction trades; an alternative credentialing pathway for open-shop sheet metal/HVAC training that competes with union apprenticeship programs like Local #359's.
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): Open-shop construction trade association representing merit-shop contractors that train and employ non-union labor; the principal organizational competitor to building trades unions for contractor allegiance and apprentice recruitment in Arizona.
• International Training Institute (ITI): The national education arm of the sheet metal and air conditioning industry that provides curriculum and instructor certification for apprenticeship programs; a direct strategic partner of Local #359 and the upstream enabler of its NCCRS-accredited training.

Regional players

• Ironworkers Local 75 (Arizona): Arizona ironworkers union with comparable apprenticeship, journeyman, and contractor workforce model; structural peer in the Arizona building trades ecosystem though operating in a different specialty.
• Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 469 (UA): Arizona-based building trades union offering a five-year apprenticeship and benefits-administered workforce for mechanical contractors; comparable as a competing skilled-trades labor supplier in the same Phoenix market.
• IBEW Local 640 (Arizona): Arizona electrical workers union providing apprenticeship-trained labor to contractors; adjacent building trades peer serving the same contractors and competing for the same construction project scopes.

Direct peers

• SMART Local 38 (Pacific Northwest): Pacific Northwest SMART local providing the same apprenticeship/journeyman/contractor workforce model as Local #359; relevant peer for benchmarking training quality, member compensation, and contractor engagement.
• SMART Local 104 (California): A sister SMART local representing sheet metal workers in California; structurally identical organization with NCCRS-accredited apprenticeship, journeyman services, and contractor workforce placement — the most directly comparable peer to Local #359.
• SMART Local 33 (Cleveland): Another SMART sheet metal local providing apprenticeship, journeyman, and contractor workforce services; comparable in mission, training program length, and member benefit structure, though operating in a different regional market.

Broad incumbents

• SMART (International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers): Parent international union of Local #359; directly comparable as it charters and oversees all sheet metal worker locals in the U.S. and Canada, with shared curriculum, training standards, and collective bargaining frameworks.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sheet-metal-workers-union-local-359

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local #359