The Sense and Cents of Membership
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) was founded in 1950 when seven contractors gathered in Baltimore, Md., to create an association based on the shared belief that construction projects should be awarded on merit to the most qualified and responsible low bidders. The courage and dedication of those seven contractors helped to quickly spread the merit shop. Today, ABC is recognized as one of the leading organizations representing America’s business community and the merit shop construction industry.
Although this is admirable—to many of today’s contractors it is not reason enough to join our association—it not only has to makes sense for them, but dollars and cents. From those humble beginnings ABC was born, and although many of the reasons for its birth are still very relevant today this association has taken a proactive approach to addressing the ever-changing needs of their members with cutting edge training, valuable membership discounts, competitive workers’ compensation program, networking, referrals and so much more. The ABC of today is vastly different from the one that had its noble beginnings in the 50s.
“I feel like with the strong group of associate members we have here at ABC SEMI it has provided an invaluable source of information and services we provide our contractors,” said John Manor, Membership Director of ABC SEMI. “Add to that the excellent training opportunities, ample number of discount programs we have geared directly to our contractor members and a very competitive workers’ compensation program and we are really trying to meet all the current and emerging needs of our members here. If you truly utilize your membership benefits, there is tremendous savings you can realize to your bottom line.”
One area that continues to be a challenge for contractors is access to proper training for their employees. ABC SEMI in conjunction with its training academy, Southeast Michigan Training Academy (SEMCA) has tackled this issue head on and is making tremendous strides in providing certified, quality training for ABC members and others. With a strong training academy in Madison Heights and satellite campuses in Monroe, Lapeer and soon Adrian, Mickey Mortimer, Vice President of Workforce Development and External Affairs for ABC SEMI, believes the time is right for ABC to take the forefront when it comes to training our future craftsmen and women.
“The world is changing and so are the jobs that matter,” Mortimer explained. “There has never been greater opportunity for those seeking a rewarding path in a skilled trade, where one can enter the workforce right away as an apprentice, get paid to learn career skills on the job and even work toward owning their own business. I have been proud of the strides we have made here at SEMCA in expanding our outreach to members and providing excellent training opportunities throughout southeast Michigan.”
ABC is a national construction industry trade association representing more than 21,000 members. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members develop people, win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which ABC and its members work. ABC’s membership represents all specialties within the U.S. construction industry and is comprised primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors.
