Organization: PCA

CNA Shares Tips to Minimize Winter Driving Risks

Operating a vehicle in any weather condition involves a variety of risks. Winter weather requires extra care and attention to minimize risk to both companies and drivers. CNA, an MCAA member and longtime supporter of MCAA’s Safety Excellence Initiative, shares tips to minimize risk and keep everyone safe on the road.

The Winter Driving Guide prepares companies to manage driving operations based on the National Weather Service categories for winter weather risks.

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The Driver: Tips for Wintertime Driving teaches drivers to handle winter driving hazards to so they arrive safety at their destinations.

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MCAA thanks CNA for sharing these resources, and for their commitment to our members’ safety.

2024 MEP Innovation Conference Expanded Relationships & Skills

Over the last four years, the MEP Innovation Conference’s success and popularity have continued to skyrocket. The 2024 conference drew record-breaking attendance, with more than 725 participants in attendance. Together, MCAA, NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association), and SMACNA (the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association) have grown this meeting into one of the premier construction events of the year.

Innovators and industry pioneers from all three associations expanded their comprehension, relationships and skills across all building trades during the January 29–31 gathering in Orlando, Florida. As it does each year, the conference helped registrants better understand new technologies and project trends as well as develop collaboration opportunities.

Attendee demographics are shifting. A live survey revealed that more than half of the attendees were either company executives or department heads. This is a shift from the conference origins when attendees were primarily working within BIM and VDC.

“This year, I’ve noticed an increase in leadership representation at the conference,” remarked Chris Weaver, Director of Technology at Andy J. Egan. “This trend reflects both the growing recognition among executives of technology’s pivotal role in business success and the promotion of individuals spearheading technology implementation within their organizations.”

With over 50 educational sessions, all based upon contractor case studies, the conference provides a heavy dose of practical innovation. The breakout sessions proved to be the real work horse of the sessions. Over 70 speakers from the three trades shared their wins and losses when it comes to software, technology, processes, and hardware.

Plans are already underway for the 2025 conference, to be held January 27-29 in Los Angeles, California. Watch for more information and resources as the date draws nearer.

Find the Latest from EVAPCO, Inc. and Carrier Corporation 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:

EVAPCO, Inc.
Using the power of capacitive deionization technology, EVAPCO Water Saver makes it easy to improve your water efficiency, lower your operating costs, and deliver a recovery rate of up to 90 percent. EVAPCO even manages the system’s routine monitoring for you.

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Carrier Corporation
Carrier’s new Ecoblue technology is the industry’s first beltless direct-drive vane axial fan system for select rooftop models designed to improve performance and efficiencies while decreasing maintenance and installation costs.

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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

Sloan Joins Works with WELL Product Licensing Program as Inaugural Member

Sloan, an MCAA member, has joined the International WELL Building Institute’s (IWBI) Works with WELL offering. The move makes Sloan the only commercial restroom manufacturer in the program and one of only 40 early adopting companies. Works with WELL is a new product licensing program designed to help product manufacturers validate and showcase how their products align with WELL strategies based on IWBI licensing criteria.

Launched in 2014, the WELL Building Standard has helped guide the design of thousands of buildings around the world, giving them clear guidelines for creating spaces that keep people healthy and productive.

“It’s so important for a facility to understand how its products impact its tenants, yet it can be a challenge to understand which products to specify in order to achieve sustainability and WELL goals,” said Paul Sambanis, Sloan’s vice president of sustainability. “Sloan’s new partnership with the Works with WELL program will help facilities better understand the benefits they receive when specifying Sloan restroom products. We are proud to be the only commercial restroom manufacturer in this category.”

To achieve this verification, companies must submit their products for the Works with WELL trademark before undergoing a third-party document review to validate that their products meet the licensing criteria.

A wide range of Sloan products—from flushometers to soap dispensers and hand dryers—now feature the Works with WELL licensing mark and appear in the Works with WELL registry to enable customers to see which products help them meet their WELL and LEED goals.

Since 2014, the demand for WELL has impacted over 17 million people in 37,000 locations across 125 countries.

Visit Sloan’s WELL Building Standard Calculator to learn more about the value of WELL-eligible Sloan products, and check the Works with WELL Directory for more information on Sloan products with the WELL licensing mark.

For more information on Sloan’s Works with WELL partnership, visit Sloan’s website. Follow Sloan on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and blog for additional updates.

2024 Membership Dues Packets Sent

On February 2, membership dues packets were emailed to the primary contact at each member company that pays its own dues. The email contains the 2024 dues reporting form and instructions, which may also be downloaded below. The 2024 dues rates for construction and service hours remain unchanged at $.09 per labor hour. The minimum dues assessment is based upon 12,000 hours ($1,080) per branch office, and the maximum assessment is 300,000 hours ($27,000) per branch office. The next dues increase will be January 1, 2025. At that time, dues will increase to $.10 per labor hour.

This years dues materials can also be downloaded here:

Instructions

2024 Dues Reporting Form

If you have any dues-related questions, please contact Jocelyn Jackson at jjackson@mcaa.org or 1-800-556-3653.

Dues should be submitted monthly by the 15^th of the following month until you reach the maximum of $27,000 in 2024.

CEA National Issues Conference Will Focus on Key Regulatory & Legislative Issues

The Construction Employers of America (CEA) invites you to participate in the 2024 National Issues Conference, which will take place May 6–8, 2024, at the Royal Sonesta Washington, DC Capitol Hill. This event will focus on key regulatory and legislative issues affecting the union construction industry today. As with previous in-person conferences, the CEA will host both regulators and representatives from Congress for their expertise and insights on a variety of topics. Don’t miss this opportunity to get the latest information that impacts your business from the nation’s capital! Early-bird registration is now available!

MCAA’s NEW Accident Investigation Video Offers Safety Training to Supervisors

An accident on a jobsite is everyone’s worst nightmare, but most accidents are preventable. MCAA’s new video helps supervisors conduct an accident investigation, so it doesn’t happen again. The video reviews the three steps of an accident investigation: Investigate, Find the Cause, and Act. It also teaches supervisors what to look for during the investigation and how to access accident investigation templates.

An accident investigation is one of the most important things a company can do because it:

Helps prevent a similar repeat accident.
Shows workers that the company is committed to safety.
Saves money!

The video is available in both English and Spanish.

MCAA will continue to add Spanish-language safety resources throughout 2024 to help ensure the safety of all our industry’s workers.

For additional safety and health videos and a list of all 700+ mechanical industry safety & health resources available from MCAA, click here.

If you have questions, please contact Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management

Connect With the Latest Training from Parker Hannifin and The Harris Products Group 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:

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.

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The Harris Products Group
Harris Products Group, maker of brazing and soldering equipment and consumables, provides NATE training on the basics of brazing, base and filler metals and fluxes, and torch safety. Includes brazing demonstrations and hands-on practice.

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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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Find the Latest from Aalberts IPS – Apollo Valves 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:

Aalberts IPS – Apollo Valves
Aalberts integrated piping systems is where technology matters and progress happens. Connect with us at 704.841.6000 or visit our website at aalberts-ips.us to view our fitting and valve technology.

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Morris Group International
The Smith Zip-Trench^® Polypropylene Trench Drain offers a less expensive, labor-saving alternative to a cast-in-place trench drain. Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co is a member of Morris Group International.

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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

Althoff Industries’ Revenue Surges With ServiceTitan for Customer Service

Althoff Industries credits their switch to ServiceTitan software with an improvement in customer service that contributed to an increase from $8.5 million in revenue in 2021 to $11.4 million in 2022. Althoff went live with the software in July 2021 after spending decades on a server-based customer relationship management system. It was such a momentous occasion for Blake Wiltshire, director of residential services at Althoff, that an empty bottle of champagne sits on his shelf to commemorate the moment.

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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.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

2024 Safety & Health Conference A Landslide Win for Safety & Health

Safety & Health was in the spotlight last week in Tucson, AZ, at the 2024 Safety & Health Conference. In front of a sold-out crowd, MCAA President Robert Beck highlighted contractors’ commitment to worker safety and health and MCAA leadership in guiding the way.

“Over the past year I have been so proud of the work of MCAA’s Safety & Health Committee and our Safety Excellence Initiative. Our whole organization has taken notice to the increased attendance at this conference, the output of quality safety & health resources, and the impact that our mechanical contractor’s organization is having on the whole industry to improve safety & health.”
Robert J. Beck, MCAA President

Attendees had the opportunity to learn from over a dozen industry experts on topics like fall prevention and protection, mental health awareness, OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulatory activity, and the state of construction safety.

We were also fortunate to be joined by ASSP (American Society of Safety Professionals) CEO Jennifer McNelly, and attendees had an opportunity to receive a NARCAN certification and medication kit.

MCAA was overwhelmed with the positive feedback from our partners at the United Association, and our welcomed guests from The Association of Union Constructors.

Mark your calendars for the 2025 Safety & Health Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, January 14-16^th at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach.

Watts Water Technologies Is Celebrating 150 Years of Innovation and Excellence

Watts Water Technologies, an MCAA member, is celebrating its 150^th anniversary. Since 1874, Watts has been delivering innovative water technologies that make the world’s most precious resource safe and accessible. As Watts enters their 150th year in business, they would like to extend their most sincere “thank you” to their customers, representatives, employees, and stakeholders for being an integral part of the company’s journey.

Watts plans to host several exciting events throughout the year, including a year-long sweepstakes for customers and a celebration at their headquarters in North Andover, Massachusetts.

To learn more about Watts and their 150 years of industry experience, visit watts.com/150years.

About Watts Water Technologies, Inc.
For over 150 years, Watts has delivered innovative and sustainable technologies designed to safeguard the world’s most precious resource. Watts designs, manufactures, and sells an extensive line of flow control, water safety, water filtration & treatment, radiant heating, and drainage products for the commercial, residential, and institutional markets. Watts is committed to helping its customers optimize system performance and reliability and conserve critical resources. Together, we make every drop count. For more information, visit www.watts.com.

Find the Latest from AB&I Foundry and Team Industries, 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:

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.

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Team Industries, Inc.
Designed in accordance with “Lean Manufacturing” concepts, Team’s pipe welding positioners deliver economical, high quality pipe welding. Team’s positioners are designed for the highest quality and peak efficiency in pipe welding.

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

Northwest Mechanical Group Ramps Up Business With BuildOps

When their out-of-date software started slowing them down in the office and the field, Northwest Mechanical Group switched to the BuildOps platform, simplifying and streamlining data management so they could grow their business. “Before we knew it, we were seeing quicker turnaround times on job closeout and a huge improvement in the time it took for quotes to be accepted by our customers,” said Chris Howard, owner and CEO.

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

Executive-to-Executive Meetings, Strategic Discussions & Innovation Await at MCAA Converge – Save Your Spot NOW

Event Dates: June 24 – 26, 2024 | Indianapolis, IN
Reserve Your Spot Today!

Want to improve your business relationships, gain product knowledge and leverage your business strategy? Join us for MCAA Converge. More than just a meeting, MCAA Converge is a meticulously crafted experience designed to address the unique needs of your company. Picture executive-to-executive meetings, a melting pot of strategic discussions, and an atmosphere buzzing with innovation.

This exclusive gathering of industry leaders will be set against the backdrop of Victory Field, home to the acclaimed Indianapolis Indians, and hosted at the luxurious Westin Indianapolis.

At 2024 MCAA Converge, we redefine engagement, offering a top-tier, strategic experience that goes beyond the local level. Executives from MCAA members – 25 manufacturer/supplier companies and 40 contractor companies – converge to explore a spectrum of topics: from current and future market conditions to upcoming significant projects, emerging technologies, and the invaluable art of relationship building.

“Roughly sixty percent of most mechanical and plumbing projects consist of material, equipment, subcontracts, and other soft costs. Through tactical meetings with member Manufacturers and Suppliers, MCAA Converge provides a platform for contractors to gain advantages on their projects through the implementation of emerging technologies, strategic planning, and negotiation. Finding ways to reduce costs and increase productivity through this event can significantly decrease labor risk and increase margins on current projects. Advantages gained at Converge could also be the difference between winning and losing future projects.”
Rick Gopffarth, V.P. Marketing/Business Development, Dynamic Systems

The verdict from the most recent MCAA Converge? A resounding 9.3 out of 10, with 88% of participants expressing an overwhelming likelihood of attending the 2024 edition. Act swiftly, as only 40 spots await MCAA contractor companies, and a mere 25 for MCAA manufacturer/supplier companies.

Seize the opportunity to secure your company’s spot or schedule a personal meeting to delve deeper into what awaits. Don’t miss out – fill out the survey now and be a part of a transformative experience at the 2024 MCAA Converge! Reserve Your Spot Today!

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Tips to Help Contractors Manage Through an Economic Downturn

Managing through an economic downturn and coming out whole on the other side requires planning, savvy business decision making, execution of a plan and, frankly, a little luck. MCAA’s Tips to Help Contractors Manage Through an Economic Downturn provides information to help contractors think about survival and manage risk. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin explores:

The five stages of a business cycle
Early warning signs
Survival steps

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For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, including several on the topic of marketing, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

2023 MCAA Safety Professional of the Year Announced…Mark Rook, AMS Industries

During the annual Safety & Health Conference in Tucson, AZ, MCAA and MILWAUKEE TOOL announced the winner of the 2023 Safety Professional of the Year as Mark Rook of AMS Industries.

Each year, this award is presented to a mechanical industry safety and health professional who has led their company to achieving an exceptionally high degree of safety excellence.

Mark has been a longtime national safety and health advocate and industry leader, volunteering his time and experience to both national and local committees. His work to advance worker safety has helped create safer jobsites around the country. He is the Safety Director at AMS Industries outside Chicago, IL.

“Mark has been a mentor to many safety professionals and is always the first to offer his guidance on best practices for safety in the mechanical industry. He is very deserving of this once in a lifetime recognition,” said Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health, and Risk Management.

In addition to the announcement at the Safety & Health Conference, Mark will be receiving this award at the MCAA24 convention in Orlando, FL, in March 2024.

MCAA congratulates Mark Rook and AMS Industries.

MCAA Shares Safety & Health Video with the General Public

Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention Video available to all in English & Spanish

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is proud to announce the creation and distribution of one its most requested safety & health resources to the public, a 22-minute mental health awareness and suicide prevention video.

“Construction has one of the highest rates of death by suicide of all industries in the United States, about four times higher than the general population,” said Robert Beck, MCAA President. “Rethinking how our industry approaches mental health will have immediate impacts.”

MCAA has long touted a 20-year track record of safety excellence and loudly voiced a commitment to make job sites safer for the mechanical industry and all construction workers nationwide.

“Today’s announcement is a culmination of years of planning and development, and is a win for employers, workers, families, and for safety & health”, said Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA Executive Director of Safety, Health & Risk Management. “As one of the industry’s leaders in safety & health it is our responsibility to share our knowledge and resources on this topic and we are proud to do it.”

Historically, MCAA safety & health resources have been made available exclusively to MCAA members, but today, in a first-of-its-kind move, MCAA shares one of the most impactful videos with the industry and general public, Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention.

In a statement, the United Association (UA) General President, Mark McManus, said “Our joint investment to spread awareness and normalize conversations around this issue could be one of the biggest opportunities to impact safety and health across our entire industry today. Mental health has a personal impact on so many people; everyone has a story; everyone is dealing with things on and off the jobsite.”

The public video can be found at YouTube.com/@MCAAmerica or directly here in English or Spanish.

For more information, please visit mcaa.org.

About the Mechanical Contractors Association of America

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) represents approximately 2,600 heating, air conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, piping, and mechanical service firms, who employ more than 375,000 union workers nationwide for 132 years. MCAA’s mission is to guide and support member success to build a stronger, more sustainable future for the mechanical contracting industry. Through member-driven resources, comprehensive education, and strategic partnerships, we empower members to shape a future of unparalleled innovation and growth.

Connect With the Latest Training from Reliance Worldwide Corporation and Lochinvar, LLC 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:

Reliance Worldwide Corporation
The HoldRite training portal enables you to learn about our complete range of solutions, including secondary pipe supports, acoustic noise & vibration, firestopping systems, DWV testing, equipment supports & water heater accessories.

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Lochinvar, LLC
Lochinvar’s commitment to training and education hasn’t wavered in over 80 years. Learn with us on-line at LochinvarU.com, on-campus in Lebanon, Tennessee or at a sponsored event in your hometown.

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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.

Learn More

MSCA Growing and Developing Field Service Supervisors, November 2024

MSCA’s Growing and Developing Service Supervisors is focused training designed specifically for improving the performance of service field supervisors. Using proven methods, this program will advance skills in leadership, coaching, planning, time management, communication, and motivational techniques, all of which will give the field supervisor an edge and the confidence to deal with the workplace challenges of today.