Founded by Gary T. Smith, Eric T. Kay, and Sean T. Smith in 1999, Thomas Phoenix International had a vision.....
That vision was to create a company that would provide something more than just jobs, but the opportunity to make a career out of pre-engineered building erection. A company that was on the cutting edge of safety, training, and quality in the Pre-Engineered Metal Building Industry. What if there was an open-shop apprenticeship program that could raise the bar in training and safety for the metal building trades? What if PEMB erection could establish itself as an independent trade of its own? Through years of persistence, doggedness, and determination, that vision is no longer just a dream. Gary Smith spent years petitioning and visiting with lawmakers in Washington D.C. to create and establish the first nationally-recognized apprenticeship program for Metal Building Assemblers. Thomas Phoenix International, Inc. is proud to be the first company in the nation to implement the program and make it a reality. Our journeymen have proven themselves and helped legitimize the trade as a whole.
The vision didn't stop there. Since its inception back in 1999, Thomas Phoenix International, or "Tom" (as Gary is fond of referring to the company) has continued to work for his employees. Besides providing training and certification in myriad aspects of metal building erection and equipment operations, TPI offers a 401k with company match, and tailored health care options. This ensures that employees who are committed and passionate about what we do can make an real career in this trade. It's not just another job to us.
Never content to rest on our laurels, TPI consistently pursues establishing even greater standards of organization, safety, and quality control for the industry. As President of the MBCEA, Gary engaged in talks with the International Accreditation Service regarding a process to vet contractors and erectors to help ensure competence and set standards for safety, training, and quality control. Once there was a consensus that such a program would be beneficial, Eric Kay sat on the advisory board to help flesh out the new standards as a benchmark for Metal Building Assemblers. With support of the MBCEA and MBMA, the IAS AC-478 standard was made effective in July of 2015, ensuring that all companies who achieve this accreditation must adhere to the highest organizational training, safety, and quality controls. Thomas Phoenix International submitted to this independent inspection and assessment in late 2015, and we're proud to have been awarded our Certificate of Accreditation on February 1, 2016, the first date that it was awarded. Since then, there has been an industry-wide surge of support and enrollment in the program, with leading companies eager to show a tangible evidence of their competence and ability. We believe that this will become a prerequisite for companies who are serious about safety and quality control.
