Organization: MCAA

Geauga Mechanical Reduces Duplicate Data Entry and Cost Overruns with eSUB Cloud

Ohio-based mechanical contractor Geauga Mechanical Company keeps projects on track and recoups more than 750 office hours annually through eSUB CLOUD’s project management and time tracking software. Prior to transitioning to eSUB, the contractor’s paper-based system of time reporting required field employees to call in to the office weekly or submit written time sheets that had to be reviewed, approved, and then manually entered into the accounting system.

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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.

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DOE Announces $250 Million in Funding for Energy Efficiency Upgrades & Retrofits of Commercial Buildings

On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it will begin accepting applications from states for $250 million in funding for energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits of commercial buildings. States may apply to DOE for seed money to start their own energy efficiency revolving loan fund that can be used to fund energy efficient upgrades or retrofits in the state. If a state already has an energy efficient revolving loan fund, this money can be used to bolster existing programs. Once state programs are set up, these monies will ultimately provide low or no cost funding to potential customers of MCAA members seeking to make energy efficient upgrades to their facilities.

The recent bipartisan infrastructure law created the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund Capitalization Grant Program, a program that provides seed money to states to establish or bolster revolving loan funds that promote energy efficiency. A revolving loan fund is an “evergreen” source of funding, meaning money received from repaid loans is continuously recycled as loans for new projects. State revolving loan funds under this program will be used to fund energy savings performance contracting, partnerships with local governments for energy efficiency improvements, and school and public building retrofit programs, among other activities.

For information about whether your state plans to apply for funding and how they plan to allocate the money they receive, contact your state energy office, which you can find through this link. More detailed information about the program generally is available here.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to Vince Sarubbi, MCAA’s Director of Government Relations, with any questions at 301-990-2219.

Find the Latest from Miller Electric Mfg. Co. and Metraflex Company 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:

Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
Simplified and optimized for pipe fabrication shop welding, the PipeWorx 400 Welding System’s streamlined set-up with one touch welding, quick process changeover, and Pulsed and Modified Short-Arc MIG processes, makes training and turn-around times faster than ever before.

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Metraflex Company
Metraflex energy-saving LPD-Y-Strainer dramatically reduces pressure drops. ROI within 1 year. Larger screen with more holes. Re-engineered to reduce turbulence.

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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

McKinstry Company Demonstrates How Fabrication and Innovation Converge

MCAA’s 2022 Fabrication Conference showcased how mechanical contractors are adopting and innovating in the built environment. McKinstry Company, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, hosted the tour this year and demonstrated to attendees how integrated digital design, collaboration and fabrication are creating a path for contractors that leverages combined productivity into profitability.

As part of the conference, attendees were able to participate in an all day tour that was essentially a 17-part case study on modern business practices. McKinstry explained their business practices, from estimating and design through project coordination, fabrication and installation. Along the way, they showed the tools and software programs that they use, and their coordination and fabrication processes.

“The tour is no small project,” said Jay Rohan, MCAA Fabrication Committee Chair and Dynamic Systems Senior VP. “It takes a lot of effort to organize speakers, sessions and presentations, in addition to having a great operation worth sharing. CJ Best (McKinstry, Director of Manufacturing) and the entire McKinstry team did a tremendous job of sharing their processes and giving everyone a couple of good ideas to take home with them.”

The conference featured education and case studies from contractors willing to share their own best practices. Jim Tedrow and Brandon Minick from Modern Companies presented on how they continuously look to improve. In their presentation, they shared how something as simple as hanger fabrication can be improved as long as you measure your time, evaluate your process and seek input from the field. By rethinking what they considered a very organized process, they were able to simplify the system and save time in both shop and field labor.

The conference also included presentations and guest speakers from our partner associations, NECA and SMACNA. Electrical and sheet metal contractors shared the differences in their processes and considerations when they fabricate. While many MCAA members perform multiple trades, the perspective from our building partners provided attendees with additional insights on building practices and coordination.

We concluded with a recap and a preview of our revamped 2023 Fabrication Conference in Seattle again next September 13-15 with additional tours and programming to allow for increased attendance. Save the date!

Connect With the Latest Training from SLOAN and Morris Group International 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
In this webinar we explore how touch-free hygiene can easily be incorporated into K-12 or higher facility restroom design. Watch now.

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Morris Group International
Inclusive Restroom Design in Public Bathrooms explores the benefits of inclusive spaces and discusses design and material options for inclusive public bathrooms.

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Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

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

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Enhance Your Company’s Quality of Service With MCAA’s NEI Courses and Kevin Dougherty

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Kevin Dougherty, who uses his industry experience to provide tangible solutions to today’s problems in an easy-to-listen-to style.

Kevin has served as a foreman, journeyman, sales manager, project manager, operations manager, and corporate trainer for a multimillion-dollar mechanical contractor. He has also been a frequent speaker for MCAA, MSCA, the UA and other trade associations. Kevin’s ability to entertain audiences and hold their interest while getting his message across consistently makes him one of the industry’s top speaking and training talents.

He teaches those who attend the Service Training Series (STS) Seminars for Service about the fundamental principles of effective leadership and communication:

People Management
Sales and Marketing
Customer Service
Supervisory & People Management
Finances
Time Management
Communication
Cost and Pricing
Strategy
Planning

Like our other NEI instructors, Kevin brings his unique knowledge of the industry and teaching experience to his seminars. Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAA’s NEI is all about! Visit the NEI website for more information about these seminars and a full list of the NEI courses available to MCAA members.

Book your courses via the NEI website, then apply for a 20% rebate on the instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class.*

LEARN MORE ABOUT KEVIN’S CLASSES

NEI WEBSITE

*This benefit is available only to MCAA members and local affiliates in good standing who book courses via the NEI website. Learn more about the rebate program here. Have questions or need personal assistance? Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall or call him at 301-990-2215.

Find the Latest from Morris Group International and Aquatherm LP 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:

Morris Group International
The Kwik Ship® Brands program is a collection of popular specifiable products and many ready-to-ship inventory from across seven different Morris Group International® divisions. Download our brochure now!

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Aquatherm LP
Engineered from scale- and corrosion-resistant polypropylene, Aquatherm Blue Pipe® is ideal for commercial heating and cooling systems and many other non-potable applications. It is available in sizes ranging from ½-in. to 24-in. to handle any size project. Aquatherm pipe and fittings are connected using virtually leak-free heat fusion, and have an anticipated life span of 50+ years.

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Need Something Else?

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

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

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

Learn to Inspire Employees with Standout Leadership from 2023 Safety Conference Speaker Connie Podesta

MCAA’s 2023 Safety Conference includes 50+ hours of education from subject matter experts, plus inspiring keynote speakers like Connie Podesta. Connie will take you inside the minds of your most difficult employees and give you the tools to turn negative attitudes into positive, entitlement into accountability, complacency into productivity, complaining into solutions and “that’s not my job” into ownership. Join us January 17-19, 2023, in San Diego, CA. Register today!

IMI TA’s Support Center Cuts Energy Costs at Oklahoma Public Safety Facility

Close collaboration between IMI TA, a branch of IMI Hydronic Engineering, and building designers led to a 23-percent savings in annual energy consumption (equivalent to $19,341) for an Oklahoma public building. The Lawton Public Safety Facility in Clay Coe, OK, is a 100,000-square-foot, four-story building with 350 working stations. The original design strategy for the facility included proportional control valves with no balancing valve on each terminal and a variable speed pump (VSP) differential pressure (DP) sensor.

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Looking for More Smart Solutions?

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

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Why Mechanical Contractors Should Furnish Equipment

While direct purchasing appears to offer advantages, hidden pitfalls may increase costs and delay project completion. MCAA’s Why Mechanical Contractors Should Furnish Equipment examines these advantages and pitfalls, giving contractors a well-rounded perspective on owner concerns and how best to address them. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin examines these advantages sought by direct purchasing:

To permit early purchase of long-delivery items to ensure timely deliveries and to avoid construction delays
To save the contractor’s markup for overhead and profit
To provide the engineer with closer control of compliance with specifications in equipment bids
To incur possible cost savings by beating price increases
If the owner is purchasing production equipment, the owner would naturally feel he had the expertise in selection rather than the installing contractor

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.

Sloan Wins 2022 WaterSense Excellence Award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Sloan, an MCAA member, with a 2022 WaterSense® Excellence Award for helping people save water. In recognition of its commitment to promoting WaterSense and water efficiency in 2021, Sloan was honored during the WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference and Exposition October 6 in Las Vegas along with 33 other awardees – utilities, manufacturers, builders, retailers, and other organizations that partner with WaterSense to promote water-efficient products, homes, and programs.

WaterSense, a voluntary partnership program sponsored by EPA, is both a label for water-efficient products, programs, and homes and a resource for helping consumers learn ways to save water. Since 2006, more than 2,100 WaterSense partners and over 40,000 models of certified water-efficient plumbing and irrigation products have helped consumers and businesses save 6.4 trillion gallons of water—enough water to supply all households in the United States with water for eight months. In addition to water savings, WaterSense has helped reduce the amount of energy needed to pump, treat, and heat water by 754 billion kilowatt hours and helped consumers save $135 billion in water and energy bills. These savings also helped prevent 288 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, which is equivalent to planting 4.8 billion trees.

“Throughout 2021, our award-winning partners helped people protect this precious resource by promoting WaterSense labeled products and water-efficient behaviors,” said Veronica Blette, Chief, WaterSense Branch. “Saving water is particularly critical in areas impacted by drought but is also a path to helping consumers stretch dollars by reducing their water and energy bills.”

WaterSense honored Sloan as a 2022 Excellence Award winner for promoting WaterSense labeled products in the marketplace. As the only manufacturer of exclusively commercial products, Sloan’s award was distinguished for its extensive offerings of WaterSense labeled flushometers, toilets, urinals, commercial showerheads, and faucets.

“For over a century, Sloan has provided safe, reliable, water-efficient products for the commercial marketplace,” said Parthiv Amin, Sloan Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. “Water Connects Us is more than just our tagline. Sloan understands the dynamic relationship between the world’s water management systems and its ecosystems. The WaterSense Award for Excellence highlights our commitment to protecting the earth’s most vital natural resource: water.”

For more information about WaterSense, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

Build Your Service Company’s Relationships & Success With Skills from NEI Instructor Nancy Bandy

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Nancy Bandy, Managing Director of TRAINSITIONS Consulting Group LLC. Nancy provides service contractors and employees with the skills they need to build on the company’s relationships and success.

Nancy draws on many years of experience in training and management consulting to develop and deliver highly effective custom training programs using proven experiential learning methods.

She is well known among MSCA members and has been responsible for developing and delivering many of the MSCA courses, webinars, and other resources highly popular with MSCA members. Prior to starting her own company, Nancy’s previous experience included executive positions with Coldwell Banker, Koll Real Estate Services, CB Richard Ellis and Strategic HR Services.

She offers four NEI seminar series designed specifically for service.

The Sales Development Series (SDS) Seminars for Service series is designed for your service sales team to excel by successfully prospecting, building presentation skills and fostering strong relationships with the customer.

Employee Development Series (EDS) Seminars for Service are geared towards all team members as they focus on developing and building the skills necessary to perform their best in and out of the office.

The Management Development Series (MDS) Seminars for Service are designed for managers to hone their coaching skills through positive feedback, motivation and recognition. The seminars teach how to build accountable teams and manage the dynamic of change. Fostering the idea of team success is key.

The Customer Service Series (CSS) Seminars for Service are designed for service professionals to enhance their service skills and create a culture of service starting at the top, with emphasis on customer loyalty and managing their most valuable assets.

Like our other NEI instructors, Nancy brings her unique blend of industry and teaching experience to virtual courses, a new NEI offering. Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAA’s NEI is all about! Visit the NEI website for more information about these seminars and a full list of the NEI courses available to MCAA members.

Book your courses via the NEI website, then apply for a 20% rebate on the instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class.*

Learn More About Nancy’s Classes

Sales Development Series (SDS) Seminars for Service

Employee Development Series (EDS) Seminars for Service

Management Development Series (MDS) Seminars for Service

Customer Service Series (CSS) Seminars for Service

NEI WEBSITE

ASSC Rapidly Improves Efficiency, Customer Experience With ServiceTrade Software

When Sacramento-based Air Systems Service & Construction (ASSC) began shopping for new software, their main priority was improving customer experience. Within eight months of adopting ServiceTrade’s commercial service software in 2021, ASSC was already seeing significant improvements in customer communication and increasing efficiency.

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Looking for More Smart Solutions?

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

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Find the Latest from SLOAN and Penta Technologies, LLC 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:

SLOAN
Sloan products and expertise is helping make sports and entertainment venue restrooms more hygienic, more water-efficient, and easier to maintain. Learn how these facilities achieved these results.

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Penta Technologies, LLC
From maintenance contracts to mobile field data collection, PENTA empowers contractors with the information they need to optimize service operations from the field to the office. Save time and increase efficiency, with PENTA.

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Need Something Else?

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

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

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

Learn How to Add Plumbing to Your Company’s Service Offerings with Plumbing Service 101

HVACR service companies that are thinking about adding plumbing to their company’s service offerings will benefit from MSCA’s new Plumbing Service 101 resource. In a series of five modules, Plumbing Service 101 highlights the benefits of offering plumbing service and investment challenges to consider before taking the leap. It also provides tips and resources that may be of interest to those with existing plumbing service operations.

The new resource, which made its debut at MSCA22, was developed in partnership with ATP Learning Solutions (ATP), an MCAA member that is part of the association’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council. It includes:

Plumbing Service 101 Workbook Module 1 – Plumbing Service Business Basics

This module reviews the pros and cons of plumbing service, how to make a sound business decision regarding starting plumbing services, and types of services that can be offered based on commitment level.

DOWNLOAD | WEBBOOK

Plumbing Service 101 Workbook Module 2 – Markets for Plumbing Services

This module provides a closer look at the type of research that is needed before making a final business decision along with presenting ten specific target markets that create possibilities for the HVACR contractor looking to add plumbing services.

DOWNLOAD | WEBBOOK

Plumbing Service 101 Workbook Module 3 – Finding and Developing Great Plumbing Technicians

This module addresses the difficult and challenging task of finding suitable plumbing service technicians. It identifies possible recruitment sources, outlines recommended training, and offers suggestions on how to fit new technicians into an existing work environment.

DOWNLOAD | WEBBOOK

Plumbing Service 101 Workbook Module 4 – Financial Tools and Profitability

This module is designed to give service contractors an understanding of key financial concepts and factors in planning a successful startup of a plumbing service operation and methods to ensure profitable business.

DOWNLOAD | WEBBOOK

Plumbing Service 101 Workbook Module 5 – Operations

This module covers many factors that must be considered, such as determining which existing HVACR service department resources might be utilized in an effective organizational structure with key personnel roles defined. Moreover, information is presented on establishing an operating philosophy which integrates plumbing service into the existing company’s corporate culture, including effectively communicating plumbing service details to employees, vendors, and customers.

DOWNLOAD | WEBBOOK

Find other service-related resources in the Resource Center. Learn more about the WebBook Library, which is also home to the HVACR 101 Workbooks and videos, on the MSCA WebBook Library page.

Last Call to Recognize Your Company’s Safety Professional and Nominate Them for the 2022 MILWAUKEE TOOL Safety Professional of the Year Award Today

Nominations are open for 2022 MCAA/MILWAUKEE TOOL Safety Professional of the Year award, which is presented annually to a mechanical industry safety and health professional who helps their company achieve an exceptionally high degree of safety excellence.

The 2022 award winner will be announced during MCAA’s Safety Conference in San Diego, California, January 17-19, 2023. The recipient will also be invited to the MCAA23 Annual Convention in Phoenix, AZ, March 26-30, 2023, to receive the award onstage during the Wednesday Awards of Excellence Breakfast (airfare, lodging and registration to be provided).

To nominate someone for the 2022 MCAA/MILWAUKEE TOOL Safety Professional of the Year, please complete the nomination form below and submit it by close of business on December 9, 2022.

NOMINATION FORM

SAFETY CONFERENCE

Connect With the Latest Training from CNA and Morris Group International 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:

CNA
CNA’s Driver Selection Guide – Mitigate risk and enhance safety with a well-designed process.

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Morris Group International
Wash Your Hands One More Time outlines proper handwashing techniques for healthcare and food preparation; explains sanitation problems with sinks; and describes how to select appropriate sinks.

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Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

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

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Limbach Company LLC of Eastern PA Named One of Philadelphia’s Top Workplaces

Limbach Company LLC of Eastern PA, an MCAA and MSCA member, has been recognized as one of Philadelphia’s Top Workplaces by the Philadelphia Inquirer. This is the company’s fourth year in a row on the list. This year’s list recognizes 178 companies and organizations in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. “We are being recognized for something I have always known about this branch: we really do live out our core value of ‘we care’ – collectively and individually. We care about the work we do, the people we are, and those that we serve. This award goes to each of you for caring so deeply about our family here at Limbach,” Andy Wiegand, the company’s Vice President & Branch Manager, said to the team. MCAA congratulates everyone at Limbach.

Find the Latest from Morris Group International and Raken 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:

Morris Group International
The Controls® Omega® Thermostatic Tempering Valve is ideal for both hot water distribution and point-of-use applications. It can exceed temperature control accuracy requirements of ASSE 1070 and 1017.

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Raken
Crews in the field can record quantities of materials with cost codes from any mobile device. They can also add photos and notes to track progress in the field while the office sees the data in real-time.

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Need Something Else?

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

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

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

The Benefits of Nontraditional DWV Testing – RWC’s TestRite System Offers Faster, Safer Option

For decades, plumbing contractors have used inflatable or plumbing test balls to perform drain, waste, and vent (DWV) testing for new pipe installations, as required by plumbing code. But those traditional DWV testing systems often slow the plumber’s job down and can put them at risk of physical harm. In today’s world of labor shortages, plumbers and contractors need the best technologies available to get the job done efficiently and safely.

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Looking for More Smart Solutions?

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

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS