News

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

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

United Association (UA) General President Mark McManus and MCAA President Robert Beck announced the creation of the Mechanical Industry Future Leaders Institute in a letter to their memberships. The new three‐day program will provide leadership education to future field leaders. The joint initiative is a key part of the UA/MCAA Strategic Planning Committee’s efforts to proactively position our industry for continued success and growth. The first session will take place in May 2024. See the attached letter for details and the nomination form. The deadline for submissions is January 12, 2024. This course is completely separate from the MCAA Fundamentals of Field Leadership online course that will start in Q2 of 2024.

MCAA Government Affairs Committee Chairman Jim Gaffney and former Congressman Earl Pomeroy, MCAA’s government relations consultant, testified on MCAA’s behalf at the November 21, 2023, Internal Revenue Service hearing. The hearing addressed proposed rules requiring prevailing wages and apprentice utilization for enhanced tax credits under the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) energy projects available for the next 10 years.

Subcontracts frequently include indemnification clauses to transfer risk from the general contractor (GC) to the subcontractor. MCAA’s Indemnification Clauses explains what these clauses are and what mechanical contractors can do to mitigate their effects. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

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

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

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

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

MCAA President Robert Beck joined ALI contractor-facilitators and Kenan-Flagler faculty under Carolina blue skies on November 16 to congratulate the newest graduates of MCAA’s Advanced Leadership Institute. Over the course of the program, these 36 mechanical executives learned and practiced leading-edge strategies and frameworks to advance themselves, their teams, and their businesses.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

The future of MCAA is fundamentally linked to the quality of the individuals who serve on its Board of Directors. MCAA members who would like to be considered for one of four vacancies are encouraged to learn more and complete the application. Applications should be returned no later than January 12, 2024. Candidates and their spokespersons will be scheduled for interviews at the 2024 MCAA Annual Convention. Those who are selected will begin their terms in March 2024.

Human error is often misinterpreted as solely a human issue. However, it predominantly arises from system flaws within organizations. We inadvertently create systems that tolerate poor processes for the sake of rewarding outcomes, leading to constraints and errors. To effectively prevent and mitigate human error, it is crucial to shift our focus towards understanding the systemic factors at play. Tyfoom explains why and explains how to foster a learning organization.

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

Registration for MCAA24 in Orlando is in full swing and MCAA student chapter members are already making their plans to participate in the Job Fair during the Manufacturer / Supplier Council Exhibit on Tuesday, March 19th.  New this year, students and potential employers will also be encouraged to network throughout the week at the Connection Corner during convention downtime. Why wait until March to secure your interns? Start the conversation now and post on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board for upcoming Summer 2024 internships and entry-level positions geared towards our graduating seniors.  

The federal government has enacted regulations governing payment terms between the government and its construction contractors, as well as between those contractors and their lower-tier subcontractors. MCAA’s Federal Prompt Payment Act provides an overview of these regulations to help mechanical contractors ensure that they are being paid in a timely manner. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

Each student chapter in attendance at the 2023 MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Milwaukee this past September walked away with a children’s storybook and a mission to share the construction trades with elementary school children in their local community. 

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

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

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

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.

Jocelyn Jackson has added Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) to her dues management role. As MCAA’s 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 Procore’s 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.

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. 

MCAA recently submitted comments on the proposed Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations implementing the Biden Administration’s energy project enhanced tax incentives for projects paying prevailing wages and using a minimum of 10 to 15 percent registered apprentice hours (PWA).

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

MCAA’s 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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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!

Ann Mattheis, who was a big part of the MCAA Staff family for many years, has passed away. Ann wore a number of hats during her time at MCAA, including as the staff liaison for the Career Development and the Management Methods committees. She enjoyed volunteer work and time with friends and her dogs during her retirement. As we get more information regarding services, it will be passed along. She will be missed.

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

The MCAA Career Development Committee recently released a set of resources focused on internships. Ever wonder when the best time is to hire an intern? Quick answer – NOW!

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

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

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

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

MCAA member NEFCO, a leading specialty supply partner to the professional construction trades, has completed the acquisition of Edge Construction Supply (Edge). Edge is headquartered in Spokane, WA, and has eight additional locations in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Montana. This is NEFCO’s ninth acquisition since 2017 and brings the total number of NEFCO locations to 35. 

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Troy Aichele, a 30-year veteran of the mechanical construction industry. Troy’s courses share project management essentials that will enhance project managers’ skill sets, enabling them to deliver less risky, more profitable projects. His three newest offerings focus on building positive leadership skills to engage and inspire teams.

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

Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sheet metal (MEP/SM) contractors are normally at the forefront of Building Information Modeling (BIM) activities on a construction project. Substantial BIM cost and time overruns have occurred on many projects due to the fluid boundaries between coordination and design. MCAA’s new Identifying, Quantifying and Preventing BIM Related Cost and Time Impacts Management Methods Bulletin explores the factors that contribute to these overruns, allowing contractors to better plan for them. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

After two decades of devoted service to MCAA members, Tim Moormeier, President of U.S. Engineering Company Holdings and Co-Chair of the WebLEM committee, decided to step down from his role at the committee’s fall meeting on October 15. During Tim’s tenure, the WebLEM underwent significant transformations. The initial pivotal change occurred in 2008 when the WebLEM transitioned from a paper-based format to a digital one, accessible solely via the web, hence its name, WebLEM. This marked the end of the 4-inch thick, 10-pound yellow binder era.

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

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

MCAA President Robert Beck, CEO of the John W. Danforth Company, discusses his role as MCAA president on a new episode of Tradeswork: The Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association Podcast. Learn more about our national president’s role within MCAA and how MCAA supports its local affiliates and contractors. Listen any time!

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

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

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is proving to make a lasting impression on those who attend based on the overwhelming amount of positive feedback. Four Field Leaders Conferences were held this year, bringing a total of 650 field personnel through the program in Scottsdale, AZ (April 3-5), Chicago, IL (May 17-19), San Francisco, CA (August 2-4) and Des Moines, IA (October 11-13). Read on to hear from those attendees and find out where and when our 2024 conferences are planned, then watch mcaa.org for registration information in 2024.

Check out the recap video of students exploring the “Different Paths to Mechanical” and be sure to save the date for GFF24 – Seattle (September 26-28, 2024)!

Just under 150 students from 30 MCAA student chapters attended the GreatFutures Forum Job Fair in Milwaukee, WI. Students were prepped with conversational tools from a variety of speakers leading up to the fair. The two keynote speakers reminded attendees to embrace wonder and ‘wow’ when visualizing their future career and offered a playbook for building a confidence skillset to open new doors (and windows) beyond their currently visualized reach. The opening panel, “Different Paths to Mechanical,” highlighted that no two career paths are ever truly identical and the best way to a GREAT future is to always keep your eyes open to the wide variety of opportunities available in our industry.

From time to time, a subcontractor’s ability to perform their work may be hampered by interference from a prime contractor. MCAA’s Liability of a Prime Contractor for Interference with a Subcontractor explores this serious problem and provides case studies of various outcomes that a subcontractor may encounter. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

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

The Biden Administration’s long-overdue overhaul of Davis Bacon Act prevailing wage regulatory policies and implementing regulations is slated to take effect on October 23, 2023, barring any last-ditch court challenges by open-shop groups.

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

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

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

The National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau (NCPWB) has released a new Technical Bulletin that explains the origins of the 37-1/2°± 2-1/2° bevel, the normal bevel angle found on piping fittings and flanges and in many specifications and standards.

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

By participating in team-oriented value engineering, mechanical contractors can provide an invaluable service to their clients, thus increasing their value and competitive advantage. MCAA’s Value Engineering explains this approach to optimizing value for each dollar spent to prepare contractors to effectively participate in the process. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

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

While their peers spent the summer relaxing and having fun, nine high school students in Western New York were learning and exploring life and careers in the skilled trades thanks to a Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) camp hosted by John W. Danforth Company, an MCAA member and one of the largest mechanical contractors in the northeast.

Up until now, handwashing has always taken place within the confines of the restroom. But what if hand sanitation and where it takes place were reimagined?

MCAA’s 2024 Safety & Health Conference will offer more than 50 hours of training and education from subject matter experts on safety, health, risk management, and legal issues. Join us January 16-18, 2024, in Tucson, AZ, for three days of presentations, discussions, and demonstrations with 300+ occupational safety and health professionals, principals, owners, local affiliated executives, UA instructors, industry partners, NECA & SMACNA, and anyone who has safety and health responsibilities. Register today!

Whether you are a fitter, plumber, or HVAC technician, using safe work practices will help protect you and others from hazards in and around confirmed spaces. A confined space is defined as a space with limited or restricted access that is not designed for continuous human occupancy. Why is it hazardous? Oxygen content below 19.5% makes it difficult to breathe and increases the risk of combustion by more than 23.5%. Flammable gases or vapors and other physical hazards may also be present. This month’s kit includes a confined spaces video, bulletin, and model program.

General contractors looking to protect themselves with subguard or subcontractor default insurance (SDI) may request detailed financial information from potential subcontractors. MCAA’s Subguard/Subcontractor Default Insurance explains why this happens, and how these policies may impact mechanical contractors. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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.

For more than a century, the National Safety Council has worked to save lives through safer workplaces, roadways and communities. The 2023 NSC Rising Stars of Safety program recognizes up-and-coming safety professionals younger than 40 who have a proven track record of safety leadership in their organization and are dedicated to continuous improvement. Raffi Elchemmas, MCAA’s Executive Director, Safety, Health & Risk Management, is featured for the cross-trade partnership with four national construction associations to produce five safety and health videos aimed at transforming safety culture.

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

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

There’s a reason that MCAA’s Institute for Project Management (IPM) team love what they do: it’s the students. The members of classes 83 and 84 were no exception. Seventy-two participants from MCAA member companies consistently brought their A-game to every class: from Negotiation to Cost Control, from Scheduling to Change Order Negotiation. With enthusiasm and curiosity, they studied and practiced tried-and-true strategies taught by our seasoned contractor-instructors, asked great questions, and learned as much from each other as from our expert instructors. Congratulations to our newest IPM graduates!

Purdue University and Trimble are establishing a state-of-the-art Trimble Technology Lab at Purdue focused on teaching and research for construction management technology. Purdue is home to an MCAA student chapter hosted by the MCA of Indiana, Inc. Trimble is an MCAA member.

Pre-planning is critical to the success of every project regardless of size. MCAA’s Turnover Meetings: Estimating/Sales to Project Management identifies the traits of highly-effective turnover meetings to help contractors transform these meetings into productive and rewarding planning exercises. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Mechanical contractor and fabricator Andy J. Egan Co. (Egan), an MCAA member, has a reputation for being an innovator within the industry. From its world-class fabrication shop to cutting-edge construction technology department, the company creates a culture that encourages employees to explore methods for delivering higher-quality projects on expedited schedules. Fabrication Shop Foreman Shane Shook developed a time-saving weld procedure in partnership with the United Association of Union Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA), with a certification that will soon be available to all UA members and contractors.

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

Mechanical contractors face an uncertain insurance market. MCAA’s new Captive Insurance Management Methods Bulletin explores the use of captive, or privately held, insurance as a way to mitigate risk and provide greater cost control relative to a contractor’s insurance premiums. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The 2023-2024 John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) scholarship and grant applications are now available and are due by December 15th (4:00 PM CST). Over $75,000 in scholarships and grants will be awarded to MCAA student chapter members during the Awards of Excellence Breakfast at MCAA24 in Orlando. Don’t miss your chance to be among the recipients!

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

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

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

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

Sean McGuire, MCAA’s Executive Director, Innovative Technologies & Fabrication, is featured in this month’s episode of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Innovation Overload Podcast. He talks about mental health, process improvement, fabrication and practical ways to get started in applying innovation across your business.

Around 150 students from across the country and Canada will be attending the MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Milwaukee, WI on September 28-30.  One of the main conference goals is to educate these college students on the ins and outs of the mechanical contracting industry and the GREAT Future that lies ahead for them. The ultimate way for a student to gain experience and determine that mechanical is indeed the career path for them is through hands-on learning with an internship. Whether or not your company is able to attend the conference in person, use the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board to get your internships (and entry-level full-time jobs) in front of students now.

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

At some point, mechanical contractors may face losses from subrogation claims that are not covered by insurance. Left unchecked, these losses can bankrupt a contractor. MCAA’s Subrogation Can Spell Trouble provides examples of subrogation problems and their resolution to help contractors protect their interests. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

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

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

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

Subcontract agreements often include contractual provisions that seek to impose additional fines or penalties for safety violations. MCAA’s Enforceability of Contractual Fines/Penalties for Subcontractor Safety Violations explains how those provisions could impact a subcontractor and how best to avoid them. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Troy Aichele, a 30-year veteran of the mechanical construction industry. Troy’s courses share project management essentials that will enhance project managers’ skill sets, enabling them to deliver less risky, more profitable projects.

The MCA of Western Washington (MCAWW), an MCAA affiliate, leveraged a state “focused inspection” policy exemption to create MCAWW Safety W.I.S.E., a program that certifies member firms with exceptional safety programs, exempting them from nearly all project and fabrication site inspections. The program also provides MCAWW Safety W.I.S.E.-branded jobsite banners and hard hat stickers to those that are certified, allowing them to further differentiate themselves in the marketplace. MCAA applauds the MCA of Western Washington’s innovative safety program and its commitment to worker safety.

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

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

Around 150 students from across the country and Canada will be attending the MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Milwaukee, WI on September 28-30.  One of the main conference goals is to educate these college students on the ins and outs of the mechanical contracting industry and the GREAT Future that lies ahead for them. The ultimate way for a student to gain experience and determine that mechanical is indeed the career path for them is through hands-on learning with an internship. 

Mechanical contractors have been subject to scope-of-work creep by third party commissioning agents that require activities beyond the bid scope and project design. MCAA’s Controlling Project Costs Caused by Third-Party Commissioning Agents offers tips to help contractors minimize the potential for scope creep and the resulting cost increases and schedule impacts. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The fourth annual PCA Plumbing Service Conference, held from August 21st to 23rd in Annapolis, MD, proved to be a monumental gathering that brought together plumbing professionals, industry leaders, and visionaries. The event, which aimed to address critical industry challenges and foster collaboration, featured an array of insightful sessions and activities that left attendees both informed and inspired. Thank you to our hosts at JPG Plumbing and Mechanical, to the members and our United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UA) guests who presented, and to everyone who attended. We couldn’t have done it without you!

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. MCAA is proud to tackle Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention head on with a series of NEW resources developed in partnership with the United Association (UA).

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

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

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers have a responsibility to protect their workers from extreme heat. Every year, dozens of workers die and thousands more become ill while working in hot or humid conditions. Heat is the number-one cause of weather-related deaths in the United States. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 815 heat-related worker deaths and 70,000 heat-related serious injuries between 1992 and 2017. To protect workers, employers should establish a complete heat illness prevention program in addition to observing the heat index.

There’s still time to register for MCAA’s 2023 GreatFutures Forum, the place to meet your next great hire! Registration for the entire conference is complimentary for MCAA contractor members and has been extended to Tuesday, September 5th.  Visit the GreatFutures Forum webpage for the full program and registration, as well as information about our untraditional job fair. The best part: There aren’t booths and trinkets, and you don’t need to bring anything besides yourself. See you in Milwaukee September 28-30, 2023!

Jason Merchant and Ryan Manuel, both faculty advisors for the student chapter at Purdue University, took advantage of the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) Faculty Continuing Education Grant to intern with MCAA member companies this summer. By working in the industry, they better understand  the challenges and opportunities that students may face and are thus better prepared to advise them. This industry experience will also help them to better teach mechanical subject matter, so the students coming out of their classes are better prepared to excel in our industry. 

Hotel rooms are limited for the UA/MCAA Labor Relations Conference (September 27-28, 2023 | Las Vegas, NV). If you plan to join us for this conference that focuses on topics such as the current need for manpower, organizing, workforce development, and more, register today to secure your room.

To compete successfully in today’s marketplace, mechanical construction, mechanical service and plumbing contractors need to market their businesses and the products and services they offer to existing and potential customers. To be effective in those efforts, they need to know the basics about planning, developing and using a marketing program. MCAA’s Guide to Marketing Your Business provides those basics to help contractors conceive ideas and assemble them into a successful plan that will help their businesses grow and thrive. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

MSCA provides focused training programs for your operational personnel. This collection of programs, unlike any other, provide the continued training to set your employees apart in the HVACR industry. 

October will be here before we know it, and so will our final Field Leaders Conference of the year. Those who attend will return with the skills they need to be business- and results-oriented managers focused on growing company profits and brand. Grow your field leaders’ skill set. Register your team today!

MCAA’s Association Executives Council (AEC) welcomed new leaders at the conclusion of the 2023 AEC Best Practices Conference on August 2, 2023 in Carlsbad, CA. Chair Valerie Pope, Vice Chair Stephen Affanato and Program Chair John Rayburn will lead the group’s efforts in the coming year, and both Stephen and Val will represent the AEC on the MCAA Board of Directors. Kelsey Johnson and Alex Hall are the newest members of the Executive Leadership Initiative (ELI) Committee. As committee members, they will share their thoughts and ideas about our programs focused on the success and knowledge of our local affiliate executives. MCAA and the AEC look forward to your leadership and new ideas. Congratulations!

College students are starting to head back to campus, which means underclassmen are starting to explore their options for summer internships and seniors are already weighing their offers for full-time employment for June 2024.  Now is the time to start the conversation and the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board is the perfect place to start!

Contracts for mechanical construction and service work lay out the rights and obligations of each party. Mechanical contractors must carefully consider the types of terms and conditions that are appropriate for the given contract to minimize risk. MCAA’s Contract Terms and Conditions highlights 18 common terms and conditions that may be appropriate for inclusion in any contract as a starting point for each company’s independent discussions with their attorney and accountant. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

MCAA’s Association Executives Council (AEC) recognized outgoing Chair Chip Martin at the conclusion of the 2023 AEC Best Practices Conference on August 2, 2023 in Carlsbad, CA. During his time in office, Chip (CPMCA and Arizona MCA) led the formation of the Arizona MCA and contributed to the development of the AEC Executive Trainee Program, which he will help launch in 2024. He also assisted in the development of the AEC Affiliate Board Orientation Manual and served as the AEC advocate on the MCAA Board of Directors. Thank you, Chip!

On a Design-Assist project, specialty contractors participate in a project’s design. They can provide input that maximizes system efficiencies, reduces costs, and potentially limits design errors or omissions. While the process has many benefits, it also presents risks that are not inherent in other forms of delivery. MCAA’s new Design-Assist bulletin offers tips for mitigating those risks. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

With more than 70 million baby boomers set to retire by 2030—more than 10,000 each day—organizations need to rethink the way they capture and transfer knowledge before it is lost forever.

There’s still time to register for MCAA’s Collective Bargaining Conference and the UA/MCAA Labor Relations Conference this September! MCAA’s Collective Bargaining Conference will help improve your understanding of the bargaining process to assist in preparing for constructive negotiations. The UA/MCAA Labor Relations Conference will focus on topics such as the current need for manpower, organizing, workforce development, and more. Register today and join us in Las Vegas, NV for both events!

The last lecture is over, the last homework assignment submitted, the last quiz completed. So, congratulations are in order for this summer’s Pre-IPM graduates! Classes 21-24 have just completed their 12 weeks of online introductory project management training, bringing the total number of Pre-IPM grads to over 1,400. How did it go? Well, here’s what our recent grads had to say.

Staying in touch with customers, employees and others who may be interested in your company’s products and/or services, upcoming events, or other business developments is critical to your company’s growth and success. Thanks to the availability of myriad print and electronic media, the Internet and social media, companies have many options for connecting with their internal and external audiences. This bulletin focuses on one option—newsletters. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Congratulations to MCAA member Baker Group on being named Plumbing & Mechanical’s 2023 Mechanical Contractor of the Year. The firm’s dedication to its employees and commitment to building lasting relationships with its clients earned Baker Group the title.

MCAA has become aware that some people have received an email stating that the MCAA Field Leaders Conference mailing list is available for sale. We would like to assure you that MCAA never sells lists of our members or our event attendees, nor do we authorize any third parties to do so.

Join us September 28th – 30th 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.

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

B&W Mechanical, one of the largest mechanical contractors in the Southeast, chose ServiceTrade software to help them make the move from paper to digital, shortening the time it takes to provide quotes for repairs. Swift, detailed, clear communication is one way that B&W builds trust that leads to long-lasting customer relationships.

In honor of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration’s (OSHA) Safe and Sound Week campaign, August 7-13, 2023, MCAA is re-sharing a series of safety videos created by the Safety Alliance between MCAA, TAUC, NECA, and SMACNA for your use to highlight key safety topics with your employees and co-workers. From mental health, fall protection and other OSHA Focus Four topics like electrical hazards and caught in-between/struck-by, take time to focus on safety, you will be glad you did!

MCAA is pleased to welcome the two newest members of the staff: Darnelle Everett and Sosina Haileselassie. They are supporting the Events and Accounting departments respectively.

Internships don’t have to stop when students head back to campus.  Many college and university students are still looking to expand their knowledge of mechanical contracting with real world experience through school year internships.  Schedules and available hours might look a bit different due to their classes, but if your company is willing to be flexible, then a school year internship is a win-win for everyone.    

Credit cards are rapidly becoming the preferred method of covering a variety of financial transactions between contractors and their vendors/suppliers and project owners. MCAA’s Credit Card Payments reviews the advantages and disadvantages of making payments via credit card to help you fully understand the benefits and costs involved. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The 2023 MCAA Fabrication Conference, powered by MSUITE, has expanded to include additional educational offerings and four facility tours. This year’s conference will focus on specific fabrication operations for attendees, including a sheet metal-focused tour hosted by MacDonald Miller. MCAA’s 2023 Fabrication Conference is scheduled for September 11-13, 2023 in Seattle, Washington at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Limited space is still available for registration.

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.

Cole is studying Construction Engineering at Iowa State University and will be graduating in May 2024. He’s been an active member of his student chapter and has served as Recruitment Chair and Vice President. Cole previously interned with MCAA Members MMC Contractors and Baker Group.

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

In 2020, almost 3,000 fatal and over 200K nonfatal distracted-related motor vehicle accidents occurred. Commercial drivers are 6 times more likely to be involved in a critical safety event when participating in handheld browser activities. Also in 2020, there were fewer vehicles on the road, but the decrease in miles driven did not correlate to fewer accidents. Even with 11% fewer miles driven, vehicle accident deaths rose by 8.3%. This month’s kit includes resources on auto safety, forklift safety, and heavy equipment safety. Also, check out the four new CNA infographics in their fleet safety series.

Join us in Milwaukee, WI for the 2023 GreatFutures Forum! Meet other GreatFutures Alumni, help recruit the next generation of workers and have some fun!

With a goal of eliminating paper in the shop, increasing efficiency in cutting, and using barcode labels to improve shop workflows, Postler & Jaeckle started working with STRATUS software from GTP Services in 2015. Since then, the company has seen a continuous return on investment with STRATUS, most recently by using labels to increase efficiency with hangers.

On July 27, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) issued a hazard alert for heat. This action is to remind employers of their obligation to protect workers against heat illness or injury in outdoor and indoor workplaces. The agencies will also step up inspections and enforcement of heat-safety violations in high-risk industries, including construction.

Shinn Mechanical, a renowned and innovative mechanical contractor, has been selected to offer an exclusive tour of their cutting-edge sprinkler fitting fabrication operations at the highly anticipated 2023 MCAA Fabrication Conference, powered by MSUITE. Contractors seeking insights into the forefront of mechanical contracting and productivity enhancement should not miss this exceptional opportunity.

In the fast-paced world of construction, contractors that embrace technology reap the rewards in increased competitiveness. MCAA’s PDF Editing Utilization for the Mechanical Contractor examines the use of PDF editing software to save time and money through paperless document exchange. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Daniel is studying Construction Engineering at Iowa State University and is anticipated to graduate in May 2024. He’s the current president of his student chapter and has been interning with MCAA Member, The Baker Group since May 2021.

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

From apprentices to expert craftsmen, the construction industry employs a workforce that spans multiple generations. While an age-diverse workforce brings well-rounded skills and experiences to the table, it is not always easy to manage efficiently. Employee expectations and preferred communication styles vary greatly from generation to generation. With today’s labor shortages and low employee retention rates, if mechanical contractors want to attract and keep top talent, they need to explore strategies to help their age-diverse crews work together effectively.

MCAA’s 2023 Fabrication Conference, powered by MSUITE, has expanded this year to offer a broader view of fabrication opportunities for MCAA members. While the primary host, UMC, Inc, will showcase cutting-edge fabrication processes for large contractors, smaller tours are available to showcase distinct opportunities in sprinkler fabrication, sheet metal and light commercial and plumbing.

Sloan Valve Company, a global leader in commercial plumbing products, has demonstrated its commitment to advancing research and education by making a generous contribution of $100,000 to a foundation dedicated to these causes. The donation aims to support the foundation’s efforts in promoting research, innovation, and educational opportunities in the plumbing and mechanical industry.

Interns working at MCAA member companies are a win-win for our industry. Employers secure top talent and build a pipeline of future employees and students gain hands on experience, create connections and develop the skills needed to further their interest in mechanical contracting.  Snap a picture of your summer intern by a company sign, on the jobsite or in company apparel and upload it with your Internship Grant Application.  Interns and sponsoring companies will be featured on the virtual Intern Wall at MCAA24 before the Awards of Excellence Breakfast.

Every company, regardless of size, will face succession planning issues at some time. MCAA’s Estate Tax Planning and Succession addresses the issues and possible strategies related to estate planning and succession to help ensure a smooth transition. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

John W. Danforth Company, an MCAA member and one of the largest mechanical contractors in the northeast, recently met an important new team member. However, this team member will never work at one of the company’s offices, in any of its fabrication shop facilities, nor on any of its job sites. MCAA applauds John W. Danforth Company’s commitment to veterans.

Carly Carmosino has assumed the role of Interim Executive Director at the Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA) of Eastern Missouri, an MCAA affiliate. “Carly comes prepared for the role with strong institutional knowledge, and a proven track record of driving strategic initiatives and building industry partnerships,” said Steve Haberberger Sr. of Haberberger Inc., MCA president. MCAA congratulates Carly on her new role.

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.

Morgan Fischer is studying construction management at Kent State University 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.

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

Welding preheating is used to ensure weld quality and reduce the chance of cracking and other defects that can result in costly rework. Preheating is commonly used in field and shop applications when welding steel or steel alloy pipes or plates that are 1” thick or more. Applications that often use preheating include power plant and structural construction, as well as pipe fabrication. Here, Miller Electric outlines four common methods for welding preheating and how to choose the best option for your application.

Registration is now available for the MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Sept 28-30, 2023). Be sure to be in the room for the most untraditional job fair around! We’ve done away with stationary booths and are bringing the students straight to you for a relaxed and casual networking breakfast.

Heat Illness poses a serious concern for worker safety and health in the mechanical construction and service industries. Join MCAA and Tyfoom as we review strategies to keep workers safe against heat illness during a 30-minute webinar on Thursday, July 27, at 3:00 PM EDT. The webinar will emphasize the importance of awareness, best practices, and effective communication in ensuring worker safety. It will also address strategies for doing so, including planning awareness and training, best practices, and consistent communication into the daily work routine. Register today – the webinar is a little over a week away!

The most used form agreements between prime or general contractors (GC) and subcontractors are the AIA A401 and the ConsensusDocs 750, and with good reason. Both are more likely to yield terms and conditions that are favorable to a subcontractor. MCAA’s Comparison of Industry Standard Form Agreements Between GCs and Subcontractors highlights the similarities and differences between these form subcontracts to help you decide which is right for your next project. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Brock studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nebraska and graduated in May 2023. He was an active member of his MCAA student chapter and served as the Fundraising Chair. Brock has been interning at MCAA Member, MMC Contractors since May 2021 and upon graduation was hired as a full-time Project Engineer.

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

Registration is now available for the MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Sept 28-30, 2023). Be sure to be in the room for the most untraditional job fair around! We’ve done away with stationary booths and are bringing the students straight to you for a relaxed and casual networking breakfast.

Egan Company selected Josam Company’s drain system to ensure that LeafLine Labs, the premium medical cannabis cultivator in Minnesota, had the right drainage systems to meet their unique needs. Josam Company’s PRO-PLUS® Trench Drain System was a welcome change from other labor-intensive drain systems that Egan Company had used, saving time and streamlining installation.

August will be here before we know it, and so will our third Field Leaders Conference of the year, August 2-4, 2023 in San Francisco, CA. Those who attend will return with the skills they need to be business- and results-oriented managers focused on growing company profits and brand. Grow your field leaders’ skill set. Register your team today!

MCAA recently released a video that explains, “What is Mechanical Contracting?” Although this video can answer the basics, there’s nothing quite like experiencing a career opportunity first-hand.  If you’re looking for bright new talent for the Fall 2023/Spring 2024 school year or already on the hunt for your Summer 2024 interns or full-time new hires, then post your position now on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board to attract student chapter members looking to experience the wide world of mechanical contracting!

Katie Spatcher has been promoted to Vice President of Service Sales at Arden Engineering Constructors, an MCAA member company. She will lead the company’s growing sales team. “Katie Spatcher has been pinnacle to the success of Arden Engineering’s service division over the years. We are delighted to announce her well-deserved promotion,” said John Puniello, President of Arden Engineering Constructors.

Reduced costs are just one benefit that a company realizes when it establishes a comprehensive safety program. A company’s productivity and business also improve. MCAA’s Safety and Productivity: Does Improving One Increase the Other? uses case studies to highlight the key ingredients for success: a commitment from top management and a clear plan of action that involves all employees. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Registration is open and already 50% sold out for the MCAA 2023 Fabrication Conference, powered by MSUITE. This benchmark event has been expanded to offer four facility tour options, allowing us to include more MCAA members than ever. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your understanding of mechanical fabrication, connect with industry leaders, and explore innovative fabrication facilities. Join us in Seattle September 11-13, 2023. Learn more and register today!

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

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.

Amaya studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland – College Park and graduated in May 2023. She was an active member of her MCAA student chapter and served as both Vice President and then President. She has been interning at MCAA Member, The Poole and Kent Corporation since May 2021 and upon graduation was hired as a full-time Project Engineer.

Each year, thousands of workers suffer from heat illness while working in high temperatures, direct sun, and humid conditions; dozens even die. Many mechanical contractors spend part of their working day in hot environments, both indoors and outdoors. Workers performing physical labor are often exposed to hazardous heat conditions that can have severe safety and health outcomes. This month’s kit includes information and posters from MCAA, OSHA, CNA and Milwaukee Tool. We will also be partnering with Tyfoom on a free heat stress webinar on July 27th at 3:00 pm ET.

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

NCPWB consultant Walter J. Sperko, P.E. discusses the changes in ASME Section IX, 2023 edition of interest to piping fabricators and contractors. These changes, which can be found in the “Summary of Changes” in the front matter of Section IX, become mandatory for new qualifications beginning on January 1, 2024.

A hospitality industry veteran opted for A.O. Smith for a dependable water heating solution for a new four-story Hampton Inn in Ashland City, TN. “Hampton Inns thrive on being local,” said hotel general manager Sammy Naquin, “so it made sense to turn to A. O. Smith, who is right here in Ashland City, for a solution.” Naquin worked closely with A. O. Smith, which specified two 750,000 Btu/hr Cyclone® XL commercial gas water heaters, recommended for the hotel’s size and water heating demands.

Registration is now open for the final Preparatory Institute for Project Management of the year. Classes will take place Mondays and alternate Wednesdays from August 21st to October 18th. Register your Assistant Project Managers, Project Engineers, new hires, or people transitioning to the office from the field or estimating today, before spaces fill up.

Heat Illness poses a serious concern for worker safety and health in the mechanical construction and service industries. Join MCAA and Tyfoom as we review strategies to keep workers safe against heat illness during a 30-minute webinar on Thursday, July 27, at 3:00 PM EDT. The webinar will emphasize the importance of awareness, best practices, and effective communication in ensuring worker safety. It will also address strategies for doing so, including planning awareness and training, best practices, and consistent communication into the daily work routine.

Seeking to improve shop productivity, Kinetics adopted the 5 S’s, a variation of lean thinking. By applying these actions, Kinetics’ employees were able to reduce wasted time, materials and information, thereby increasing their productivity. MCAA’s Five S’s: The Road to Improvement shares the process and the results the company was able to achieve. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

While the Pre-IPM is generally a ‘summer series’ course, thanks to the dedication of our incredible volunteer and professional instructors, MCAA is offering one more Preparatory Institute for Project Management this year. These Preparatory Institute for Project Management (PIPM) courses begin August 21st, and space is limited. If you have Assistant Project Managers, Project Engineers, new hires, or people transitioning to the office from the field or estimating, this online course is for them!

Incorporating a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) committee into your company or organization provides endless benefits. Adopting a DEI committee, can aid your company in promoting diversity, addressing biases, increasing employee engagement, building a stronger reputation, proving dedication to ethical responsibilities, and creating an inclusive environment to drive positive change.

Brodee Paul is one of the two recipients of the Alan P. O’Shea Memorial Scholarship. The Mechanical Contractors Association of New Jersey established these scholarships to honor the memory of Alan P. O’Shea, it’s former Executive Director, and to memorialize his many contributions to the mechanical contracting industry. The scholarships were presented by Richard Tomaiko (MCA of New Jersey President) and Phillip Petillo (MCA of New Jersey Executive Director).

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.

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

Silicon Valley Mechanical, a full-service mechanical contractor in San Jose, CA, rapidly improved productivity and increased efficiency by putting PypeServer software into place. Here, Jamie Garza, detail manager, and Dean Garza, piping shop general foreman at Silicon Valley Mechanical, describe how they achieved those gains.

The MCAA Fabrication Conference boasts a rich history of bringing together professionals from the mechanical contracting and fabrication industries. Now in its 24th year, the conference has grown to be a pivotal event, serving as a platform for industry leaders, innovators, and experts to share their knowledge, insights, and best practices. With a focus on cutting-edge technologies, process improvements, and collaboration, the MCAA Fabrication Conference has continually evolved to address the ever-changing landscape of the mechanical contracting world, fostering a community of professionals dedicated to advancing the industry and ensuring its sustainable growth. Learn more and register today!

The MCA of Western Washington (MCAWW) announced the winners of its annual MCAWW Safety Excellence Awards at its June 7, 2023 member luncheon. The awards went to JH Kelly, UMC, Holmberg Mechanical, Stirrett-Johnsen and PSR Mechanical, all also MCAA members. Congratulations to all the winners!

The MCAA GreatFutures Job Board is a tool to post entry-level full-time positions and internships that are directed at MCAA Student Chapter Members. Post a job now and then register for the GreatFutures Forum (student-focused conference) to meet candidates in person in Milwaukee on September 28-30th. The Job Fair is on the morning of September 29th and registration for the entire conference is complimentary for MCAA Members. Registration is currently available and closes August 30th .

One of the classic mistakes that owners of mechanical contracting firms often make when transferring ownership of their company is not fully exploring all their options. MCAA’s Business Transition Options for the Mechanical Contractor reviews the various options for transferring ownership of a company and showcases the advance planning and analysis needed for a successful transfer. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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.

We are thrilled to share some exciting news with you! In our continuous efforts to enhance your user experience, we will soon be implementing a significant upgrade to the WebLEM login process. Say hello to Single Sign-On (SSO)! Due to the transition to SSO, your company admin may have to regenerate your subscriber token and/or the API key. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but this step is essential to ensure a secure and uninterrupted login experience.

Morebodi Sebadieta is the recipient of the Viega – Joe Pikus Scholarship. Upon the news that Joe would soon be retiring, Viega wanted to commemorate his passion for student learning by naming a scholarship in his honor. This new scholarship is available to an active participant of an MCAA student chapter, who is a junior or senior, majoring in construction management, with a 3.5 GPA or higher, who participated in the student chapter competition, and most importantly, who is committed to a career in mechanical contracting, demonstrated through an internship.

In a new fleet safety series, CNA, a member of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council, offers MCAA members four infographic posters around the most common claim, auto safety. The posters address common issues including: tips to reduce auto accidents, situational awareness while driving, driving under the influence, and understanding distracted driving. MCAA thanks CNA for sharing these valuable safety resources with the entire membership.

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

In recent years, the power needed to heat or cool buildings has fallen dramatically with the focus on reducing energy consumption and minimizing the environmental impact of HVAC installations. The flow rates in our installations are much lower now than in the past, especially if we use modulating controls on the terminal units. Here, IMI Hydronic Engineering explains the issues around low flow rates in boilers, cooling units, and pumps; solutions to guarantee the minimum flow rate; and effective ways to control low flow rates.

The 2023 MCAA Safety Statistics & Awards program recognizes member company safety performance from 2022. This year the MCAA Safety Excellence Initiative is proud to recognize 86 MCAA members companies. All applicants receive a valuable benchmarking report that will allow them to compare their own 2022 incidence rates with the aggregate rates of the other participating MCAA companies overall, those in the same size category, and with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics incidence rates.

While the Pre-IPM is generally a ‘summer series’ course, thanks to the dedication of our incredible volunteer and professional instructors, we are offering one more Preparatory Institute for Project Management this year. Mark your calendars: registration will open 12:00 pm EDT on Wednesday, June 28th for Pre-IPM Class 25.

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference provides field leaders with the skills they need to be business- and results-oriented managers focused on growing company profits and brand, and now there’s another reason to attend – financial assistance from the United Association’s (UA) International Training Fund (ITF) in the form of a $5,500 grant. There are two more opportunities to attend the 2023 Field Leaders Conference: August 2-4 in San Francisco, CA, or October 11-13 in Des Moines, IA. Your field personnel cannot afford to miss it!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 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. 

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. The deadline for proposals is Saturday, June 29, 2023.

Alison Ritvo is the recipient of the 2023 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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). 

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

Confidence in your installation and its reliability are important to any contractor, but labor shortages and economic constraints can often make you feel like you have to choose between speed, cost, and quality. 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.

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).

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference (FLC) held May 17-19, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois, saw its largest crowd post pandemic- bringing together nearly 200 field personnel for two and a half days of leadership training and networking. With a packed room, attendees confidently left with a large network of new peers. Special thanks to MCA of Chicago for their enthusiasm & support in bringing this conference to town!

Macy Deck, a May 2023 graduate who studied Mechanical Engineering at Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville, was awarded the Foster McCarl, Jr. Memorial Scholarship at MCAA23 this past March during the Awards of Excellence Breakfast. This national scholarship honors Foster McCarl, Jr.’s many contributions to advancing the mechanical contracting industry, including his efforts towards establishing what is now known as the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF). McCarl’s Inc. is the scholarship sponsor.

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

The Hill Group was recently recognized as the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards winner for 2022 in Size Category 5, 1,000,000+ Work Hours. The Hill Group’s robust safety culture represents their commitment to their most important asset – their people.

PFI’s piping Standards are developed and maintained to the current ASME Codes and Industry Standards by the PFI Engineering Committee, a group of engineers, quality inspectors, fabrication software consultants, and flange and fitting manufacturers who meet twice a year. The committee’s unique blend of expertise helps make PFI’s Standards the highest referenced Standard with EPCs and end users in the pipe fabrication industry.

MCAA is partnering with Dodge Construction Network on a new study on jobsite safety, and your participation is vital to its success. The purpose is to track trends in safety practices in the U.S. construction industry. This survey should take approximately 12 minutes to complete. In return for qualifying for, completing and submitting the survey, you will have the option to have a summary report of the survey findings emailed to you. Thank you for helping the industry to continue to prioritize and improve safety.

Mechanical contractors looking to eliminate or reduce risk may want to adopt more strict and formal policies regarding the issuance of purchase orders. MCAA’s Purchasing for Profit is designed to help you establish purchasing techniques that help protect your business and purchases. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

More than two dozen people from underserved populations have entered the pipe trades in the last three years through a unique partnership between Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 562, the Mechanical Contractors Association of Eastern Missouri (MCA EMO), and the Plumbing Industry Council (PIC). Now, the CHAMPIONS Initiative is preparing to launch a fourth cohort of women and minorities who will devote their summer to kick-starting an exciting new career through intensive training, formal mentorship, and job placement as a pre-apprentice with union mechanical and plumbing contractors.

We all know the plumbing industry is aging, much like our water infrastructure. The average estimated age of a master plumber is 58 years old. However, there are many young professionals entering the industry to make a difference. Plumbing & Mechanical would like to highlight these Next Generation All-Stars in their Top 20 Under 40 Contest. They will be spotlighting the young professionals that are driving the industry into the future.

Based on her book, The Curiosity Muscle, Diana Kander’s high-energy keynote shows us how we can level up our simple questions to get significantly better results and drive innovation. Diana will help participants understand that the longer they’ve been doing something, the more likely it is that their expertise has also created some blind spots. Blind spots that could be huge opportunities for growth. She will demonstrate how we struggle with additive bias (looking to add more things to our plate to solve a problem), when taking something away would be the much more optimal solution.  Diana will show how our natural desire to be right gets in the way of our learning and improvement.  

Marissa (Mesa) Kelly, one of the two recipients of the Alan P. O’Shea Memorial Scholarship. The Mechanical Contractors Association of New Jersey established these scholarships to honor the memory of Alan P. O’Shea, it’s former Executive Director, and to memorialize his many contributions to the mechanical contracting industry.

This year’s closing keynote speaker, Tara Renze, author, emotional intelligence & positive intelligence practitioner, podcaster, thought-leader, wife and mother will redefine how we unleash purpose, level up our success and create sustainable happiness and fulfillment in all aspects of our lives.

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

UMC was recently recognized as the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards winner for 2022 in Size Category 4, 450,001 – 1,000,000 Work Hours. UMC’s mental health focus and “Pride-based Safety” program set the company apart.

The AEC Best Practices Conference is a three half-day educational program comprised of the chief executive officers and their senior subordinates from the MCAA-affiliated local associations. The conference provides industry-specific education, exploring the legal, accounting, and business operation differences between non-profit organizations and other types of businesses. The AEC conference provides peer-to-peer learning and interaction with tools to manage organizations and operate them more effectively. Local association executives – register today!

McKinstry set out to gather more insight into fabrication shop productivity and enhance the connection between its Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) and Fabrication teams. They partnered with MSUITE to improve communication and better understand the costs of work, which ultimately will help them target investments and improve overall project management.

Post a job on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board to grab the attention of our new spring graduates who are still looking for full-time employment. 

Volatility of construction material and equipment costs is greater now and in recent years than previously has been the case. That volatility and uncertainty in stable pricing and commodity availability is likely to grow worse in coming years, not stabilize. The combination of raw material and natural resource scarcity, burgeoning infrastructure demand worldwide, with concomitant commodity and construction demand in the Far East and elsewhere, and unpredictability of world political stability (and shipping infrastructure too) all argue strongly for ever- greater vigilance in commodity purchasing and price commitments in procurement planning for fixed-price construction contracts.

Stacy Johnson, Chair of the national MCAA WiMi Committee, recently welcomed more than 80 women from MCA of Western Washington to Seattle’s first local WiMi event. The gathering, held at TopGolf on May 2, consisted of a reception, dinner, networking and golf instruction/play. Additionally, guests heard from a panel featuring four women leaders from the local industry, including Stacy Johnson (Auburn Mechanical), Maria Boyer (MacDonald-Miller), Megan Miller (SJS Mechanical) and Sheri Keeley (McKinstry Co.). We are so excited to welcome MCA of Western Washington WiMI Committee!

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

Meet the hard working students who made Pittsburg State University the winning team of MCAA’s 2022-2023 Student Chapter Competition.

Therma’s steady growth and sterling reputation over the decades has been driven in part by its highly motivated and skilled innovators, each with their own approach to process—which also resulted in a disjointed recordkeeping system. They chose Procore’s scalable construction management platform to standardize their project processes and centralize their document management, creating seamless collaboration, complete flexibility across project types, and a single source of truth and project data accessible to all. Now, workers collaborate through a common platform with deep visibility into all the information they need, all available on mobile devices.

Postler & Jaeckle Corp. was recently recognized as the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards winner for 2022 in Size Category 3, 250,001 – 450,000 Work Hours. Postler & Jaeckle’s organization-wide safety approach set the company apart.

The U.S. Department of Labor announced that OSHA has begun a National Emphasis Program (NEP) to identify and to reduce hazards which are causing or likely to cause serious injuries and fatalities from falls while working at heights. Considering that falls remain the leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries in all industries, and the violation the agency cites most frequently in construction industry inspections, the agency has determined that an increase in enforcement and outreach activities is warranted.

#SafetyWeek is a wrap! But the safety & health of our workers, our teams, and each other continues to be of the utmost importance. You can view all of last week’s video clips below for tips to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of our workers below.

Job costs (labor, materials, subcontracts, lift rentals, permits, etc.) are pretty straight forward, but what are “indirect job costs” or “other direct job costs”? The problem is that there are many types of ODJCs, and tracking them individually, by project, could be very time consuming, require significant resources, and is not necessary. The bulletin identifies ODJCs and provides some options to assist in managing and understanding these costs. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The 2022-2023 MCAA Student Chapter Competition 1st Place Team, Pittsburg State University, was invited to Denver, CO on April 21st to view the real-life completed site for their proposal of the National Western Center, which included a meeting with Lynn Mueller, CEO of SHARC Energy.

The technician shortage is daunting. How can your business grow, let alone keep up with demand? Industry expert Billy Marshall will share insights on three areas for improvement during this busy season: reducing the chaos of unpredictable demand work, empowering your office staff to take on more responsibility, and optimizing your technicians’ workflow. Join us on May 23, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.

Veronica Brems is this year’s recipient of the annual William A. Bianco, Jr. Memorial Scholarship. MCAA member, Kinetics, established this scholarship to honor William “Bill” Bianco (the foundation’s former President and an MCAA Distinguished Service Award recipient) for his many contributions to the industry’s continuing advancement.

It’s never too early to prepare for hiring a new intern. Use our to-do list to help you find and hire your next intern.

For Graco Mechanical of Houston, TX, Marley NC® Cooling Towers from SPX Cooling Tech, LLC proved to be the ideal solution for replacing a highrise building’s aging cooling tower in a tight space with an even tighter timeline—just one weekend. These factory-assembled, or “package,” towers allowed for faster installation than a field-erected option while meeting the building’s needs.

Tyfoom, an engagement platform for employee communication and training, today announced a partnership with the MCAA, which will give our members access to select MCAA-produced training and education material and products via Tyfoom’s video-based microlearning format. With Tyfoom’s advanced training capabilities and MCAA’s safety training content, members have everything they need to stay competitive and keep their employees safe.

Working at heights continues to be one of the most dangerous parts of construction and service. Each year falls are the leading cause of workplace fatalities and fall protection is the most cited OSHA violation. MCAA has put together a kit which includes training on Aerial Lift Safety, Fall Prevention and Protection, Ladder Safety, and Scaffold Safety. This kit also includes model programs on fall protection and fall rescue. This could be one of the most important kits of the year.

We are very pleased to announce that registration is now open for MCAA’s Collective Bargaining Conference and the UA/MCAA Labor Relations Conference this September! Through the registration process, you will have the ability to register for both conferences at once, or select an individual conference.

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). 

This year’s WiMI Conference will be held June 12-14 in Nashville, TN at the Grand Hyatt and is packed with opportunities to learn, grow and discover all that you are capable of and what this industry has to offer. Hotel rooms are filling up fast, so register today and lock in the group rate by May 14!

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

MCAA members voted in favor of the MCAA Board of Directors recommended change to the MCAA Bylaws during the Annual Business Meeting held March 30, 2023. As a result, the MCAA Bylaws have been amended to extend the previous two-year waiting period to seek re-election to the Board of Directors to four years. The amended language appears in Article VIII—Board of Directors, Section 1.

By implementing Novarc’s Spool Welding Robot (SWR), Harder Mechanical Contractors has minimized their need for highly skilled welders and increased productivity from an average of 120 factored diameter inches (FDI) per shift to more than 200 FDI, while also achieving a repair rate of 0 percent and maximizing arc-on time. Moreover, because the SWR is a collaborative robot—or cobot—Harder Mechanical can assign less experienced welders to operate the machine, significantly improving shop productivity and resulting in high-quality welds every single time.

Time to start thinking about your summer ’24 interns! Save the date for MCAA’s GreatFutures Forum (September 28-30, 2023) in Milwaukee, WI. Conference registration (including the Friday Job Fair) is complimentary for MCAA Members, Local Association Executives and Forum Sponsors. Registration will open on June 15.

A comprehensive safety approach that involves all company employees is good for workers and a company’s bottom line. MCAA’s Proactive Safety Approach provides tips and inspiration for companies seeking to develop or improve upon such a plan. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

EMCOR Services Scalise Industries was recently recognized as the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards winner for 2022 in Size Category 2, 100,001 – 250,000 Work Hours. The EMCOR Services Scalise Industries safety committee’s approach of setting attainable goals to change safety culture set the company apart.

MCAA is collaborating with The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) and Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) to prevent injury and improve productivity by reducing manual material handling (MMH). Manually lifting and moving heavy construction materials can cause strain, sprain and related soft tissue injuries. Planning ahead for how materials will be stored, lifted and moved reduces manual materials handling, helps contractors of all sizes stay productive and profitable and saves workers from painful injuries. We are looking for five MCAA member contractors in each of the following states: Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin to use a free MMH program and provide feedback through September 2023.

MCAA welcomed its newest student chapter by granting a charter to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville during the MCAA23 Awards of Excellence Breakfast on March 29th in Phoenix, Arizona.

MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) Conference kicks off on Monday, June 12th with our Opening General Session – DISCover You. In this session led by Kathryn Crosby, attendees will complete a “style analysis” profile to produce a graph of the behavior and personality tendencies for each letter designation used in the popular DISC system specific to the attendee. This year’s WiMI Conference will be held June 12-14 in Nashville, TN. See you there!

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

Curtis Harbour has been named Brandt, a Southland Industries Company’s Vice President of Labor Relations. Curtis, who became MCAA’s Vice President / Assistant Treasurer at MCAA23, will transition to his new role effective June 1, 2023, eventually expanding that role to the enterprise level.

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference provides field leaders with the skills they need to be business- and results-oriented managers focused on growing company profits and brand, and now there’s another reason to attend – financial assistance from the United Association’s (UA) International Training Fund (ITF) in the form of a $5,500 grant. Join us May 17-19 in Chicago, IL, August 2-4 in San Francisco, CA, or October 11-13 in Des Moines, IA.

By installing antimicrobial cooling towers from Delta Cooling, Bluegrass Hydronics and Pump helped a rural Kentucky school district qualify for a federal grant to replace a failed tower and another nearing the end of its life. The units solved the two biggest issues the school district was facing: budget constraints and the need for durable solutions.

Leibold Inc. was recently recognized as the MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards winner for 2022 in Size Category 1, Zero – 100,000 Work Hours. Leibold Inc.’s top-down safety approach and the organization’s safety culture set the company apart.

Over 130 students from 29 chapters attended MCAA23 in Phoenix and they are back on campus and excited to learn more about our MCAA members. While the conversations from Convention are still fresh on everyone’s mind, be sure to keep the momentum rolling by posting your internship or full-time, entry-level position on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board.

The use of permanent HVAC systems to provide temporary heat during construction introduces the possibility of indoor air quality (IAQ) issues down the line. MCAA’s Temporary Usage of HVAC Equipment explains why temporary heating, cooling and dehumidification equipment specifically designed for use during construction is preferable. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

A recent MCA of Kansas City WiMI Committee (WiMI-KC) event inspired Tiffany Oldham, a digital media specialist with P1 Group, Inc., to write an article for her company’s newsletter. Learn more about the event and how WiMI-KC is engaging, empowering, inspiring and mentoring women in Kansas City’s mechanical industry.

At the MCAA23 Awards of Excellence Breakfast on March 29th, Pittsburg State University was awarded the top prize of $10,000 and a trophy for their outstanding work on the 2022-2023 Student Chapter Competition.

The student chapter at California State University, Chico proudly nominated Marie Patterson for the MCAA 2022-2023 Educator of the Year based on her mentoring, mechanical industry knowledge, chapter activity participation, and involvement and creation of student-focused networking opportunities with their local MCAA Chapter, Northern California MCA. 

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

At the MCAA23 Awards of Excellence Breakfast on March 29th, The University of Nebraska was awarded the 2022-2023 MCAA Student Chapter of the Year for their continued achievement and overall focus on offering career opportunities in mechanical contracting to their student membership.

The 2022 MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Award winners were announced at the MCAA23 annual convention in Arizona. This award focuses on safety and health programs, safety innovations, and achievements in safety to reach a high degree of safety and health excellence. Companies are divided into five categories by number of hours worked and winners are chosen by a committee of their peers. Congratulations to all the winners!

A new, state-of-the-art hospital in New York required that John W. Danforth Company use solder connections for mechanical piping and press fittings for the plumbing, so they looked to a trusted and reliable partner, Mueller Streamline Co., a primary subsidiary of Mueller Industries, that could provide both. That decision has paid off with a smooth construction process to date, supported by building information modeling (BIM) technology that ensured accuracy for prefabrication. Mueller Industries, Inc. is a major sponsor of MCAA23.

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference (FLC) held April 3 – 5 in Scottsdale, Arizona, hosted over 120 field personnel who gathered together to be inspired and re-energized over two and a half days of education and networking. There are three more opportunities to attend this conference this year that your field personnel cannot afford to miss: May 17-19 in Chicago, IL, August 2-4 in San Francisco, CA, and October 11-13 in Des Moines, IA. Register your field leaders today!

2022 was an historic year for the Advanced Leadership Institute (ALI) – in addition to an updated curriculum, the ALI now has a new home at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler School of Business. Check out the video for an ‘insider perspective’ on our classroom environment, and to hear from our first-ever UNC graduates about their ALI experience! A few seats remain in this year’s program and we are still accepting applications from qualified executives.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a standard requirement in many project specifications. MCAA’s BIM – What Is It and Is It Right for My Company? explains what BIM is and offers tips to help companies reap the greatest benefit from this technology. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Pittsburg State University garnered the Student Chapter Competition win and $10,000 during MCAA23. Individual students and educators were recognized with a variety of scholarships and awards. The University of Nebraska was selected as the 2022-2023 Student Chapter of the Year. MCAA presented a charter to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, our newest student chapter, sponsored by the MCA of Eastern Missouri.

Did you take MCAA’s ASSE 12020: Environment of Care, Infection Control and Construction Risk Assessment Professional Qualification Standard certification class in April 2020? If so, your certification is set to expire, and MCAA has prepared a free 2-hour recertification course through ASSE International. The goal of the ASSE 12020 personnel certification is to provide end users with contractors and technicians who can work as valuable members of construction risk assessment teams. You can assist in protecting building occupants from pathogens and other potential construction hazards while at the same time preventing outbreaks. Following the course, attendees will need to pass a recertification exam. The cost of the exam is $110. ASSE will provide additional details during the webinar. Join MCAA and ASSE on Thursday, April 13 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern to take the first step toward your recertification.

MCAA23 concluded a week of many moments and final thoughts from MCAA President Robert Bolton. UA General President Mark McManus joined us to talk about the strength of the UA/MCAA partnership. MCAA’s two fundraisers concluded and President Bolton awarded the prizes before recognizing MCAA’s retiring Board members and turning over the presidential gavel to new MCAA President Robert Beck. President Beck thanked Bolton for his commitment and passion over the last year and announced MCAA’s funding of the Robert H. and Alda Bolton Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $20,000. The new Executive Committee and new Board members were introduced to the membership.

Newly elected MCAA President Robert Beck shared his professional journey and his plans for the year ahead in a recent Contractor magazine article, saying “Our organization is strong and we will stay the course. My job as President of MCAA will be simple… be a great ambassador of this amazing organization, bring people together and stay out of the way!” Beck became MCAA’s president at the close of MCAA23 on March 30, 2023.

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

The National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau (NCPWB) has released a new Technical Bulletin that explains how the NCPWB Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) differ from the American Welding Society (AWS) Standard Welding Procedures in both application and adoption.

Breaking ground on the Rex and Alice A. Martin Softball Training Center at the University of Illinois in April 2021, A&R Mechanical Contractors, Inc., faced the unique challenges of building during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent supply chain issues. They successfully completed the project on schedule thanks to NIBCO, which manufactures more than 90 percent of its products in the United States. “I would have to say NIBCO was very instrumental in helping A&R Mechanical get this project finished in a timely fashion,” said Chris Asklund, A&R Mechanical project manager. NIBCO is a major sponsor of MCAA23.

Worker health is at the heart of all that safety professionals do. This month the MCAA is packaging six worker safety videos and their accompanying materials with eleven worker safety resources and bringing you an infection control recertification webinar with the ASSE, the American Society of Sanitary Engineering. Members can refresh training on subjects such as Asbestos Awareness, Bloodborne Pathogens, Hexavalent Chromium, Silica, Radio Frequency Radiation Safety, Respiratory Protection as well as download guides, bulletins, and programs on each topic.

MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) initiative enables women in the mechanical industry to further enrich their careers through networking, educational, mentoring and career development opportunities. Join us for this year’s WiMI Conference June 12-14 in Nashville, TN to discover your potential. Register now – seats fill quickly!

The new United Association (UA) National Pharmacy Benefit Program is reducing pharmacy costs for UA members and their families across the United States.

MSCA Board of Managers Chair Rich Happel is among the contractors who spoke with ACHR News about the opportunities and challenges they expect to see in 2023. Among his predictions, “I believe that high-efficiency HVACR equipment and retrofits will continue to lead sales for 2023, as well as equipment using HFO refrigerants beginning to gain traction (based on code adoption). The movement toward electrification will also likely begin to take hold and drive equipment selections towards those available electric options instead of gas.”

In the best of circumstances, state and local tax audits of construction contractors eventually turn adversarial and are not to be treated lightly. MCAA’s Preparing for a Sales Tax Audit will help you understand the process and the rules so that you can resolve any issues with practicality and technical proficiency. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

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

For a new, state-of-the-art medical school campus, Maxair Mechanical saved valuable time by installing “miles of piping” using Victaulic products rather than welding and relying on Victaulic’s 3D models of the mechanical space to anticipate potential pitfalls and avoid costly delays. Streamlining processes at every opportunity, Maxair completed the project on time, despite labor and supply chain challenges. Victaulic is a major sponsor of MCAA23.

Emergencies, disasters, accidents and injuries can occur at any time, usually without warning. MCAA’s Emergency Procedures will help you develop an emergency action plan to enable you and your employees to act quickly and decisively in the event of an emergency. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

More than 10,000 serious construction-related eye injuries happen each year, yet these injuries are preventable with proper eye protection. Help workers to understand why eye protection is critical. To celebrate 20 years of safety excellence, MCAA is releasing five impactful videos in 2023 to help improve safety & health across the entire industry.

Did you take MCAA’s ASSE 12020: Environment of Care, Infection Control and Construction Risk Assessment Professional Qualification Standard certification class in April 2020? If so, your certification is set to expire, and MCAA has prepared a free 2-hour recertification course through ASSE International. The goal of the ASSE 12020 personnel certification is to provide end users with contractors and technicians who can work as valuable members of construction risk assessment teams. You can assist in protecting building occupants from pathogens and other potential construction hazards while at the same time preventing outbreaks. Following the course, attendees will need to pass a recertification exam. The cost of the exam is $110. ASSE will provide additional details during the webinar. Join MCAA and ASSE on Thursday, April 13 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern to take the first step toward your recertification.

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

You cannot eliminate the possibility of business disruptions—but you can prepare for them. Whether the cause is a storm, a cyberattack, or another unexpected event, a sudden disruption could affect your organization at any time. To grow and thrive in an uncertain risk environment, your business needs preparation to absorb, adapt, and be resilient to disruptive events. CNA, a benefactor of MCAA23, offers a series of short podcasts (about 15 minutes each) on risk and resilience.

The groundbreaking union-sector productivity advantage report, Quantifying the Value of Union Labor in Construction Projects, funded by the MCAA/UA Mechanical Industry Advancement Fund (MIAF) and performed by Independent Project Analysis (IPA), is gaining widespread attention among local labor/management groups across the country.

Over 125 Students from close to 30 chapters are registered for MCAA23. They will soon be scoping out MCAA’s GreatFutures Job Board for companies they would like to meet with in Phoenix to discuss internships and entry-level full-time positions. Post your position(s) today and be sure to stop by the Hire Me Corner (inside the Manufacturer/Supplier Council Exhibit) on Tuesday, March 28th to meet students in person.

The shipping terms delineated in a mechanical contractor’s purchase order determine who assumes risk, claims, control and taxes. MCAA’s FOB Terms highlights the advantages and disadvantages of various shipping methods and terms to help contractors minimize liability and risk. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) initiative enables women in the mechanical industry to further enrich their careers through networking, educational, mentoring and career development opportunities. This year’s WiMI Conference will be held June 12-14 in Nashville, TN. Join us to discover your potential. Register now – seats fill quickly!

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

MCAA member WennSoft (formerly Key2Act), a provider of field service management, and building intelligence solutions, has been acquired by Volaris Group. “With the strength and global scale of Volaris behind us, we envision a bright future for WennSoft,” said Joe Alvarez, CEO. “We look forward to continuing enhancement of our product suite and solidifying our long-term commitment to add value for our customers, and partners.” WennSoft will continue to operate as an independent business unit led by Joe Alvarez.

Did you take MCAA’s ASSE 12020: Environment of Care, Infection Control and Construction Risk Assessment Professional Qualification Standard certification class in April 2020? If so, your certification is set to expire, and MCAA has prepared a free 2-hour recertification course through ASSE International. The goal of the ASSE 12020 personnel certification is to provide end users with contractors and technicians who can work as valuable members of construction risk assessment teams. You can assist in protecting building occupants from pathogens and other potential construction hazards while at the same time preventing outbreaks. Following the course, attendees will need to pass a recertification exam. The cost of the exam is $110. ASSE will provide additional details during the webinar. Join MCAA and ASSE on Thursday, April 13 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM Eastern to take the first step toward your recertification.

Barrier-free, accessible, and inclusive design is an important trend in building. Planning for a commercial restroom with all users in mind, regardless of ability, gender, or age, makes for a safer and more comfortable restroom that is easy for anyone to use. Contractors who embrace the concepts of inclusive design can stand out as partners who put users’ needs first, and Sloan, a benefactor of MCAA23, has innovative products to help. Inclusive design is pivotal for supporting people with disabilities and complying with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. It is also important as society’s awareness of gender identity grows.

Your field leaders are the face of your company. Are they prepared to communicate effectively, bridge conflict and personality clashes and protect your company’s image? Kevin Dougherty’s presentation at the Field Leaders Conference provides the tricks and tactics they need to get even the most difficult people eating out of their hands, plus other ideas for improving communication with crews, other subs, management and owners.

Think all alumni are fresh out of school? The first MCAA Student Chapter was chartered in 1993 – 30 years ago! MCAA GreatFutures Alumni (former student chapter members) are encouraged to connect with fellow alumni through a new LinkedIn group and networking events at MCAA23 and the GreatFutures Forum.

Mechanical contractors are likely to write purchase orders to material and equipment suppliers in other states. MCAA’s Purchases and Sales of Goods Under the Uniform Commercial Code reviews some of the principal provisions of the code governing these sales to help contractors analyze the adequacy of their forms and practices. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Exposure to lung-damaging silica dust is preventable with proper respiratory protection. Help the more than 2 million workers who are exposed to silica each year learn why this protection is so critical to their health. To celebrate 20 years of safety excellence, MCAA is releasing five impactful videos in 2023 to help improve safety & health across the entire industry.

Today we spotlight one of our members that started out as a student and now sits on the national MCAA Career Development Committee! 

MCAA would like to recognize the many people that make our Women in the Mechanical Industry Initiative possible. They work hard to enable women in the mechanical industry to further enrich their careers through networking, educational, mentoring and career development opportunities takes help from women on both a national and local levels. We are so thrilled to have the support of so many!   

Karin Dahlin is a journeyman service pipefitter with Minneapolis Pipefitters local 539. She received her HVACR degree at Minneapolis College in 2018 and completed her apprenticeship with local 539 in June of 2022. She chose this trade because of the variety it offers, and she enjoys working on something new each day.  

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

JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Services’ adoption of new oil and grease interceptor monitoring technology from Zurn has significantly reduced pumping overspend and minimized the risk of backups for JPG’s customers. The increased monitoring is translating into more tank repair and replacement work as customers gain better visibility into their systems. Zurn Elkay Water Solutions is a benefactor of MCAA23.

Women in Construction Week or WIC Week celebrates and promotes the role of women in the construction industry. In 1998, NAWIC held the first WIC Week and it has grown and expanded each year since. This week, MCAA wants to celebrate the many successful women among our membership and this amazing industry. 

The MCAA Board of Directors recommended a change to the MCAA Bylaws at its annual summer board meeting held last July in Victoria, British Columbia. The recommended change would extend the current two-year waiting period to seek re-election to the Board of Directors to four years. This bylaws change will be voted on by the membership at the Annual Business meeting held during the upcoming convention on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

Technology and innovation are evolving rapidly, and it is critical that field leaders be educated to keep pace. MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference lets field leaders explore the latest offerings from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council. By asking questions, they gain a fresh understanding of how those offerings impact project performance. They return ready to share these insights to help maximize your company’s ROI. That’s just one example of how the industry-specific content gives field leaders the skills, understanding, and inspiration to positively impact their company’s bottom line. The conference will offer the same education and exhibitors in Scottsdale, AZ (April 3-5), Chicago, IL (May 17-19), San Francisco, CA (August 2-4) and Des Moines, IA (October 11-13). Register your field leaders today!

Arden Building Companies, an MCAA member, was recognized in the March issue of Rhode Island Monthly magazine as part of a series celebrating family-owned businesses. The article celebrates Arden’s nearly 70-year history, during which the company has evolved from a mechanical and general contracting group into the multi-faceted group of companies, which includes Arden Engineering Constructors, Corporate Mechanical of New England, MJ Daly, and Unique Metal Works. MCAA congratulates MCAA President Robert M. Bolton and the entire Arden team on their rich history. We look forward to seeing where the next 70 years take you!

The MCAA Innovative Technology Committee recognized Doug Smith from Dynamic Systems, Inc. as the 2023 Innovator of the Year at the annual MEP Innovation Conference hosted by MCAA, NECA and SMACNA last week in January in Austin, Texas. Smith is the director of VDC technology at Dynamic Systems, Inc., a Texas-based contractor, and leads the design and coordination process between a team of over 120 people.

Over 125 Students from close to 30 chapters are registered for MCAA23. They will soon be scoping out MCAA’s GreatFutures Job Board for companies they would like to meet with in Phoenix to discuss internships and entry-level full-time positions. Post your position(s) today and be sure to stop by the Hire Me Corner (inside the Manufacturer/Supplier Council Exhibit) on Tuesday, March 28th to meet students in person.

Mechanical contractors are likely to bear a large chunk of the responsibility for modern jobsite coordination. This can have cost implications that must be analyzed prior to making a bid. MCAA’s Jobsite Coordination highlights notable qualifications for discussion. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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.

Transform the way you lead – the way you think about leadership – by developing the skills that will take you and your team to the next level. MCAA’s Advanced Leadership Institute (ALI) is now accepting applications for Course 23, which will run October 1-4 (Week I) and November 12-16 (Week II), 2023.

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. This month’s kit focuses on power tool and hand tool safety. Every contractor and worker use tools to do their job. Injuries from improper use and choosing the wrong tool for the job happen far too often. This month’s kit provides members with information on the most common hand and power tool injuries in the mechanical construction and service trades. The videos highlight the tools most likely to be involved in an injury incident and teach proper use of the tools to help prevent injuries. Be sure to check out the additional resources from our partner in safety, MILWAUKEE TOOL, for additional information on power and hand tool safety.

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

The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) have published the AWWA/IAPMO Manual-2022: Manual of Recommended Practices for the Safe Closure and Reopening of Building Water Systems. This manual of recommended practice is intended to provide expert guidance on building water system safety. It provides sound and effective risk management practices for preparing water systems when buildings must be shut down or put into low-use modes, “exercising” building water systems during periods of no or low use, and evaluating and prepping water systems for reopening.

April will be here before we know it, and so will our first Field Leaders Conference of the year. Those who attend will return with the skills they need to be business- and results-oriented managers focused on growing company profits and brand. Grow your field leaders’ skill set while at the same time supporting the Arizona MCA, our host and MCAA’s newest affiliate. Register your team today!

Every year the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council join together to form the leading exhibit in the industry at the MCAA Annual Convention. The exhibit at MCAA23 will be no exception. Register today!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average age of a construction worker is 42, and nearly 20% of the workforce is over the age of 55. Finding and recruiting young workers into the trades remains a challenge for contractors. Angie Simon of Western Allied Mechanical, an MCAA member, and the past President of SMACNA decided to do something about it.

A successful mechanical contracting company constantly seeks ways to enhance its business operations by encouraging honest feedback from customers. MCAA’s Listening to Our Customers explores customer types and offers tips and suggested questions to get customers talking. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Exposure to hearing-damaging hazardous noise is preventable, yet only 50% of construction workers wear hearing protection. To celebrate 20 years of safety excellence, MCAA is releasing five impactful videos in 2023 to help improve safety & health across the entire industry.

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

Many in the field may not realize how their daily job impacts the people they work with and the bottom line. At the MCAA Field Leaders Conference, your field team can benefit from the know-how of someone who has experienced it all in The Foreman’s Impact on Profitability session led by MCAA member Mark Rogers. Rogers began his career as a Steamfitter Apprentice in 1986 with Local 420 in Philadelphia, went on to start his own mechanical contracting company in 1996 and served as MCAA President in 2011. He volunteers around the country presenting his “Real Cost of a Man Hour” and has given the talk over 125 times to over 20,000 UA Members. Rogers is passionate about education for everyone in the industry and tailored his presentation at the Field Leaders Conference specifically so those in the field can better understand and appreciate their overall role and impact on a job.

MCAA23 is one stop shopping for all your educational needs. From navigating the threat of a recession to ensuring your company is ready and able to handle a cyber-attack, the offerings at MCAA23 are there to educate everyone from the novice to the most seasoned mechanical contractor. Register today!

Customers are demanding greater value, technology is evolving rapidly, and the resulting need to increase productivity is driving profound changes in how mechanical contractors execute their scope of work. MCAA’s Integrated Project Delivery explores the IPD methodology rooted in the idea of truly integrating all parties in the planning, design, and construction process at the earliest possible moment to help contractors understand the benefits of this approach. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Curious about the locations of our MCAA student chapters? Check out the GreatFutures Universities page to easily search for schools by state or alphabetically. If you don’t have a chapter in your area (or even if you do), head over to the GreatFutures Job Board to post an entry-level, full-time job or internship to the entire network of nearly 50 student chapters.

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

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

Your foremen didn’t get where they are by coasting. They’re good at what they do, and they can get even better by cultivating the attributes of great foremen. Greg Fuller, whose career spans from apprentice to company president and MCAA President, will lead a discussion of the top 10 attributes of great foremen. He will inspire your field leaders with new ideas and energy, to look at their role differently through an important professional lens, so they come back highly motivated to strive for greatness.

MCAA’s Convention provides so many important moments and we are determined to make each attendee’s experience great. Over the course of the week there will be opportunities to hear from inspiring speakers on the topics that matter.

Mechanical industry project managers (PMs) are often confronted with aggressive schedules and incomplete construction documents. In this environment, managing a project to a profitable outcome is predominantly about controlling change and implementing resourceful and efficient strategies to minimize cost. MCAA’s Project Forecasting offers tips to help PMs accurately and regularly measure progress, leading to improved results. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Kristy Stephens, Executive Director of the MCA of Eastern Missouri, an MCAA affiliate, recently reported on the progress she and her team have made since she came aboard nearly 6 years ago. The board and the staff have embraced the challenge to guide the organization through systemic transformation, and it shows in their results.

Hand injuries are preventable with proper hand protection, yet 70 percent of workers don’t properly protect their hands. To celebrate 20 years of safety excellence, MCAA is releasing five impactful videos in 2023 to help improve safety & health across the entire industry.

The Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC), a longstanding partner of MCAA, has released its 2022 Year End Settlements Report. The report covers the first year of newly bargained settlements to assist readers in understanding current trends. It also covers all years of negotiated settlements to assist in projecting future labor costs. In addition to a general overview, the report provides various detailed data cuts, including by geographic region and specific craft. For additional information, contact Carey Peters, Executive Director, at 202-347-8440 or clrc@clrcconsulting.org.

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

Whether your goal is to leave MCAA23 with new implementations to increase the success of your company, with fun memories that will last a lifetime or both, we’ve got you covered. Register today!

Congratulations to this year’s graduates of the Advanced Institute for Project Management!

Our industry will change more in the next 5 years than it did in the last 50. Are your field leaders equipped to evolve along with it? Chris Haslinger served his apprenticeship with UA Local 50 and has held various roles throughout his career with the UA. With a career focused on education and training, Chris has seen the evolution of how jobs are performed first-hand. He has played a primary role in developing UA projects that embrace new technologies, including sustainable technology programs, energy audits and retrofits, CAD/BIM programs and technology in supervisory roles.

MCAA members can quickly post an entry-level, full-time job or internship to a network of close to 50 student chapters as a benefit of membership. These student members are enrolled in programs such as construction management, mechanical engineering, construction engineering, architectural engineering, HVAC, and other similar courses of study that are designed to prepare them for careers in the mechanical contracting industry. Post your jobs on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board today!

New ANSI fall protection standards go into effect in 2023 – are you prepared? Subject matter expert, George Stallings, answers some of the most pressing questions about the changes and discusses how MCAA contractors can prepare their companies. MCAA’s Executive Director of Safety, Health and Risk Management, Raffi Elchemmas moderates the Q&A with our speaker and audience.

Mechanical contractors that work cooperatively with owners, design teams, suppliers and subcontractors tend to have more successful and cost advantageous projects. MCAA’s Working with Owners provides information to assist you in doing just that by developing guidelines for an effective and cooperative work environment, establishing responsibilities up front, and scheduling regular meetings to discuss progress. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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. This month’s kit focuses on personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE is the last line of defense, and sometimes all you need to prevent and injury or save a life. Preventable injuries impact our safety culture, company morale, and our bottom
lines. This month’s kit includes our newest videos on hearing protection, head protection, eye protection, respiratory protection, and hand protection. These videos are a candid look at what happens when you don’t wear PPE, and how easily you can help yourself and others by wearing these lifesaving pieces of personal protection.

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

MCAA and MILWAUKEE TOOL congratulate Ricky Reams, the 2022 Safety Professional of the Year award winner. Ricky has been a passionate safety leader for many years and his work to advance mental health is without equal. Ricky is the VP of Safety and Quality at Murphy Company in St. Louis, MO. The award was announced at MCAA’s 2023 Safety Conference in San Diego, CA in January. The award is presented annually to a mechanical industry safety and health professional who has led his or her company to achieving an exceptionally high degree of safety excellence. Ricky has been invited to MCAA23 in Phoenix, AZ in March to receive the award on stage during the Awards of Excellence Breakfast. MCAA and MILWAUKEE TOOL congratulate Ricky and thank him for his commitment to safety.

Safety is the top priority for MCAA contractors, and attendance at the 2023 MCAA Safety Conference proved it. The 2023 conference was the largest safety event in MCAA history, bringing together over 350 professionals to focus on safety and health in San Diego, CA.

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

3M has notified the industry of a potential issue that could result in some construction and vest style harnesses not performing properly. This condition results in the adjuster not being able to be adjusted or not locking in place after adjustments have been made. This manufacturing issue will result in the harness not performing properly in the event of a fall, which could result in severe injury or death. Protect your workers – read the inspection notice below.

Businesses and their insurers have experienced catastrophic losses resulting from incidents involving terrorism, environmental impacts, mold, asbestos and defective workmanship. Consequently, pressure has increased on business insurers to limit the availability of certain coverages, substantially increase the cost of others and reduce claims. MCAA’s Insurance for Catastrophes provides information about various coverages along with solutions to help contractors protect their businesses. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

April will be here before we know it, and so will our first Field Leaders Conference. Field leaders who attend the April 3-5, 2023, event in Scottsdale, AZ, will return with the skills they need to be business- and results-oriented managers focused on growing company profits and brand. Grow your field leaders’ skill set while at the same time supporting the Arizona MCA, our host and MCAA’s newest affiliate. Register your team today!

Twenty-two MCAA Student Chapters submitted a proposal for the National Western Center Campus Energy project.  Congratulations to the Final Four and Merit Award teams. The teams will present their proposals on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 28th at MCAA23 in Phoenix, AZ.

MCAA member Ridge Tool Company’s RIDGID® brand is celebrating 100 years of designing and building innovative tools trusted on jobsites around the world and handed down from generation to generation. To commemorate the occasion, RIDGID is celebrating the trades, their impact on our world, and the brand’s legacy. MCAA congratulates everyone at Ridge Tool Company on achieving this milestone.

Your field leaders are professionals who build people as much as they do projects. Do they have the skills needed to motivate people, use influence over authority and mentor, coach and empower their crews? Mark Breslin’s presentation at the Field Leaders Conference offers new ideas, strategies and tools to help them enhance crew performance. Your field leaders will leave Mark’s presentation with a new level of energy and vision for their future.

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

Join us and register today for NCPWB’s Annual Technical Conference/Committee Meeting to learn about the new developments in pipe welding, as well as network with friends, colleagues and new acquaintances. This year’s conference will take place at Sonesta Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC, April 23-25, 2023. 

The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC) invites MCAA members to participate in its 2023 Union Craft Labor Supply Survey, the industry’s only union-specific survey focused on construction and maintenance. The survey is once again being conducted in conjunction with the Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC).

The spring 2023 MSCA classes are on the calendar and open for registration! MSCA provides focused training programs for your sales and operational personnel. This collection of programs, unlike any other, provide the continued training to set your employees apart in the HVACR industry.

There’s a reason that MCAA’s Institute for Project Management (IPM) team love what they do: it’s the students. The members of classes 83 and 84 were no exception. Seventy-two participants from MCAA member companies consistently brought their A-game to every class: from Negotiation to Cost Control, from Scheduling to Change Order Negotiation. With enthusiasm and curiosity, they studied and practiced tried-and-true strategies taught by our seasoned contractor-instructors, asked great questions, and learned as much from each other as from our expert instructors. Congratulations to our newest IPM graduates!

Union representation rates in the construction industry fell slightly in 2022, decreasing to 12.4%, with 1,076,000 of the 8,671,000 workers “represented” by unions, down from 13.6% in 2021 (1,112, 000 of the 8,157,000 employed).  Among those 1,076,000 represented by unions, 1,019,000 were classified as union members, leaving some 57,000 (roughly 5%) of the remainder classified as represented by unions (covered by a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) but not reported as union members.

To compete successfully in today’s marketplace, mechanical construction, mechanical service and plumbing contractors need to market their businesses and the products and services they offer to existing and potential customers. To be effective in those efforts, they need to know the basics about planning, developing and using a marketing program. MCAA’s Guide to Marketing Your Business provides those basics to help contractors conceive ideas and assemble them into a successful plan that will help their businesses grow and thrive. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

A student from Northern Kentucky University was recently hired by U.S. Engineering after using the new GreatFutures job board to find a internship. Congratulations to Logan Ocker and U.S. Engineering!

With modern building practices, MEP contractors must coordinate precisely in their design and building for jobs to be profitable. In Austin, Texas, members from MCAA, NECA and SMACNA extended that collaboration at the MEP Innovation Conference. Members of the three associations came together to learn from each other on how new technologies are impacting their businesses.

The MCAA Innovative Technology Committee recognized Doug Smith from Dynamic Systems, Inc. as the 2023 Innovator of the Year at the annual MEP Innovation Conference hosted by MCAA, NECA and SMACNA last week in Austin, Texas. Smith is the director of VDC technology at Dynamic Systems, Inc., a Texas-based contractor, and leads the design and coordination process between a team of over 120 people.

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

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

High employee turnover of professional staff is a major issue facing the mechanical contracting industry today. It can have a massive impact on a contractor’s productivity and bottom line. MCAA’s Retention of Professional Staff outlines specific strategies that contractors can implement to increase their ability to retain employees as well as metrics that can be used to measure the effectiveness of these initiatives. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Kathryn Crosby, owner and founder of C2 Consulting, Inc. Kathryn’s newest course gives project managers an inside look at how their projects impact company finances. Her other courses share the good operational practices and solid procedures field and office leaders need to deliver less problem prone projects, reduce duplication of effort, and allow companies to measure tangible results.

Baker Group, an MCAA member, is celebrating 60 years in business. Founded as a small plumbing contractor in 1963 on the east side of Des Moines, Baker Group now provides design, installation and servicing solutions to commercial, industrial and institutional building clients. MCAA congratulates the entire Baker Group team on achieving this milestone.

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

Only three weeks remain to register for MCAA23 and secure the Early Bird rates! Your convention registration gets you full access to all MCAA23 has to offer including: all major general sessions, education seminars, the Manufacturer/Supplier Council product display and trade show, social events and, of course, a private concert with MatchBox Twenty! However there are also some major unadvertised perks included such as impeccable networking opportunities, the chance to expand your contact list and the opportunity to turn business relationships into friendships that last a lifetime. Register today!

Phil Petillo is the MCA of New Jersey’s (MCANJ) new executive director. Phil has been the association’s education director for 10 years. During that time, he has made many improvements to the association’s instructional programs. He was also an integral part of communicating industry-related information, scheduling, planning, labor relations and working with MCAA. In making the announcement, MCANJ President Richard Tomaiko noted that, “Phil has demonstrated his ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and cordially. His personality and determination will undoubtedly lead to the continued success and development of the MCANJ and the Industry.” Marty Drobny will continue working with MCANJ during the transition period.

Every company should have plans to deal with emergencies and disasters. Well-executed plans can save lives, minimize the loss of assets, and even save the entire business. MCAA’s Disaster Recovery: Getting Your Business Back in Operation After a Disaster provides tips to help you develop and manage your company’s emergency response so that a disaster does not result in catastrophic losses for your business. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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.

The National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau (NCPWB) has released a new Technical Bulletin that explains what is required to qualify a welding operator and how to properly complete the QW-484 form.

College students across the country are gearing up to go back to school for the spring semester. Following a relaxing winter break, their #1 priority will be to secure a summer internship or full-time position. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to put your company in the spotlight! Post your entry level, full-time job or internship today and successfully growing your workforce.

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

MCAA has realigned some staff responsibilities for the future. Sean McGuire is the new Executive Director, JRGF (John R. Gentille Foundation). He continues in his role as Executive Director, Innovation Technologies & Fabrication. Sean has turned over his Plumbing Contractors of America (PCA) role to Teresa Pezzi, who also handles the Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA), a natural fit since mechanical and plumbing service frequently go hand in hand. Teresa’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) role has transitioned to Michaela Mueller, who continues as Director, Special Projects & Initiatives. Please join us in congratulating them on their new roles!

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. To kick off the year, we are focusing on new workers. New workers are often the most vulnerable to accidents and injuries. In this month’s kit we have videos, programs, and manuals, including a New Worker Safety Orientation video and several accompanying resources.

Savvy mechanical contractors pay strict attention to the language in standard, preprinted contract forms and make modifications to protect themselves. MCAA’s Managing Killer Contract Clauses provides examples of killer contract clauses and suggestions for modifying the language to eliminate unnecessary risk. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

MCAA wants to hear about all of your mechanical contracting interns and has revised the internship grant application process to ensure program success is being rewarded and celebrated.  

A clear, written credit policy is a vital part of every well-run mechanical contracting business. MCAA’s Credit Policy Criteria explores the essential ingredients of a credit policy to assist contractors in developing or fine-tuning their own policies. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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

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

The use of permanent HVAC systems to provide temporary heat during construction introduces the possibility of indoor air quality (IAQ) issues down the line. MCAA’s Temporary Usage of HVAC Equipment explains why temporary heating, cooling and dehumidification equipment specifically designed for use during construction is preferable. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Bassett Mechanical, an MCAA member, announced several leadership promotions that position the company for continued growth as well as delivering on its vision of Creating Customers for Life®. Jerod Steigenberger will become President of the 86-year-old family enterprise. Kim Bassett will assume the role of Chairperson of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Bill Bassett will become Chairman Emeritus. Patty Van Ryzin will be the Chief Human Resource Officer.

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

The MSCA Sales Leadership Symposium is taught by leading service contractors and designed for HVACR service sales leaders who are responsible for any aspect of sales in their company. Attendees will learn new ways to drive revenue growth, enhance the sales team’s productivity, and ensure employee retention. There are still a few spots left, so don’t delay! 

MCAA will be hosting four Field Leaders Conferences in 2023 to welcome as many field personnel as possible. Help your field personnel become leaders by sending them to Scottsdale, AZ (April 3-5), Chicago, IL (May 17-19), San Francisco, CA (August 2-4) or Des Moines, IA (October 11-13). We will offer the same education in all four locations, ensuring your team receives high-quality education at the date and location most convenient for your company. Register your team today!

Employees working in warehouses and tool rooms manage tens of thousands of tools used in the installation, maintenance, and repair of plumbing and mechanical systems. MCAA’s Bluetooth for Tool Management provides an overview of Bluetooth technology to assist those considering a move to a Bluetooth tool management solution. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

College students across the country are finishing up finals and heading home for winter break. Following a few days of post-finals rest, their #1 priority will be to secure a summer internship or full-time position. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to put your company in the spotlight during the golden weeks between semesters! Post your entry level, full-time job or internship today and ring in the new year to successfully growing your workforce.

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.

Did you know that the MCAA currently has more than 50 worker and supervisor safety training videos? Each year MCAA’s Safety Excellence Initiative produces several new training videos, programs, guides, posters, toolbox talks and other resources. Our recently updated safety resource page helps members quickly identify the newly produced videos and resources to stay up to date with regulations and ahead of the curve with safety and health.

The future of MCAA is fundamentally linked to the quality of the individuals who serve on its Board of Directors. MCAA members who would like to be considered for one of three vacancies are encouraged to learn more and complete the application. Applications should be returned no later than January 13, 2023. Candidates and their spokespersons will be scheduled for interviews at the 2023 MCAA Annual Convention. Those who are selected will begin their terms in March 2023.

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

Mechanical contractors may benefit from Employee Stock Ownership Plans, innovative planning devices allowing for tax-favored transfers of stock ownership in a closely held business. MCAA’s Employee Stock Ownership Plans reviews the benefits and disadvantages of these plans to assist in strategic planning. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Mental health awareness is a growing priority in the mechanical industry. At the 2023 MCAA Safety Conference, hear from Josh Rizzo, a Bronze Star Medal recipient and longtime construction industry expert, on how to lead while taking care of yourself and the teams you serve. Join us January 17-19, 2023, in San Diego, CA. Register today!

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

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

Winger Companies tackled two challenges—the growing scale of its fabrication projects and a tight labor market—with Watts-Mueller machines that allowed them to do more with fewer people. General Manager Mike Smith said, “We increased our finished fabrications while cutting the cost of both consumables and manhours.”

Head injuries are preventable…all 50,000 per year! To celebrate 20 years of safety excellence, MCAA is releasing five impactful videos in 2023 to help improve safety & health across the entire industry.

To maintain project schedules and costs, mechanical contractors must purchase major equipment and materials as soon as they receive the notice to proceed. MCAA’s Why Mechanical Contractors Should be Paid for Materials Stored On and Off the Jobsite explains the importance of prompt payment for material storage, insurance and handling in maintaining working capital. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Leah Gutmann, owner of First Forward Consulting, LLC. Leah teaches instructors to enhance their skills, managers to build leadership skills, and finance teams to meet company objectives.

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

MCAA is on track to have the highest number of safety professionals in one place in over 20 years at MCAA’s 2023 Safety Conference. The event will include 50+ hours of education and training, keynote speeches on safety leadership, and a celebration of safety. We will once again be joined by our partners in safety, the United Association. Join us January 17-19, 2023, in San Diego, CA. Register today!

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

Ohio-based mechanical contractor Geauga Mechanical Company keeps projects on track and recoups more than 750 office hours annually through eSUB CLOUD’s project management and time tracking software. Prior to transitioning to eSUB, the contractor’s paper-based system of time reporting required field employees to call in to the office weekly or submit written time sheets that had to be reviewed, approved, and then manually entered into the accounting system.

We are thrilled to congratulate this year’s graduates of MCAA’s Advanced Leadership Institute. On November 17th, the 36 members of ALI Class 22 received their diplomas, and joined the ranks of those who have completed MCAA’s premier executive leadership program. MCAA’s President Bob Bolton (ALI graduate, Class 16) and CEO Tim Brink (ALI graduate, Class 1) joined our ALI contractor-facilitators to celebrate and recognize the accomplishments of this year’s graduating class. They, much like the UNC faculty who led our sessions, were repeatedly impressed by the incredible dedication, enthusiasm, and engagement of the ALI participants.

Mechanical contractors must protect their company’s interests when hiring subcontractors to assist with projects. MCAA’s Suggested Subcontract Form reviews terms and conditions commonly used in subcontract agreements as a starting point for discussions with your company’s legal representatives. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA, NECA and SMACNA’s 2023 MEP Innovation Conference in Austin, TX on January 11-13, 2023 is almost sold out! This three-day event will include innovative presentations, collaborative roundtable discussions, and hands-on exhibitor demonstrations highlighting the recent technologies that can improve MEP contractors’ productivity and profitability. Be sure to register by December 1st to receive our early bird pricing!

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is proving to make a lasting impression on those who attend based on the overwhelming amount of positive feedback. Three Field Leaders Conferences were held this year, bringing a total of 474 field personnel through the program in Rochester, NY (May), Indianapolis, IN (October) and Kansas City, MO (November). Read on to hear from those attendees, and find out where and when our 2023 conferences are planned, then watch mcaa.org for registration information in the next month.

On Tuesday, November 15, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it will begin accepting applications from states for $250 million in funding for energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits of commercial buildings. States may apply to DOE for seed money to start their own energy efficiency revolving loan fund that can be used to fund energy efficient upgrades or retrofits in the state. If a state already has an energy efficient revolving loan fund, this money can be used to bolster existing programs. Once state programs are set up, these monies will ultimately provide low or no cost funding to potential customers of MCAA members seeking to make energy efficient upgrades to their facilities.

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like James McCarl, a nationally recognized speaker and strategist. James 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.

The future of MCAA is fundamentally linked to the quality of the individuals who serve on its Board of Directors. MCAA members who would like to be considered for one of three vacancies are encouraged to learn more and complete the application. Applications should be returned no later than January 13, 2023. Candidates and their spokespersons will be scheduled for interviews at the 2023 MCAA Annual Convention. Those who are selected will begin their terms in March 2023.

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

Facing a tight labor market, Warwick Mechanical Group turned to XOi for technology solutions that make it easy for less-seasoned technicians to get information and communicate with supervisors and customers quickly. Warwick’s revenue reached around $115 million in 2021, and Ron Clark, vice president of Service, credits solutions like XOi with contributing to that success.

MCAA’s 2022 Fabrication Conference showcased how mechanical contractors are adopting and innovating in the built environment. McKinstry Company, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, hosted the tour this year and demonstrated to attendees how integrated digital design, collaboration and fabrication are creating a path for contractors that leverages combined productivity into profitability.

Worker safety and health is a top priority for mechanical contractors. MCAA’s Company Safety Programs reviews ten basic components that should be covered in every company safety program, regardless of company size, giving contractors food for thought as they review their own company’s program. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

NEMCA’s WiMI New England committee hosted its inaugural meeting on Friday, October 14, 2022. The group is committed to championing women in the mechanical industry by providing professional development, support, advocacy and networking opportunities for females across the region.

The clock is ticking on end of the year to-do lists. Have you secured your summer intern for 2023? While this may seem like an item that can be pushed to the bottom of your list, most students are already committing to summer plans before 2022 comes to a close. This is especially true for May graduates looking for full time employment. MCAA recently updated its Job Board to make posting internships and entry level full-time positions easy. Take the first step to filling those openings – post your positions today!

On October 29, 2022, JPG Plumbing and Mechanical Services, Inc. teamed up with Kingdom Investors and Kids Against Hunger to donate and package meals for thousands suffering from starvation and malnutrition. Kids Against Hunger partners with organizations like JPG in bringing people together to make a difference feeding starving children and their families throughout 70 countries. JPG employees, their family members, friends, and vendor partners packaged more than 42,000 meals for distribution by Convoy of Hope to feed families in Haiti. This is the second year JPG has partnered with Kids Against Hunger, and they will continue to make this an annual event.

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

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Kevin Dougherty, who uses his industry experience to provide tangible solutions to today’s problems in an easy-to-listen-to style.

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

MCAA’s 2023 Safety Conference includes 50+ hours of education from subject matter experts, plus inspiring keynote speakers like Connie Podesta. Connie will take you inside the minds of your most difficult employees and give you the tools to turn negative attitudes into positive, entitlement into accountability, complacency into productivity, complaining into solutions and “that’s not my job” into ownership. Join us January 17-19, 2023, in San Diego, CA. Register today!

Close collaboration between IMI TA, a branch of IMI Hydronic Engineering, and building designers led to a 23-percent savings in annual energy consumption (equivalent to $19,341) for an Oklahoma public building. The Lawton Public Safety Facility in Clay Coe, OK, is a 100,000-square-foot, four-story building with 350 working stations. The original design strategy for the facility included proportional control valves with no balancing valve on each terminal and a variable speed pump (VSP) differential pressure (DP) sensor.

The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) has partnered with ELECTRI International (NECA) and the New Horizons Foundation (SMACNA) to assess and produce a detailed report on construction contracting best practices. Our collaboration is meant to provide industry-wide data that supports our members’ contract negotiations and guidance on better contract language to reduce liability. With better practices in place, risk can be shifted away from trade contractors to the appropriate party, leading to a more profitable industry overall.

A student from Ball State University was recently hired by U.S. Engineering after using the new GreatFutures job board to find a summer internship. Congratulations to Reece Manning and U.S. Engineering!

The HVACR industry is faced with a labor shortage, rapidly changing technology, and the emerging challenge of building electrification. With that in mind, Daikin, the largest manufacturer of HVACR equipment and the United Association are joining forces to tackle these challenges. On October 25, 2022, a new training lab was opened for business at the Steamfitters Technology Center in Harmony, PA.

While direct purchasing appears to offer advantages, hidden pitfalls may increase costs and delay project completion. MCAA’s Why Mechanical Contractors Should Furnish Equipment examines these advantages and pitfalls, giving contractors a well-rounded perspective on owner concerns and how best to address them. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Each year, MCAA provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for senior project managers, project executives, and operations directors to come together and hone their skills at our Advanced Institute for Project Management.This 5-day intensive program will take place January 29 – February 2, 2023, in Austin, TX, and only a few seats remain. Don’t delay – register today!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Sloan, an MCAA member, with a 2022 WaterSense Excellence Award for helping people save water. In recognition of its commitment to promoting WaterSense and water efficiency in 2021, Sloan was honored during the WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference and Exposition October 6 in Las Vegas along with 33 other awardees – utilities, manufacturers, builders, retailers, and other organizations that partner with WaterSense to promote water-efficient products, homes, and programs. Congratulations to the entire Sloan team!

Keeping up with the latest and greatest mechanical innovations is a daunting task for contractors. Finding the time to research, test and implement new technologies feels like an impossible task. One of the only ways to keep up is to learn from others. The 2023 MEP Innovation Conference is constructed around that concept – learning from others. Register now to join us January 11-13, 2023, in Austin, Texas!

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Nancy Bandy, Managing Director of TRAINSITIONS Consulting Group LLC. Nancy provides service contractors and employees with the skills they need to build on the company’s relationships and success.

When Sacramento-based Air Systems Service & Construction (ASSC) began shopping for new software, their main priority was improving customer experience. Within eight months of adopting ServiceTrade’s commercial service software in 2021, ASSC was already seeing significant improvements in customer communication and increasing efficiency.

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

HVACR service companies that are thinking about adding plumbing to their company’s service offerings will benefit from MSCA’s new Plumbing Service 101 resource. In a series of five modules, Plumbing Service 101 highlights the benefits of offering plumbing service and investment challenges to consider before taking the leap. It also provides tips and resources that may be of interest to those with existing plumbing service operations.

A new report by Independent Project Analysis (IPA), an independent international construction project engineering and research firm, shows that union mechanical contractors were 15% more productive than non-union contractors, with a more than 40% reduction in risks of cost and schedule overruns. It further reveals that the total cost of union projects was 4% less than non-union projects. The report is based on an analysis of 1,550 capital projects on industrial facilities across the United States over the past 20 years.

Faced with limited space in a new fabrication shop, Shinn Mechanical workers designed an articulating weld boom. MCAA’s Articulating Weld Boom provides details about this innovative device that lets fabricators perform any type of welding, including TIG, without any cords or hoses on the floor. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

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.

Limbach Company LLC of Eastern PA, an MCAA and MSCA member, has been recognized as one of Philadelphia’s Top Workplaces by the Philadelphia Inquirer. This is the company’s fourth year in a row on the list. This year’s list recognizes 178 companies and organizations in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley. “We are being recognized for something I have always known about this branch: we really do live out our core value of ‘we care’ – collectively and individually. We care about the work we do, the people we are, and those that we serve. This award goes to each of you for caring so deeply about our family here at Limbach,” Andy Wiegand, the company’s Vice President & Branch Manager, said to the team. MCAA congratulates everyone at Limbach.

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Kathryn Crosby, owner and founder of C2 Consulting, Inc. Kathryn gives field and office leadership teams the good operational practices and solid procedures they need to deliver less problem prone projects, reduce duplication of effort, and allow your company to measure tangible results.

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

For decades, plumbing contractors have used inflatable or plumbing test balls to perform drain, waste, and vent (DWV) testing for new pipe installations, as required by plumbing code. But those traditional DWV testing systems often slow the plumber’s job down and can put them at risk of physical harm. In today’s world of labor shortages, plumbers and contractors need the best technologies available to get the job done efficiently and safely.

Retention of company records is critical for many reasons, especially the potential for litigation involving a construction project. MCAA’s Records Retention provides guidelines for establishing or refining a company’s records retention policy. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like C. Richard Barnes and Casey Elford, experienced mediators and trainers. Richard and Casey help emerging and high potential leaders build the skills they need to succeed in mechanical contracting.

The future of MCAA is fundamentally linked to the quality of the individuals who serve on its Board of Directors. MCAA members who would like to be considered for one of three vacancies are encouraged to learn more and complete the application. Applications should be returned no later than January 13, 2023. Candidates and their spokespersons will be scheduled for interviews at the 2023 MCAA Annual Convention. Those who are selected will begin their terms in March 2023.

F+F Mechanical Enterprises, an MCAA member, has been recognized as one of Connecticut’s Top Workplaces by the Hearst Connecticut Media Group. This is the company’s first year on the list, which includes 59 employers in a variety of sectors. Recognition is based on employee feedback. The survey results determine whether an organization makes the list and where it ranks on the list. “We are honored to receive this recognition and want to thank all our employees for their continued support and dedication to our mission of customer satisfaction,” said John Ferrucci, LEED AP, the company’s Vice President and MCAA board member. MCAA congratulates the entire F+F team.

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

National accounting firm Withum’s thought leaders will explore relevant topics to help your business stay agile and dynamic in the fast-changing business world during Withum’s Business and Finance Symposium: Future-Proofing your Business in an Era of Unknowns (November 9 and 16, 2022, from 1:00 – 5:00 PM ET). The online program will cover trending Tax and A&A concepts and discuss cryptocurrency, supply chain, transaction readiness, navigating turnover, and more.

Since the beginning of 2022, Har-Con has played a crucial part in a school expansion project, using MIFAB’s Quick Hub couplings and fixture carriers to stay on track. “The quick coupling is a great product that has saved Har-Con time and money through material cost and labor savings,” said Travis Welch, Har-Con project estimator.

As we make the final arrangements for the MCAA 2022 Fabrication Conference, we want to take a moment and announce the volunteer event details and pre-conference session schedule as a new option this year.

Nearly 70 volunteers from the Madison Area Mechanical and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (MSC) and United Association (UA) Steamfitters Local 601 serviced the homes of 59 veterans during the 34th Annual Heat’s On event on Saturday, October 8, 2022. The annual event ensures the safety of those who served our country.

Joint ventures share project control, management, profits, and losses. MCAA’s Joint Ventures provides guidance to help contractors determine when a joint venture may be beneficial. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA is celebrating 20 years of safety excellence with our 20th anniversary safety conference. New this year, an extended learning (add-on) course will prepare safety professionals for the Board of Certified Safety Professionals’ Certified Safety Professional (CSP) exam. The course, which is limited to 20 students, is sponsored by MCAA’s newest Manufacturer/Supplier Council member, ClickSafety.

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

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Woody Woodall, the managing principal of Customer Focused Solutions, Inc. Woody focuses on the building blocks of what makes a healthy and successful service company, with an emphasis on customer service, team-building and effective communication.

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

Join the MCAA family and Make Your Moments with us at MCAA23! MCAA23 will be held at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge in Phoenix, Arizona, March 26 – 30, 2023. For those wanting a little more space away from the eye of the storm, we also have rooms at the nearby all-suite Marriott McDowell Mountain Resort. Register today to ensure your preferred room at your preferred property.

MSCA conducted a 2022 comprehensive benchmark survey to obtain current data on key performance indicators (KPIs) in the HVACR and plumbing service industry. The results were very insightful and sure to be beneficial to all MSCA members. The full report is now available, results are presented in two formats, one is overall results and the second is broken down by company size which can provide specific insight relevant to your company.

Mark Caudle, shop foreman of W.E. Bowers, estimated saving at least $35,000 per year and 20–­30 hours of labor per week by taking full advantage of the PypeServer software that came with one of its CNC pipe profilers. W.E. Bowers, a mechanical construction, service, and repair firm serving Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, operates a 42,000-square-foot steel shop with six overhead cranes, CNC pipe profilers from both Watts and Vernon (each running PypeServer Enterprise), and 11 pipe turners and automated welding stations, each with a certified welder and a shared fitter.

It is said that imitation is the best form of flattery. In construction, imitation is the best form of profitability. Learning how innovative contractors have applied new technologies, processes and concepts is not only the first step in improving your company, but also an essential time and frustration saver. The 2023 MEP Innovation conference will help you do just that with peers from across the MEP trades. You won’t want to miss it! Register now to join us January 11-13, 2023, in Austin, Texas!

Planning is essential to the successful completion of any job. MCAA’s Pre-Job Conferences outlines the importance of the pre-job conference as a planning tool and includes a sample agenda for use at these meetings. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Greg Fuller, Owner and CEO of North Mechanical Contracting, Inc., North Mechanical Services, Inc., NewJac Industrial, LLC, and Integrated Modular Construction, LLC. Greg provides a comprehensive look at fabrication that is ideal for anyone interested in starting or expanding their fabrication process.

Still looking for an intern or full-time new hire? Checkout MCAA’s newly revised job board to post your open positions to a network of student chapter members from close to 50 student chapters from across the U.S. and Canada.

Checkout MCAA’s newly revised job board to find open positions across the country. These positions are posted by MCAA member companies looking to hire students specifically affiliated with an MCAA student chapter.

The National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau (NCPWB) has released a new Technical Bulletin that explains how to protect welders from exposure to welding fumes and minimize health risks.

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

Registration opens for the 2023 MCAA Annual Convention in seven days, and we’re going to give you seven reasons to mark your calendar to register on October 10.

In September 2020, the MCA of New Jersey’s leadership decided to donate the funds from its annual golf fundraiser to two nonprofit organizations: Convoy of Hope and Fulfill Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean counties. What began in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic has since become an annual act of goodwill that is celebrated among the association’s membership. To date, MCANJ has donated $150,000 to the organizations.

Training is key in driving desired systematic improvement in any organization. Yet many businesses see training as an optional cost rather than as a necessary investment with a significant return. Consequently, training often drops to the very bottom of companies’ priorities. Prioritizing training, however, makes your employees more productive, more profitable while at work, and more committed to your organization.

The Advanced Institute for Project Management (AIPM) is a unique, once-a-year educational experience designed for individuals with 8+ years of project management experience. Senior Project Managers, Project Executives, and Operations Directors are invited to attend this 5-day intensive program, which will take place January 29 – February 2, 2023, in Austin, TX. Register your project leaders today!

Subcontractors are often required to enroll in “wrap-up” insurance and loss control programs that cover the owner, general contractor (GC) and all subcontractors on a project. MCAA’s What Are the Pros and Cons of OCIPs and CCIPs? explains the benefits and drawbacks of two commonly used types of wrap-ups: the Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP) and the Contractor Controlled Insurance Program (CCIP). It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Mark Rogers, President of West Chester Mechanical Contractors, an HVAC, service and plumbing contractor that serves the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. Mark sheds light on how interactions and decisions made in the field impact all areas of a company.

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.

Your field leaders are the face of your company. Are they prepared to communicate effectively, bridge conflict and personality clashes and protect your company’s image? Kevin Dougherty’s presentation at the Field Leaders Conference provides the tricks and tactics they need to get even the most difficult people eating out of their hands, plus other ideas for improving communication with crews, other subs, management and owners.

MCAA is excited to open registration for our 20th Annual Safety Conference. As the longest running skilled trade safety conference, we will be offering over 50 hours of training and education, including three incredible keynote speeches on safety leadership, mental health, and safety management. The conference will also include a special 20th anniversary celebration at PETCO Park hosted by MCAA’s Board of Directors. Join us January 17-19, 2023 in San Diego, California.

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

W.D. Manor Mechanical Contractors devised a better, safer dialysis box plumbing system, and now they are partnering with Whitehall Manufacturing, a division of Morris Group International, to manufacture and market the system. The W.D. Manor All-In-One Modular Dialysis Box by Whitehall® (model numbers 8193 and 8194) is easier and faster to install than traditional systems. Banner University Medical Center of Phoenix, AZ, installed the All-In-One Modular Dialysis Boxes in a major expansion project, saving hundreds of hours compared with traditional dialysis systems.

Looking for an intern or full-time new hire? Checkout MCAA’s newly revised job board to post your open positions to a network of student chapter members from close to 50 student chapters from across the U.S. and Canada.

Having interns working at MCAA member companies is a win-win for the mechanical contracting industry. Employers get top talent and build a pipeline for future employees. Students gain experience, create connections, develop skills and further their interest in mechanical contracting. Internship grants funded by the John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) reward both the hiring company and the student.

Employee reviews are powerful tools in the performance improvement process. MCAA’s Employee Reviews provides guidelines and samples to help ensure a productive and beneficial review process for employees and their managers. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

National accounting firm Withum shares information to help you understand the tax implications of the recent Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ruling addressing the proper treatment of improperly forgiven paycheck protection program (PPP) loans. The IRS ruled that the PPP loan forgiveness amount is not tax-free, even if the Small Business Administration (SBA) and lender granted the borrower full loan forgiveness, if the taxpayer did not satisfy the factual requirements for loan forgiveness.

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.

The Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago hosted its first Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) meeting on August 29, 2022. The Mechanical Contractors Association of Chicago is proud to host its own WiMI committee and provide these resources to the women in its membership, such as professional, networking, and educational events.

Many in the field may not realize how their daily job impacts the people they work with and the bottom line. At the MCAA Field Leaders Conference, your field team can benefit from the know-how of someone who has experienced it all in The Foreman’s Impact on Profitability session led by MCAA member Mark Rogers. Rogers began his career as a Steamfitter Apprentice in 1986 with Local 420 in Philadelphia, went on to start his own mechanical contracting company in 1996 and served as MCAA President in 2011. He volunteers around the country presenting his “Real Cost of a Man Hour” and has given the talk over 125 times to over 20,000 UA Members. Rogers is passionate about education for everyone in the industry and tailored his presentation at the Field Leaders Conference specifically so those in the field can better understand and appreciate their overall role and impact on a job.

2023 might seem like a far way off, but early registrants are not only taking advantage of the early-bird rate for the 2023 MEP Innovation Conference, but also spots in the facility tours. After a week of registrations, contractors have nearly filled the first release of tours at MCAA and SMACNA member Dynamic Systems Inc. The tours will include an explanation of DSI’s VDC operations and its integration to its sheet metal, plumbing and piping fabrication. More tours are to come. Register now to network with peers from multiple trades across the country and learn about industry advancements for the future of the MEP trades, January 11-13, 2023, in Austin, Texas!

As fabrication progresses towards manufacturing, a new approach is being taken that mirrors industrial manufacturing. For mechanical and plumbing contractors, this new approach involves a network of fabrication facilities, VDC resources and jobsite construction crews that work together to design and build projects as efficiently as possible. The 2022 MCAA Fabrication Conference, powered by MSUITE will be hosted by McKinstry Company, who will share insight into their network of shops approach. Registration is temporarily sold out while we secure additional hotel rooms. If interested, sign up for the waitlist.

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

Gain knowledge of what Industry Funds are, the best way to use them, and even what not to do with them when you join us for MCAA’s Industry Funds Conference (IFC) November 30 – December 2, 2022, in Longboat Key, FL. The IFC, formerly the Industry Improvement Funds Conference, will address geofencing, tied in with marketing; discuss how to better involve future leaders; and highlight how diversity is linked to the funds. We will hear from legal representatives, as well as CNA ‘s cybersecurity and insurance expert. If you collect or contribute to industry funds, you won’t want to miss it. Register today!

MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) Initiative wants to give a big shout out to WiMI Vice Chair Wendy Glauber! She was recently named a 2022 Women of Influence Honoree in the Executive Category through Buffalo Business First.

General Piping, Inc. counted on NIBCO grooved butterfly valves to meet the strict deadlines of a high school renovation project. “NIBCO’s grooved butterfly valves were easy and fast to install, and they’ve performed well,” said Justin Richardson, project manager, who led the renovation of Lawrence Central High School in Indianapolis, IN.

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference gives field leaders at all levels the skills, understanding, and inspiration to positively impact your company’s bottom line. This is an investment that will pay off throughout their careers. Can you afford not to send them? The conference will offer the same education in Indianapolis, IN (October 12-14, 2022) and Kansas City, MO (November 2-4, 2022). Register your field leaders today!

Unit prices are difficult to establish and even more difficult to utilize to establish a fair and equitable price for changes to contract work. MCAA’s Unit Pricing highlights the pitfalls of this pricing method and provides guidelines to help you avoid them. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The 2022-2023 John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) scholarship and grant applications are now available and are due on December 15th. Over $65,000 will be awarded to MCAA student chapter members during the Awards of Excellence Breakfast at MCAA23. Apply today!

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

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Tom Williams, a retired mechanical contractor who shows contractors how to prosper while adding value to the complete construction process.

Your foremen didn’t get where they are by coasting. They’re good at what they do, and they can get even better by cultivating the attributes of great foremen. Greg Fuller, whose career spans from apprentice to company president and MCAA President, will lead a discussion of the top 10 attributes of great foremen. He will inspire your field leaders with new ideas and energy, to look at their role differently through an important professional lens, so they come back highly motivated to strive for greatness.

The future of MCAA is fundamentally linked to the quality of the individuals who serve on its Board of Directors. MCAA members who would like to be considered for one of three vacancies are encouraged to learn more and complete the application. Applications should be returned no later than January 13, 2023. Candidates and their spokespersons will be scheduled for interviews at the 2023 MCAA Annual Convention. Those who are selected will begin their terms in March 2023.

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

Technology and innovation are evolving rapidly, and it is critical that field leaders be educated to keep pace. MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference lets field leaders explore the latest offerings from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council. By asking questions, they gain a fresh understanding of how those offerings impact project performance. They return ready to share these insights to help maximize your company’s ROI. That’s just one example of how the industry-specific content gives field leaders the skills, understanding, and inspiration to positively impact their company’s bottom line. The conference will offer the same education in Indianapolis, IN (October 12-14, 2022) and Kansas City, MO (November 2-4, 2022). Register your field leaders today!

Plumbing a new Sloan showroom comes with high expectations, so Great Lakes Plumbing and Heating Company placed a priority on early coordination and constant communication with Sloan and its construction company, Skender, throughout the project. That partnership paid off when the project faced some roadblocks, which Great Lakes Plumbing resolved using Sloan products.

Once again, MCAA has partnered with NECA and SMACNA to host the MEP 2023 Innovation Conference. This three-day event will include innovative presentations, collaborative roundtable discussions and hands-on exhibitor demonstrations highlighting the recent technologies that can improve MEP contractors’ productivity and profitability. Register now to network with peers from multiple trades across the country and learn about industry advancements for the future of the MEP trades, January 11-13 in Austin, Texas!

Effective written communication is focused, clear and aims to accomplish a purpose. MCAA’s Business Writing for Success provides guidelines to help you consider and deliver messages that achieve the desired result. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

Construction is a hard and high-stress profession and has one of the highest rates of suicide in the nation. This month, MCAA has joined forces with NECA, SMACNA and TAUC to acknowledge those affected by suicide, help raise awareness about mental health and connect individuals with treatment services. Our four trade associations are uniting behind fixing this problem and shining a light on the importance of your mental health. Together we have released a chip with the new suicide and crisis prevention number; #988.

The R-22 phaseout is fast-approaching… are you prepared? Are your customers? The key is to start planning now. Watch MSCA’s Phaseout Webinar, hosted by BuildOps.

Our industry will change more in the next 5 years than it did in the last 50. Are your field leaders equipped to evolve along with it? Chris Haslinger served his apprenticeship with UA Local 50 and has held various roles throughout his career with the UA. With a career focused on education and training, Chris has seen the evolution of how jobs are performed first-hand. He has played a primary role in developing UA projects that embrace new technologies, including sustainable technology programs, energy audits and retrofits, CAD/BIM programs and technology in supervisory roles.

Don’t miss out on the MCAA Converge, a unique and intimate event that offers customized executive-to-executive meetings tailored to meet your company’s needs. The approach brings together top decision-makers from MCAA contractor and MCAA Manufacturer/Supplier Council members, engaging in strategic and innovation-based discussions. Don’t delay – register today for the November 14 – 16, 2022, event in Arlington, TX. Registration closes September 16, 2022.