MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin construction industry joined forces with Sheet Metal Workers Local 18 and additional Union Contractors throughout Wisconsin to produce nose clips for face masks slated for first responders and frontline workers, Madison Area Mechanical Contractors & Sheet Metal Association (MSC) Executive Director Julie Walsh announced on Tuesday.

“Our Union Contractors have the tools, equipment, and expertise to quickly and efficiently cut the aluminum needed to make the nose clips for face masks,” explained Walsh. “Illingworth-Kilgust Mechanical, an EMCOR Company, and other local contractors have assisted with donating the material and cutting it to help keep Wisconsinites safe during this pandemic.” Just one sheet of aluminum can be cut into approximately 7,000 nose clips. Illingworth-Kilgust Mechanical’s Colin Koepp sheared 40,000 clips for the donation.

Click here to watch a video of Colin Koepp cutting the nose clips.

The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Union is spearheading the nose clip donation throughout the country. Since April 7, SMART Union has donated 12-14 million nose clips to sewists nationwide.

To date, Sheet Metal Workers Local 18 in Wisconsin has already cut and donated over 170,000 nose clips throughout the state. Those making masks can request the metal clips by submitting a request at https://actionnetwork.org/forms/nose-piece-request-form. The completed masks are slated for UW Hospital, Froedert Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, as well as to support other frontline workers such as first responders, nursing home employees, senior centers, dentists, grocery store workers, and anyone else who requests masks.

“The nose clips provide an added layer of protection for first responders and frontline workers,” says Mike Mooney, Business Manager for Sheet Metal Workers Local 18.

In addition to Illingworth-Kilgust Mechanical, materials and labor have also been donated by 1901 Inc., Alloy Welding, ALX Metal Works, Bassett Mechanical, Grunau Co., Hooper Corporation, Total Mechanical, Langer Roofing, Butters-Fetting Co., Nations Roof, JM Brennan, Bredan Mechanical, Quality Heating, Tweet Garrot, Aldog-Hanold, McArthur, Hovlands Inc., and Kees Inc.

For more information on the aluminum nose clips, please contact Julie Walsh, Executive Director at 608-288-1414 or julie.walsh@mechanicalindustries.org.

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