Organization: MCAA

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Records Retention

Retention of company records is critical for many reasons, especially the potential for litigation involving a construction project. MCAA’s Records Retention provides guidelines for establishing or refining a company’s records retention policy. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

  • Records retention policies
  • Records retention/destruction schedules
  • Records storage
  • Litigation

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.

Find the Latest from MSUITE and QuoteSoft by ConstructConnect 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:

FabPro - MCAA Virtual Trade Show

MSUITE
Track. Manage. Share. FabPro is the fabrication industry’s first cloud-based software created by mechanical contractors and proven to meet the needs of the fast-paced, ever-changing construction environment.

QuoteSoft by ConstructConnect
QuoteSoft BIM and Estimating Solutions – Increase Takeoff speed and bottom line with cost and labor estimating software for mechanical and HVAC contractors. Call for web demo today!

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s 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!

Withum’s Business and Finance Symposium Offers Education to Help You Future-Proof Your Business

National accounting firm Withum’s thought leaders will explore relevant topics to help your business stay agile and dynamic in the fast-changing business world during Withum’s Business and Finance Symposium: Future-Proofing your Business in an Era of Unknowns (November 9 and 16, 2022, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM ET). The online program will cover trending Tax and A&A concepts and discuss cryptocurrency, supply chain, transaction readiness, navigating turnover, and more.

Har-Con Saves Time and Materials With MIFAB’s Quick Hub Couplings

Since the beginning of 2022, Har-Con has played a crucial part in a school expansion project, using MIFAB’s Quick Hub couplings and fixture carriers to stay on track. “The quick coupling is a great product that has saved Har-Con time and money through material cost and labor savings,” said Travis Welch, Har-Con project estimator.

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

Prepare for the Certified Safety Professional Exam with MCAA 2023 Safety Conference Add-On Courses Sponsored by ClickSafety

January 17-19, 2023 | San Diego, California

MCAA is celebrating 20 years of safety excellence with our 20th anniversary safety conference, January 17-19, 2023, in San Diego, CA. New this year, an extended learning (add-on) course will prepare safety professionals for the Board of Certified Safety Professionals’ Certified Safety Professional (CSP) exam. The course, which is limited to 20 students, is sponsored by MCAA’s newest Manufacturer/Supplier Council member, ClickSafety.

Led by SPAN, the course will review hundreds of problems addressing the complete examination blueprint in a question-and-answer format complete with fully developed explanations. It targets the principles and theories required to pass the examination. There is an additional fee to attend the course.

The conference itself will offer over 50 hours of safety training and education, including keynote speeches on safety leadership, mental health, and safety management. Conference registration is open to our partners, the members of the United Association, NECA, SMACNA, and TAUC.

Have questions or need assistance? Contact us at eventregistration@mcaa.org or 301-869-5800.

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
There are a number of power supply options available to run Sloan touch-free sensor faucets. Explore the options to find the right choice for your facility.

Morris Group International
Advances in Plumbing Design for Healthcare addresses problems healthcare facilities face in construction/renovation with ligature-resistant, infection prevention, and bariatric products.

Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

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

Learn How to Build a Successful Service Company from NEI Instructor Woody Woodall

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Woody Woodall, the managing principal of Customer Focused Solutions, Inc. Woody focuses on the building blocks of what makes a healthy and successful service company, with an emphasis on customer service, team-building and effective communication.

Woody has had a long and distinguished career in the mechanical contracting industry, where he has seen and experienced the cutting edge processes that truly can make service groups the best in class in their areas.

He started as a Steamfitter with Local 602 in the Washington, D.C. area. After completing his apprenticeship, he went on to become an Instructor for the Union Apprentice Program in Washington, D.C.

Through his passion for teaching, he has since become an integral part of the education offerings of the Mechanical Service Contractors Association (MSCA). He was instrumental in helping develop many of their educational offerings, including the HVAC 101 program and the Sales Institute.

Woody has received many accolades throughout his career including Certified Instructor through the United Association and the D.S. O’Brien Award of Excellence for outstanding contributions to the industry.

His Fundamentals of Service Series (FOS) Seminars focus on the building blocks of what makes a healthy and successful service company, with an emphasis on customer service, team-building and effective communication.

Like our other NEI instructors, Woody brings his 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! Even during the COVID-19 era. 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.*

*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 Trimble 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
Each and every Controls Command Station® system is factory-assembled and welded to a mounting frame for easy installation—and labor savings—at the job site.

Trimble
The Trimble Ri robotic total station is easy to operate with extended layout capabilities and provides longer laser range, focusable EDM, eye-safe laser pointer and improved target tracking.

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s 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!

The MSCA 2022 Benchmark Survey is Done… and the Results are in!

MSCA conducted a 2022 comprehensive benchmark survey to obtain current data on key performance indicators (KPIs) in the HVACR and plumbing service industry. The results were very insightful and sure to be beneficial to all MSCA members. The full report is now available, results are presented in two formats, one is overall results and the second is broken down by company size which can provide specific insight relevant to your company. In addition, the findings have been summarized below. 

Features of BEST in CLASS Contractors:  

  • Provide primarily air conditioning, heating, plumbing & controls services 
  • Focused on growing their service agreement base 
  • 75% have a separate P/L for service and construction 
  • Have dedicated service agreement sales personnel 
  • Bill service agreements in advance 
  • “Auto Increase” service agreements at renewal (1-3% most common) 
  • Service Agreement (PM) retention rate of 93% or greater 
  • Bill quickly – Average is 4–8 days (upon completion of work) 
  • 77% of contractors average $250,000 or more revenue per service vehicle 
  • Allow service technicians to quote work in the field (average limit is approximately $6,000) 
  • Hire salespeople from the field 
  • Annual scheduled preventative maintenance hours per service technician between 300 and 800 
  • Have an average ratio of 2 to 3 field techs to one office staff 
  • Total non-billable technician time between 5-10% annually 
  • Truck inventory tracked using a software system 
  • Replace service vans based on mileage (150K – 200K most common) 
  • 85% have deployed a mobile field solution 

AH-HA Revelations from the 2022 MSCA Benchmark Survey: 

  • 15% of companies have not deployed a mobile solution 
  • 40% of contractors do not have automatic renewal of PMs 
  • 11% of companies auto-renewing at an increase of 1% – 2%  and 50% of companies are auto-renewing at 3% –  are they keeping up with costs? 
  • 31% of companies missing out on a cash flow opportunity by not advance billing their service contracts 
  • 19% of companies do not track truck inventory 
  • 23% of contractors do not have a separate P/L for service – how do they know how they are performing? 
  • Sole proprietorships decreased 7% from 2019 
  • Since 2019, 13% increase in those companies offering plumbing service 
  • Since 2019, 10% decrease in those performing refrigeration work and 2% decrease in residential work 
  • 96% of contractors have less than 16% non-billable time 
  • Contractors replacing vans less frequently than in 2019– 65% replace every five years or less, was 72% in 2019 – makes sense with supply chain shortages on vehicles 
  • 10% decrease of service techs quoting in the field from 2019 – losing out on a possible retention tool 
  • 10% increase of companies employing CRM from 2019 
  • 68% of companies still tracking tools manually or not at all 
  • 55% of contractors do not have a sales training program 
  • 16% of companies take more than 15 days to bill once job complete 
  • 68% of companies do not employ dedicated maintenance sales personnel 
  • 48% of companies outsource fleet management and maintenance 
  • 86% of companies are not using cameras (internal and external) on their vehicles 
  • 84% of companies are not considering Electric Vehicles 

Below, you can view and download the 2022 Benchmark Survey results, as well as compare results to the 2019 Benchmark Survey. 

W.E. Bowers Cuts the Cost of Cutting Pipe with PypeServer

Mark Caudle, shop foreman of W.E. Bowers, estimated saving at least $35,000 per year and 20–­30 hours of labor per week by taking full advantage of the PypeServer software that came with one of its CNC pipe profilers. W.E. Bowers, a mechanical construction, service, and repair firm serving Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, operates a 42,000-square-foot steel shop with six overhead cranes, CNC pipe profilers from both Watts and Vernon (each running PypeServer Enterprise), and 11 pipe turners and automated welding stations, each with a certified welder and a shared fitter.

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

MEP Innovation Conference Offers Industry’s Scarcest Resource – New Ideas

Event Dates: January 11 – January 13, 2023 | Austin, TX

It is said that imitation is the best form of flattery. In construction, imitation is the best form of profitability. Learning how innovative contractors have applied new technologies, processes and concepts is not only the first step in improving your company, but also an essential time and frustration saver.

The MEP Innovation Conference was developed to find and highlight the newest ideas, then present them to contractors using real life examples. The content is developed by MEP contractors and delivered by MEP contractors. “Case studies that can showcase how contractors are using a new product, software or technology help me out more than just about anything else,” said Travis Voss, Leader of Innovative Technology at Helm Group. “I immediately know it’s not empty promises by salespeople or vaporware because someone like me has used it effectively.”

The 2023 conference will take place January 11 – January 13, 2023 in Austin, TX. It combines three days of presentations, roundtables, tours and exhibits, all built on the same theme – sharing relevant ideas. Solutions for VDC, fabrication, project management, estimating, lean and integration will be featured in over 30 sessions. Registration is limited and open to MCAA, NECA, and SMACNA members as well as labor representatives from their corresponding Unions. 

Event Contact
Have questions or need assistance? Contact us at eventregistration@mcaa.org or 301-869-5800.

Thank you to our conference sponsors:

Learn How to Start or Expand Fabrication Operations from NEI Instructor Greg Fuller

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Greg Fuller, Owner and CEO of North Mechanical Contracting, Inc., North Mechanical Services, Inc., NewJac Industrial, LLC, and Integrated Modular Construction, LLC. Greg provides a comprehensive look at fabrication that is ideal for anyone interested in starting or expanding their fabrication process.

In addition to being an MCAA Past President, Greg is Past Chair and a current member of MCAA’s Project Management Education Committee and an active instructor in the Institute for Project Management (IPM), Advanced Institute for Project Management (AIPM), and Field Leaders Conference.

Greg has taught classes on a variety of mechanical contracting subjects to audiences of various sizes. His Fabrication (FAB) classes are geared towards those who are interested in implementing or developing fabrication operations. His courses, FAB 101: The Evolution of Fabrication I: Why, How and When (Now) and FAB 102: The Evolution of Fabrication II: Implementing Manufacturing Process for the Construction Industry, provide a comprehensive look at fabrication making them ideal for anyone interested in starting or expanding their fabrication process. Regardless of your company’s current capacity, there is opportunity to develop processes that lead to increased project success and profitability, by transforming the way you look at fabrication.

Like our other NEI instructors, Greg brings his unique blend of industry and teaching experience to virtual courses, a relatively 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.*

*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 Reliance Worldwide Corporation and Marking Services, Inc. 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:

Reliance Worldwide Corporation
RWC launches Cash Acme EB25 Plus to help contractors save money and time. EB25 Plus replaces a parallel system or series installation with a single valve, providing faster setup and maintenance.

Marking Services, Inc.
MSI’s AIM Mobile Technology delivers on-demand 24/7 access to critical asset information. Our QR coded tags provide instant access to critical documents in the field. AIM will greatly increase productivity and efficiency in the field providing Asset and Document Management (O&M, Commissioning, Startup, Warranty, Submittals, etc.) to meet your turnover package needs.

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s 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!

The Cost of Not Training – Tyfoom Explains How Training Makes Employees More Productive, Profitable, and Committed

Training is key in driving desired systematic improvement in any organization. Yet many businesses see training as an optional cost rather than as a necessary investment with a significant return. Consequently, training often drops to the very bottom of companies’ priorities. Prioritizing training, however, makes your employees more productive, more profitable while at work, and more committed to your organization.

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

Learn How Decisions Made in the Field Impact the Project and the Company from NEI Instructor Mark Rogers

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Mark Rogers, President of West Chester Mechanical Contractors, an HVAC, service and plumbing contractor that serves the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. Mark sheds light on how interactions and decisions made in the field impact all areas of a company.

Over the past eight years, Mark has voluntarily presented the “Real Cost of a Manhour” over 125 times to more than 20,000 UA Members. He has also taught sessions on jobsite profitability at MCAA’s Field Leaders Conferences and leadership sessions to the UA Business Managers/Agents and at MCAA’s Advanced Institute for Project Management in Austin, TX.

Mark has taught classes on a variety of mechanical contracting subjects to audiences of various sizes. His Field and Foreman Leadership Development (FFLD) seminars shed light on how interactions with coworkers, other tradespeople and the end users can help (or hurt) the direct cost of union tradespeople.  The series will also cover how decisions impact safety, insurance, profits and overall company culture at every level of a project and will educate ALL sides on what the other is dealing with on a daily basis. This better understanding of how their roles can be improved through leadership, communication and education sets the tone for the success of any organization.

Like our other NEI instructors, Mark brings his unique blend of industry and teaching experience to virtual courses, a relatively 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.*

*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.

Connect With the Latest Training from Watts Water Technologies and Aquatherm LP 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:

Watts Water Technologies
Watts eLearning system provides access to a wide selection of products and solutions from our family of brands. Courses can be accessed anytime, anywhere; perfect for your busy schedule!

Aquatherm LP
As the leader in polypropylene piping systems, Aquatherm offers comprehensive heat-fusion installation training at our Utah HQ, at partner sites and jobsites across North America, and virtually upon request.

Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

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

Find the Latest from Morris Group International and Key2Act 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
Stop resources from draining away with Smith Labor Saving Roof Drains! Engineered to save installation costs, we have several styles to fit different applications.

Key2Act
Key2Act is the construction and field service technology leader, focused on mechanical and non-mechanical specialty trades, facilities maintenance and other large asset or equipment-centric industries.

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s 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!

W.D. Manor Partners with Morris Group International to Expand Reach of Dialysis Box – Novel System Cuts Installation Time and Labor Costs

W.D. Manor Mechanical Contractors devised a better, safer dialysis box plumbing system, and now they are partnering with Whitehall Manufacturing, a division of Morris Group International, to manufacture and market the system. The W.D. Manor All-In-One Modular Dialysis Box by Whitehall® (model numbers 8193 and 8194) is easier and faster to install than traditional systems. Banner University Medical Center of Phoenix, AZ, installed the All-In-One Modular Dialysis Boxes in a major expansion project, saving hundreds of hours compared with traditional dialysis systems.

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

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Employee Reviews

Employee reviews are powerful tools in the performance improvement process. MCAA’s Employee Reviews provides guidelines and samples to help ensure a productive and beneficial review process for employees and their managers. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

  • Benefits of the review process
  • Preparing for the review
  • The two types of reviews
  • Conducting the review
  • Guidelines to help ensure productive and beneficial reviews
  • Legal considerations

It includes examples of:

  • Open-ended questions
  • A management driven rater review
  • A management driven exploratory review
  • An employee self-evaluation questionnaire

To learn more about MCAA’s Advanced Leadership Institute mentioned in this bulletin, visit the Advanced Leadership Institute page.

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.

Withum Explains Why PPP Loan Forgiveness May Not Be Tax-Free

National accounting firm Withum shares information to help you understand the tax implications of the recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ruling addressing the proper treatment of improperly forgiven paycheck protection program (PPP) loans. The IRS ruled that the PPP loan forgiveness amount is not tax-free, even if the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the lender granted the borrower full loan forgiveness, if the taxpayer did not satisfy the factual requirements for loan forgiveness.