SEAA Projects of the Year

The Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA) has named the winners of its 2025 Projects of the Year — consisting of both specialty steel installation and structural steel construction. 

“These projects are excellent examples of how steel erectors bring a variety of services to construction projects. Two of the winners served as both the fabricator and erector on the job and worked closely with the Engineer of Record to find workable solutions to original design plans. Another is a crane services provider, with unique access to rigging, cranes, and lift planning in addition to steel and concrete panel erection services,” said Pete Gum, Executive Director of SEAA.

And for the first time, one of the winners is a specialty services provider — an industrial contractor that perform structural installations of material handling systems. 

Winners receive trophies, feature article coverage in Connector magazine, and the chance to participate in peer panel discussions. Summaries provided below:

Miscellaneous Metals Class II (Over $500,000): ORBIT Industrial Service & Maintenance, LLC

In Casa Grande, Arizona, ORBIT Industrial Service & Maintenance, installed three automated process cranes in a 3 million sq ft expansion of Lucid Motors manufacturing plant. Runways and structure were built by Schuff Steel, while ORBIT Industrial managed logistics, mobilizations for installation of powerbar, runway, and cranes.

In Casa Grande, Arizona, ORBIT Industrial Service & Maintenance, installed three automated process cranes.

Structural Class I (up to $500,000): Hodges Erectors, Inc.

The Kaseya Center Arena, home to the Miami Heat NBA team, recently underwent a $50 million renovation. This included upgrades to audio, lighting, and seating. The new sound system produces 50% more output. The new lighting system is a full color LED experience.

Hodges Erectors was responsible for demolition of existing steel structures and installation of new framework to accommodate four corner scoreboards, a center scoreboard, and catwalk. The arena was not closed for construction, and work revolved around concert and game schedules. On multiple occasions, Hodges Erectors’ crew had to completely demobilize—removing the crane, equipment, tools and materials off site, then remobilizing.

The Kaseya Center Arena, home to the Miami Heat NBA team, recently underwent a $50 million renovation.

Structural Class II ($500,000 to $1 Million): All Things Metal, LLC

All Things Metal, LLC served as both the fabricator and erector on a tenant improvement project of an office building in Phoenix, Arizona. The rehabilitated building now includes unique amenities for office workers—a basement Speak Easy, fitness center, training center, and open concept mezzanine.

All the structural steel was interior to the building with extremely confined space. As with any conversion of an existing structure there were discrepancies between the plans and the realities of the original construction. One of the biggest challenges was that the seismic connection at the building’s expansion joint could not be built as originally designed, requiring an alternate solution.

All Things Metal, LLC served as both the fabricator and erector on a tenant improvement project of an office building in Phoenix, Arizona.

In addition, the building remained occupied during construction, requiring collaboration to reduce noise during daytime hours.

Structural Class III ($1 Million to $2.5 Million): GMF Steel Group

Sister companies GMF Steel Group and GMF Industries served as the erector and fabricator, respectively, for the expansion of the Tampa Convention Center in Florida. The 600,000 sq ft addition involved integration of new steel structures into the existing foundation, while preserving the original roof’s precast façade. 

Fenced on three sides with the fourth side facing the water, the erector overcame the landlocked location by erecting steel from a crane barge. With no place for materials or staging, additional barges served as secondary docks carrying steel from a remote location in precise sequence for erection.

Fenced on three sides with the fourth side facing the water, the erector overcame the landlocked location by erecting steel from a crane barge.

The convention center continued to host events during construction, limiting the construction timeline window to 55 days. This required creative solutions to increase efficiency and reduce the timeline to meet the project’s goals.

Structural Class IV (Over $2.5 Million): Alliance Riggers & Constructors, Ltd.

Alliance Riggers & Constructors, Ltd., built a new performing arts center with seating for 1,100 people on a high school campus in Carlsbad, New Mexico. The company managed the concurrent coordination of both the structural steel and tilt-wall erection. In addition, they were responsible for erection of multiple staircases and elevated seating structures.

Alliance Riggers & Constructors, Ltd., built a new performing arts center with seating for 1,100 people.

The 79,000 sq ft site was surrounded on three sides by existing campus buildings providing only a single access point for construction. Crane selection and lift planning was critical to the job because of limited site access, panel weights, and lifting radii. The company attributed the success of the project to correct utilization of the proper equipment, which included a traditional lattice boom crawler, a telecrawler, all-terrain crane, and rotating telescopic handler.