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Affiliated Association Executives Share Best Practices in Association Management

The 2017 Association Executives Council (AEC) Best Practices Conference was an in-depth examination of best practices in association management. Attendees participated in interactive discussions covering a variety of topics over the course of the three-day conference including executive leadership, collective bargaining issues, industry funds management and developing future association leaders.

United Association General President Mark McManus and Assistant General President Mike Pleasant, joined the conference Tuesday morning to give an overview of recent UA news and developments and participate in an interactive discussion with the local affiliates. MCAA President Greg Fuller and UA/MCAA Joint Strategic Planning Co-Chair Mark Rogers participated on the panel offering their insights into different areas of the country and the positive relationships they’re seeing between contractors and their labor partners. The 2017 UA/MCAA Labor Relations Conference (November 14 – 15, Las Vegas) became a prime focus of the group’s discussion. General President McManus stressed to attendees the importance of maximum participation from both groups in an effort further solidify the relationship between the UA and MCAA.

Another conference highlight was the announcement of the updates to MCAA’s AEC Best Practices Initiative in support of its affiliated associations. This initiative was introduced at the 2016 conference and, since its induction, MCAA has doubled the offerings available to its local affiliates. This series of programs is designed to provide education and resources to MCAA’s local affiliated associations enabling them to provide exceptional service to their contractor members. The offerings of the AEC Best Practices Initiative are completely underwritten by MCAA.

The conference concluded with current AEC Chair, Dave Davia (MCA of Colorado) stepping down and the introduction of Frank Wall (PMCA of Oregon) as the new AEC Chair, Tony Saporito (MCA of New York) as the Vice Chair and Ed Kommers (MCA of Western Washington) as the new Program Chair. In his new role, Wall addressed the group thanking them for their dedicated conference participation. He stressed the importance of the education this conference brings to local association executives and encouraged attendance at both the UA/MCAA Labor Relations Conference as well as the AEC Best Practices Conference in 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

MSCA CONNECT 2017 – Do You Have a Values-based Company?

Robert Richman at MSCA CONNECT 2017 
Built For Growth – The Value-Based Company

Engaged employees are productive, efficient, and have a great time. This means low turnover, and highly motivated employees you don’t have to micro manage. Values-based companies have employees who manage and motivate themselves. Robert Richman shares stories of the strength of the core values at Zappos.com (a company that became the #6 Best Place to Work in America and #1 in Customer Service), then shares the science behind why they work so well. Once you learn the secrets behind how values work, you will know how to shape culture. Robert shares with you a process to use in discovering and then implementing the values across your organization.

Robert is a culture strategist and co-creator of Zappos Insights, an innovative program focused on educating companies on the secrets behind Zappos’ amazing employee culture. He is also the author of The Culture Blueprint and is a sought after keynote speaker at conferences around the world.

You won’t want to miss Robert’s insightful and engaging session on Tuesday, October 17! Register today for MSCA CONNECT 2017 using the button below.

MSCA 2017 Conference Website

 

Find the Latest from Zurn, Chase Brass and More in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

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

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


Zurn EZ1Zurn Industries, LLC

Contractors have waited long enough for a floor drain that’s easy to install and built for the long haul. Zurn’s EZ1–available in cast iron and plastic–ships complete, and is adjustable and durable.

Learn More

 

Chase Brass Eco BrassChase Brass and Copper Company, LLC
Make sure you know what’s in your parts. Chase Brass and Copper Company, LLC produces patented C69300 ECO BRASS® and C87850 ECO BRONZE® High Performance, Lead-Free Brass. Both alloys are also arsenic-free, bismuth-free and recyclable.

Learn More

Need Something Else?

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

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

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

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

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Register Now for the MCAA Technology Conference November 8 – 10 in Austin, Texas

MCAA’s annual Technology Conference is the one place where mechanical contractors in construction, plumbing, and service can get tech info you can actually use. Designed by contractors in your business, our goal is to provide takeaways for everyone attending. So if you’re a CEO or an IT geek, Director of Operations or BIM ninja, or just about anyone else wanting to know where the mechanical industry is heading and how you can use that knowledge in your company NOW, this conference is for you.

Our goal is to share both the big picture and some details that will help you optimize what you’re doing at your company every day of the week. Take a minute to check out our program, our speakers, and our roundtable plans. The registration fee is only $595 – a special value available only to our members and exhibitors.

Flo-Tron Tackles Outdated Business Processes with Jonas Construction Software

Implementing a fully automated, integrated software solution from Jonas Construction Software helped Flo-Tron Contracting streamline their business, enhance efficiencies, and reduce payroll processing time by 50 percent. “The software we were using prior to Jonas was very limited, and we found ourselves having to regularly pay for external services and consultants to handle many of our business processes. With the fully-integrated nature of Jonas, we could handle all facets of our business in-house, which truly helped us meet all of our needs in a single software solution,” said Kari Cordell, controller at Flo-Tron.

LEARN MORE

Need Solutions for Streamlining Other Processes?

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

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

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Registered Yet for GreatFutures Forum?

Come join us for the 2017 GreatFutures Forum in Indianapolis, IN at the Downtown Marriott, September 28-30. If you have not yet registered, the cut-off date is September 7.

Don’t miss this chance to be part of this unique conference that brings together MCAA members with students from major universities across the U.S. and Canada majoring in construction management, mechanical engineering, architectural engineering and other disciplines related to our industry. The conference is a great way to meet and learn more about these talented young, their interests and their career goals.

The Forum program will give all attendees lots to talk about too.

  • The Futures Fest—a career fair—kicks off the conference;
  • Educational sessions feature industry consultant Kevin Dougherty, MCAA Past President Mark Rogers and one of his project managers Ted McHugh and Futurist Thomas Frey;
  • A series of roundtable discussions, led by MCAA contractor members, about what students should expect when they begin their careers with our industry;
  • A presentation by our 2016 Student Chapter of the Year—the student chapter at the University of Missouri-Columbia;
  • The announcement of the 2017-2018 MCAA Student Chapter Competition Project;
  • The annual mini competition; and
  • A tour of the NCAA Hall of Fame.

There’s no registration fee, so don’t delay signing up for the GreatFutures Forum.  Our website provides all the conference information and the registration form.

Registration for MCAA’s 15th Annual Safety Directors’ Conference Opens October 1, 2017

MCAA’s 15th annual Safety Directors’ Conference will be presented January 23 – 25, 2018 at the San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina. Please mark your calendars so that you won’t miss this incredibly popular, world-class mechanical industry-specific safety and health education and networking conference.

Additional Offerings:

  • MCAA will present pre-conference first aid and CPR/AED classes, and first aid, and CPR AED instructor classes.
  • A post-conference Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) certification preparation workchop will be presented as well.

If you have interest in attending any of the pre or post conference classes, please let us know by sending an e-mail to pchaney@mcaa.org. Please disregard this request if you have already let us know your intentions.

MCAA Releases Safe Pressure Testing of Steel and Copper Piping Systems Worker Safety Training Video & Materials

MCAA’s new worker safety training video, Safe Pressure Testing of Steel and Copper Piping Systems, and its accompanying materials are now available to members. The video walks the viewer through the most common causes of steel and copper piping system pressure testing failures, pretest walk-downs, and general safe work practices for hydrostatic and pneumatic pressure testing.

Download or play the video

There’s More…

Accompanying materials are also available to assist you in highlighting key training points, documenting worker training and confirming that workers understand the training concepts:

Highlight key training points

Download the Pocket Guide

Document worker training

Download the Documentation Sheet

Confirm that workers understand the training concepts

Download the Test

Download the Test Answer Key

Want Even More Safety Resources?

MCAA has you covered, with a full range of resources to help you protect your workers from injury and comply with applicable safety regulations. Here’s where to find them:

On our Direct Links to MCAA & MSCA Safety Resources page, where they’re listed by category with links.

Go there now

In the Resource Center, where you can use the blue Refine Your Search bar to pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for.

Visit the Resource Center

Have questions or need personal assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Pete Chaney.

Josam Company’s Trench Drain Saves Miinc Mechanical Money, Time, and Headaches

With its light weight and easy installation, Josam Company’s Pro-Plus trench drain system not only minimized hassle for Miinc Mechanical Contractors of Dallas, TX, but it also saved them labor and installation time. Instead of using three or four workers to install the trench drain, Miinc needed only one or two workers laying the Pro-Plus system during a recent project for Southwest Airlines.

LEARN MORE

Need More Time-Saving Solutions?

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

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

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

MSCA CONNECT 2017 – It’s Possible to Hug Your Haters!

Jay Baer at MSCA CONNECT 2017 – It’s Possible to Hug Your Haters!

Take a sneak peek at Jay’s video to you above.

Jay Baer, author of Hug Your Haters, the world’s first modern customer service manual, shows how companies large and small can benefit from the enormous increase in online complaints and customer feedback. If it feels like there are more complaints than ever, and that you’re spending more time and money dealing with negativity and backlash, you’re right. But the rise of customer complaints is actually an enormous opportunity. In this eye-opening presentation, Jay reveals brand-new, proprietary research into The Science of Complaints – why and where your customers complain, how to embrace your complainers and turn impossible, negative situations into positive, possible solutions. Jay has spent 23 years in digital marketing and customer experience, consulting for more than 700 companies during that period, including 32 of the FORTUNE 500.

Don’t miss Jay’s enlightening session on Wednesday, October 18! Register today for MSCA 2017 using the button below.

MSCA 2017 Conference Website

Discover the Latest from DEWALT, FastEST and More in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

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

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


DEWALT DCC2560DEWALT Industrial Tool Company

DEWALT announces the new FLEXVOLT® 60V MAX* 2.5 Gallon Cordless Air Compressor (DCC2560). Made in made in Jackson, TN with global materials, it is part of the growing FLEXVOLT® System from DEWALT.

Learn More

 

FastEST, Inc.
FastPIPE®, FastDUCT®, and FastWRAP™ — accurate, fast, and easy-to-use mechanical estimating software

Learn More

Need Something Else?

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

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

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

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

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Craft & Son Find EVAPCO Cooling Towers a Perfect Fit for Gettysburg Hospital

Only EVAPCO, Inc. had cooling towers with a small-enough footprint, yet large-enough capacity, to meet WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital’s need for upgraded towers that would lend themselves to future expansion. Manchester, PA-based James Craft & Son Inc. worked closely with EVAPCO to find the perfect solution to a challenging installation.

LEARN MORE

Need More Solutions for Challenging Installations?

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

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

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors Cuts Installation Time in Half with Uponor’s PEX Pipe

Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors (MMC) of Eden Prairie, MN, found that using Uponor’s AquaPEX® crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) piping for the risers and the unit piping in a new hotel saved crews about two to three days of installation per floor. On a 13-story project with 50 units per floor, that adds up to almost a month of installation time savings.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Solutions for Quick Installation and Maximum Savings?

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

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

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Do You Have the Skills to Keep Workers Safe While Maintaining Profitability? MCAA’s Video Will Help Get You There!

MCAA’s Safety Management for Supervisors Training Video follows a seasoned mechanical construction supervisor as he leads a new colleague through the skills that are critical for effective safety management on mechanical construction projects.

The video, which was produced specifically for mechanical industry project managers, foremen and other jobsite supervisors, describes the key management skills that enable supervisors to keep employees safe and help maintain project profitability, including:

• Pre-task planning;
• Leadership;
• Hazard recognition;
• Auditing for compliance;
• Addressing safety concerns;
• Loss control;
• Recordkeeping; and
• Conflict resolution.

Download or Play

MSCA CONNECT 2017 Education Conference Spotlight

Julie Williamson – MSCA CONNECT 2017

Bringing The Possible to Life: Influencing Decisions Across Your Business 

Julie Williamson, Vice President of Strategy & Research for Karrikins Group (founded by Peter Sheahan, a popular presenter at MSCA conferences) has worked nationally and internationally with companies both large and small, helping them execute a strategy for transformation.

Have you ever found yourself frustrated by people not getting aligned behind an investment or a strategic direction you want to make for your business? Perhaps you have a modern technology to implement, but people continue to find ways to use the old system. You need to get people to make different decisions about their everyday behaviors – how they show up, and what they do to deliver on your organizational commitments. That means you need to disrupt the ‘same old / same old’ thinking that drives most of their decisions, and you need to create new responses that are better aligned with your business goals.

In Julie’s engaging and energizing Education Session, she will dive into the 5 Drivers of decision making and how you as a leader can use them to drive your strategy forward bringing “The Possible” to your business.

Take a peek at Julie’s message below:

For additional information, click on the buttons below:

MSCA 2017 Conference Website

 

Mechanical, Inc. Makes Additional Contribution to MCERF

Mechanical_IncMechanical, Inc. of Freeport, IL has contributed an additional $5,000 to the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF).  This contribution brings Mechanical, Inc.’s total MCERF contribution to $22,500.  President Brian Helm said this contribution is a “…show of support for the the Foundation’s efforts to support industry education, especially those in career development and internships.”

Mark Rogers, MCERF’s President, thanked Brian for Mechanical, Inc.’s support.

For more information on MCERF, contact Dennis Langley (dlangley@mcaa.org).

Find the Latest from Anvil International, Metraflex Company and More in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

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

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

Anvil Gruvlok Hydronic Hook-Up KitsAnvil International
Gruvlok® Hydronic Hook-Up Kits are Pre-engineered taking the guess work out of HVAC Connection Systems. Speedy Installation & Superior Efficiency resulting in a Labor Savings up to 80%! At Anvil we are Building Connections That Last.

Learn More

 

Metraflex LPD-Y StrainerMetraflex Company
Metraflex energy-saving LPD-Y-Strainer dramatically reduces pressure drops. ROI within 1 year. Larger screen with more holes. Re-engineered to reduce turbulence.

Learn More

Need Something Else?

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

Visit the Virtual Trade Show

Speaking of Smart Solutions

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

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

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

With Victaulic Couplings, Arden Meets Tight Timeline, Saves $100,000 on Overall Costs

Contracted to design and install the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems for a massive renovation, Arden Building Companies faced a tight timeline, a tight space, and a tight budget—all of which made welding a poor choice for completing the mechanical room. Using Victaulic’s easy-to-install grooved connections, Arden joined, hung, and installed pipe quickly and efficiently once it was lowered into the mechanical room. Arden estimated that the speed of installation reduced overall costs by approximately $100,000.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Solutions that Speed Installation and Maximize Savings?

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

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

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Regulatory Update

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) internet reporting rules and overtime pay regulations are under review by the Department of Labor, but two other Obama Administration rules of interest to the industry remain in uncertain status—the non-discrimination and affirmative action requirements for registered apprenticeship programs and the paid sick leave (EO 13706) rules for direct federal prime contractors and subcontractors.

The registered apprenticeship program rules remain only partially in effect awaiting additional guidance from the Labor Department. The Obama paid sick leave requirement was set for implementation in federal contract solicitations issued on or after January 1, 2017. So far, MCAA contractors have not encountered the required EO 13706 contract clause required in project specifications – so it remains unclear what course the Administration will take with respect to the new paid sick leave requirements.

Going Retro – The Art of Retrocommissioning in HVACR

In the HVACR industry, most know all about the commissioning process but a new resurgence of retrocommissioning is making a comeback in the HVACR industry.

Properly commissioning an HVAC installation is a necessary process that ensures newly installed systems operate as intended and since many existing buildings are in poor shape, through retrocommissioning, contractors are trained to identify problems and offer solutions.

The process of retrocommissioning refers to identifying improvements that can increase the energy savings and performance of existing buildings. Considering that about half of all commercial buildings in the U.S. were constructed before 1980, it’s easy to see why there is a growing demand for contractors who offer retrocommissioning.

Some of the problems that Richard Starr, President and CEO, Enterprise HVAC Service and Control, Twinsburg, Ohio, and former national chairman of Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA), has uncovered during retrocommissioning include improper air pressures (zones that should be positive but are negative and vice versa), a lack of proper air changes per hour, and building controls that are not calibrated properly.

Ongoing retrocommissioning is absolutely vital to the performance of a building, said Thom Brazel, General Manager, Ruthrauff Service, Pittsburgh, PA, and former national chairman of MSCA.

For the full article in The News, click the button below.

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