DETROIT – SET Duct Manufacturing Inc. held a grand opening and an open house Aug. 6 that included Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and a contingent of Sheet Metal Workers union officials. The company recently reached a contract making them signatory with Sheet Metal Workers Local 80. With the announcement, Local 80 gained 30 sheet metal workers – the largest organizing win for the local union in decades – and SET Duct said it could double its workforce in the coming months.

“We’re really excited about having them come on board,” said Local 80 Business Manager Steve Sutton. “I think being signatory with a Detroit-based contractor is important for work opportunities, but they’re also a fabrication contractor, and that’s huge for us.” Sutton said the local is currently affiliated with only a single fabricator.

SET Duct, a minority contractor, was started in March 2010 by Set Enterprises Inc., a provider of steel and steel processing services to the auto industry. The firm held its open house at its newly remodeled 40,000 square-foot duct manufacturing facility on the west side of Detroit.

The firm’s capabilities will include the manufacture of commercial-grade spiral, oval and rectangular duct, related fittings and components. The company said it expects to spend $1.5 million on equipment at the plant.

“SET’s expansion into the manufacture of HVAC duct represents a natural leveraging of our core automotive steel processing capabilities and the addition of our construction capabilities will compliment this expansion,” said Sid E. Taylor, Chairman/CEO of SET Enterprises. “Additionally, I am proud to be able to bring in a team experienced in these industries that is committed to building a foundation for growth and adding jobs in a difficult economic environment in Detroit.”

The effort to organize SET Duct took place over the last several months, said Local 80 Marketing Representative Charles Taormina. “Led by Sid Taylor, they’re a very good company and we’re thrilled to have them as a signatory contractor, especially since just about everyone in their workforce is employed,” Taormina said. “At the same time, over the last few months, we stressed the advantages to them of having access to our skilled workforce if and when they expand. And being union gets their foot in the door on a lot of big projects in the area.  So I think there are advantages for both the company and Local 80.”