Connecting field and fab at the forefront of innovation
The 2025 SMACNA Fab Forum, held this week in the Boston area, brought together over 200 of the industry’s top professionals to share ideas, showcase innovation, and explore the evolving role of fabrication in mechanical contracting. Hosted at McCusker-Gill’s cutting-edge 60,000-square-foot fabrication facility in nearby Hingham, the event delivered exactly what SMACNA members have come to expect: a highly engaging, collaborative experience focused on pushing the industry forward.
Shop Meets Field: The Cross-Functional Conversation Contractors Needed
One of my biggest takeaways was how deeply involved operational leaders are across both the field workforce and fab shop operations. At RIVET Work, we specialize in workforce management, so it was incredibly validating to hear fab managers express growing interest in planning both their shop labor and field labor in a more connected, strategic way.
It was an amazing time reconnecting with familiar faces from other SMACNA events and learning more about the evolving responsibilities of fab managers. These leaders are no longer just overseeing machines and materials, they’re influencing workforce productivity across job sites and shops alike.
A Forum That Delivered Real-World Takeaways
The breakout sessions this year were especially actionable, covering topics such as:
• Unleashing Creativity in Fabrication
• Fab Shop Metrics That Matter
• Technology Considerations for Shop Machinery
• Data-Driven Scheduling for Labor Optimization
Across sessions, one clear theme emerged: The fab shop is no longer an island. Contractors are rethinking how to break down silos between the shop and the field, and the need for connected Labor Planning is top of mind.
Hosted by Leaders, Elevated by Peers
McCusker-Gill delivered an incredible tour of their fabrication facility, showcasing top-tier HVAC ductwork production and automation. And of course, the off-site reception at View Boston —perched high atop the Prudential Tower — provided a spectacular backdrop for deeper conversations and stronger connections.
A big moment came when Nathan Shinkle from Poynter Sheet Metal, host of the 2023 Fab Forum, honored McCusker-Gill with a token of appreciation for hosting this year’s event. It was a small but powerful reminder of how tight-knit and collaborative the SMACNA community is.
Final Thoughts: What’s Next?
As fab shops continue to adopt new technology and rethink labor coordination, tools like RIVET are becoming more essential than ever. Contractors need to be able to plan labor across the shop and field, understand capacity in real-time and deploy workers where they’re needed most.
The 2025 SMACNA Fab Forum showed us that the future of fabrication is connected and that the people driving it are more collaborative than ever.
See what a Workforce Management platform built for self-perform contractors can do for you: rivet.work/platform