Forging Strength. We are Better Together.

Jack Nix is Chief Operations Officer for Shelby Erectors, Inc., and President of SEAA.

Beneath the towering giants of structural steel buildings lies an equally important aspect of construction—hidden from plain sight. The reinforcing steel in the foundation is equally crucial to the integrity of the structure as the structural columns and beams. Likewise, what’s a structure without a floor or roof deck?

In the same way, the members of SEAA bring different specialties and areas of expertise, and together we are stronger as an industry. We are made up of structural steel erectors, reinforcing steel placers, decking contractors, and metal building erectors. We are all steel erectors—working closely with steel fabricators, who are also members. In many cases, member companies perform more than one of these services.

As an ironworker that has experience in all aspects of steel erection mentioned above, I speak from experience that SEAA has both tangible and intangible benefits for business owners of all these specialties. As the incoming President of SEAA, I am reminded of the crucial role each of us plays in shaping the skylines and infrastructures of our communities.

The tools and techniques of decking, rod placing, or structural erection varies, reflecting applicational differences. Rodbusters use tie wire, reels, & pliers to secure steel rods. Deckers use screw guns, steel pin setters and welding to secure steel deck pans. Structural ironworkers rely on spud wrenches, sleaver bars and welding to erect steel columns, beams and bracing. All aspects of the trade use cranes, hoisting equipment and lifting devices that require qualified riggers specific to their craft.

What we have in common

But the differences stop there. As business owners we have more in common than not. We all need trained workers. Safe and efficient operations are critical to each of us. We must work in coordination with other trades, dealing with pushed timelines, logistics challenges, and changing work orders. Contract language, employment law, insurance issues are the same for subcontractors, regardless of your specialty.

There is a misperception that SEAA is just for the structural steel construction industry. In fact, among SEAA’s founding members were rebar, structural steel, and decking companies. Today, we offer a custom Reinforcing Steel Ironworker and Structural Ironworker Levels 1-3 training curriculum that meet NCCER credentials, our DOL-approved Apprenticeship Standard provides a tool for creating formal training prescriptions for both Structural Steel and Reinforcing Ironworkers, we have an online training portal with content that applies to many aspects of ironworking, including rigging—something we all do on a daily basis.

Intangible benefits

More valuable than even these tools are the intangible benefits that come from networking with your peers, learning about best practices, staying informed about technology trends, and more. It is impossible to tap into that if you don’t get engaged. “Networking!” is the #1 thing mentioned that SEAA does well according to recent post-event surveys of attendees from the 2024 Convention & Trade Show. When that is coupled with the fact that our members were also described as “down to earth,” it’s testament that this is a group that checks their egos at the door.

There’s no other subcontractor owner organization out there that focuses on what we do—building with steel. My goal as SEAA’s next president is to continue to grow our membership, but especially among my reinforcing steel and decking contractor colleagues.

I am continually inspired by the dedication and skill required of the reinforcing, structural, and decking ironworkers who go to work for our companies each day. These professionals exemplify the best of what it means to work in construction—combining strength, precision, teamwork, and an unwavering commitment to safety. As owners, operations managers, or safety professionals, we owe it to our crews to continue to up our game as well. •