Archives: News Items

Getting the Best Performance From Your Evaporative Cooling Equipment

Building owners and property managers have a lot at stake in their investments, so they look to their MCAA contractors for solutions. When evaluating mechanical equipment, hassle-free operation and long equipment life are important parts of the purchase equation — here are five ways to enhance the performance of evaporative cooling equipment and save on energy costs.

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Want More Tips to Keep Equipment Running at Peak Efficiency?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

Plus, 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.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

KEY2ACT Outlines Best Practices for Updating Mobile Operating Systems

One of the issues that mobile-equipped companies struggle with is how to handle operating system (OS) updates. When to update depends on business needs, but you should only push out OS updates after evaluating risks and if they bring significant value to your business.

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Looking for Other Ways to Keep Your Business Running at Peak Efficiency?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

Plus, 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.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Find the Latest from Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.®, Rhumbix, Inc. 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:

Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® a Member of Morris Group International
Model 9679 – Threshold Drain – “Best In Class” stainless steel life-saving drain with a heel-proof grate that prevents water from cascading floor to floor during an emergency egress. For use in front of elevators, doorways and stairways.

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Rhumbix, Inc.
Rhumbix is the only app dedicated to Foremen. Limit inaccuracies, receive time cards daily, expedite payroll, and automatically track production.

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

Enforcement of New Provisions in OSHA’s Recordkeeping Rule Likely to Be Delayed

OSHA recently published a proposed rule that would establish a five-month enforcement delay of the new provisions in it’s recordkeeping rule. The new provisions require affected employers to report work-related injuries and illnesses to the agency annually in electronic format. The original enforcement date was July 1, 2017. However, the agency will not be prepared to receive electronic submissions from employers anytime soon. The newly proposed enforcement date is December 1, 2017. The proposed rule is out for public comment until the close of business July 13, 2017. MCAA anticipates that OSHA will proceed with a final rule. The agency is also considering proposing another rule that would revise the controversial recordkeeping regulation. For more information, please read the proposed rule. Updates on this issue are forthcoming.

MSCA CONNECT 2017 Education Conference Highlight Our One-Day Optional Bonus Program!

Join us for Managing Your People Profits on Sunday, October 15th at

MSCA CONNECT 2017 Education Conference!

In this one-day optional bonus program, MSCA will share proven strategies and tactics necessary to build a talent plan and pipeline. This session will help you with your investment strategies to find the right people to join your team and ensure long-term stability and growth and to understand the importance of generational differences (GenZ, Millennials, GenX and Boomers), engaging available technology solutions and the impact on your profitability will be discussed.

Jon Finch, VP of Training and Recruiting for Milwaukee Tool, with years of experience working with Milwaukee’s recruiting model, will be sharing best practices for success. He has spent the last 17 years working on finding the best people to help the company grow over 20% each year.

This dynamic session will give you the opportunity to learn best practices and share with your peers the challenges you are facing. You will delve into strategic planning for your future success and leave with the tools you need to get your company ahead of this challenge – instead of constantly reacting to changes. Topics include:

The cost of turnover and recruiting
Planning for your employment needs
Prospecting for future employees
Best practice hiring decisions
Behavior Based Interview models
Investment strategy and return values

The cost for this one-day optional bonus program is $500 and includes breakfast and lunch as well as session workbook and materials. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insightful recruiting strategies to sustain and grow your business!

For additional information and to register, click on the buttons below:

MSCA 2017 Conference Program

MSCA 2017 Conference Website

Download Your New Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide Today!

Members have access to a full-featured digital version of our Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide. This version enhances the look and feel of our directory with digital-only benefits like these:

Network on the go with linked email addresses.
Connect with the companies, products and services that interest you using linked web addresses.
Get where you’re going…fast…with bookmarks and a linked table of contents.
Find advertisers instantly with a linked advertiser index.

MCAA’s Membership Directory & Buyer’s Guide is free as a member benefit.

Download Your Copy

Have updates? Please share! Update your profile on our website, or contact Jan Grillo for assistance.

Sloan Offers Low-Maintenance, High-Tech Approach to Commercial Restrooms

Knowing when to service or replace aging plumbing equipment is critical to maintaining a clean, operational commercial restroom. Like regularly changing the oil in your car, consistent preventive maintenance helps avoid critical, costlier repairs down the road.

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Looking for More Tips to Save You Time and Money?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

Plus, 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.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

MCAA Sponsors Industry-Leading Construction Tech Survey for the Second Year

Last year, MCAA sponsored the JBKnowledge Construction Technology Survey for the first time. Hundreds of MCAA members took the 10 minutes out of their schedule to complete the survey. Through your participation, we were able to compare your responses to other MCAA members, as well as the construction industry at-large in a MCAA-focused Report.

Data from the survey has also helped guide our association education and research for the upcoming year. We can see what the challenges are for not only the cutting edge contractors, but those trying to catch up as well.

This year, MCAA is once again sponsoring the JBKnowledge Construction Technology Survey. Simply answering the questions from the survey is a great exercise in evaluating your operations. We ask that you once again take the time to complete the survey and help evaluate your own company’s position towards technology. The results will be all-the-more meaningful to you!

Take the Survey

Icon Mechanical Streamlines Inventory Management and Cuts Costs with Milwaukee Tool’s ONE-KEY™ App

In search of a way to track equipment efficiently, Icon Mechanical took advantage of Milwaukee Tool’s ONE-KEY™, the first digital platform for tools and equipment. Now, it has a full picture of the company’s allocation and location of equipment and has experienced a noteworthy increase in tools being returned.

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Want More Ideas for Enhancing Efficiency?

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

This section of our website also features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

CFI Mechanical, Inc. Contributes to MCERF

CFI Mechanical, Inc., of Houston, TX with its recent $2,500 contribution to MCERF, has now contributed a total $42,500 to the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF). CFI Mechanical, Inc. President, Chuck Fell, says hopes his company’s support will help “…MCERF to continue its support of industry education and internships for years to come.”

Mark Rogers, MCERF’s President, thanked Chuck and all of CFI Mechanical Inc.’s many employees for their strong support of the Foundation.

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

Find the Latest from Johnson Controls, Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.®, eSUB Construction Software 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:

Johnson Controls, Inc.
Whether you’re building from scratch or retrofitting an existing facility or plant, Johnson Controls has nearly everything you need, with the most comprehensive line card in the industry.

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Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.® a Member of Morris Group International
Zip Trench™ by Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co. 0 to 60 feet in 6 sections! 12″ wide trench drain system for the installing contractor. Lightweight and fast to install.

Learn More

eSUB Construction Software
eSUB is the #1 mobile and cloud construction management software designed to PROTECT PROFITS and MITIGATE RISKS for Mechanical Construction subcontractors.

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

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

MCA of Kansas City Contributes to MCERF…Again!

The MCA of Kansas City, Overland Park, KS, one of MCERF’s most steadfast supporters, has contributed an additional $10,000 to MCERF, raising their total contribution to the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF) to $305,000. Robert A. Looman, Executive Director of the association, says that everyone at the MCA of Kansas City supports MCERF’s educational and research efforts, especially its efforts to recruit and retain great young people for the mechanical contracting industry.

President of MCERF, Mark Rogers, thanked the leadership and members of the MCA of Kansas City for their support of the Foundation. He added that, “Our friends at the MCA of Kansas City have always made it a priority to support the Foundation, and we can’t thank them enough for that support.”

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

Erickson Incorporated Gives Hill Group a Big Lift

Thanks to Erickson Incorporated, a global provider of innovative aerial services, The Hill Group saved around $45,000 on several heavy lifts along the downtown lakefront of Chicago, IL, in one day. They also shortened their project timelines considerably.

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Looking for Other Ways to Save Time on Your Projects?

This section of our website also features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Hiring An Intern? Read THIS Before You Hire!

Building a Successful Internship Program

Internships are an opportunity to identify and evaluate potential full-time hires for your organization. Building a structured internship program will provide the opportunity for your firm to recruit talented students and provide a flexible, cost-effective labor force without a long-term commitment. Providing good internship experiences can increase your company’s visibility when the intern returns to his/her school. An internship program should be considered a critical marketing tool to recruit and retain talented Construction Management and Construction Engineering graduates.

But successful internship programs don’t just happen out of good intentions and hoping for the best. Contractors need to plan them like they plan everything else in their business. Professor Mostafa Khattab, Head of the Construction Management Department at Colorado State University and a Faculty Advisor to MCERF’s Board of Trustees, has written a white paper entitled Building a Successful Internship Program to help you do just that.

MCERF President Mark Rogers is asking every contractor who plans to hire an intern and to apply for an MCERF internship grant to read this short paper and make sure their intership program is designed for success.

MCA of Cleveland Completes One MCERF Pledge…Begins a New One!

The MCA of Cleveland has contributed $5,000 to the Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF) which is the final payment of a $25,000 pledge made in 2012. But they were not content to stop there; they immediately made a new pledge for $30,000 which they they will pay in $6,000 installments for the next five years. This new pledge brings the association’s total MCERF contributions to $136,000.

Thomas J. Wanner, Executive Director of the MCA of Cleveland, said that, “We have a long standing commitment to the Foundation and we appreciate all of the work it does for our industry.”

Mark Rogers, President of MCERF, extended sincere thanks to the MCA of Cleveland, its Board, and all its members for their extreme generosity and for their long-term support of the Foundation and its industry goals.

For more information about MCERF contact Dennis Langley.

De-Cal Improves Productivity 30–40 Percent with Miller PipeWorx 400 Welding System

By taking advantage of the multiprocess capabilities of the Miller® PipeWorx 400 welding system, mechanical contractor De-Cal, Inc., was able to change its pipe welding processes to significantly improve productivity—by as much as 30–40 percent—while also growing business.

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Looking for Other Ways to Improve Productivity and Grow Business?

This section of our website also features tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

Will You Be Prepared If OSHA Shows Up? MCAA’s Video Will Get You There!

“Uh-oh, OSHA just showed up!” These words can turn even the most seasoned jobsite supervisors into nervous wrecks. Avoid the stress with MCAA’s OSHA Inspections Safety Training Video, which will help you prepare for and properly manage OSHA jobsite safety inspections.

The video, which was produced specifically for mechanical industry project managers, foremen and other jobsite supervisors, shows you how to:

Prepare in advance for unexpected OSHA inspections
Manage the inspection process
Properly document the inspection
Address alleged violations and citations

Download or Play

MSCA’s Plumbing Service 101 – Finding and Developing Great Plumbing Techs Webinar Now Available!

If you missed Plumbing Service 101, Module 3 – Finding and Developing Great Plumbing Techs, don’t worry, you can now access the webinar in both MSCA’s Resource Center and in Archived Webinars.

This third webinar in the MSCA original series, Plumbing Service 101, Finding and Developing Great Plumbing Service Technicians, provides an overview of where and how to find talented individuals and how best to train them. You will learn about the important traits to look for in your recruiting efforts and the skills needed for success.

In this webinar, Tom Bigley, UA Director of Plumbing Services, shares relevant information on UA Plumbing Service Training Programs.

Each module consists of a 60-minute webinar and corresponding workbook. Webinars and workbooks are free to MSCA/MCAA members.

Access the webinar in Archived Webinars

Enhance Your Service Dispatcher’s Performance!

ALMOST SOLD OUT!

As the first point of contact for your customers, service dispatchers are vital to your business. To ensure these crucial team members are well-prepared to effectively perform their role, register them for the MSCA Dispatchers Professional Development Training Program, September 18-19, 2017, in Dallas, TX.

New and experienced dispatchers will gain valuable insights and understanding about their importance to your business and its current and future success. This class is ALMOST SOLD OUT so sign your dispatchers up today!

Download brochure and register now

Discover the Latest from Sloan Valve Company, Rawal Devices, Inc. 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:

Sloan Valve Company
The AER-DEC® – Now Even Better – The most versatile sink system, now with new and updated features.

Learn More

Rawal Devices, Inc.
Rawal Devices, Inc.’s APR Control is a continuous capacity modulation and dehumidification device, providing part load control to resolve oversized DX A/C challenges in new and retrofit applications.

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

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