The Merit Shop Spokesman Blog

National Safety Month
Take the First STEP on Your Safety Journey

ABC and its member companies work daily to build a construction workforce that is diverse, safe, skilled and productive. A foundational pillar of ABC’s very existence is safety. A culture of both physical and mental health and safety cannot exist without leadership taking a stand that includes an unwillingness to compromise safety and modeling this belief in their every action. Challenging and transforming the status quo to create a belief that all incidents are preventable creates a culture where safety is considered a moral obligation not just for leadership, but for all employees.

June 21, 2022

Associated Builders & Contractors, Keystone Chapter Expands Service Territory Throughout Central Pennsylvania

Manheim, Pa, June 16, 2022—ABC Keystone is pleased to announce the expansion of the Chapter’s service territory from an original 10-county footprint to 33 counties spanning central PA. The Central PA Chapter of Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) has been consolidated into the ABC Keystone Chapter, made official by vote at the ABC National Board of Directors meeting on June 14, 2022, in Washington D.C.

June 16, 2022

Advocacy Update

Van Halen said in 1995, we are, “livin’ with the aftershock.” The Pennsylvania primary election has come and gone. As with any election, there were some surprising and some not-so surprising results.

June 10, 2022

A Message from the ABC Keystone Chair of the Board

Message from the Chair: Celebrate the Apprenticeship Class of 2022!

It’s time to celebrate! How great it is to see individuals work hard, complete their training, and move on to the next stage of their lives. High school students are trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives after school. College grads are looking for their first job and dealing with the student debt they have amassed. And, craft professionals have completed their education and are moving into their careers fully trained.

June 7, 2022

Member Spotlight: Amy Mehl & Joe Beahm,
graphtech

Tell Us About Your Company!
With the goal of connecting our customers to their audience, graphtech offers a full spectrum of solutions from graphic creativity to technical production. Having been in business for 40 years, graphtech has the tools and expertise to be an extension of any team and is committed to partnerships that deliver results.

June 3, 2022

Ask an Accountant: What Construction Contractors Need to Know About the New Lease Accounting Standard for 2022

After granting a yearlong delay due to COVID-19, non-public companies must adopt the new lease accounting guidelines that greatly expands the financial reporting requirements for leases.

June 2, 2022

ABC Keystone Members Save!

SAVE with a private offer of $500 off the purchase or lease of most new Chevrolet, Buick and GMC vehicles!

June 1, 2022

Thirteen Students Seeking Education in Construction-related Careers Receive Scholarships from Merit Shop Training and Research Center

May 26, 2022 – Thirteen students from across Pennsylvania and Maryland were recently awarded scholarships from the Merit Shop Training and Research Center (MSTRC). The $24,500 in scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year brings the total to $574,850 that has been awarded by the MSTRC since its inception, helping students entering a career path in the construction industry.

May 26, 2022

Advocacy Update

The Pennsylvania primary election is finally over. After the state budget is completed in June – which is expected to pass with little fanfare – we will enter the summer slog to election day. When the legislature returns in September, session days will be light and campaign activities will be heavy.

May 24, 2022

Local Construction Industry Professionals Awarded Craft Professionals of the Year Awards from ABC Keystone

Manheim, Pa, May 20, 2022—ABC Keystone is pleased to announce 2022 Craft Professionals of the Year Awards have been presented to Edgar E. Espenshade Jr. (Elizabethtown), Carpentry, Wohlsen Construction Company (Lancaster) and Bryan Williams (Bird-in-Hand), Electrical, C Mechanical Services (Lancaster). The awards ceremony took place during ABC Keystone’s Apprenticeship Graduation held on May 18, 2022, at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster. Edgar and Bryan received eagle trophies and gift cards in celebration of their achievements.

May 20, 2022

84 Apprentices from Across the Region Graduate from ABC Keystone’s PA-registered Apprenticeship Program

Manheim, Pa, May 20, 2022—ABC Keystone Apprenticeship & Training Trust is pleased to announce 84 apprentices have graduated from the Chapter’s PA-registered apprenticeship program in seven trades, including: Carpentry, Construction Craft Laborer, Electrical, Heavy Equipment Operator, HVAC, Masonry, and Plumbing. The ceremony took place on May 18, 2022, at the Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster.

May 20, 2022

Young Professionals Perspective

It’s no secret that the economy is rapidly heading towards uncertainty. Unfortunately, we are all subject to the consequences of that same uncertainty. Every time you put gas in your vehicle, buy groceries at the store, or purchase lumber at the supply house, you’re seeing, and FEELING the ramifications of the unsteady economy. The best thing anyone can do to ensure they can weather the storm is to be prepared. Elizabeth Warren once said, “Budgeting your money is the key to having enough,” and I would agree that this is a mainstay of financial preparedness.

May 17, 2022

Young Professionals Spotlight

Meet Amir Boutorabi! What role do you play in your organization? I am a Preconstruction Manager for Warfel Construction Company. I work closely with clients and design consultants to create conceptual/detailed estimates while analyzing market conditions and performing constructability reviews. It is the responsibility of a Preconstruction Manager to set up a project for success from the beginning and to ensure a seamless process from start to finish.

May 9, 2022

New Members & Member Anniversaries

Welcome to our Newest Members and Congratulations to our members celebrating milestone anniversaries!

May 4, 2022

Message from the Chair: STEP – Begin the Journey to World Class Safety

It’s that time of year again. Almost as exciting as the holidays. It’s STEP season. Okay, I can hear the groans and the eye rolls, and it reminds me of my wife or our girls as they respond to one of my comments. But it truly is an exciting time for ABC with the approaching STEP application deadline of July 1 for recognition at the Safety Recognition Breakfast on August 16. STEP is an extremely important time for us, and the data that is collected helps us to accomplish two of our missions: protecting employee total human health and advocating for your businesses.

May 3, 2022

The Latest Chapter News from ABC Keystone