Archives: News Items

MCAA President Robert Beck Rolls Out MCAA’s 2023-2024 Initiatives

MCAA President Robert Beck rolled out the association’s 2023-2024 initiatives in a series of conference calls with MCAA committee chairs, local association executives, and MCAA staff. MCAA has been working towards these goals already, and now we are going to show how it all ties together and is being supported by MCAA leadership.

The initiatives are:

Member Engagement – We are a member-driven organization. We are going to motivate more of you, our world-class members, to engage by getting involved with local and national committees and boards.

  • Energize committees & boards
  • Align staff, chairs and Local Association Execs
  • Recruit and motivate member participation
  • Formalize the mission, time commitment expectations, and term expectations for each committee

Resource Awareness – We will find more avenues to connect our member companies with our vast resources available to assist with every aspect of business. Our mission is to be a partner, and help our member companies to improve, reduce risk, and maximize profitability.

Industry Improvement – We must work together to find new and better ways to stay ahead of the curve by reinventing how we provide value and conduct business in an industry that no longer looks like it did yesterday – and that will undoubtedly look very different tomorrow.

Watch for changes as MCAA implements these initiatives. We look forward to your continued involvement.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Developing Improved Labor-Management Relations

Intense competition requires the parties to the collective bargaining process to jointly find a path to create wealth and build relationships that allow them to be more competitive in their markets. MCAA’s Developing Improved Labor-Management Relations provides a look back at past practices as well as a road map for improving your company’s relationship with labor. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

  • Inherited collective bargaining characteristics
  • An alternative to the traditional distributive negotiation model
  • Lessons learned from the past
  • Cornerstones for change
DOWNLOAD

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

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

Registration for MCAA’s Fall Institute for Project Management Now Open!

If you have a top-notch PM with 3+ years of experience, sign them up today for MCAA’s longest-running mechanical project management program. Participants will spend 2 weeks in Austin, TX (one in October, and one in January) honing their skills in planning, scheduling, change order negotiation, job cost control, and a whole lot more.

Our sessions are contractor-taught by some of the best in the industry, and our curriculum is constantly evolving to keep pace with challenges facing mechanical PMs. Recent grads had this to say about the program:

  • “I’ve been to several different industry trainings. This one was the best and most well thought out. It’s not even close.”
  • “The best course of this type I’ve ever been to. Everything is very well thought out and managed.”
  • “I can’t say enough about these last two weeks and the people who spoke and taught at this IPM… Thank you to everyone who was involved in putting this together!”

These classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and space is limited. Visit the IPM webpage to learn more about the course including dates, cost, and registration limits.

Join us at MCAA’s 2023 GreatFutures Forum and Get a Head Start on Hiring Your 2024 Interns and New Hires

Join us September 28 – 30 at the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee for MCAA’s GreatFutures Forum! Check out the forum website to learn more about the program, job fair, hotel, and registration.

Forum Website

Registration is complimentary for all students, faculty, local affiliates, and MCAA members! The fall is the best time to hire for both summer internships and full-time employment and MCAA can’t wait to see the employment connections materialize throughout the conference.  

Congratulations to Alayna Trautman, Recipient of the 2023 Ferguson WiMI Scholarship

Alayna Trautman is studying construction management at Alfred State College and is one of two recipients of the Ferguson – Women in the Mechanical Industry Scholarship. Ferguson underwrites these scholarships which recognize high-achieving female students working towards a degree relative to the mechanical industry.

Alayna has been an active member of her student chapter by serving as both Secretary and Vice President. Next year, Alayna will take on the role of Student Chapter President. She has been interning with MCAA Member, D.V. Brown and Associates since 2021 and will continue on with her internship this summer as a Jr. Project Manager.

“Five years after graduation I see myself as a successful project manager with a mechanical contracting company. I’d like to work on multiple capital improvement projects and provide mentorship to young female students the way I was mentored. I will also continue to be an active member of the local, state and national MCAA chapters to show my commitment to the association that assisted in my growth by sponsoring scholarships to college students.

The mechanical side of construction is something that intrigues me on how all intricate details and facets come together. Watching a project go from nothing to final completion is amazing to me. The way project managers collaborate to ensure timelines are met and cooperatively work with other contractors is true partnership.

For the past two years I have had the opportunity to intern with D.V. Brown and Associates during the summer and college breaks. This experience has reinforced that I was making the right choice.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Alayna on this prestigious scholarship and thank Ferguson for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.

Find the Latest from LAARS, a Bradford White Company and Morris Group International in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

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

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

LAARS, a Bradford White Company
The Laars MagnaTherm® FT high efficiency condensing boiler is equipped with a robust Laars CF-TechTM firetube heat exchanger, a precision high turndown (up to 20:1) combustion control and the Laars Tru Trac® oxygen trimming system all precisely controlled by the Laars Linc® touchscreen control. The Laars MagnaTherm FT was recently named Commercial Boiler of the Year by Contractor Magazine.

Learn More

Morris Group International
The C-Micro® tankless electric water heater has an ultra-low flow rate of 0.20 GPM. See why they’re a top choice and learn how to get this unit delivered quickly with our Kwik Ship® Brands program!

Learn More

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

Visit Smart Solutions

Ridge Tool Company Offers Tips for Selecting Ergonomic Tools to Minimize Strain, Increase Productivity

Not long ago, the impact of a tool on its user was not given much thought when it came to tool design. Today, thanks to advancements in technology and a better awareness of how repetitive use of a tool can contribute to injury, ergonomic tool design is becoming the norm. To help ensure you are making the best equipment investment for your team, here are basic ergonomic tool features to look for.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Guidelines to Using Social Media in Your Business

Social media allows people to communicate with one another like never before, creating new opportunities for businesses to reach their target audiences. MCAA’s Guidelines to Using Social Media in Your Business offers advice and insight to help your business establish or benchmark social media and manage its social media presence. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

  • Social media platforms
  • What to do with social media
  • Engagement
  • How to make your business easy to find
  • Creating your social media team
  • Social media as an employment tool
  • Social media policies for employees
DOWNLOAD

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

Internship Guide: New 4-in-1 Resource

The MCAA Career Development Committee has created a new tool for members looking to start or improve their internship program, but might not know where to start.  These four short documents are intended to be stand-alone resources, but can be combined into a more comprehensive Internship Guide. 

Internship Best Practices
• How to attract interns, tips for setting them up for success and how to prepare for day 1 (employer side)

Industry Orientation Day
• Follows a successful program on what to do with new interns (local association side)

Hot Sauce Guide
• Task list that meets interns where they are in skill level vs their year in school

Hire Me October
• Highlights from four unique programs, plus additional MCAA internship resources to explore

View Internship Guide Resources

Already hired your intern?  Don’t forget to submit an Internship Grant. 

MCAA wants to hear about ALL of your mechanical contracting interns and revised the previous application process for 2023 to ensure program success is being rewarded and celebrated.

Part 1: MCAA members with one intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant. Companies with two or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant. One form should be filled out for each intern.  

Internship Grant Form – Part 1

Part 2: For companies successfully converting an intern (from their part 1 list) to a full-time new hire, a $500 gift card will be mailed to the company to present to their new hire. These new hire conversations are now unlimited, but the name of the new hire must be included on a part 1 list from an MCAA member company to be eligible. 

Internship to New Hire – Part 2

Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis and may be submitted once per calendar year, per intern.  Please note that Part 2 applications may not be submitted until after the new hire’s full-time start date.

2024 MEP Innovation Conference: Call for Proposals 

Add your voice to 2024 MEP Innovation Conference and submit your education sessions today for the January 29-31, 2024 event in Orlando, FL. Built by MCAA, NECA, and SMACNA, the MEP Innovation Conference joins thought leaders across the electrical, mechanical and sheet metal trades to improve MEP contractors’ profitability and productivity.

Innovation has become a key component across all trades. Act soon to be a part of this pivotal event that engages attendees in innovative presentations, collective roundtable discussions and hands-on exhibitor demonstrations.

The deadline for proposals is Saturday, June 29, 2023. Proposals must be submitted using the link below.

SUBMIT PROPOSAL

Congratulations to Ali Ritvo, Recipient of the 2023 Josam Endowed Scholarship

Congratulations to Alison Ritvo, the recipient of the Josam Endowed Scholarship. Josam Company established this annual scholarship for a sophomore in an MCAA Student Chapter, pursuing a degree in construction management, mechanical engineering or a similar field. Provided that all qualifications are met each year, the yearly recipient will continue to receive the scholarship during their sophomore, junior and senior years of college.

Alison is studying construction management at Kent State University and intends to graduate in December 2024. This summer she will be working at Southland Industries as a Mechanical Project Engineer Intern.

“When I first joined my school’s MCAA Student Chapter, I had little knowledge of what the mechanical area of construction entailed. After this year, I realized that mechanical is everything. It is part of every building and really is the heart of every project. Mechanical construction is doing great with mitigating risk and saving waste by doing prefabrication and using BIM technologies. Sustainability is important to me because I am a LEED Green Associate and I plan on getting my LEEP AP as well. I love how sustainable mechanical contracting can be and I am extremely excited to work for my first mechanical company this summer.

Five years after graduation, I anticipate working in a leadership position in the construction industry. I want to continue to grow my skills every day and with new experiences and projects that I am working on. I hope to build not only buildings, but connections with people. I would like to continue to be a part of organizations that help me build my network and knowledge base like MCAA and NAWIC. I see myself working at a company whose values align with mine and allow me the opportunity to have a mentor and/or I can mentor others.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Alison on this prestigious scholarship and thank Josam Company for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.

2024 Safety & Health Conference: Call for Proposals 

Calling all Safety Professionals. Have you ever wanted to present at a national Safety & Health Conference?

Now is your chance to share your knowledge and expertise with hundreds of attendees from all over the country at the 2024 Safety & Health Conference in Tucson, AZ, January 16-18, 2024.

Submissions are due July 14th, 2023. Proposals must be submitted using the link below.

Please email raffi@mcaa.org for any questions about presenting.

SUBMIT PROPOSAL

Find the Latest from SLOAN and Delta Cooling Towers, Inc. in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

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

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

SLOAN
As more businesses strive to reduce their environmental impact, they are partnering with companies that can provide carbon-neutral products. Sloan offers hundreds of products that are carbon neutral. Learn more about this certification.

Learn More
Delta Cooling Towers - TM Series

Delta Cooling Towers, Inc.
TM Series – capacity from 250 to 2000 cooling tons – Engineered plastic tower provides longer life – Low Maintenance – CTI Certified.

Learn More

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

Visit Smart Solutions

FARO Offers Five Tips for Maximizing Profitability With 3D Reality Capture

When processes are not aligned at every stage of a construction project, costly delays and unnecessary expenses are inevitable—and in the worst-case scenario can even result in legal disputes. Communication with stakeholders, the ability to monitor site progress, and the interconnected nature of construction work can all pose challenges to your bottom line. However, when properly implemented, 3D reality capture of a jobsite can help your team collaborate seamlessly and avoid poor process management that could result in lost income, while keeping stakeholders in the loop at any point of the project.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Vehicle Preventative Maintenance Program

Developing a preventive maintenance plan will save your company, small or large, a considerable amount of time and money over the long run. Vehicle maintenance is a cost of doing business. Unreliable vehicles can have a major impact on the profitability and reputation of the entire operation of a company.

MCAA’s Vehicle Preventative Maintenance Program was created to make developing a vehicle preventative maintenance plan easier and more straightforward than ever before. Implementing the tools and technology available will help save your company time, frustration and money. When developing your fleet maintenance plan, ask yourself these five questions:

  • What should be covered in the preventive maintenance checkup?
  • Who will be responsible for preventive maintenance service?
  • When will the service take place?
  • How can you simplify your record keeping?
  • Where can you find more information?
DOWNLOAD

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

Celebrate MCAA’s 20 Years of Safety Excellence Each Month of 2023 With a Safety Resource Kit

To celebrate MCAA’s 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.

June 2023: MSDs/Ergonomic Safety

Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD) or Ergonomic injuries are more than a buzzword. OSHA approximates that 1 in 3 injuries is an MSD and is costing U.S. workplaces billions of dollars each year. This month we are relaunching our recent video on Musculoskeletal Wellness. This video comes with a pocket guide, documentation sheet, test, and answer key. The kit also includes several microlearning videos and a supervisor video, both collaborations with our partners at CNA Insurance. You can also rewatch our Ergonomics webinar where we partnered with Washington University in St. Louis and CPWR to reduce MSDs in construction.

Worker Safety Training Videos & Accompanying Resources

Musculoskeletal Wellness (Ergonomics)

MCAA/CNA Microlearning Safety Video Series

Safety Training Webinars

Supervisor Safety Training Webinars

DOWNLOAD RESOURCE SUMMARY

Congratulations to Jakob Balgemann, Recipient of the 2023 DEWALT Patriot Scholarship

The DEWALT Patriot Scholarship, now in its second year, was created to recognize two veterans, or those who are currently serving in the United States Military, who have valiantly served their country and have chosen to enter a career in the construction industry. Thank you to DEWALT for honoring our military and to our scholarship recipients for their service to our country. These two special scholarships were presented at the MCAA Awards of Excellence Breakfast in Phoenix on March 29th by Jake Sullivan (U.S. Marine Corp Veteran) and Jon Howland (U.S. Navy Veteran).

Jakob Balgemann served in the United States Marine Corps from 2016 – 2020 where he maintained and operated approximately 20 variations of radio networks across multiple platforms of equipment. He supervised and led teams across multiple deployments for the purpose or rapid response force for embassy reinforcement training and was awarded meritorious promotion for performance during 2 deployments.

Jakob will be graduating in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from Iowa State University.

“I selected the word Perseverant to describe myself because this describes me as a person, as well as how I choose to live my life. Throughout my childhood and young adult life, I was fortunate to have excellent role models that demonstrated this trait to me and this was reinforced and built upon my life throughout my time in the Marine Corps.

Working for a Mechanical Contractor would appeal to me because of the challenges that are presented as well as always working in an environment that is changing and evolving. Whether it be technology or challenging circumstances to accomplish a task, this draws my attention because of the satisfaction of figuring out a way to accomplish a task and executing the plan in order to make things work correctly.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Jakob on this prestigious scholarship and thank DEWALT for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry, as well as for recognizing the courageous service of our country’s Veterans.

Find the Latest from Morris Group International and BELIMO Americas in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

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

Participating companies highlight and link to new products, product lines, services, solutions or web pages of particular interest. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Morris Group International
The W.D. Manor Dialysis Box by Whitehall offers a safer experience for patient and provider. Its all-in-one unit is quicker to install and less expensive than a traditional system! Get the details!

Learn More

BELIMO Americas
Belimo Energy Valve utilizes advanced analytic technology to leverage captured system data to improve coil and system performance for increased energy savings. Energy savings you can see. #SmallDevicesBigImpact

Learn More

Need Something Else?

Find many more smart solutions in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show!

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website to learn how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with cost-saving and productivity-enhancing applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

This section of our website also includes tips and ideas to help your company save money and enhance your productivity. Don’t miss it!

Visit Smart Solutions

Engineered Water Heater Solutions Versus Field-Devised Methods: Advice From Reliance Worldwide Corporation

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.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

School’s Out for Summer! 

Classes are officially finished for the year and student chapter members are on the hunt for new opportunities.  Now is an excellent time to post your Fall ’24 internships (or to catch a few stragglers still for summer employment).

How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship

  • Login with an MCAA username and password
  • Click on the job board within the Career Development page
  • Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting
  • Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh
  • When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month
  • Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume
  • Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resume
  • From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process
VIEW JOB BOARD

Tell Us About Your MCAA23 Intern & New Hire Successes

Did you successfully hire an intern or full-time new hire in 2023? We’d love to hear about it! Reach out to MCAA’s Michele Hoffman at mhoffman@mcaa.org.