Organization: MCAA

MCA of Chicago Starts WiMI of MCA of Chicago

The Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago hosted its first Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) meeting on August 29, 2022. The Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago is proud to host its own WiMI committee and provide these resources to the women in its membership, such as professional, networking, and educational events. MCA of Chicago looks forward to better supporting women involved in the organization. The Chicago WiMI committee will ensure women in the MCA of Chicago always have a seat at the table.

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2023 MEP Innovation Conference Tours Are Selling Out – More to Come!

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

2023 might seem like a far way off, but early registrants are not only taking advantage of the early-bird rate, but also spots in the facility tours. After a week of registrations, contractors have nearly filled the first release of tours at MCAA and SMACNA member Dynamic Systems Inc. The tour will include an explanation of DSI’s VDC operations and its integration to its sheet metal, plumbing and piping fabrication.

Our facility tours are a new feature of the MEP Innovation Conference scheduled for January 11-13 in Austin, Texas. Attendees have the option to go offsite before the Opening General Session, or to participate in a set of optional pre-conference sessions at the hotel including product demonstrations, case studies, and hands-on workshops. Once the conference begins, it will bring together approximately 500 of the most innovative MEP contractors from around the country for the next two days. If you missed out on the initial release of the tours, don’t worry. More are being developed as we get closer to the conference and will take place at manufacturers, software developers, training centers and other contractor facilities.

VIEW AVAILABLE TOURS

Register now to network with peers from multiple trades across the country and learn about industry advancements for the future of the MEP trades. Secure early bird pricing and register today!

MORE INFORMATION

REGISTER NOW

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

Thank you to our conference sponsors:

MCAA’s 2022 Fabrication Conference Offers a Look Into the Network of Shops Approach

As fabrication progresses towards manufacturing, a new approach is being taken that mirrors industrial manufacturing. The approach is known as distributed manufacturing for many industrial producers. For mechanical and plumbing contractors, it involves a network of fabrication facilities, VDC resources and jobsite construction crews that work together to design and build projects as efficiently as possible.

The 2022 MCAA Fabrication Conference, powered by MSUITE will be hosted by McKinstry Company, who will share insight into their network of shops approach. It involves coordination and balance of both fabrication and VDC resources across their multiple locations. In order to do this, it takes ample resources in software, VDC personnel and fabrication tools & equipment.

It begins with the people. VDC operators need to be able to not only have expert knowledge in drawing, but codes for multiple jurisdictions. They also need to be able to coordinate between offices and remote workers to allocate portions of the job and track progress. Once drawn and approved for fabrication, manufacturing and supply chain operations takes center stage and a determination must be made for where to fabricate based on final location and specialized equipment for each fabrication facility. Final installation is then performed by construction crews distributed over a wide geographical area around multiple office locations.

While this technique might be seen as only approachable by large contractors with multiple locations, it can actually be used by small contractors that are looking to outsource parts of their operations. Many contractors use multiple VDC resources outside of their operations when coordinating and designing. The same goes for outsourcing parts of their fabrication from other trades or specialty firms.

To learn more, attend the 2022 MCAA Fabrication Conference, November 2-4 in Seattle, Washington.

UPDATE: Registration is temporarily sold out while we secure additional hotel rooms. If interested, please fill out the waitlist registration form below and submit it to MCAA.

JOIN WAITLIST

Find the Latest from Tyler Pipe & Coupling and Anaco-Husky 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:

Tyler Pipe & Coupling
Tyler Pipe & Coupling produces quality cast iron soil pipe and fittings and no-hub couplings in the heartland of America. Visit our website to see how quality cast iron is made right here in the USA.

Learn More

Anaco-Husky
Follow the Leader, choose Husky SD 4000 Heavy Duty Couplings. Visit our website and check out the new members of the Husky family.

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

Now More Than Ever, Women Are Standing Out in This Industry

MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) Initiative wants to give a big shout out to WiMI Vice Chair Wendy Glauber! She was recently named a 2022 Women of Influence Honoree in the Executive Category through Buffalo Business First.

Glauber is the General Counsel and Vice President of Human Resources for MCAA Member John W. Danforth Company, and one of 27 women recognized through the publication for her contributions to the Western New York community.

“Wendy has been a great asset to Danforth and truly exemplifies our organization’s mission and vision. Her recognition as a Women of Influence Honoree is a true testament to that,” said Patrick W. McParlane, President and COO of the John W. Danforth Company.

Glauber became Vice Chair of the WiMI Committee in 2022 at the Annual WiMI Education Conference. We are looking forward to celebrating more of the accomplishments of women in our industry, like Wendy Glauber.

MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) initiative was launched in 2018 to enable women in the industry to further enrich their careers. Over the years the initiative has given these women an opportunity for networking, career development, mentoring and education. If you’d like to learn more, you can find information here.

General Piping Flies Through Installation With NIBCO’s Grooved Butterfly Valves

General Piping, Inc. counted on NIBCO grooved butterfly valves to meet the strict deadlines of a high school renovation project. “NIBCO’s grooved butterfly valves were easy and fast to install, and they’ve performed well,” said Justin Richardson, project manager, who led the renovation of Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, IN.

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 Unit Pricing

Unit prices are difficult to establish and even more difficult to utilize to establish a fair and equitable price for changes to contract work. MCAA’s Unit Pricing highlights the pitfalls of this pricing method and provides guidelines to help you avoid them. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

The inequities of unit pricing
Guidelines for the preparation of a base unit price schedule
The importance of contract stipulations
What to consider when establishing correction factors

DOWNLOAD

Find the bulletins referenced in the Foreward in MCAA’s Change Orders, Productivity, Overtime—A Primer for the Construction Industry.

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 Victaulic and A.O. Smith 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:

Victaulic
From one-hour seminars to full-day events, Victaulic University Continuing Education courses provide training on key industry concepts, including piping movement design, grooving and installation fundamentals, and gasket technology, as well as Victaulic HVAC and fire protection solutions. Request an instructor-led course or enroll in an online course today!

Learn More

A.O. Smith
We offer top notch training, available 24/7. You can learn about our Residential, Commercial, and even Tankless. Training includes items like How it Works, Installation, Application, & Service tips.

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 Morris Group International and AB&I Foundry 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
Smith Labor Saver® fixture supports for water closets, lavatories, and urinals help you complete jobs faster and more efficiently—saves 15-20 minutes on installation time per support!

Learn More

AB&I Foundry
AB&I Foundry manufactures cast iron soil pipe & fittings for DWV Plumbing Systems. Visit the website to see how cast iron is made right here in America.

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

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

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Business Writing for Success

Effective written communication is focused, clear and aims to accomplish a purpose. MCAA’s Business Writing for Success provides guidelines to help you consider and deliver messages that achieve the desired result. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

The basics of good business writing
Choosing the right message format for the job
The importance of beginning with the positive
Building a logical argument
Special considerations regarding email and texting

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.

Webinar: Are You Prepared for the Upcoming R-22 Phaseout?

The R-22 phaseout is fast-approaching. Are you prepared? Are your customers? The key is to start planning now.

Watch MSCA’s R-22 phaseout webinar, hosted by BuildOps. This webinar was led by experienced service contractor and instructor Woody Woodall of Customer Focused Solutions. In this informative webinar Woodall addresses the upcoming phaseouts including R-22, 410A, as well as other refrigerants, and covers practical ways to prepare your company and your customers.

This webinar was recorded on Thursday, September 8, 2022.

Watch Webinar and View PowerPoint

Attention Contractors: Enhance Your Competitive Advantage with MCAA Converge

The MCAA Converge is a unique and intimate event that offers customized executive-to-executive meetings tailored to meet the specific needs of your company. The approach brings together top decision-makers from participating MCAA contractors and MCAA Manufacturer/Supplier Council members, engaging in strategic and innovation-based topics. See the attached for more details regarding the agenda, participating companies, costs, and more.

When: November 14 – 16, 2022
Host Hotel: Live! by Loews, Arlington, TX
Meeting Venue: Globe Life Field Stadium, home of the Texas Rangers

If you are interested in learning more about the MCAA Converge please contact:

Lesley Ravas, Director, Manufacturer/Supplier & Associate Executives
lravas@mcaa.org
410-746-4277

Tim Speno, E2E Summit, President & CEO
timspeno@e2esummit.com
785-200-3936

Begin the registration process by booking a meeting with Tim Speno Here.

Welcome New Manufacturer/Supplier Members!

Enhance your strategic supply chain with the five newest members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Allow them to introduce themselves:

ClickSafety is a supplier of online safety training. Our online learning management, compliance and documentation solutions help organizations execute their training objectives and build world-class safety cultures. Our parent company is Ascend Learning. Ascend Learning is the leading provider of technology-based educational, curriculum and assessment solutions for healthcare and other vocational industries, and specializes in delivering higher-performance results for students and professionals.

Liberty Pumps is a leading U.S. manufacturer of pumping products for ground water and wastewater removal in residential and commercial applications. We are a family and employee owned company, proudly producing over 90% of our products in the U.S.A. utilizing US and globally sourced components.

OpenSpace provides next-generation 360º construction photo documentation and mapping software. We are the fastest, simplest, and most advanced tool out there, and we can prove it.

Novarc Technologies is a Vancouver-based full-stack robotics company specializing in the design and commercialization of cobots and AI systems for robotic welding applications. Novarc’s Spool Welding Robot (SWR) is the world’s first-of-its-kind in pipe welding applications. As a proven pioneer in the field, Novarc has dedicated a team of engineers and scientists to solve challenging welding automation problems that improve customers’ bottom line.

ServiceTitan is the operating system that powers the trades. Trusted by over 12,000 of the most successful contractors in the industry, our platform’s comprehensive capabilities CRM, ERP, FSM, Fintech, Accounting Integrations, and more) enable complete control of your entire business from one place. By optimizing workflows, improving cash flow, and maximizing profits, we empower commercial contractors to modernize and elevate their businesses.

The members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council stand ready to help you enhance your productivity and profitability and retain your competitive edge. Meet them in person during many MCAA events and virtually through Smart Solutions, Manufacturer/Supplier Training, and the Virtual Trade Show.

Find the Latest from Xylem Inc. – Bell & Gossett and Galloup 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:

Xylem Inc. – Bell & Gossett
The next generation of variable speed ECM smart circulators is here. The ecocirc+ 20-18 replaces up to 70 pumps for heating, cooling and potable water applications and is the most reliable, efficient and easy-to-install smart circulator available today.

Learn More

Galloup Company
Galloup is a premier industrial distributor of pipe, valves and fittings, dedicated to service and support. Serving Michigan, Indiana and Ohio with nine facilities, including two distribution centers.

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

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

Industry-Specific Education Offers Practical Take-Homes & Inspiration for Field Leaders

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference has earned rave reviews for its industry-specific content that gives field leaders at all levels the skills, understanding, and inspiration to positively impact their company’s bottom line. Learn what past attendees have to say and see how the conference content will benefit your field leaders and your company. The conference will offer the same education in Indianapolis, IN (October 12-14, 2022) and Kansas City, MO (November 2-4, 2022). Register your field leaders today!

Here’s what past attendees had to say about the conference:

“This whole conference is great l wish I had this 20 years ago when I started running work.”
– Boston, 2021

“I just want to thank each and every speaker for telling their story. I know you guys have probably heard it before but your passion for wanting to make us all better foremen, better husbands and just better people in general is amazing and again, I thank you. I learned a lot today and I can’t wait to take it home and start using it.”
– Boston, 2021

“This was truly a well-presented conference. I attend and study a lot of leadership courses and this blew me away. Mark and Greg’s approach from a contractor’s perspective was, in my opinion, what every field worker (not just field leader) needs to hear to drive change in our industry. Thank you for just an EXCELLENT conference.”
– Rochester, 2022

“This was the best learning experience I have had since joining this trade. I would love to see more people in our company and local come to these events.”
– Boston, 2021

“I will recommend this to our own company leaders to send more people for this training. I plan to call them on my ride home and not wait at all.”
– Rochester, 2022

Field leaders will learn to:

View themselves as professionals
Understand how their performance impacts the bottom line
Establish tangible goals
Appreciate the importance of customer relationships and their role as the face of the company

They will return to your company with:

Real-life tips and tools for success on the job site
Ways to control crucial job site conversations
An action item list they can put to work right away
A fresh perspective on the latest tools and construction resources
A network of other jobsite leaders to advise and support them
The inspiration to take this knowledge and apply it to better themselves at work, and in life

Don’t delay – register your field leaders today!

Learn More & Register for the Kansas City Conference

Learn More & Register for the Indianapolis Conference

GTP Services STRATUS Software Helps Waldinger and Danforth Help Each Other

In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Waldinger Corporation had several projects delayed or cancelled, while the John W. Danforth Company needed additional detailing support. Using GTP Services’ STRATUS software, they successfully collaborated on a large project, to the benefit of both companies. STRATUS allowed the contractors to share resources and also digitize their paper-based workflow, eliminating mistakes and increasing productivity.

LEARN MORE

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

Connect With the Latest Training from SLOAN and Parker Hannifin 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
Planning a new facility or retrofitting an existing one? Ideal for drought-prone regions, this webinar introduces you to the many solutions which conserve water across buildings and restrooms and make conservation efforts successful.

Learn More

Parker Hannifin
Learn how ZoomLock MAX press technology for HVAC will improve your efficiency, adding to your bottom line. ZoomLock MAX fittings delivers secure, braze-free connections in a few simple steps while providing a safer environment for your team.

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 Morris Group International and Sioux Chief Manufacturing Company, 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:

Morris Group International
Controls® Emergency Thermostatic Temperature Valve is certified to deliver safe, tepid water to safety systems. Use with Emergency Eye Wash and face stations, shower fixtures, and combination units.

Learn More

Sioux Chief Manufacturing Company, Inc.
The FinishLine is a complete drain and cleanout system that is adjustable before and after the pour. The FinishLine is complemented by Sioux Chief’s full offering of commercial drainage products for all types and sizes of projects. Specified by engineers and installed by contractors across the country. Why use anything else?

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

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

Invest in the People Who Run Your Jobs with MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference

Give your field leaders the skills they need to focus on growing company profits and brand when you send them to the Field Leaders Conference. They will return with an action item list, a fresh perspective on the latest tools and construction resources, and a network of other jobsite leaders to offer advice and provide support long after the class is over. The conference will be held in Kansas City, MO, November 2-4, 2022. Register your field leaders now!

Those who attend will also learn from industry experts who will share their real-life tips and tools for success on the job site, including ways you can professionally control crucial job site conversations. Attendees will leave with actionable education. Learning from some of the industry’s best, attendees will be inspired to take this knowledge and apply it to better themselves at work, and in life.

During this intensive conference, field leaders will learn to:

View themselves as professionals
Understand how their performance is critical to the bottom line
Establish tangible goals
Appreciate the importance of customer relationships and their role as the face of the company

They will also learn what it really means to be a great foreman, giving them the skills needed to be business and results oriented leaders who focus on growing company culture, brand and profits.

Lead field personnel cannot afford to miss this conference! Watch the video above to hear about the conference experience from previous attendees, then click the button for your preferred location to learn more and register today.

Learn More & Register for the Indianapolis Conference

Learn More & Register for the Kansas City Conference

MCAA WiMI Committee Shares How To Start a Local WiMI Committee

Have you wanted to start a local Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) committee in your area, but weren’t quite sure where to start? The MCAA WiMI Committee has put together a comprehensive list of ideas and instructions that can be tailored to the specific needs of your area. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to wimi@mcaa.org.