building trades employers' association

What building trades employers' association does

Building Trades Employers' Association (BTEA) Northeast is a nonprofit trade association founded in 1924 and headquartered in Braintree, Massachusetts. It serves as the leading voice for union building trades contractors throughout New England and portions of upstate New York, coordinating the relationships between 250+ contractor members, 70 local unions, and 10 affiliate trade associations spanning 15 construction trades across seven states. The association operates as a membership-based organization with a small core staff, offering tiered membership at $1,200 annually for contractors and $900 for associate members.

BTEA's core service portfolio centers on collective bargaining agreement negotiation, trustee representation on multi-employer benefit funds, legislative advocacy, and member-only education and training. Its product surface is a training and events catalog covering operational excellence, project controls, SMACNA technical standards, change order management, HR documentation, cybersecurity, foreman leadership, and wellness programming delivered through Modern Assistance Programs (MAP). The association also runs industry initiatives including Building Trades Recovery Week, the Future Leaders Council, the Women's Council, and the Thomas S. Gunning Foundation scholarship program, which has awarded more than $2.35 million to date.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through annual membership dues, event sponsorships, golf tournament proceeds (including the TJG Fund tournament), and donations to the affiliated Thomas S. Gunning Foundation. The organization has no external investors or funding rounds, is governed by a member-board of directors, and distributes its services through direct membership outreach, an affiliate network of trade associations, and a digital presence across email (BTEA Briefing), LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Name

building trades employers' association

Legal name

Building Trades Employers' Association (BTEA) Northeast

Website

https://btea.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Building Trades Employers' Association (BTEA) Northeast is a 100+ year-old nonprofit trade association representing 250+ union building trades contractors across 7 New England states, delivering collective bargaining, trustee representation, advocacy, and member training through 10 affiliate trade associations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association Services

NAICS

Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Construction - Special Trade Contractors (1700)

akta.pro primary industry

Incumbent Worker Training & Upskilling (EDAAAOAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Employment & Labor Law (BPAHAAAD), Heavy Civil Construction Trades (Roads, Bridges & Utilities) (EDAOAAAN)

Keywords

• Trade association services
• Union contractor representation
• Construction industry training
• Collective bargaining services
• Labor relations advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Braintree

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Contractor Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from union construction contractors. Contractors pay $1,200 per year for membership benefits including labor relations support, education and training programs, legislative advocacy, trustee representation, and access to industry events and networking.
2. Associate Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from associate members at $900 per year. Associate members receive similar benefits as contractor members but at a reduced rate.
3. Training and Event Revenue: BTEA offers complimentary training and events to members as part of their membership. Non-members may pay for certain programs. Revenue is generated through golf tournaments (to benefit TJG Fund), SMACNA Boston Chapter Annual Golf Tournament, ICANE Golf Tournament, and various training workshops.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Building Trades Employers' Association (BTEA) Northeast is a nonprofit trade association serving union building trades contractors across New England and portions of upstate New York. It delivers collective bargaining and labor relations representation, trustee representation on benefit funds, legislative advocacy, and a portfolio of education and training programs (operational excellence, project controls, AI workflows, cybersecurity, change order management, foreman leadership). It also runs industry events, wellness and recovery initiatives, scholarships, and Future Leaders/Women's councils through a network of 10 affiliate trade associations covering 15 trades and 70 local unions.

Product overview

The Building Trades Employers' Association (BTEA) Northeast is a trade association serving as the leading voice for union building trades contractors throughout New England and portions of upstate New York. Rather than a unified SaaS platform, BTEA Northeast offers a portfolio of services including: collective bargaining and labor relations, trustee representation, legislative advocacy, education and training programs, and industry events. The association comprises eight affiliate trade associations (SMACNA Boston, ICANE, PFEANE/GEANE, CEANE, NEA, BRCA, and NEMA) representing 10 trade associations across 15 trades and 70 local unions. Key service offerings include professional development training programs (operational excellence, SMACNA Technical University, AI workflows, project controls, cybersecurity, change order management), wellness programs through Modern Assistance Programs, scholarship programs (Thomas S. Gunning Foundation), and industry initiatives such as Building Trades Recovery Week, Future Leaders Council, and Women's Council.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Contractor Membership
• Associate Membership
• Collective Bargaining and Labor Relations
• Trustee Representation
• Legislative Advocacy
• Education and Training Programs
• Building Trades Recovery Week
• Future Leaders Council
• Women's Council
• Thomas S. Gunning Foundation Scholarship
• Industry Events

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $2.35 million in scholarships awarded to BTEA Members and their families through the Thomas S. Gunning Foundation
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SMACNA (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMACNA Boston Chapter is an affiliate of BTEA Northeast, representing union sheet metal and air conditioning contractors in Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. The partnership focuses on collective bargaining negotiations, education and training, and policy implementation benefiting the industry.
• ICANE (Insulation Contractors Association of New England)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICANE represents premier union commercial and industrial insulation contractors in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, and Vermont. As a BTEA affiliate, ICANE contractors provide mechanical insulation, abatement, and specialty contracting services with focus on CBA negotiations, training, and industry policy.
• PFEANE and GEANE (Painting and Finishing Employers' Association / Glass Employers' Association of New England)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPFEANE and GEANE are joint industry voice organizations for painting, finishing, and glass contractors in New England. The partnership provides programs and services to improve member contractors' standing in the region.
• CEANE (Carpenters Employers' Association of New England)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEANE represents New England's union carpenters, advocating for and promoting specialty contractors in today's competitive industry through collective bargaining and industry representation.
• NEA (Northeast Erectors Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEstablished in 2006, NEA represents metal and steel erectors in the northeast, enabling industry access to essential technical information and industry updates that enhance the economic position of signatory members.
• BRCA (Boston Roofing Contractors Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBRCA is the regional association for roofing contractors in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Delaware. Works with national organizations including NRCA to develop the roofing industry.
• NEMA (Northeast Millwrights Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEMA represents construction professionals in the metal and machinery industry with exceptional skills working primarily with machinery and equipment. Advances signatory members through collective bargaining agreements covering the entire northeast region.
• Modern Assistance Programs (MAP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMAP provides wellness trainings facilitated through Employee Assistance Programs year-round for BTEA contractor members. Services include substance use disorder support, mental health resources, and workplace wellness programs.
• National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRCA collaborates with BRCA (Boston Roofing Contractors Association) to develop the roofing industry through policy advocacy, training, and industry standards.
• NASRCC (North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASRCC collaborates with BTEA through Recovery Week initiatives and provides the Carpenters Assistance Program (CAP) offering free, confidential assistance to members and families confronting substance abuse and mental health challenges.
• LIUNA (Laborers' International Union of North America)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLIUNA partners with BTEA through Recovery Week and provides the LEAN Recovery Program offering free recovery support to members and their families struggling with addiction.
• IUPAT DC35 (International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIUPAT DC35 represents painters, finishers, and glaziers in the region. Partners with BTEA through Recovery Week initiatives and member benefit programs.
• Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMART)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMART (Sheet Metal Workers' Air, Rail and Transportation Union) works with BTEA through SMACNA partnerships and Recovery Week initiatives, representing sheet metal workers across Local 17 and Local 63.
• Turner ConstructionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerTurner Construction is a sponsor of Building Trades Recovery Week, supporting the industry's initiative to combat substance use disorder and promote mental health resources.
• FMI (FMI Corporation)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerFMI provides training instructors for BTEA programs, specializing in productivity, project management, and construction operations. Partner Gregg Schoppman teaches Operational Excellence courses.
• ASKM and AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerASKM and Associates provides Lean Construction training through Colin Milberg, PhD, who works with organizations on large-scale infrastructure projects implementing Lean practices.
• Maxim Consulting Group, LLCminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMaxim Consulting Group provides Change Order Management training through Director Stephane McShane, specializing in management consulting, lean transformations, and professional development.
• AIM HR SolutionsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAIM HR Solutions provides HR training through Annette Dupree, Director of HR Services, offering courses on documentation, policy implementation, and record maintenance.
• The Beckage FirmminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Beckage Firm provides cybersecurity training through Jennifer Beckage, a nationally recognized cybersecurity attorney who guides organizations through data breaches and security incidents.
• Work Force ProminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWork Force Pro provides leadership training through founder Nic Bittle, who works with contractors to prepare and develop their workforce through engaging speaking and consulting.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• SMACNA (Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association): National trade association for union sheet metal and air conditioning contractors. BTEA's SMACNA Boston chapter is a direct affiliate, and SMACNA provides overlapping collective bargaining, training, and advocacy services at the national level.
• NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association): National trade association representing union electrical contractors through collective bargaining, training, and advocacy — the same core service stack BTEA delivers for its New England member base.
• NRCA (National Roofing Contractors Association): National roofing contractors association that BTEA's BRCA affiliate already partners with. NRCA delivers industry advocacy, training, and standards development directly to roofing contractor members across the US.
• AGC of Massachusetts (Associated General Contractors of Massachusetts): Regional construction contractors association serving the same New England market as BTEA Northeast. AGC of Mass provides comparable services including legislative advocacy, training, and member networking for general and specialty contractors.
• MCAA (Mechanical Contractors Association of America): National association for union mechanical contractors, delivering labor relations, education, and safety programming that closely mirrors BTEA's service stack for mechanical and HVAC trade members.
• NAPHCC (National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors): National trade association for plumbing and HVAC contractors, offering training, advocacy, and code work that parallels BTEA's service mix for plumbing and HVAC trade members.
• CEANE (Carpenters Employers' Association of New England): Direct subsidiary affiliate of BTEA Northeast, representing union carpenter contractors in New England for collective bargaining, training, and advocacy. Demonstrates the affiliate-driven operating model BTEA uses to deliver services.
• SMACNA Boston Chapter: Regional chapter affiliate within BTEA's network, representing union sheet metal and AC contractors in five New England states. Useful as a comparable regional unit and a demonstration of BTEA's federated delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• ABC (Associated Builders and Contractors): Largest US trade association for non-union construction contractors. ABC is a structural competitor to BTEA's union-only model and an important benchmark for the open-shop competitive threat BTEA faces.
• NAHB (National Association of Home Builders): Broad US construction industry association providing advocacy, education, and networking for residential and light commercial builders. While union/non-union posture differs, NAHB is a comparable model for scale and member services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BTEANortheast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/building-trades-employers-association-btea
• Instagraminstagram.com/bteanortheast

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about building trades employers' association