What’s New

Join MSCA Board member Drew Harrison and a panel of industry experts to learn how heat pumps can help grow your business and improve profits. MSCA and the UA have been working with Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (in support of the US Department of Energy) to boost heat pump and heat pump water heater training and recruitment as massive federal incentives become available.

The Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) Conference is your platform for building lasting connections and fostering a supportive community. Networking opportunities abound, allowing attendees to connect with like-minded professionals, share experiences, and collaborate on strategies for success.

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.

Today the White House announced a historic program targeting opioid overdoses. The White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose calls attention to construction industry efforts, including those of MCAA and our safety alliance partners at the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), and The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC).

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

Sales Basecamp is where it begins for entry-level service sales personnel. In this competitive and uncertain business landscape, the rules of sales and customer engagement have changed. Get the training you need to excel. Register today!

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Ed Kommers, former executive director of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Western Washington (MCAWW). Ed equips those new to negotiations with the tools and knowledge needed for effective multiemployer bargaining as a unified team.

Shannon Paciorek Has Joined the MCAA Staff

MCAA is pleased to welcome Shannon Paciorek, our new Associate Director, Meetings & Events. Shannon previously planned meetings and webinars for the Association of Cancer Care Centers and its Oncology State Societies. Her background in television production includes an Emmy Award win for sports. A member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Shannon enjoys running and trying out new restaurants. She is married with two daughters and two dogs. On the weekends, you can find her on a soccer field or at a dance competition. MCAA is pleased to welcome Shannon and her family to the MCAA family.

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

Join your MCAA and MSCA peers for this year’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) Conference. Experience an array of captivating educational sessions, inspiring speakers, and invaluable networking opportunities designed to empower and uplift women at every stage of their careers.

MCAA invites you to participate in the 2024 National Issues Conference for a deep-dive into the key regulatory and legislative issues affecting the union construction industry. Along with our partners in the Construction Employers of America (CEA), we will host 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! Register today!

ServiceTitan is the latest addition to the growing list of software platforms partnering with MCAA. The company is actively working to bring MCAA’s safety and health resources into ServiceTitan to make it easier for contractors to use and access, joining existing partners like Tyfoom and MCAI.

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Terry and Lee Resnick, partners in Resnick Succession Group. Terry and Lee teach business owners how to enhance, preserve, and ultimately transition their companies as well as non-business assets in the most tax and cost-efficient manner.

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.

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

MCAA invites you to participate in the 2024 National Issues Conference for a deep-dive into the key regulatory and legislative issues affecting the union construction industry. Along with our partners in the Construction Employers of America (CEA), we will host 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 discounts end March 1. Register today!

Technology is changing every day, but the need to secure company data remains constant. MCAA’s Things and Must Do’s to Protect/Secure Your Company’s Data reviews the basic steps contractors should take to keep intruders out and company data secure. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Robert Beck Explores the Value of Relationships on The People Business Podcast

MCAA President Robert Beck joined Frank Favaro for The People Business podcast on February 22, 2024. Listen as he delves into the significance of continually forging and solidifying relationships. He sheds light on the power of influence and its role in serving the greater good for everyone involved. Amid the earnest conversation, Robert also highlights the importance of infusing fun into all aspects of the day.

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

MCAA24 is a can’t miss opportunity to prepare your company for the year ahead. Space is running out, register today!

Unanticipated price escalations in construction materials after the contract is executed have caused concern to owners and contractors. MCAA’s Recovery of Material Escalation Costs Arising From Steel and Aluminum Tariffs addresses the approaches contractors may assert to recover under fixed priced contracts for the price increases resulting from new tariffs on imported steel and aluminum. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA congratulates Ryan Hoggatt, UMC, Inc.’s Director of Manufacturing, on being our MEP Innovator of the Year. The award recognizes his outstanding contributions to the construction industry in the areas of efficiency, productivity, and innovation. His efforts have improved UMC, Inc.’s operations and encouraged others to adopt innovative practices.

Sales Basecamp is where it begins for entry-level service sales personnel. In this competitive and uncertain business landscape, the rules of sales and customer engagement have changed. This two-day highly interactive program will prepare recent hires or employees new to a sales position with all the relevant skills necessary to confidently sell HVACR and plumbing services while creating added value for the customer. Register today!

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.

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Frank Favaro, founder and President of ServeCentric Coaching in Cleveland, OH. Frank teaches sales employees where other companies drop the ball when it comes to customer interactions, relationships, and service and how to avoid those same mistakes.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Watts Water Technologies, an MCAA member, is celebrating its 150th 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

This week, at 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.

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. In an effort to bring awareness to and elevate the topic of Mental Health, MCAA shares one of its most impactful videos with the industry and general public, Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention.

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.

Over the last decade, the MCAA Safety Excellence Initiative has seen a lot of changes. The industry has changed, PPE has changed, and even the rules we follow from OSHA have changed, but at MCAA one thing has remained constant, Tracy Haus. Tracy joined MCAA’s national Safety & Health Committee years ago and has led this committee as its chair for over a decade.

MCAA joined a large coalition of trade associations and industry groups in urging U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo to narrow the scope of the International Trade Commission’s (ITC) ongoing antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations regarding aluminum extrusions. The effort was spearheaded by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) at the request of its Aluminum Extrusion Task Force. The investigation’s goal would be to level the playing field for American manufacturers but would create problems for our industry especially in the HVAC sector.

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

Since they implemented ServiceTrade software in 2021, Western Allied Mechanical’s service department has been able to cut their quote delivery time in half and send invoices three times faster, while also providing clients a better overall experience with more visibility. ServiceTrade allowed Western Allied to streamline their operations and improve thecustomer experience while sticking with their existing accounting software and processes. In this Q&A, Western AlliedVice President Jeremy Goodland talks about how the company has been improving operations, customer experience, and sales since implementing ServiceTrade.

One of the most important videos in the MCAA Safety & Health resource collection is now available in Spanish. Over the last several years, MCAA members have increasingly requested our safety videos in Spanish, and that comes as no surprise. Data shows that 34% of construction workers are Spanish speakers, the largest of any industry in the U.S. The fatality rate for Hispanic construction workers remains higher than that for non-Hispanics, but with resources like these MCAA is working to bridge that gap.

MCAA has joined forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to offer resources and tools customized and curated to specifically address and mitigate risks related to electrical safety posed to MCAA members, including physical, compliance and financial risks. Crafted by NFPA’s trusted subject matter experts, this content will provide actionable information and strategies to help you and your team keep pace with the ever-changing regulatory environment, identify potential hazards and shortfalls, and markedly improve safety for your employees, customers, and their workplaces and communities.

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

The stunning JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes Orlando will serve as the backdrop of MCAA24 to be held March 17 – 21, 2024. We have an incredible line up of general session speakers that you won’t want to miss as well as a wide array of education seminars that will attract the convention veteran and the convention newbie alike.

Michigan-based Andy J. Egan Co., Inc., relies on MSUITE software to improve their fabrication operations, which has enabled the company to grow exponentially as it carves out a niche in the energy industry. For example, Egan credits MSUITE with helping them shave three weeks off a major power utility upgrade project.

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.

Time is running out to secure your spot at the MEP Innovation Conference! With over 650 attendees confirmed, registration is getting extremely close to being sold out.

As we welcome 2024, let’s take a moment to reflect on all the great things that the MCAA family accomplished in 2023.

In 2020, the Department of Defense announced a new strategic effort to provide enhanced cybersecurity efforts for their building projects going forward. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) will ensure accountability for companies to implement cybersecurity standards to protect sensitive data during the design, build and operations of DoD facilities. Through research grants by the John R. Gentille Foundation and ELECTRI International, a video series, along with official DoD CMMC documentation, has been produced by MCAA’s Chief Security Fanatic, Nick Espinosa to provide ongoing updates on CMMC changes as the standard evolves and in-depth tutorials on all 110 CMMC Level 2 security controls.

MEP contractors are constantly challenged with new rules and requirements from clients with differing understandings and expectations relative to BIM. For those new to the BIM environment, the spatial coordination process can seem overwhelming. MCAA’s Achieving Spatial Coordination through BIM – A Guide for Specialty Contractors provides guidelines to clarify the process. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA and long-time safety partner CNA bring you the prestigious MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards Program. The annual awards honor MCAA member companies’ successful safety programs and innovative safety initiatives because nothing is more important than the health and safety of our workers. Take a moment to celebrate your company’s successes – apply today!

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.

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

When called upon to produce plans for older buildings, contractors may need to take measurements for pipes and ductwork that are not easily accessed. MCAA’s Laser Scanning explains how laser scanning may be able to help facilitate this work. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

MCAA and long-time safety partner CNA bring you the prestigious MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards Program. The annual awards honor MCAA member companies’ successful safety programs and innovative safety initiatives because nothing is more important than the health and safety of our workers. Take a moment to celebrate your company’s successes – apply today!

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.

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

Confidence in your installation and its reliability are important to any contractor, but labor shortages and economic constraints can often make you feel like you have to choose between speed, cost, and quality. Balancing all three can be a challenge, especially when it comes to water heater installations. Water heater supports, in particular, often get cobbled together using leftover jobsite materials or other makeshift methods in hopes that they will keep the unit stable in the long run. While this may be the cheapest solution in the moment, it is not the best choice for your budget or your reputation.

December 31 marks the deadline for Early Bird registration for the 2024 MCAA Annual Convention, so register today to take advantage of the discounted rates.

Looking to manage company operations and identify potential bottlenecks, DPW, Inc. developed a software solution that streamlines day-to-day work and is scalable for growth. MCAA’s Managing Office Operations with PaperVault provides an overview of the system to assist others in pursuing a similar project. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA, in collaboration with NECA and SMACNA, is excited to showcase cutting-edge technology and innovations in all three industries. Join us January 29 – 31, 2024, for engaging educational sessions, interactive roundtable discussions, a bustling trade show floor, and insightful contractor tours. The designated hotel room block at Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek will close on Thursday, January 4. Secure your spot and room for the 2024 MEP Innovation Conference today!

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

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our world class education to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Kathryn Crosby, owner and founder of C2 Consulting, Inc. Kathryn gives field and office leadership teams the good operational practices and solid procedures they need to deliver higher performing projects, reduce duplication of effort, and allow your company to measure tangible results. Her newest classes demystify construction and service finance.

Join us from June 24 – 26, 2024, at one of America’s “Best Minor League Ballparks” for an event that transcends the ordinary. MCAA Converge isn’t just a meeting; it’s 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.

Like every contractor, Western Allied Mechanical is always looking for innovative ways to get ahead in their market and deliver projects better, faster, and cheaper for their clients. Also like every contractor, Western Allied is facing the nationwide shortage of qualified welders. By adopting Novarc’s spool welding robot (SWR), they have not only increased productivity dramatically, they also increased capacity and are taking on bigger jobs.

In today’s ever-changing MEP industry, innovation is key. The MEP Innovation Conference is the go-to event for professionals looking to stay up-to-date. Amidst the conference’s buzz, it’s the contractors’ practical experiences and insights that lead the way to innovation. We’ll explore how contractor case studies drive progress and collaboration among peers, making this event a hub for groundbreaking solutions in the construction industry for MEP contractors. Join us in sunny Orlando, Florida, from January 29 – 31, as we bring together the best innovators in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing industry. Register today!

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.

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

Preventive maintenance is crucial for ensuring the reliability and efficiency of pumps and motors, which are essential components of commercial HVAC applications. An effective maintenance program can reduce unplanned downtime, decrease maintenance costs, and extend asset life. All of these drive business value, which is especially important in today’s competitive and challenging commercial building environment, when building operation teams are being asked to do more with less.

December 31 marks the deadline for Early Bird registration for the 2024 MCAA Annual Convention, so register today to take advantage of the discounted rates.

Looking to gain efficiencies, the BP Group undertook a high-level process reengineering process that resulted in the development of an online tool. MCAA’s PIPES (PROCESS INFORMATION PORTAL ENABLING SUCCESS) provides details of the solution to inspire others looking to undertake a similar project. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Learn How Your Peers Are Advancing at the 2024 MEP Innovation Conference

The MEP Innovation Conference is renowned for selling out every year, and with good reason – it’s co-produced by three industry pillars: MCAA, NECA, and SMACNA. Join us in sunny Orlando, Florida, from January 29 – 31, as we bring together the best innovators in the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing industry. Our sessions are peer-focused, offering real-world case studies from contractors just like you. Explore multiple learning opportunities through sessions, workshops, breakouts, facility tours, networking, and exhibits. Don’t let this opportunity slip away. Secure your spot now and stay ahead of the game in the ever-evolving MEP industry. Register today!

The Madison Area Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (MSC) and Steamfitters Local 601 hosted their 35th Heat’s On event on October 21, 2023. More than 50 area steamfitters volunteered a day of labor to inspect and service heating systems in the homes of 69 veterans throughout Dane County.

Harris saw an immediate return on investment (ROI) from their Watts Specialties automated pipe cutter, with improved efficiency in cutting and handling and no need for hand-cutting for olets or saddles. Based in St. Paul, MN, Harris has 15 regional offices with more than 300,000 square feet of fabrication shops.

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.

MCAA welcomed its newest student chapter by granting a charter to Riverside City College during the MSCA23 Opening General Session on October 23rd on Marco Island, Florida.

Congratulations to Kolten Plekes and Gonzalo Ceja, the first recipients of the new MSCA Barbara Dolim Scholarship. The scholarship is named for Barbara Dolim, former Executive Director of MSCA, in honor of her efforts in promoting and ensuring future support for the mechanical service industry.

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

It is clear that artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing fast and coming into everyday use. In the near-future, AI systems will be paired with established technology, such as 3D laser scanning for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) applications. What many do not appreciate is that AI is still largely only as good as the quality of data fed into the system, either by human operators or through technology that gathers and organizes information, such as 3D laser scanners and cloud-based data platforms.

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Leah Gutmann, owner of First Forward Consulting, LLC. Leah teaches instructors to enhance their skills, managers to build leadership skills, and finance teams to meet company objectives. Her newest classes focus on building the fundamental leadership skills of our industry’s field leaders, service leaders, and project managers.

Looking to reduce paperwork costs, H.T. Lyons, Inc. had service mechanics, project managers, and dispatchers work internally to create service software. MCAA’s Serviceeye provides details of the affordable solution to inspire others faced with the need to develop or customize software. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Nominations are open for the 2023 MCAA/MILWAUKEE TOOL Safety Professional of the Year award. This award is presented annually to a mechanical industry safety and health professional who has led his or her company to achieve an exceptionally high degree of safety excellence. Five individuals have received the award since its inception in 2018. Nominate someone today and they could be number six!

MCAA President Robert Beck & Trane Discuss Industry Collaboration & Innovation

MCAA President Robert Beck, CEO of John W. Danforth Company, recently sat down with Trane’s Kristie Upton and Terry Dugan to discuss what they foresee for the coming year, and how manufacturers and contractors can work together to solve the industry’s most pressing issues, including the ongoing talent crunch.

Beacon Economics Study Will Help Service Contractors Thrive in Our Evolving Economy

The 2023 Beacon Economics study, commissioned for MSCA, delves into the critical economic dynamics shaping the mechanical service industry today. This analysis scrutinizes the impact of the real estate market, inflation, and labor shortages, among others, shedding light on how these factors will influence the economy and help MSCA members navigate and thrive in an evolving economic landscape.

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

The safety landscape is evolving. Is your company’s safety and health program keeping pace? Jennifer McNelly, CEO of the American Society of Safety Professionals, and Alex Kopp, Director of Safety for The Association of Union Constructors, will help answer that question and inspire you to evolve your company’s safety and health program during MCAA’s 2024 Safety & Health Conference. Their sessions are just two reasons to attend MCAA’s 2024 Safety & Health Conference (January 16-18, 2024, in Tucson, AZ). Register today!

Over the last several years, MCAA members have increasingly requested our safety videos in Spanish, and that comes as no surprise. Data show that 34% of construction workers are Spanish speakers, the largest of any industry in the U.S. The fatality rate for Hispanic construction workers remains higher than that for non-Hispanics, but with resources like these MCAA is working to bridge that gap.

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.

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

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

Thank you to everyone who attended MSCA23 Propel… it was a resounding success! We heard from inspiring keynote speakers, dove deep on education with  topics of leadership and personal growth, along with recession proofing, refrigerants, electrification, and more. We celebrated a new award, announced a new scholarship, welcomed new leaders, explored the latest products and services, and gave back to the community all while having a lot of fun in the San Marco sun. 

Heightened competition has spurred mechanical contractors to share their impressive story of accomplishment, capabilities and convictions to bolster their image and competitive advantage. MCAA’s Public Relations: An Important Marketing Tool for the Mechanical Contractor highlights the need for regular promotion as a business development tool and offers tips for selecting a public relations consultant. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Registrations for MCAA24 are coming in hot, but you still have time to register and receive the Early Bird discount rate! These discounted registration rates will be available to MCAA members through December 31. The regular registration rates will go into effect January 1, 2024.

The Mechanical Contractors Association of Northwestern Ohio hosted the inaugural meeting of its Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) group on October 26, 2023. Although this group is just starting its journey, it has already made a significant impact. In the spirit of “Socktober,” attendees generously contributed 145 pairs of socks to support Bethany House, a local women’s shelter.

Tim Brink Featured on The People Business Podcast

MCAA CEO Tim Brink joined Frank Favaro for The People Business podcast on September 27, 2023. Listen as Tim shares his journey, from his grandfather’s plumbing business to the mentors who guided him, the importance of caring for people, and the value of authentic relationships.

Workplace safety includes more than PPE and fall protection, it encompasses workplace distractions and workplace violence. Identifying warning signs and taking appropriate actions to prevent workplace violence is important to everyone’s safety and health. These resources show viewers how to protect themselves and others if they find themselves in an active workplace violence situation. This month’s kit includes two full length videos on workplace distractions and workplace violence and a microlearning series on workplace violence protection.

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

If your team is tired of callbacks because of a lack of hot water at the point of use and the labor required for manual balancing, thermostatic balancing, a more efficient domestic hot water balancing method, is now an option. Thermostatic balancing recirculates the hot water loop based on temperature, as opposed to pressure or flow.

Nominations are open for the 2023 MCAA/MILWAUKEE TOOL Safety Professional of the Year award. This award is presented annually to a mechanical industry safety and health professional who has led his or her company to achieve an exceptionally high degree of safety excellence. Five individuals have received the award since its inception in 2018. Nominate someone today and they could be number six!

MCAA is accepting recommendations for individuals to serve on national committees in the coming year. If you are interested in serving, review the committee descriptions below, then contact your local association executive to express your interest. Their recommendations are due to MCAA no later than November 3, so don’t delay!

Mechanical contractors must satisfy federal employment tax requirements with respect to all “wages” paid to employees. MCAA’s Tax Requirements Applicable to Travel Reimbursements, Advances and Subsistence Allowances explains the tax rules and addresses the related question of the employer’s right to deduct these payments as ordinary and necessary business expenses. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The United Association’s (UA) International Training Fund (ITF) is offering $5,500 grants for the 2024 MCAA Safety & Health Conference, which includes 50+ hours of education and training from subject matter experts on safety, health, risk management, and legal issues. Forty grants are available for the January 16-18, 2024, event in Tucson, AZ, with grants limited to one per local.

Do you know how to help someone you suspect has overdosed on opioids? Find out, and gain the knowledge and confidence you need to respond during Narcan Certification for Opioid Overdoses. This course, presented by Rescue One Training for Life, is just one reason to attend MCAA’s 2024 Safety & Health Conference (January 16-18, 2024, in Tucson, AZ). Register today!

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.

Atomatic Mechanical Services, Inc. and J.C. Cannistraro both rely on SureThread™ pipe from Wheatland Tube to keep their costs down. Cannistraro Fabrication Manager Billy Gardner said, “SureThread is the only brand we use for fabrication. It creates less wear on our tools, which saves us money.” Nick LaMonto, piping superintendent at Atomatic, added, “We’re threading every day. We can’t afford inferior pipe.”

All businesses, including mechanical contractors, should take great care that they maintain strict compliance with all antitrust laws and avoid the perception of violating the antitrust laws. MCAA’s Compliance with Antitrust Laws provides a summary of the issues at hand to assist your company in its compliance. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

To renovate an historic building while simultaneously seeking to reach new heights in sustainability, Holaday-Parks installed a water-saving vacuum plumbing system from AcornVac, a division of Morris Group International. The AcornVac system was among the solutions that earned the building recognition as one of the most environmentally friendly office spaces of its size worldwide. It also eliminates the need for costly trenching or core drilling.

As the former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director who led the most comprehensive restructuring of the agency in its history, John Brennan understands the challenges of transforming an organization. He will share specific examples of the mission-critical solutions he employed to boost leadership training and talent development. Learn how these efforts helped to create a more effective, efficient, and productive workforce and management structure during the 2024 Safety & Health Conference (January 16-18, 2024, in Tucson, AZ). Register today!

MCAA has joined forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to offer resources and tools customized and curated to specifically address and mitigate risks related to electrical safety posed to MCAA members, including physical, compliance and financial risks. Crafted by NFPA’s trusted subject matter experts, this content will provide actionable information and strategies to help you and your team keep pace with the ever-changing regulatory environment, identify potential hazards and shortfalls, and markedly improve safety for your employees, customers, and their workplaces and communities.

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.

WiMI Featured in D.A. Dodd, LLC Newsletter

The WiMI23 Conference inspired Debbie Siddall, Caitlin Schimmel, and Alyson Funkhouser, three staffers at D.A. Dodd, LLC, to write about MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) for their company newsletter. Learn more about their experience and how it has inspired them to become more involved at the local level.

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

MCAA24 will be held March 17 – 21, 2024, at the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes located in Orlando, Florida. We have a fantastic roster of speakers, education and entertainment lined up guaranteed to please every attendee. It’s a great opportunity to bring the whole family for an unforgettable week. We can’t wait to see you there!

To update the HVAC system at the Montgomery County Jail in Dayton, OH, Starco, Inc. relied on NIBCO’s new PressACR™ system to save at least 100 hours in installation time. Initially, press systems were not approved on the specs for the project, but Starco convinced the building owner and the project’s engineering firm, HEAPY, that PressACR would save time and money.

Over the last decade, the MCAA and the United Association (UA) have worked together on several safety and health initiatives. From presenting and education during the UA’s Instructor Training Program (ITP) and MCAA’s Safety & Health Conference to our newest project partnering together to bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention, launched on September 1, 2023, the partnership pays dividends to MCAA and UA members alike.

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

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.

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

With only three weeks to fully replace the riser system at a high-profile residential building, New York-based Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corp. selected Victaulic to win the race against time. Ultimately, they remained ahead of schedule, completing the entire project in only 15 days. Despite spatial constraints at various stages of the project, Fresh Meadow navigated each challenge with reliable engineered solutions that will benefit the building’s tenants and management for years to come.

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MCAA has once again raised the bar with the 2023 Fabrication Conference. Drawing an audience of more than 330 attendees, this year’s conference put a spotlight on the important role that fabrication plays. While most attendees were familiar with the gains companies receive like productivity, scheduling flexibility, coordination and safety, additional considerations were shared on how to optimize fabrication in ways that impact the entire organization. These methods were highlighted across tours of four Seattle-based member companies.

The Hearst Connecticut Top Workplaces have awarded MJ Daly, LLC, an MCAA member, a Top Workplaces 2023 award. The list is based solely on employee feedback from a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The confidential survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization, including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few. Congratulations to the MJ Daly team!

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

With PypeServer technology, Strategic Mechanical, Inc., has sped up its fabrication processes and opened up new avenues for prefabrication. Strategic Mechanical serves clients throughout California; its 70,000-square-foot shop in Fresno, CA, includes an HVAC sheet metal shop, pipe fabrication shop, industrial metals fabrication shop, and electrical prefabrication. In this Q&A, Miro Telesmanic, vice president of operations, describes how Strategic Mechanical put PypeServer to work.

MCAA is excited to open registration for the 2024 Safety & Health Conference. We will be offering more than 50 hours of training and education from subject matter experts on safety, health, risk management, and legal issues. Join us for three days of presentations, discussions, and demonstrations, January 16-18, 2024 at the Loews Ventana Canyon in Tuscon, AZ.

Studies show that suicide is killing workers in the construction industry at five times the rate of work-related injuries like falls and struck-by incidents. And it’s killing them in all parts of the industry – including upper management. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to why this is happening nor is there an easy fix, but in many cases deaths from suicide CAN be prevented when we push mental health stigma aside and help one another. MCAA and our Alliance partners explored the topic during a September 13, 2023, webinar. This is one recording you won’t want to miss – you could help save a life!

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.

On average, service agreements see a 3-5x ROI in additional work. And yet, we’re seeing a shocking number of service departments simply giving up on selling service agreements. MSCA & BuildOps are hosting a webinar on October 11th at 1:00 p.m. Eastern to discuss real, actionable tactics on selling service agreements. Don’t miss out – register today!

MCAA Members Are Invited to Participate in ASA Survey

MCAA members are invited to participate in a new survey by the American Supply Association (ASA), the national trade association of plumbing, heating, cooling, pipe and industrial/mechanical pipe, valves and fittings distributors, their suppliers and independent manufacturers’ representatives of those products. The survey aims to find out how distributors can adapt and improve their services for their plumbing and mechanical and industrial/mechanical PVF contractor customers. Please take a few minutes to participate.

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

To expedite construction of a new university housing project designed as a hybrid of wood and steel, Harry Grodsky & Co., Inc. turned to Mueller Industries and its Mueller Streamline Co. products and piping systems specialists “We were able to save an incredible amount of time on the project thanks to Mueller” and its Streamline® ACR Press Fittings in particular, said Ross Halket, superintendent at Grodsky. Mueller’s products gave Grodsky “the ability to get stuff into tight spaces, [and with] no fear of burning the building down, the ability to run piping in areas where brazing would have been hazardous,” Halket noted.

Once again, MCAA, NECA, and SMACNA have partnered together to host the 2024 MEP Innovation Conference, January 29-31, 2024, in Orlando, FL. Immerse yourself in educational sessions, collaborative roundtable discussions, and hands-on exhibitor demonstrations that spotlight cutting-edge technologies that can improve contractor’s productivity and profitability. Register by November 1, 2023, and save $200!