Tim O'Toole

Hand holding a fishing rod and reel extended over calm water at sunrise.

A Contractor’s Amazon Adventure: Heat, Teamwork, and Thrills in the Rainforest

Pressure has a way of exposing your habits. It shows how you respond when comfort fades away and the work starts fighting back. For contractors, those moments come on jobs…

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Welder with a protective face mask welding steel pipe

A Skilled Workforce Should Be the Nation’s First Priority

A widening skills gap threatens to further erode U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and thus our economy. A talent pipeline with a sufficient supply of properly aligned skills is imperative in meeting…

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FIREGUARD® steel storage tank near airport in Jackson Hole, Wy.

7 on 7 with Jason Mayer

STI/SPFA recently spoke with Jason Mayer, Vice President Sales – Manufactured Products at TrueNorth Steel, about his career in the steel fabrication industry. STI/SPFA: Tell us about the history of…

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Welder wearing protective helmet.

The Real Cost of Turnover: Building Culture That Creates Legacy

We meticulously track materials, labor hours, and production deadlines, but often overlook the silent profit-killer: employee turnover. When experienced fabricators leave, they take invaluable knowledge, efficiency shortcuts, and quality standards…

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Welder wearing protective gear welding a large steel tank as sparks fly.

Advancing Member Value: STI/SPFA’s 2026 Strategic Projects

The STI/SPFA Board of Directors approved an ambitious series of projects designed with one clear goal in mind: delivering enhanced value to members. These initiatives are shaped by direct member…

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Industry representatives seated at a conference table providing testimony during a congressional hearing.

House Small Business Committee Hearing on Domestic Manufacturing

Last month, Harry Moser testified before the House Small Business Committee at its Hearing on Domestic Manufacturing, emphasizing the need to strengthen U.S. competitiveness to accelerate reshoring. During the hearing, Harry…

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U.S. Capitol Building in Washington D.C

Legislative Advocacy Committee Update – December 2025

The STI/SPFA Legislative Advocacy Committee met on December 9 to review key developments in Congress, regulatory activity, and the association’s priorities heading into 2026. Below is a brief summary of…

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Steel water pipe installation

7 on 7 with Kyle Couture

STI/SPFA recently spoke with Kyle Couture, Marketing Manager for AMERICAN SpiralWeld Pipe Co., about his career in the steel fabrication industry. STI/SPFA: Tell us about the history of your company.…

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Illustration of a person with a telescope walking toward a target symbol on the horizon.

STI/SPFA Unveils New Strategic Plan

The Steel Tank Institute/Steel Plate Fabricators Association (STI/SPFA) has released an updated strategic plan following approval by the Board of Directors in September. The refreshed plan establishes a clear roadmap…

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Person holding a hand to their ear as if listening closely.

Listen Before Leading: A Hard Lesson on Change

I pride myself on being a forward thinker. My aim is always to do what’s best for my team because I’ve learned that the strength of any company rests on…

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