Organization: MSCA

MCAA Welcomes Frank Wall as Executive Director, Operations

Frank Wall has joined the MCAA staff as the association’s Executive Director, Operations. Frank is no stranger to MCAA. He was the Executive Director of the Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association of Oregon for 12 years, followed by two years as the Executive Vice President of the M&SCA of Eastern Pennsylvania. During that time, he was also Chair of MCAA’s Association Executives Council. “I am personally excited to work with such a professional staff,” Frank said.

In his new role, Frank serves as Executive Director of the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF). He also focuses his attentions on MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) and Management Methods Committee.

Frank’s extensive experience in leadership development will serve him well in another aspect of his job, handling the human resources function for MCAA.

Frank and his wife, Colleen, have two sons and are expecting their first grandchild in January.

3M™ PROTECTA® Rebel Self Retracting Lifelines – Pre-Use Inspections Required

A limited number of 3M™ PROTECTA® Rebel Self Retracting Lifelines produced between October 14, 2019 and February 25, 2020 may have a manufacturing issue. However, the issue can be easily detected through a pre-use inspection described in detail by 3M. If after carefully following 3M’s pre-use inspection instructions the SRLs are not working properly, take them out of service immediately, and contact the 3M customer service department at 1-800-328-61446 or by e-mail at 3musfpserviceaction@mmm.com.

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Markus Brettschneider Named Viega’s CEO and President

Viega LLC has named Markus Brettschneider as its new CEO and President. He replaces Dave Garlow, who resigned effective September 1 after 20 years with the company. “I was attracted to Viega because of the culture, the customers, the portfolio and the great opportunities to grow,” he said. “When the opportunity came up, it was really quite a simple decision. I like working for a family-owned company with strong values and great culture, and I’m excited to continue this growth journey with the team.”

“Mr. Brettschneider is a growth-driven leader with many years of extensive professional and management experience in the international and American markets. He grew up in Germany, but spent almost his entire professional life outside of his home country – including more than eight years in the United States,” said Claus Holst-Gydesen, CEO of Viega Holding GmbH & Co.

Markus was hired after an international search. He most recently was with ABB, where he was Group Senior Vice President and Global Head of Marketing and Sales for Industrial Automation and Global Head of Group Solutions & Channels. ABB is a global technology company specializing in robotics, motion, electrification and automation technology.

Before that, he held management positions with FrieslandCampina, Refresco, SIG Combibloc and other firms. He has an MBA from Edinburgh Management School and a degree in international marketing from Cooperate State University in Schwenningen, Germany.

Dave Garlow, the outgoing CEO, resigned effective September 1. He was with Viega for 20 years in various roles. Under his leadership, Viega grew significantly in the North American market by accelerating the adoption of pressing technology. He will help ensure a smooth transition to Markus’s leadership. Dave said the thing he will miss most is the people and friendships in the industry.

“My decision to leave Viega now is made easier knowing that I’m leaving it in excellent hands. Markus has the skills and drive to ensure Viega’s continued growth and success,” Dave said.

Thank You for Supporting Your Foundation

Please join us in saying thank you to the MCAA members who have given to the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) in 2020. Their support enables the JRGF to identify and work to solve the issues that confront the organized mechanical construction and service industry, challenges such as future workforce, productivity and technology.

Your peers supporting these vital efforts in 2020 are:

  • Arden Engineering Constructors, LLC
  • Binsky & Snyder, LLC
  • CCI Mechanical, Inc.
  • CFI Mechanical, Inc.
  • Cleveland Plumbing Industry Promotional and Education Fund
  • CPMCA
  • Dynamics Systems, Inc.
  • Eastern Iowa/Western Illinois MCA
  • Ferguson
  • Harrell-Fish, Inc.
  • Hughes Environmental Engineering, Inc.
  • John W Danforth Company
  • JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Services, Inc.
  • Kinetics Systems, Inc. – (Bill Bianco Scholarship)
  • MCA of Akron, Ohio, Inc.
  • MCA of Greater Springfield, Missouri
  • MCA of Indiana, Inc.
  • MCA of Kansas City
  • MCA of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.
  • MCA of Rockford, Inc.
  • MCA/MSCA of New York, Inc.
  • McCauley Mechanical Construction, Inc.
  • Mechanical Contracting Industry Fund of Cleveland
  • Michael F. Russo
  • Mid-Atlantic MCA
  • Nooter Construction Company
  • North Mechanical Contracting, Inc.
  • Piping and Service Industry Coalition
  • Poole & Kent Corporation
  • Service Fitters Industry Promotional Fund of New York
  • The John F. Gallagher Company
  • West Chester Mechanical Contractors
  • Western New York Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors, Inc.

Learn more and donate on the JRGF website.

STOP USE! Miller MightEvac & MightyLite SRLs

Honeywell has issued an Immediate Stop USE Notice for certain models of Miller MightEvac and MightyLite self-retracting lifelines (SRLs) manufactured within a specific time frame. The notice only affects specifically listed models, with identified manufacturing dates or re-certification dates between October 27, 2016 and October 6, 2018. Models outside of this date range, including new units, are not affected by this notice. If your company uses these SRLs check Table 1 in the attached notice to determine whether your SRLs are affected. If so, they should be removed from service immediately. Honeywell is making arrangements for their return and replacement. That information is forthcoming.

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The MCAA Family Is Growing

The MCAA family is growing, with more and more companies seeing the value of MCAA membership in ensuring their productivity and profitability. Please join us in welcoming the newest members of the MCAA family.

Contractor Members

All Trades Distribution
Bensalem, PA

Beaumont Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Lake Grove, NY

Big Apple Piping Inc.
Sound Beach, NY

Big Pipe Mechanical LLC
Brentwood, CA

BIM Designs, Inc.
Aurora, CO

Blue Bear Plumbing
Marshfield, MA

Christopherson Plumbing
Omaha, NE

City Brewery
La Crosse, WI

Colombo Sales and Engineering Inc.
Oakley, MI

Craft Mechanical LLC
Chicago, IL

DeLong Plumbing Two, Inc.
Springfield, MO

D.A. Dodd, LLC
Rolling Prairie, IN

DR Specialties
Grand Junction, CO

Emcon Services, Inc.
Peachtree City, GA

Flo-Tron Contracting, Inc.
Hunt Valley, MD

Franco Belli Plumbing & Heating & Sons, Inc.
Brooklyn, NY

Fluid Mechanical, LLC
Kennard, NE

G&G Mechanical Inc.
Lancaster, CA

General & Mechanical Services, LLC
Annapolis, MD

GJM Engineering, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA

Graycon, Inc.
City of Industry, CA

Harris Bay Area, LLC
Brisbane, CA

Herrman & Goetz, Inc.
South Bend, IN

IPC Lydon
Sayreville, NJ

Industrial Resourcing Group
St. Marys, OH

Jersey Mechanical Contractors, Inc.
Farmingdale, NJ

Keystone Fabrication, LLC
Mt. Pleasant, PA

Dorvin D. Leis Co., Inc.
Kahului, Maui, HI

Robert L. Kistler Service Corp.
Rochester, NY

Maylon Enterprises, LLC
Gambier, OH

Mel-Kay Electric Company, Inc. dba Mel-Kay Mechanical Company, Inc.
Evansville, IN

Metro Mechanical Colorado LLC
Arvada, CO

Midstate Plumbing & Heating Inc.
Fort Dodge, IA

MK Industries, Inc.
Vernon Hills, IL

F.E. Moran, Inc. Refrigeration
Lemont, IL

Northstar Refrigeration
Plymouth, MA

Ochoa Mechanical Group, LLC
Chicago, IL

O’Connor Plumbing Company
Oak Hills, CA

On Point HVAC Corp.
Ozone Park, NY

Owens Companies
Minneapolis, MN

Perrysburg Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC
Perrysburg, OH

Peterman Plumbing & Heating, Inc.
Dover, OH

Preferred Mechanical, Inc.
Bronx, NY

Prime Specialty Contracting, LLC dba Prime Mechanical Contracting
Marquette, MI

Redstar Mechanical, Inc.
Fort Lee, NJ

Rivera Equipment dba Valley Industrial Mechanical
Oak Hills, CA

S & L Plumbing and Heating Corp.
White Plains, NY

Schadegg Mechanical
South St Paul, MN

Service2.0
Monroe, MI

Solutions Mechanical LLC
Aurora, CO

Traina Mechanical, Inc.
Metairie, LA

TRS Mechanical
Spanaway, WA

Uhl Company, Inc.
Maple Grove, MN

United Plumbing & Mechanical, Inc.
Woodhaven, NY

United States Mechanical, Inc.
Circle Pines, MN

Manufacturer/Supplier Members

Lochinvar, LLC
Lebanon, TN

Procore Technologies, Inc.
Carpinteria, CA

Raken
Carlsbad, CA

Ridge Tool Company
Elyria, OH

SF&P Advisors
Boca Raton, FL

Sioux Chief Manufacturing Company, Inc.
Kansas City, MO

Sunbelt Rentals, Inc.
Fort Mill, SC

MCAA PAC Appreciates Your Support

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the MCAA Government Affairs Committee has been working tirelessly meeting with countless Congressional and Senate offices remotely to push our agenda forward. This vital work was made possible by PAC contributions to candidates who support our positions over the long term. Please join us in thanking those who gave and consider making a contribution to support these vital efforts.

The Government Affairs Committee’s legislative and advocacy work on issues like COVID-19 cost increases on Federal projects, change orders in the NDAA, pension issues, and the PBGC just to mention a few was made possible by:

  • Robert Beck
  • Robert Bolton
  • Tim Brink
  • Michael Cables
  • Don Chase
  • Jay Chase
  • Matthew Cunningham
  • Steve Dawson
  • Jim Dougherty
  • Charles Fell
  • Lyle Ferguson
  • John Feikema
  • John Ferrucci
  • Steve Fosdick
  • Greg Fuller
  • James Gaffney
  • Michael Gallagher
  • John Geiling
  • Don Giarratano
  • Jason Gordon
  • Brian Helm
  • Scott Hinton
  • Brian Hughes
  • Jay Lusita
  • William Lynch
  • Mark Magnuson
  • Rick Moreno
  • Edward Newville
  • David Quirk
  • Mark Rogers
  • Bob Snyder Jr.
  • Lawrence Verne
  • Frank Wall
  • Scott Wallenstein

MCAA’s 2020 advocacy efforts continue to need your help. Contribute to the MCAA PAC, a critical factor to our success in moving forward legislation that positively affects your business.

(Note: In order to comply with campaign finance laws, you will need to complete a solicitation authorization form before making a contribution. Find additional details and both the solicitation authorization and contribution forms via the button below.)

Contribute

Arden Building Companies Named Among 2020 Fastest Growing & Innovative Companies

MCAA member Arden Building Companies has been named among the Fastest Growing & Innovative Companies by Providence Business News. Arden is recognized as one of the region’s Fastest Growing Companies in the $75 million and above category based on three-year revenue growth. The company will be honored during a virtual awards ceremony on September 16, 2020. Congratulations to Bob Bolton and the entire Arden Building Companies team!

Baker Group Achieves 2.5 Million Hours Without Injury

Baker Group reached a remarkable safety milestone on August 18, 2020 when the company surpassed 2.5 million hours worked with no recordable or lost time injuries. “The successes of our employees and our projects are greatly dependent on doing work safely,” says BJ Baker, Chairman and CEO. “It’s a cornerstone of Baker Group culture.”

This milestone reflects both the high safety standards set by the company and its commitment to its clients, employees and the industries with which it connects.

This commitment shows in the awards and recognition the company has received for its safety initiatives. The two-time winner of MCAA’s highest safety award, the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Award, has also received MCAA Certificates of Commendation for consistently earning exceptionally low occupational injury and illness incidence rates. The most recent of these was presented in 2020.

Earlier this month the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) recognized Baker Group with two prestigious national awards for 2020. These included the Zero Injury Award and the Safety Excellence Award for the lowest injury/illness rate among association participants in its highest category (over 500,000 hours of operation).

“We focus on achieving the highest levels of safe job performance as part of our planning as well as our field team operations,” notes Tracy Haus, long-time Director of Safety. “We roll it into all levels of communication, education and follow-through.”

A Commitment to Safety Behind the Scenes

In addition to Tracy’s role leading Baker Group’s safety initiatives, he is co-chair of the MCAA Safety & Health Committee. As a member of the committee for the past 10 years, he has had an active role in the development of MCAA’s extensive library of safety and health resources.

He, BJ and the entire Baker Group team of safety professionals have been instrumental in the creation of MCAA’s safety training videos. In addition to hosting all of the video shoots, the company has gone to extraordinary lengths in both the planning and execution of the “accidents” and “incidents” portrayed in the videos, procuring materials, equipment and locations as well as dedicating their time to being sure that things went off flawlessly. For example, see the recent videos on excavation safety, aerial lift safety, and workplace violence prevention and protection.

Congratulations to the entire Baker Group team on this major safety milestone and thank you for everything that you have contributed to MCAA’s Safety Excellence Initiative.

MCAA Featured in Article on Remote Training

MCAA President Brian Helm spoke with Kelly Faloon for a recent Contractor magazine article on “Training in the Age of COVID-19.” The article highlights the ways in which associations, manufacturers and suppliers have adapted their education and training programs for virtual presentation. MCAA members Uponor, Inc. and Xylem Inc. – Bell & Gossett are among those highlighted.

Catch the LAST Episode of Coffee with Koontz: Getting Involved – A Past President’s Take on How, What, and Why

Episode 13: Getting Involved – A Past President’s Take on How, What, and Why
Friday, August 28 at 2:00 p.m. EDT

We hope you have enjoyed getting to know some of the members of the MCAA community this summer. Each of John’s guests has been an essential contributor to the organization, and it is people like these who make MCAA great.

In the final episode of the season, John will once again welcome a key MCAA player – our Immediate Past President, Mike Brandt (President & CEO, Smith and Oby Company, Inc.). Mike joins John to tell the story of how he began as a pipefitter and ended up not only President of his company, but also of MCAA. He credits his rise through the ranks to community and organizational involvement: from starting out as local Welding Technical Chair on the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau, to getting involved in his local MCA, to serving on national committees. There are so many opportunities for networking, learning, and growth in the industry – and Mike has experience with a lot of them.

This week’s episode will explore Mike’s journey, while talking about how to take advantage of all that the national and local associations have to offer. John and Mike will discuss how to go about getting involved and how this involvement can help you, your career, and your company.

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Webinar #29: Conversation with Facility Managers: Straight Talk Regarding Building System Needs and Expectations

Listen to this candid conversation with facility managers who share insights and recommendations for developing and maintaining important and productive partnerships with service providers.  Hear directly from these representatives what they specifically look for when selecting a service provider for their buildings’ systems and how you can become a valuable asset and advisor to them.  You will also hear about their recent experiences during the pandemic and their concerns for their tenants’ safety and health when reopening their buildings.  Gain a better understanding of their current challenges and priorities and how this can impact your service offerings.

This webinar was recorded on Tuesday, September 1, 2020.

Register Now for Coffee with Koontz Episode 11: Spotlight on Service – Changing Perspectives on Essential Work

Episode 11: Spotlight on Service – Changing Perspectives on Essential Work
Friday, August 14 at 2:00 p.m. EDT

‘I didn’t start out in construction. I went to college.’ How many times have you heard that from someone in the mechanical industry? Whether it’s pressure from parents or an uncertainty about what to do after high school, college often seems to be the default option. 

Kip Bagley (Senior VP of Service, EMCOR Services – Mesa Energy Systems; Co-Chair, MSCA Board of Managers) had himself graduated with a degree in Physical Education and was on his way towards a Master’s degree, when one of his professors wrote down on the chalkboard what a PE teacher with a Master’s could earn. Well, Kip’s dad was earning twice that as an air conditioning tech, and the phone call home that took place shortly after basically went “I changed my mind. I want to do what you do.”

When COVID-19 hit and the world was divided up into essential and non-essential workers, it shone a new light on the mechanical industry, and specifically the service sector. These folks were keeping hospitals running and grocery stores functioning. Mechanical techs were going to work, bringing home a paycheck, and serving the nation. As Kip observes, if anything good has come out of the pandemic – besides there being less traffic in LA – it may be that more people are realizing that the trades are a viable alternative to college: one where they can succeed, make money, and have stability. Join John and Kip as they discuss how the circumstances of 2020 have impacted recruitment, perception of the industry, and what it means to be of service.

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Auburn Mechanical Uses Innovative Techniques to Approach its Largest & Most Complex Project to Date

MCAA members are constantly innovating and trying new techniques on their projects. Auburn Mechanical is just one example. The MCA of Western Washington member has been building through the COVID-19 pandemic, using a lean approach and specialty systems to meet the Washington State Convention Center Addition Project’s sustainability goals.

Planning and constructing a massive civic project like Seattle’s Washington State Convention Center Addition (WSSC) is no small feat. After nearly 10 years of design and planning and 2 years of preconstruction, the $1.6 billion project is in the middle of construction. Once complete, the new convention center will include a 150,000-square-foot exhibit hall, 100,000-square-foot flex hall, meeting rooms, a ballroom, an outdoor terrace and three levels of garage parking.

The project, a joint venture between Clark Construction Group and Seattle-based contractor Lease Crutcher Lewis, is the largest project in Auburn Mechanical’s 42-year history. It is also one of the most complex.

A Lean Approach

When Auburn Mechanical was selected as the plumbing contractor for the 570,290-square-foot addition in 2016, team members immediately implemented lean principles, including co-locating with the engineering team to support design, constructability review, and to explore opportunities for pre-fabrication. Auburn Mechanical’s detailers contributed to building the project’s massive federated model, which was completely designed in Revit.

With a plumbing contract worth over $40 million, Auburn Mechanical’s team will have installed 36 miles of plumbing, including six miles of underground piping, on the eight-acre site by the time the project is complete.

Focus on Sustainability

The project, which focuses on sustainability and long-term functionality, involves several specialty systems, including a heat traced and insulated stainless-steel Blucher grease waste piping system. Two 24,000-pound grease interceptors were successfully flown, landed, and installed on site. Additionally, stormwater recycling and reclamation systems will be used for the restroom toilets, reducing water consumption.

A Somewhat Unique Methodology

The convention center is being erected using “billboard construction” methodologies, a technique that is somewhat unique to Seattle-area construction. This technique involves building vertical sections simultaneously instead of floor-by-floor and creates greater efficiencies on sites with limited laydown area.

For their part, Auburn Mechanical is executing layout for systems on the slab-on-metal decks with a fast two-day turnaround between each deck. For added efficiency, Auburn Mechanical’s pre-fabrication shop has built almost 500 toilet and urinal carrier banks and prefabbed additional components to support just-in-time deliveries to the congested site.

Essential Status Requires Exhaustive Safety Protocols

Deemed an essential project at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, construction never stopped as a result of Washington State’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order. With over 2,000 construction workers on the project, exhaustive safety protocols were put in place, including custom portable handwash stations designed and fabricated by Auburn Mechanical.

Project Completion Schedule

Construction is scheduled to complete in early 2022, nearly doubling the capacity of the current convention center.

Renderings courtesy of LMN Architects.

Murphy Company’s Rick Reams Promoted to Vice President – Safety and Quality

MCAA member Murphy Company recently promoted Rick Reams to Vice President – Safety and Quality. Tom Skaggs, Executive Vice President, made the announcement, saying, “Rick’s work ethic, professionalism and genuine concern for our workforce are assets to the organization. We are confident that under Rick’s leadership we will further strengthen our safety and quality programs.”

Tom commended Rick’s work, noting, “Since rejoining Murphy Company as our Corporate Safety Director, Rick has demonstrated exceptional leadership and has contributed significantly to our improved safety performance.”

Rick has over 25 years of experience as a safety professional and consultant in a variety of industries. His work has focused primarily on heavy industrial and large commercial projects in both the public and private sectors.

In addition to serving as President of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), Rick is an active member of several other local and national safety and construction boards, including the MCA of Eastern Missouri’s Safety Committee, the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the American Subcontractors Association (ASA), the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers (SLCCC), the National Demolition Association (NDA) and the American Allied Safety Council (AASC).

Don’t Miss This Week’s Coffee with Koontz Episode 9: Technology as a Virtual Recruiting Tool

Episode 9: Technology as a Virtual Recruiting Tool
Friday, July 31 at 2:00 p.m. EDT

As Milwaukee Tool’s Vice President of Training and Recruiting, Jon Finch receives thousands of resumes each year. Join John and Jon (who is also Chair of MCAA’s Career Development Committee) as they discuss strategies to use technology as a tool not just to help filter applicants, but also to create efficient and engaging virtual recruitment processes. Virtual communication has come a long way in the past two decades, and this week’s guest will share how technology can help you work smarter, not harder, when it comes to finding and securing talent. Recruiting – and the need for talent – hasn’t stopped just because we have had to rethink in-person meetings and interviews. And for companies that serve a broad geographical area, in-person meetings and interviews can be a challenge in the first place, even without a pandemic. Creating opportunities for remote or virtual recruiting is not just a COVID-19 necessity – it’s a process that, if done well, can allow the same exchange of information between interviewer and interviewee that an in-person meeting would… with some added benefits unique to virtual communication. This week’s episode will discuss these benefits, along with best practices for the virtual recruitment process that will be of use whether you are a potential candidate, or sitting in the interviewers chair.

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Coffee with Koontz E9: Technology as a Virtual Recruiting Tool

As Milwaukee Tool’s Vice President of Training and Recruiting, Jon Finch receives thousands of resumes each year. Join John and Jon (who is also Chair of MCAA’s Career Development Committee) as they discuss strategies to use technology as a tool not just to help filter applicants, but also to create efficient and engaging virtual recruitment processes. Virtual communication has come a long way in the past two decades, and this week’s guest will share how technology can help you work smarter, not harder, when it comes to finding and securing talent. Recruiting – and the need for talent – hasn’t stopped just because we have had to rethink in-person meetings and interviews. And for companies that serve a broad geographical area, in-person meetings and interviews can be a challenge in the first place, even without a pandemic. Creating opportunities for remote or virtual recruiting is not just a COVID-19 necessity – it’s a process that, if done well, can allow the same exchange of information between interviewer and interviewee that an in-person meeting would… with some added benefits unique to virtual communication. This week’s episode will discuss these benefits, along with best practices for the virtual recruitment process that will be of use whether you are a potential candidate, or sitting in the interviewers chair.

Tim Brink Highlighted on The NEWSMakers Podcast

MCAA Chief Executive Officer Tim Brink joined Kyle Gargaro for The NEWSMakers podcast this week. Listen to learn how Tim’s experiences as an MCAA member and local association executive are shaping his vision for a more collaborative organization that delivers more services to its members.

Brian Helm Featured on The NEWSMakers Podcast

MCAA President Brian Helm spoke with Kyle Gargaro for this week’s episode of The NEWSMakers podcast. The two discussed MCAA’s quick response to the COVID-19 pandemic. They talked about what the industry can expect to see for the rest of 2020 and beyond, and the best practices that will help MCAA members succeed.