Ferguson and DEWALT showed their support for MCAAâs Women in the Mechanical Industry Initiative during MCAA19. Ferguson underwrote two $5,000 Ferguson â Women in the Mechanical Industry Scholarships that recognized high-achieving female students working towards degrees related to our industry. DEWALT collected more than 1,500 signatures in support of the WiMI Initiative and donated $7,500 to WiMIâs efforts.
Over 120 MCAA/MSCA women executives, manufacturer-supplier representatives, local association executives and students got together for a networking reception during the recent MCAA19 convention in Phoenix, AZ. WiMI chair Kori Gormley-Huppert kicked off the event by welcoming all the women and updating them on WiMI activities over the past year. WiMI committee members were introduced and the two Ferguson-WiMI scholarship winners congratulated. The attendees enjoyed the opportunity to meet new friends, share ideas and challenges and foster new networks of contacts.
MCAA would like to welcome their 59th student chapter, Alfred State College.
The Alfred State College MCAA Student Chapter is sponsored by the MCA of Rochester, New York. Erin Vitale, Chair of Civil Engineering Technology at the college, serves as the chapterâs faculty advisor. She helped lead the effort to get the chapter established and create student interest.
The chapter consists of Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering majors, and HVAC Associate Degree candidates. Their HVAC program involves the students in project-based learning and participation in real-world constructions projects, including installation of water, drain, heating and air conditioning systems.
The chapter will receive their charter at MCAA 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona during the Awards of Excellence Breakfast on Wednesday, March 6, 2019.
Congratulations and welcome!
Twenty-five of MCAA/MSCAâs top women leaders and manufacturer-supplier executives met this week in Arizona to shape the future of Women in the Mechanical Industry. Excitement was evident throughout the event as the attendees shared challenges and inspiring stories of success and accomplishments in their own businesses. Through brainstorming and strategic sessions, the attendees discussed an array of programming options to help women in the industry advance their careers, network, share resources and mentor young women entering the industry. Attendees left the event with a renewed sense of community and a new network of peers. Stay tuned for additional information about WiMI events and programs for the coming year.
MCAA/MSCA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry Initiative has a new home on the MCAA website! If youâre a woman executive or employee of an MCAA/MSCA member company, this page will keep you up to date on our efforts to enable women in the mechanical industry to further enrich their careers through networking, educational, mentoring and career development opportunities beyond those already offered through membership in MCAA and MSCA.
An article in Contractor Magazine featured organizations that support women in our industry, including MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry initiative!
With the ManufactOn cloud and mobile solution, TG Gallagher has increased and improved its prefabrication capacity. The TG Gallagher leadership team can keep tabs on the status of prefab work and materials at all times. The field team can monitor the progress of prefabbed items, request them as they are completed, and tag products to keep track of them. By integrating prefabrication into TG Gallagherâs supply chain, ManufactOn has helped them take the next step in the prefab revolution.
Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAAâs Manufacturer/Supplier Council.
Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.
Whenever a new process, tool or technology is introduced to a company, there is always concern about how it will be used by the people in the field every day. At the Indianapolis Field Leaders Conference, UA Director of Training Chris Haslinger made a presentation about construction technology. His presentation included a survey which yielded some very interesting results from 175 end users.
A balance must always be made in technology training. You don’t want to spend so much time on the training process that it keeps people from doing their jobs. You also want to make sure that people understand how to use it and follow up with added training if required. The good news from these results is that it seems like most field users are getting the right amount of time, regardless of the duration, and very few respondents appear to be getting new technology handed to them with little time to practice with it.
The next question focused more on the tools needed to use new technology on the job site. As mobile devices are frequently seen as required tools by foreman and field supervisors, the need for internet connectivity has risen significantly.
Two thirds of field leaders answered that it is not only very important, but almost all of the time. This speaks to how essential communication and data flow is becoming between the field and the office. Today, field employees are using their mobile devices for more processes and a good internet connection is becoming a necessity. A poor internet connection slows down the processes and can waste field time. This makes usage of mobile devices counter-productive when the time it takes for files to load or transfer make it slower than other methods.
The usage of mobile devices is increasing. Much of this has to do with better software applications on the market and more companies making it part of the process. When asked which software applications they used most frequently, they responded:
This demonstrates heavy usage of applications across a diverse set of processes. With a higher rate of application usage, the industry is likely to modify its processes to compensate. The last survey focused on this issue.
The top two responses both involved improved communication. Coordination with other trades is a process that has a high need for improvement, but involves a process improvement for communication. The same could be said of delivery of blueprints, change orders and design documents – a process that can grind a project to a halt and add significant cost if not organized correctly.
Mobile devices and job site software have become normal for modern contractors. To keep up on technology impacting MCAA members, MCAA’s Technology Initiative will continue to provide research, articles and guidance.
Using Connect, a data collection and analysis solution powered by KEY2ACT, Tozour Energy Systems can pinpoint and even fix customersâ HVAC problems remotely, saving time and money. When Tozourâs technicians go on site, Connect helps them more accurately diagnose problems so they know exactly what they are looking for when they arrive. âTheyâre not wasting their time or the clientâs time and money looking around for problems that donât exist,â said Tozourâs Executive Vice President Frank Rhea.
Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAAâs Manufacturer/Supplier Council.
Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.
The 2018 MCAA Student Competition brought together future leaders of our industry on the main stage of the convention.
Congratulations to our four finalists:
The âFinal Fourâ project involved the renovation of the heating and cooling systems for the Fogo De Chao Brazilian Steakhouse in New York City where chapters were tasked with coordinating the removal of the existing equipment and installing the new equipment.
The four finalists presented their plans to the on-stage judges and fielded a series of demanding questions. Missed the competition or want a second view? Watch the competition video from start to finish here.
Congratulations again to all the participants and this yearâs winnerâŚColorado State University!
With fast installation as high a priority as efficient cooling, Herakles Data of Sacramento, CA, chose pre-engineered, pre-assembled Daikin Modular Central Plants to meet their cooling demands. âOur number-one requirement in selecting a new system was speed,â said Laurence Stancil, director of facilities at Herakles Data. âThe new cooling system had to be installed and operating as fast as possible, with minimal interruption.â
Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAAâs Manufacturer/Supplier Council.
Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.
Our associationâs leading women kicked off our Women in the Mechanical Industry forum with a networking reception. During the event, women learned how the forum will further enrich their careers through networking, educational, mentoring and career development opportunities beyond those already offered through membership in MCAA and MSCA. Women in the Mechanical Industry also sponsored a special session on two proven career advancement strategies measured to have the strongest payoff for women professionals.
The team from Colorado State University won the final round of the Student Chapter Competition at MCAA18, taking home the first prize and $10,000 for their efforts. Their proposal for the renovation of a New York City steakhouse beat out proposals from the Fairleigh-Dickinson University, the University of Washington and the Wentworth Institute of Technology.
Second place honors and a $5,000 prize went to the University of Washington team.
The other two finalist teams, from Fairleigh-Dickinson University and the Wentworth Institute of Technology, took home checks for $2,500.
Teams from six additional universities received Merit Awards and checks for $1,000. They were:
The results are in! Congratulations to our four finalists for the 2018 MCAA Student Chapter Competition:
This year MCAAâs Student Chapter Competition drew 28 teams, including two new chapters. The project involved the renovation of the heating and cooling systems for the Fogo De Chao Brazilian Steakhouse in New York City where chapters were tasked with coordinating the removal of the existing equipment and installing the new equipment.
The top competition prize is $10,000. The second place team receives $5,000 and the other two finalists will each receive $2,500.
You can see the final four teams compete at the 2018 MCAA Convention in the Grand Oaks Ballroom on Monday, March 26 at 1:30 p.m.!
The winners will be announced at the Awards of Excellence breakfast on Wednesday, March 28 at 7:00 a.m. Weâll also be announcing the Chapter of the Year, Educator of the Year, and presenting new student chapter charters to:
Our convention is a great place to meet students from many schools who are interested in internships or jobs with MCAA member companies. You can attend the Annual Manufacturer/Supplier Exhibit on Tuesday, March 27 from 7:00 a.m. â 10:00 a.m., where you will be able to talk to the students at their chapter tables.
Donât miss the chance to meet our future industry leaders at this yearâs Convention!
If youâre a woman executive or employee of an MCAA/MSCA member company and youâre headed to MCAA18, join us for a networking reception and education session. The events kick off MCAA/MSCAâs Women in the Mechanical Industry forum. The forum will enable women in the mechanical industry to further enrich their careers through networking, educational, mentoring and career development opportunities beyond those already offered through membership in MCAA and MSCA.
On Monday, March 26, 2018 join us from 3:30 p.m. â 4:30 p.m. to meet and network with some of MCAA/MSCAâs leading women and share your ideas for future programing and other career-enhancing events!
Women in the Mechanical Industry will sponsor a special education session on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 from 10:15 a.m. â 11:45 a.m. The session, based on Catalystâs in-depth research study, The Promise of Future Leadership: A Research Program on Highly Talented Employees in the Pipeline, focuses on the two proven career advancement strategies that have the strongest payoff for women professionals:
During this session, you will learn to:
The session will be presented by Audrey Gallen, a Senior Director in the Learning Products & Programs Department at Catalyst. The organization works with some of the worldâs most powerful CEOs and leading companies to help build workplaces that work for women and accelerate and advance women into leadership positions. She is a frequent speaker on the topics of unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, career advancement strategy, and LGBT workplace inclusion.
Anderson, Rowe & Buckley (AR&B) deployed MobiliForms from iBusiness Technologies, cutting labor costs and going paperless painlessly. âOur 100+ field techs are shaving time each day, and Iâve personally recaptured eight hours per week,â said Darin Sheridan, HVAC superintendent, who is tasked with overseeing the solution.
Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAAâs Manufacturer/Supplier Council.
Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.
This week is your last chance to register for the MCAA Technology Conference. The conference provides insight on new tools, processes and software that even the most established contractors are having a hard time keeping up with.
This yearâs event addresses challenges for your entire team. It was designed for all areas of your company that work with technology. General sessions are combined with in-depth breakout and roundtables to allow for a dive deep for specific users:
There are a lot of events each year, but this conference is the only one that is MEP focused with peers sharing ideas on the latest technology. Donât miss this opportunity. Register now and I hope to see you in Austin this November 8-10.
MCAA student chapter members have been challenged to plan a project involving the renovation of the mechanical systems of a Brazilian restaurant in mid-town New York CityâFogo De Chao Steakhouse. The project, which was provided by Arista Air Conditioning Corporation, was announced during MCAAâs GreatFutures Forum in Indianapolis on September 30, 2017.
The project calls for the mechanical subcontractor to assist and coordinate the removal of the existing equipment and the installation of the new equipment using variable refrigerant flow technology (VRF). The contractor also must arrange for and coordinate the subcontracted work, manage the project within the space constraints of the restaurant (16,000 sq. ft.) and arrange all necessary city permits and licenses. The mechanical contractor may select the equipment manufacturer.
The original project design called for a chilled water system that was to be installed on the restaurant buildingâs roof, but the owner preferred a design option using VRF. A Simultaneous Heat Recovery system (producing heating and cooling at the same time) was selected, but bidders are to determine its design and operation.
Proposals are to be submitted in two segments. The first is to include pre-qualification data, such as corporate background, relevant project experience, financial information, a corporate organization chart, Building Information Modeling (BIM) capabilities, the companyâs safety record, letters of recommendation and more. The second segment calls for project-specific information, such as a project staffing matrix, a schedule, a detailed construction and/or logistics project plan, unique means and methods anticipated, and a Total Lump Sum Cost Summary Breakdown.
Proposals also must include a Preventative Maintenance and Service Contract which must incorporate a complete energy service agreement covering all the installed equipment, complete tasking of all equipment, tracking and analysis of all energy used in the system, a monthly report of all energy used, a dedicated mechanic and a back-up familiar with the restaurant and the equipment, quarterly reviews of the energy spent, filter service, estimated labor and much more.
Bidders also must take into consideration the following requirements and information:
Proposals, which are due December 15, 2017, will be evaluated by members of MCAAâs Career Development Committee. These members will select the top four scoring teams to present their proposals at the MCAA 2018 convention in San Antonio, TX on March 26, 2018. The winning team will receive $10,000, the second place team will receive $5,000 and the other two finalists will each received $2,500.
For more information, please contact Harlee Gallo.
Small ideas can make a big difference to your company. The MCAA Technology Conference is an event that doesn’t just provide a few small takeaways, but a wealth of ideas that can be applied across your business. Technology is providing so many new tools, processes and software that even the most established contractors are having a hard time keeping up. The MCAA Tech Conference is your crash course on the latest tech trends in the industry and how other contractors are taking advantage of them.
This year’s conference addresses challenges for your entire team. MCAA fields a lot of questions on who should attend. This conference is designed for all areas of your company that work with technology. General sessions are combined with in-depth breakouts and roundtables to dive deep for specific users:
MCAA and MSCA host many educational events each year, but this conference is the only one that is MEP-focused with peers sharing ideas on the latest technologies. Don’t miss this terrific learning opportunity. Register now!
“Despite being on the executive board of my school’s MCAA Chapter, I still didn’t fully appreciate what it is actually like to work for a mechanical contractor until this presentation. The “A Day in the Life of Ted” video was an excellent view as to what makes your section of the industry different than a typical building contractor.” That was one student’s reaction to the video at MCAA’s GreatFutures Forum.
The video follows Ted McHugh of West Chester Mechanical in Aston, PA through a typical workday. In addition to highlighting the daily demands associated with keeping a project on time and within budget, it showcases for students how a great future is achievable in the mechanical industry!
