Archives: News Items

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Creating a Readable Corporate Newsletter

Staying in touch with customers, employees and others who may be interested in your company’s products and/or services, upcoming events, or other business developments is critical to your company’s growth and success. Thanks to the availability of myriad print and electronic media, the Internet and social media, companies have many options for connecting with their internal and external audiences. This bulletin focuses on one option—newsletters. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin includes:

  • The purpose of a newsletter
  • Audience assessment
  • The mission statement
  • Content considerations
  • Budgeting considerations
  • Staffing, or who does what?
  • How it looks, including design, format and structure
  • Documenting style with a style sheet
  • The print/no print decision and how to proceed once it’s made
DOWNLOAD

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

Phishing Alert: Email with “MCAA Field Leaders Conferences – 2023” in the Subject

MCAA has become aware that some people have received an email stating that the MCAA Field Leaders Conference mailing list is available for sale. We would like to assure you that MCAA never sells lists of our members or our event attendees, nor do we authorize any third parties to do so.

The emails that we are aware of have come from different contacts at the same company, “conferencesonline.live,” but carry the same message:

Hi Team,

Just writing to check if you would be interested in acquiring the Attendees list of “MCAA Field Leaders Conferences” Held on| August 02nd – 04th – 2023| San Francisco, CA, USA

Each record will contain details like: Contact Name, Title, Phone Number, Fax Number, Physical address, State/City, Company Name, Company URL, and most importantly verified email addresses.

Let us know if you are interested and we will revert back with cost and other deliverables.

Email from conferencesonline.live

MCAA has investigated and determined that this is a phishing scheme designed to gather your personal or company financial information by selling you a list that you will never receive. Please handle them accordingly.

ServiceTrade Helps B&W Mechanical Put Customers First, Building Long-Term Loyalty

B&W Mechanical, one of the largest mechanical contractors in the Southeast, chose ServiceTrade software to help them make the move from paper to digital, shortening the time it takes to provide quotes for repairs. Swift, detailed, clear communication is one way that B&W builds trust that leads to long-lasting customer relationships.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

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 MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

MCAA Shares Safety & Health Videos to Support OSHA Safe + Sound Week

In honor of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) Safe and Sound Week campaign, August 7-13, 2023, MCAA is re-sharing a series of safety videos created by the Safety Alliance between MCAA, TAUC, NECA, and SMACNA for your use to highlight key safety topics with your employees and co-workers. From mental health, fall protection and other OSHA Focus Four topics like electrical hazards and caught in-between/struck-by, take time to focus on safety, you will be glad you did!

We kick off the week with a message from Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Executive Director of Safety, Health & Risk Management Raffi Elchemmas about how workers can stay safe while using ladders and stairs, or when working at heights.

On Tuesday, we hear from National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Executive Director, Outside Line Safety Mike Starner, CUSP, CHST about how workers can protect themselves from line of fire incidents including caught-in, caught-between and struck-by. Lockout/tagout is also covered.

The Association of Union Constructors Director of Environmental Health & Safety Alex Kopp shares a message on Wednesday about the importance of mental health and resources that are available to provide support.

On Thursday, we hear from SMACNA Director of Safety Justin Crandol, CSP, ARM, CRIS with tips to help workers protect themselves from heat hazards.

To close out the week, we hear from National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Executive Director of Safety Wesley Wheeler, SMS, CESCP about the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), a critical component to jobsite safety.

Learn more about OSHA’s Safe + Sound week here and follow the week’s news at #safeandsound.

Darnelle Everett and Sosina Haileselassie Have Joined the MCAA Staff

MCAA is pleased to welcome the two newest members of the staff: Darnelle Everett and Sosina Haileselassie.

Darnelle is a meeting coordinator supporting the Events Department by helping with planning and logistics. He was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and graduated from nearby Morgan State University with a B.S. in Communications. He enjoys discovering new music and food. He is also interested in sports, fashion, and traveling to new countries.

Sosina is a dues coordinator supporting the Accounting Department. She has a B.A. degree in Accounting, which she earned while living in Ethiopia. Her extensive accounting background includes positions from accounting clerk to supervisor (and pretty much everything in between) in the airline and construction industries and at a law firm. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and watching British comedies and classic U.S. comedies.

Join us in welcoming Darnelle, Sosina and their families to the MCAA staff family.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Credit Card Payments

Credit cards are rapidly becoming the preferred method of covering a variety of financial transactions between contractors and their vendors/suppliers and project owners. MCAA’s Credit Card Payments reviews the advantages and disadvantages of making payments via credit card to help you fully understand the benefits and costs involved. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

  • Getting established with the appropriate accounts
  • Advantages to the contractor
  • Advantages to the vendor and supplier
DOWNLOAD

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

MCAA’s 2023 Fabrication Conference to Showcase MacDonald Miller Sheet Metal Operations

The 2023 MCAA Fabrication Conference, powered by MSUITE, has expanded to include additional educational offerings and four facility tours. This year’s conference will focus on specific fabrication operations for attendees, including a sheet metal-focused tour hosted by MacDonald Miller. 

Seattle is a city that embraces fabrication, but there are local factors that present unique challenges. The cost of land and local regulations force contractors to innovate. During the MacDonald Miller tour, attendees will see how these restrictions guided them to a lean fabrication principle so that finished work is demand-driven and stored onsite for as little time as possible. Attendees will also learn how and what information MacDonald Miller processes and tracks through their KPI dashboard and how to utilize software connections to visualize production.

MCAA’s 2023 Fabrication Conference is scheduled for September 11-13, 2023, in Seattle, Washington, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Limited space is still available for registration. 

MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION

Connect With the Latest Training from SLOAN and Ridge Tool Company at MCAA.org

The Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of MCAA’s website connects our contractor members with training opportunities available from the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new webinars and training opportunities across their product lines, services, solutions or web pages. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

SLOAN
Learn about the installation process of the Sloan CX Sensor Flushometer, featuring the world’s smallest front-access wall panel. The design offers chic style and elevated design for high-end spaces.

Learn More

RIDGID Tool Company
Learn more about the latest in RIDGID diagnostics – TruSense technology. Advanced sensors deliver unmatched in-pipe image clarity and camera position detail.

Learn More

Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

Be sure to visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area for all the latest offerings.

Learn More

Find the Latest from Ferguson and Morris Group International in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Ferguson
Ferguson is a market leader dedicated to helping contractors keep projects on schedule and provide custom solutions. Our extensive inventory includes fixtures, faucets, equipment/instrumentation, pipe, valves, fittings, tools, safety and MRO supplies so you can find the products you need when and where you need them.

Learn More

Morris Group International
Meet the Emergency Thermostatic Temperature Valve from ConTrols®, a member of Morris Group International. This valve is certified to deliver safe, tepid water to safety systems.

Learn More

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

Visit Smart Solutions

Celebrate MCAA’s 20 Years of Safety Excellence Each Month of 2023 With a Safety Resource Kit

To celebrate MCAA’s 20 Years of Safety Excellence, MCAA is offering monthly safety kits to benefit our contractors around the country and the mechanical industry workers they support. Each kit will include videos, webinars, trainings, and additional resources on each monthly topic.

August 2023: Equipment Safety

In 2020, almost 3,000 fatal and over 200K nonfatal distracted-related motor vehicle accidents occurred. Commercial drivers are 6 times more likely to be involved in a critical safety event when participating in handheld browser activities. Also in 2020, there were fewer vehicles on the road, but the decrease in miles driven did not correlate to fewer accidents. Even with 11% fewer miles driven, vehicle accident deaths rose by 8.3%. This month’s kit includes resources on auto safety, forklift safety, and heavy equipment safety. Also, check out the four new CNA infographics in their fleet safety series.

MCAA/CNA Microlearning Safety Video Series

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Forklift Safety

Heavy Equipment Safety

Inspecting Materials Handling Equipment

Supervisor Safety Training Videos

Safety Bulletins

Safety Guides

CNA Fleet Safety Infographics

DOWNLOAD RESOURCE SUMMARY

Postler & Jaeckle Boosts Productivity Using GTP’s STRATUS Manufacturing and Installation Labels

With a goal of eliminating paper in the shop, increasing efficiency in cutting, and using barcode labels to improve shop workflows, Postler & Jaeckle started working with STRATUS software from GTP Services in 2015. Since then, the company has seen a continuous return on investment with STRATUS, most recently by using labels to increase efficiency with hangers.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

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 MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

OSHA Announces Hazard Alert for Heat

On July 27, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issued a hazard alert for heat. This action is to remind employers of their obligation to protect workers against heat illness or injury in outdoor and indoor workplaces. The agencies will also step up inspections and enforcement of heat-safety violations in high-risk industries, including construction.

OSHA also released information posters in both English and Spanish related to this hazard alert.

This announcement comes on the heels of a press conference where President Biden asked the DOL to issue the advisory and ramp up enforcement of heat safety violations. “DOL will ramp up enforcement of heat-safety violations, increasing inspections in high-risk industries like construction and agriculture, while OSHA continues to develop a national standard for workplace heat-safety rules,” the White House said in a July 27 fact sheet.

With the unprecedented heat waves most states are experiencing, OSHA also announced it, “will intensify its enforcement where workers are exposed to heat hazards, with increased inspections in high-risk industries like construction…”.

In April, OSHA announced a National Emphasis Program on Heat and in 2021 OSHA began the rulemaking process to consider a heat-specific workplace standard.

Learn more about OSHA’s Heat Illness Prevention Campaign here.

Shinn Mechanical to Showcase Sprinkler Fitting Fabrication at MCAA’s 2023 Fabrication Conference

Shinn Mechanical, a renowned and innovative mechanical contractor, has been selected to offer an exclusive tour of their cutting-edge sprinkler fitting fabrication operations at the highly anticipated 2023 MCAA Fabrication Conference, powered by MSUITE, September 11-13 in Seattle, WA. Contractors seeking insights into the forefront of mechanical contracting and productivity enhancement should not miss this exceptional opportunity.

Shinn Mechanical’s tour will be focused on their revolutionary approach to sprinkler fitting fabrication, highlighting how they have prioritized productivity without compromising on quality. Attendees will gain unique access to witness the inner workings of the company’s state-of-the-art facilities, where modern technology seamlessly integrates with traditional craftsmanship. The tour will showcase how Shinn Mechanical employs innovative techniques to design, install, and maintain advanced sprinkler systems, all while emphasizing efficiency and productivity gains.

MCAA’s Fabrication Conference is recognized as a premier event for industry leaders to share their latest advancements. Shinn Mechanical’s participation as one of the four tour hosts emphasizes their commitment to pushing the boundaries of mechanical contracting, setting new industry standards, and ensuring fire protection systems are not only effective but also constructed with maximum productivity in mind.

As the countdown to the conference begins, MCAA members are encouraged to secure their spot on this exclusive tour. For more information and registration, please visit the official conference website.

MORE INFORMATION

Find the Latest from Watts Water Technologies and Liberty Pumps in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Watts Water Technologies
The SentryPlus Alert™ system detects catastrophic discharge from the relief valve of RPZ backflow preventers that can potentially cause flooding due to excessive discharge and/or a blocked/under-sized floor drain.

Learn More

Liberty Pumps
From simplex, duplex, triplex and quadplex grinders and solids handling systems, we can provide the pump system to meet your job requirements. Simply provide specifications and our technical team will draft a submittal package within 48 hours!

Learn More

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

Visit Smart Solutions

Raken Outlines Five Ways to Manage Generational Gaps on the Jobsite

From apprentices to expert craftsmen, the construction industry employs a workforce that spans multiple generations. While an age-diverse workforce brings well-rounded skills and experiences to the table, it is not always easy to manage efficiently. Employee expectations and preferred communication styles vary greatly from generation to generation. With today’s labor shortages and low employee retention rates, if mechanical contractors want to attract and keep top talent, they need to explore strategies to help their age-diverse crews work together effectively.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

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 MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Expansion of Fabrication Conference Offers Opportunity for Small Contractors

MCAA’s 2023 Fabrication Conference, powered by MSUITE, has expanded this year to offer a broader view of fabrication opportunities for MCAA members. While the primary host, UMC, Inc, will showcase cutting-edge fabrication processes for large contractors, smaller tours are available to showcase distinct opportunities in sprinkler fabrication, sheet metal and light commercial and plumbing.

A great example of this is SJS Mechanical, a plumbing contractor that only began fabricating less than five years ago in a very small, designated space. Their tour will show how innovation isn’t limited to large spaces and contractors. Their approach to plumbing and light commercial fabrication drives large productivity gains with simple but proven processes. 

After a tour of their operations, MCAA Fabrication Committee Chair Jay Rohan from DSI Mechanical noted, “Most of the time we showcase these huge fabrication facilities at the conference, which does a great job for the people already fabricating. Getting a tour of SJS Mechanical is ideal for anyone that is either just getting started or trying to figure out the first steps.” 

The expanded tour selection is not the only place where the conference has expanded. Education sessions that showcase case studies from contractors around the country have more than tripled this year and grown more relatable. Sessions have been added that look at time studies of basic operations as well demonstrations of how tools, jigs and carriers improve productivity. 

With the expansion of the conference, registration is still available and not restricted to two attendees per company. To register, please visit the website.

Snap a Picture of Your Interns Before They Head Back to School & Submit a Grant Request for up to $2,000

Interns working at MCAA member companies are a win-win for our industry. Employers secure top talent and build a pipeline of future employees and students gain hands on experience, create connections and develop the skills needed to further their interest in mechanical contracting.  Snap a picture of your summer intern by a company sign, on the jobsite or in company apparel and upload it with your Internship Grant Application.  Interns and sponsoring companies will be featured on the virtual Intern Wall at MCAA24 before the Awards of Excellence Breakfast. 

Internship Grant Eligibility

The MCAA company must first ensure the prospective intern is in good standing with an accredited two- or four-year college, university or technical school.  While MCAA encourages its members to give priority to students from MCAA student chapters, this is not a requirement for a grant.  

Part 1

  • Companies with 1 intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant OR companies with 2+ interns may receive a $2,000 grant. 
  • Submit an application for each intern. If you have 15 interns, submit an application for all 15 of them since interns must be listed on a Part 1 application to be eligible for a Part 2 gift card upon graduation. (Maximum per company is still $2,000 no matter how many interns are submitted beyond 2.)
  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for Part 1. 
Part 1 Application

Part 2

  • For companies successfully converting an intern from their Part 1 list to a full-time new hire, a $500 gift card will be mailed to the company to present to their new hire.  New hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must be included on a Part 1 list from an MCAA member company.
  • Part 2 applications may not be submitted until after the new hire’s full-time start date. 
Part 2 Application

Have Questions?

Please contact MCAA Director of Career Development, Michele Hoffman.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Estate Tax Planning and Succession

Every company, regardless of size, will face succession planning issues at some time. MCAA’s Estate Tax Planning and Succession addresses the issues and possible strategies related to estate planning and succession to help ensure a smooth transition. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

  • The types of property that may be subject to estate taxes and why it’s important to plan for these
  • The history and status of estate tax
  • Strategies to address liquidity problems
  • Why it is critical to develop a carefully considered plan and review it on a regular basis
DOWNLOAD

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

Connect With the Latest Training from Conex Bänninger and FARO Technologies, Inc. at MCAA.org

The Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of MCAA’s website connects our contractor members with training opportunities available from the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new webinars and training opportunities across their product lines, services, solutions or web pages. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Conex Bänninger
Conex Bänninger offers online training for >B< MaxiPro, the innovative, flame-free press-fit solution specially designed for ACR applications. From training courses to industry updates, you will have all you need to press ahead.

Learn More

FARO Technologies, Inc.
[WEBINAR] Discover the power of FARO® 3D Reality Capture and watch the on-demand webinar to explore how it assists builders and engineers in planning, designing, and managing MEP systems effectively.

Learn More

Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

Be sure to visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area for all the latest offerings.

Learn More