Each student chapter in attendance at the 2023 MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Milwaukee this past September walked away with a childrenâs storybook and a mission to share the construction trades with elementary school children in their local community.
The book, Grit Leads to Greatness, follows 2 siblings on a journey through a dystopian society where everything around them is literally crumbling since the âtradesâ have been forgotten. The siblings meet various characters along the way who use their unique construction skills to save the day and rebuild their world.
Featured Characters:
Copper the Amphibious Plumber The Electrician Magician Rowan the Snome Carpenter Mason the Mason Arc the Welder
This project addresses a frequently requested topic from our student chapters on how to participate or start something in their communities as an act of service. Likewise, it also encourages the idea of construction as a career path to not only the students being read to, but also strengthens and builds a deeper and more passionate connection for the college students who are reading the book.
Thank you to Procore for sponsoring the books and taking the steps to grow the story of our future workforce!
The Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of MCAAâs website connects our contractor members with training opportunities available from the members of MCAAâs 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:
LAARS, a Bradford White Company Laars Academy is our commitment to ensure our industry professionals have the training and knowledge needed to stay on top. Watch a recorded training session on Laars MagnaTherm FT at www.laars.com.
Aquatherm LP As the leader in polypropylene piping systems, Aquatherm offers comprehensive heat-fusion installation training at our Utah HQ, at partner sites and jobsites across North America, and virtually upon request.
Enhance your strategic supply chain with the seven newest members of MCAAâs Manufacturer/Supplier Council.
Allow them to introduce themselves:
IPEX USA, LLC offers pipe, valve, and fitting (PVF) products that are engineered to satisfy the demands of the harshest industrial applications. Our products are suitable for many industrial applications whether it be aggressive acids conveyance, specialist drainage, or auxiliary services requirements, our piping systems can easily overcome some of the problems associated with more traditional materials. The IPEX Industrial piping solutions offer superior chemical resistance, easier installation, longer plant life, and cost-effectiveness whether from original installation or maintenance.
Kojo Technologies, Inc. is the industry’s leading material procurement solution, providing contractors with a digital solution to streamline materials management from pre-con to payment. With Kojo, you can issue requests for quotes and POs, compare prices and availability across vendors, update the field on order status, and share cost data with the accounting team, all with fewer clicks and manual data entry. Work smarter, not harder with Kojo.
Little Giant Ladder Systems, LLC is a designer, marketer and manufacturer of ladder systems intended for do-it-yourself and professional customers sold through retailers and distributors. The company offers products including multi-position, combination, step stools, step ladders, safety cages and other related accessories, helping businesses to prevent injuries and save lives.
Merit Brass Company has a rich history of offering the most comprehensive flow control and piping connection technology. Our goal is to make the Merit Experience for our customers seamless by bundling a complete line of consistent, high quality piping products, flow control devices and piping system solutions. Merit features a full range of stainless steel and brass fittings, nipples, pipe, valves, flanges; stainless steel butt weld fittings, tubing, tube fittings and valves; forged carbon steel fittings and press technology, which includes stainless steel (StainlessPressÂŽ), carbon (CarbonPressÂŽ) and copper (CopperPressÂŽ).
NEFCO is a family owned and operated construction supply company providing a broad range of products and services to the mechanical industry. We offer large local inventory of our S.H.A.R.P. products and tools, with next day jobsite delivery available from our locations. We have engineering divisions and broad fabrication capabilities under one roof, giving NEFCO the complete in-house solution.
Sunbelt Rentals, a leader in the tools and equipment rental industry, provides solutions and expertise for professionals in the industrial, manufacturing, construction and municipal markets as well as do-it-yourself customers. A highly-diversified equipment fleet includes extensive options for small tools and general construction equipment, plus a wide array of specialty applications for power, HVAC, climate control, pump, scaffold, and film production. We OWN the future of rental.
T&S Brass and Bronze Works, Inc. is an innovative manufacturer specializing in solutions for the commercial plumbing industry. Renowned for its commitment to quality and durability, T&S continues to lead the industry in award-winning water- and energy-conserving products.
The members of MCAAâs Manufacturer/Supplier Council stand ready to help you enhance your productivity and profitability and retain your competitive edge. Meet them in person during many MCAA events and virtually through Smart Solutions, Manufacturer/Supplier Training, and the Virtual Trade Show.
MCAAâs Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAAâs 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:
SLOAN Sink installations often demand custom sizes and features for which the right expertise is necessary to avoid project delays. Streamline your next sink project.
Morris Group International The ConTrolsÂŽ AlphaÂŽ Mixing Valve protects against dangerously hot water in any commercial sink, lavatory, tub, and/or shower application. ConTrols is a member of Morris Group International.
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 MCAAâs 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!
MCAA member contractors are occasionally required to demonstrate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) compliance in their bids. To further our commitment to developing ESG compliance resources, we kindly request your participation in a survey on the topic. The collected data will support the creation of an ESG presentation for the MCAA24 Annual Convention in March and an MCAA Resource Center to assist members in obtaining the information they require on this subject.
The ESG framework is used to assess a companyâs performance in terms of its environmental impact, social responsibility, and corporate governance. ESG criteria help investors, stakeholders and end users evaluate a companyâs sustainability and ethical practices.
Jocelyn Jackson has added Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) to her dues management role. As MCAAâs Director, WiMI and Dues Management, she will be the staff liaison to the WiMI Committee, playing a key role in facilitating committee activities. Please join us in congratulating Jocelyn on her new role!
Since A&R Mechanical Contractors adopted Procoreâs workforce management software, project planning has become much less of a struggle, timelines have decreased, and profits have increased. For example, getting paid for out-of-scope work has dramatically improved with the T&M [time and materials] Ticket Tool.
Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! Youâll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAAâs Manufacturer/Supplier Council.
Plus, youâll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.
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.Â
New Award & New Scholarship
MSCA is proud to introduce a new scholarship in honor of a trailblazing individual who played a pivotal role in nurturing the Mechanical Service industry, Barbara Dolim. Each year, two exceptional students will have the opportunity to receive a $2,500 scholarship, ensuring that we continue to inspire and support the next generation of mechanical service professionals. The first recipients of the MSCA Barbara Dolim Scholarship were Gonzalo Ceja from Riverside City College and Kolten Plekes from Ferris State University.
MSCA also announced a brand-new award in recognition of the outstanding contributions made by our members: the MSCA Distinguished Service Award. With a vast community of incredible individuals, this award was established to pay homage to those who have consistently reshaped and improved our industry while exhibiting unwavering dedication to MSCA.
Our first recipient of this award is Jaimi Lomas, a person who has created an incredible legacy within the industry and MSCA.
Beginning by Giving Back
MSCA has partnered with Convoy of Hope to help local charities in the communities where we have held our annual conferences. On Friday, October 20, numerous MSCA Board and member volunteers delivered a tractor trailer of needed supplies to Our Daily Bread Food Pantry Charity office, an organization working to wipe out hunger and provide critical food assistance to the over 152,000 individuals. MSCA also put in some hard work to make needed repairs at Wesley United Methodist Church.
Education, Annual Convoy of Hope Packing Party & Social Activities
Erik Qualman kicked off our conference discussing how technology is revolutionizing the way we live and work and how your organization can harness it to drive innovation. On Tuesday morning, we heard from MCAA President Robert Beck followed by Aimee Copeland who touched our hearts as she taught us about overcoming adversity. Later that morning, spouses and students continued the commitment to service by participating in the 13th Annual Convoy of Hope Packing Party, packing thousands of hygiene kits to be distributed to those in need worldwide. And to end our conference we learned about the skills needed to adapt to change, lead with courage, and build trusting relationships from Lieutenant Colonel Waldo Waldman.
We had outstanding educational sessions and peer-led roundtable discussions each day. And of course, there were plenty of social events to help us enjoy our time together.
Everyday Hero Award
Eight years ago, MSCA introduced the Everyday Hero Award as a way to recognize an employee from one of our member companies who, in his or her own extraordinary way, quietly gives of their time and skills to benefit others while seeking no recognition or compensation. Congratulations to this yearâs recipient, Service Manager for L.J. Kruse Company, Will Kruse! MSCA has made a contribution in Will Kruseâs name for the amount of $2,500 to the Berkeley Humane Society which has operated as a no-kill animal shelter for dogs and cats for the past 125 years.
Recognizing Outgoing Leaders & Welcoming New Ones
Rich Happel concluded his year as Chair of the MSCA Board of Managers and introduced the new chair, Renee Fiorelli. Renee Fiorelli is the President of Peterson Service Company, Immediate Past President of the MCA of NJ and Co-Chair of the ITF. She is the past recipient of the Contracting Business HVACR Women of the Year award and a graduate of the MCAA ALI program. In partnership with the MCANJ, Renee spearheaded the creation of the local New Jersey WiMI chapter. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Delaware.
The 2023-2024 MSCA Board of Managers was introduced as well. These members work tirelessly to provide MSCA members with resources and educational programming to help grow their companies and prepare them for future success.
They are:
Adam Wallenstein, Vice Chair Neptune Plumbing and Heating Co.
David Geith, Treasurer EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems, Inc.
Rich Happel, Immediate Past Chair EMCOR Services Mesa Energy Systems, Inc.
Lindsey Grilec PremiStar
Drew Harrison Harrison Energy Partners
Mike Hupp Harrell-Fish, Inc.
Al May North Mechanical Services, Inc.
Michael McHenry Ainsworth
Michael Rosone Arista Air Conditioning Corporation
The next MSCA conference is shaping up to be just as exciting, so mark your calendar for September 22 â 25, 2024, and plan to join us at the member favorite Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Details will be announced on mcaa.org and in the weekly National Update as we get closer to the meeting date.
MCAA recently submitted comments on the proposed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations implementing the Biden Administrationâs energy project enhanced tax incentives for projects paying prevailing wages and using a minimum of 10 to 15 percent registered apprentice hours (PWA).
The comments cite the âlaudable public policy goals boldly declared by the Biden Administration in all respectsâ pertaining to improving the nationâs environment and addressing climate change with high-premium incentives for energy projects paying prevailing wages and using registered apprentices. These incentives would apply on a broad range of private and public sector projects.
MCAA Government Affairs Committee Chairman Jim Gaffney emphasized in the MCAA comments that, âhigh-road prevailing wage and apprentice utilization and project labor agreement projects (PLAs) are strongly associated with more productive and superior project outcomes.â
Citing the recent MCAA/UA sponsored Independent Project Analysis (IPA) report, Quantifying the Value of Union Labor in Construction Projects, Chairman Gaffneyâs comments also advised that, âowners choosing PWA and PLA incentives should factor in a substantial productivity edge and overall cost reductions and risk mitigation advantages in their project cost/benefit analysis as well.â
Noting that the proposed IRS regulations rely on post-project completion compliance audits to assess tax credit eligibility, Gaffney counseled the IRS to, âadd in more proactive front-end planning approaches to move compliance incentives up front in the ownerâs project pre-planning solicitation, and procurement and acquisition process.â
Chairman Gaffney concluded, âIn this way, high quality job site prime contractors and subcontractors bidding or offering on the projects will engage in more robust competition because their greater facility with the PWA and PLA aspects of the rules will be given fair weight and evaluation in the bidding and contractor selection process â and the risks of non-compliance arenât put off to the end of the project where the burden and inefficiency of the ownerâs project pre-planning deficits put dispute resolution and performance problem overhead into overall project performance unnecessarily.â
Heightened competition has spurred mechanical contractors to share their impressive story of accomplishment, capabilities and convictions to bolster their image and competitive advantage. MCAAâs 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. Itâs just one of MCAAâs educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.
The bulletin explores:
Why contractors need to invest in public relations
How to select a public relations consultant
The role of managementâs commitment to public relations
MCAAâs National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Jim McCarl, a nationally recognized speaker and strategist. Jim helps senior management, owners, foremen and project managers strategically manage risk. He provides insights into proven methods for developing effective strategic plans and key factors to implement and maintain them. His newest offerings focus on creating certainty in uncertain times.
Jim helps businesses and non-profits maximize their potential using success strategies developed over a 30-year career at the helm of McCarlâs, Inc., a family-owned construction business. Under his leadership, the companyâs annual sales grew 1,000 percent, placing it in the top tier of mechanical contractors in the United States. He serves on the boards of directors of three construction companies across the nation. His broad background in family business, strategy and risk management have benefitted all these firms.
His Strategic Management (SM) Seminars for Construction help senior management, owners, foremen and project managers strategically manage risk. He provides insights into proven methods for developing effective strategic plans and key factors to implement and maintain them.
Like our other NEI instructors, Jim brings his unique blend of industry and teaching experience to virtual courses, a new NEI offering. Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAAâs NEI is all about! Visit the NEI website for more information about these seminars and a full list of the NEI courses available to MCAA members.
Book your courses via the NEI website, then apply for a 20% rebate on the instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class.*
*This benefit is available only to MCAA members and local affiliates in good standing who book courses via the NEI website. Learn more about the rebate program here. Have questions or need personal assistance? Contact MCAAâs Frank Wall or call him at 301-990-2215.
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.Â
Hotel rooms at the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton are also filling fast. Register today to secure an on-property hotel room.
MCAA24 will be held March 17 â 21, 2024 at the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes located in Orlando, Florida.
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.
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.
During the meeting, the participants took time to craft words of encouragement cards for the UA Local 50 female apprentices. These heartfelt messages will be hand-delivered, along with the book “Successful Sister” authored by Alicia Robinson, a steamfitter from UA Local 469.
WiMI is deeply committed to empowering women in the mechanical industry by providing valuable opportunities for networking, education, and mentorship, enabling them to advance and excel in their careers.
MCAA is excited to welcome the Mechanical Contractors Association of Northwestern Ohio WiMI group to the growing number of local WiMI groups.
To celebrate MCAAâs 20 Years of Safety Excellence, MCAA is offering monthly safety kits to benefit our contractors around the country and the mechanical industry workers they support. Each kit will include videos, webinars, trainings, and additional resources on each monthly topic.
November 2023: Workplace Safety
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 everyoneâs safety and health. These resources show viewers how to protect themselves and others if they find themselves in an active workplace violence situation. This monthâs kit includes two full length videos on workplace distractions and workplace violence and a microlearning series on workplace violence protection.
Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources
MCAAâs Virtual Trade Show connects our contractor members with the members of MCAAâs 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:
Winsupply Because we bring national buying strength to local support directly to you.
GTP Software, Inc. STRATUS, the premiere Virtual Design and Construction Productivity software solution for MEP Contractors, takes you beyond the model. Elevate your technology capabilities in the shop and field. Empower your team with information. Encourage more communication and engagement.
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 MCAAâs 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!
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.
Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! Youâll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAAâs Manufacturer/Supplier Council.
Plus, youâll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.
Nominations are due by close of business on December 8, 2023.
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!
To nominate someone from your company, or from another company, please complete the nomination form below and submit it by close of business on December 8, 2023.
The 2023 MCAA/MILWAUKEE TOOL Safety Professional of the Year award will be presented at MCAAâs 2024 Safety & Health Conference on January 18, 2024, in Tucson, AZ. The winner will be asked to participate in an on-stage general session interview after the award announcement.
The winner will also be invited to the MCAA24 convention in Orlando, FL, in March to receive the award onstage during the Awards of Excellence Breakfast. Airfare, lodging, and registration will all be complimentary.
The MCAA Board of Directors has ratified Michael F. Russo, Chief Operating Officer of Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corporation in Fresh Meadows, NY, and as the newest member of MCAA’s Executive Committee as called for by the MCAA Bylaws. Mike has served MCAA as a member of the MCAA Board of Directors since 2018 and a member of the Career Development Committee since 2017. He will take office as MCAA’s Vice President/Assistant Treasurer at the Annual Business Meeting at MCAA24. Congratulations, Mike!
