Archives: News Items

Journey into the Forefront of Welding at NCPWB’s Technical Conference/Committee Meeting

April 21 – 23, 2024 | Scottsdale, Arizona

Get ready for an exhilarating journey into the forefront of welding technology! Join us at the NCPWB Technical Conference/Committee Meeting for a showcase of cutting-edge presentations that delve into the latest innovations and challenges in the welding industry. Register today!

Topics to be covered include:

Orbital Welding Technology for Med Gas: CSI’s breakthroughs in universal power supply and copper orbital welding machines take center stage. Uncover the struggles and triumphs as they overcome hurdles in temperatures, materials, and code requirements to bring this technology to the commercial market.

Adaptive Welding – Case Study and Recent Advancements: Experience a first-of-a-kind welding system designed for spent nuclear fuel encapsulation. Witness the evolution of autonomous technology with minimal operator input, showcasing active path compensation, adaptive welding parameters, and the use of Artificial Intelligence for joint geometry characterization.

Advancements in Pipe Welding: Dive into Miller welding educational resources and the latest in pipe welding technologies. From RMD for root passes to Pulse for fill and cap passes, explore the innovations shaping the future of pipe welding.

Closing the Welder Gap – Education and Automation for Future Success: Addressing the critical shortage of welders, this presentation advocates for a paradigm shift. Embrace education and automation solutions, from Augmented Reality to Cobots and Additive Manufacturing, to secure the industry’s future.

High-Purity Tube Welding: Discover the intricacies of building piping systems that prevent contamination, navigating ASME piping codes, and the ASME BPE Standard. Learn about weld acceptance criteria ensuring the safety of drug products in pharmaceutical systems.

Advances and Challenges in Welding and Additive Manufacturing: Explore recent developments in welding, from pulsed GMAW to laser welding, and delve into the world of additive manufacturing. Uncover the challenges and opportunities presented by demographic trends, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Welder and Welding Operator Qualification: Delve into the intricacies of qualification tests ensuring welders and operators are prepared for specific job sites. A comparative exploration of various qualification codes promises insights into industry best practices.

Selecting, Adopting, and Submitting NCPWB WPSs: Navigate the extensive world of welding procedure specifications with NCPWB. Gain valuable insights into selecting, adopting, and submitting WPSs and BPSs, ensuring compliance with industry standards.

The committee meeting portion of the event will cover topics such as policy and procedures regarding the joint UA/NCPWB welder certification program and address chapter inquiries. In addition to the annual event, a one-day chapter operations seminar will educate chapter administrators about the policies and procedures associated with maintaining welder qualification records.

Don’t miss the chance to be at the forefront of welding innovation! Join us at the conference for these  groundbreaking presentations and the information you need to stay on top of other welding issues.

Learn More & Register

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

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

The bulletin explores:

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

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

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

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

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

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

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

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

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

MCAA congratulates Mark Rook and AMS Industries.

MCAA Shares Safety & Health Video with the General Public

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

For more information, please visit mcaa.org.

About the Mechanical Contractors Association of America

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

Connect With the Latest Training from Reliance Worldwide Corporation and Lochinvar, LLC at MCAA.org

The Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of MCAA’s website connects our contractor members with training opportunities available from the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new webinars and training opportunities across their product lines, services, solutions or web pages. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

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

Learn More

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

Learn More

Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

Be sure to visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area for all the latest offerings.

Learn More

First Labor Estimating Manual Unlocks a Slice of MCAA History

Glenn Rex received a slice of MCAA history when Jim Reynolds gave him the very first copy of MCAA’s Labor Estimating Manual (LEM), precursor to today’s WebLEM. The book bearing Serial No. 0001 was issued to Jack Thompson of the George Linsky Company in Dallas, the first chair of MCAA’s Labor Estimating Manual Committee. Formed in 1968 to develop the manual, the committee achieved their task when the first LEM was published in 1971. Jack’s contributions to those efforts earned him the MCAA Distinguished Service Award in 1980.

Glenn Rex manages four Texas associations: the MCA of Dallas, Inc.; the MCA of Texas, Inc.; the MCA of Fort Worth; and the MCA of Houston, Inc. Jim Reynolds manages the MCA of Austin, Inc. and is the Administrative Vice President at the MCA of Texas, Inc.

Jim received the manual from Jay Thompson, Jack’s son. It was accompanied by a copy of the September 1984 issue of Plumbing & Mechanical, which includes an article highlighting Jack. Upon reading the article, Glenn Rex said, “It is remarkable how the issues and challenges Thompson discussed are so similar to those facing the industry today.”

READ THE ARTICLE

MCAA Recognizes Tracy Haus, Baker Group, for a Decade of Service to Safety & Health

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.

As Tracy’s chair term comes to an end, we’d like to thank him for his years of service and recognize the work that he, his team, and Baker Group have put into MCAA to make it what it is today. On behalf of the past and current MCAA Boards of Directors, MCAA’s national staff, and contractors all over the country, Thank you, Tracy!

MCAA & Coalition Urge Narrow Scope of Aluminum Extrusions ITC Investigation

MCAA joined a 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 and countervailing duty investigations regarding aluminum extrusions. 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.

The effort was spearheaded by the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) at the request of its Aluminum Extrusion Task Force.

Aluminum extrusions are found in a variety of manufactured products, such as HVACR and water heating equipment, automotive engines, trailer components, RV components, retail shelving, etc., some of which contain thousands of individual aluminum extrusion components. AHRI raised concerns regarding the unusual scope proposal from the investigation petitioners [14 domestic aluminum extruders and one trade union] that would “impose duties on the value of the extruded inputs contained in downstream products (which the petitioners do not even produce or compete with) is deeply misguided and contrary to the interests of the United States.”

The practice is prohibited by the Tariff Act of 1930, and this interpretation has been upheld by the Court of International Trade as recently as 2023. Further, the current broad scope (to include downstream products and components) would force the importer to report the volume, value, and country of origin for every component or finished product covered. The letter argues that imposition of such duties would “be significantly detrimental to manufacturers, retailers, and consumers in the United States, while also adding tremendous burdens to the government agencies charged with collecting such duties.”

AHRI and its partner organizations call on Commerce to exclude downstream and further manufactured products that contain aluminum extrusions from the scope of its investigations to protect U.S manufacturers’ role in the global marketplace, maintain reasonable prices for U.S. consumers, and prevent unnecessary burdens on U.S. government agencies. AHRI plans to share these concerns during a meeting with Commerce later this week.

Letter

Find the Latest from SLOAN 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:

SLOAN
Large facilities have many restrooms to maintain. A lot of this facility management can be done online, leading to lower labor costs and less downtime. The SC Argus™ Pro system can help.

Learn More

Morris Group International
The Kwik Ship® Brands program is a collection of popular specifiable products and many ready-to-ship inventory from across seven different Morris Group International® divisions.

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

Western Allied Mechanical Cuts Quote Delivery Time in Half with ServiceTrade

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.

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

Time Is Running Out: Apply for the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards Today!

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!

To be eligible to win, a company needs to submit an application by January 19, 2024 describing:

  • Their safety and health program in 2023 and why it believes it deserves the award; and
  • An innovation that helped it achieve a high degree of safety excellence during the year.

Companies will be divided into five categories by number of hours worked, and a winner will be chosen in each category. Each winner will receive national recognition and an attractive glass award for display.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Raffi Elchemmas.

APPLY NOW

Learn to Run More Productive & Profitable Jobs from NEI Instructor John Koontz

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your company or local association thanks to instructors like John R. Koontz, MCAA’s Director, Project Management Education. He gives project managers and field leaders a grounding in planning and time management, cost controls, scheduling documentation, and people management skills to help them run more productive and profitable jobs.

John has logged hundreds of days on the road each year since the NEI’s inception. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he has brought his unique blend of academic and practical experience to virtual courses, a new NEI offering.

A former tenured associate professor in Purdue University’s Department of Building Construction Management, John has been teaching since 1992. Before that, he spent 15 years in the employment of MCAA contractors in roles including senior project manager, project manager, project engineer, and estimator.

His Fundamentals of Project Management (FPM) Seminars feature topics that will help project managers run more productive and profitable jobs, from planning and time management to cost controls, scheduling documentation and people management.

The Field Leaders Education (FLE) Seminars for Construction offer a similar grounding for those in field leadership.

Finally, his Other Seminars (OS) for Construction explore how to forge strong foremen/project manager partnerships, improve operations, and provide an appreciation of MCAA’s Change Orders, Productivity, Overtime publication.

Like our other NEI instructors, John 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 MCAA’s 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.*

NEI WEBSITE

*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 MCAA’s Frank Wall or call him at 301-990-2215.

Mental Health Awareness Video Now Available in Spanish

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.

This new resource follows the launch of six Spanish-language videos in 2023.

MCAA’s current Spanish-language training videos, or their English-language counterparts, are:

  • Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention Video  Spanish | English

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

Have questions? Please reach out to MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Achieving Spatial Coordination through BIM – A Guide for Specialty Contractors

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.

The guide explores:

  • Spatial coordination in a BIM environment
  • BIM and spatial coordination basics
  • Building the team
  • BIM execution plans
  • Managing the process
  • Documents of record
  • Benefits of BIM beyond spatial coordination
  • Evaluating spatial coordination contract language
  • BIM technologies for an IT infrastructure

Appendices provide examples of internal deliverables, an outline for developing a BIM implementation plan, scrubbing a design-intent model, and other industry references.

DOWNLOAD

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Sean McGuire.

MCAA & NFPA Are Empowering Electrical Safety for Mechanical Service with New Training & Education

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.

Depending on your needs and goals, we offer different levels of educational programs from introductory to more in-depth and on-going programming—and it’s all at a discounted rate.

See the brochure for offerings and discounts, then request more information at nfpa.org/mcaa-nfpa.

If you have questions that aren’t addressed here, please contact Raffi Elchemmas.

Find the Latest from Charlotte Pipe & Foundry and BuildOps 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:

Charlotte Pipe & Foundry
Charlotte Pipe and Foundry is the nation’s leading maker of cast iron and plastic pipe and fittings for the plumbing industry.

Learn More

BuildOps
BuildOps is the only all-in-one operational platform built specifically for the modern commercial contractor, combining service and projects under one roof.

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

There is Still Time to Register for MCAA24!

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.

VIEW SPEAKERS

On Sunday we have our Opening Party featuring a carnival theme catered by the 5 star chefs of the JW Marriott in the JW Mediterranean Ballroom. There will be excitement and fun for the whole family. Immediately following the party, desserts will be served on the Valencia Lawn and a special fireworks show honoring President Beck will light up the sky. And, of course, no one want to miss a private concert with on of the most popular bands of the 90s, The Barenaked Ladies, who will be performing exclusively for MCAA24 attendees th night of March 20. 

VIEW ENTERTAINMENT

MCAA24 will be held March 17 -21 2024, at the JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton Grande Lakes located in Orlando, Florida. Our early bird rates may have expired and our hotel rooms are very close to being sold out, but you can still register for MCAA24 with our regular registration rates and reserve a room nearby! Don’t miss out on the industry’s premiere event of the year! !

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Egan Employs MSUITE to Meet Critical Needs in the Energy Industry

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.

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

Attention Contractors & Manufacturer/Suppliers – SAVE YOUR SPOT NOW for MCAA Converge

June 24 – 26, 2024 | Indianapolis, IN

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

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

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

“This event and atmosphere create an ideal environment for the right individuals to collaborate and formulate plans that support each other’s business requirements. All participants come well-prepared to strategize on how we can consistently enhance value in both current and future solutions. Undoubtedly, these two days stand out as among the most productive moments we share with our partners.”

Mike Kirby, Director of Milwaukee Tool and MCAA Converge Chair 

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

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

Final Countdown: Limited Seats Left for the MEP Innovation Conference

Event Dates: January 29 – 31, 2024 | Orlando, FL

Time is running out to secure your spot at the MEP Innovation Conference! Don’t miss your opportunity to learn about the cutting-edge trends and technologies shaping the MEP sector. Join more than 650 mechanical, electrical, sheet metal, plumbing and service contractors already registered for the event before we sell out.

In its fourth year in collaboration, the conference brings together the best case studies from MCAA, NECA and SMACNA contractors around the country. Each session is driven by contractors demonstrating practical solutions to everyday problems using innovative tools and methods.

It also packs a tremendous amount content into two and a half days with over 50 education sessions, workshops and breakouts. Topics are wide-ranging: from design, construction, and fabrication to service, estimating and project management. 

The MEP Innovation Conference will take place from January 29 – 31 in Orlando, Florida. This event is exclusively for members of MCAA, NECA, and SMACNA and will likely be sold out soon. Registration is still available but will move to a wait list when capacity is reached. For more information, please visit the conference website.