Archives: News Items

MCERF Funds Development of Innovative New BIM Software

The Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF), the non-profit foundation of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), today announced a collaboration with a software developer, BuildingSP, that will result in a freely available building analysis add-in for the Autodesk Revit building information modeling (BIM) platform. The Revit add-in is called the MCERF Complexity Measurement Tool (CMT) and analyzes a building’s mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) spaces for congestion and complexity.

This project marks the first time that MCERF is partnering with a software developer to provide cutting edge tools for the industry. Mark Rogers, MCERF President and COO of West Chester Mechanical noted, “We wanted to take our ability to fund research to the next level and work with emerging software developers to provide not just theoretical ideas, but working solutions.  This software will not only help contractors explain complexity to the design team, it will hopefully be used by them to develop smarter designs in the first place.”

A common concern that contractors face with BIM is the over-design of the space. Members of the design team will often assume that if all parts and pieces of an MEP system can fit in the plenum space, ceiling height can be maximized with no impact on installation schedule, labor or change orders. Contractors also face the challenge of having to demonstrate impacts that design changes have on their work.

For MCAA members, the CMT should allow for an analytical approach to the design and identify trouble spots and plan accordingly. To do this, the add-in first identifies all the spaces used for routing of MEP systems in a combined Revit model. This includes structural and electrical systems that are often unseen by MCAA designers.  It then measures the volume of space that is to be filled with MEP systems and compares it to the available volume to create a congestion and complexity metric. Once the software analyzes the space, it creates a “heat map” that gives a color value to this metric, creating a visual report of congestion and complexity.

“It is very exciting to be working with the MCAA, MCERF, and their member companies on this project,” said Brett Young, CEO of BuildingSP, the firm creating this software for MCERF. “Congestion and complexity makes projects difficult to coordinate and get ready for construction. By providing visual summaries and putting real numbers to this congestion, we hope to raise awareness of the challenges and accomplishments of project teams.”

“The reality is that the buildings being constructed today are getting more and more complex. Until now, our industry has not been able to quantify this complexity,” said Dennis Langley, executive director of MCERF. “The MCERF CMT, which will be freely available for download and use, will change this by analyzing and quantifying the congestion of the spaces in a building used for routing our pipes, conduits, and ducts.”

The CMT was designed to serve as a multifaceted tool for contractors when working with BIM.  At its base level, it will help visualize the real world complications that mechanical contractors continuously face when working within a design team.  At the same time, the CMT can facilitate project management, scheduling, estimating, fabrication and negotiation of change orders.

The MCERF CMT is in beta stages of testing and will be compatible for Autodesk Revit 2016 and subsequent versions. It is expected to be released to the public in November, 2017 in conjunction with the MCAA Technology Conference in Austin, TX.

For inclusion in the beta program, contact Sean McGuire at smcguire@mcaa.org. For technical details on the MCERF CMT, contact Brett Young at brett@buildingsp.com.

Greg Fuller Becomes President as MCAA 2017 Concludes

MCAA President Tom Stone welcomed attendees to the Closing General Session, saying, “I hope everyone has enjoyed their week in San Diego, and especially last night with the phenomenal Colorado band One Republic!” After thanking the Daikin Group for sponsoring the beverages at that event and Mueller Industries for sponsoring the morning’s breakfast, he led a round of applause in appreciation of all of the manufacturer and supplier sponsors.

“We know that our Convention experience is what it is because of the support and generosity of ALL of our manufacturer and supplier sponsors.”

—Tom Stone, MCAA President

UA General President McManus Addresses MCAA 2017

Mark McManus

UA General President Mark McManus was on hand to provide a review of the UA’s initiatives to increase membership, expand training opportunities and respond to changing market conditions.

“I know that everyone in this room – everyone – has immense respect for the United Association, its members, and the job they do every day – for our projects and ultimately, for our owners. They are truly the heartbeat of this country.”

—Tom Stone, MCAA President

Outgoing Board Members Recognized for their Service

President Stone recognized outgoing MCAA Board of Directors members for their service, saying, “I have had the privilege of working alongside these gentlemen on your behalf, and I know how much each has contributed to strengthening this industry. We appreciate their contributing their time and their talents, and they will certainly be missed.”

Donald V. Brown

Donald V. Brown, Jr. of D.V. Brown and Associates, Tonawanda, New York

Joe Labruzzo III of the Way Engineering Company in Houston, Texas (he was not able to be present)

Charles M. Usher

Charles M. Usher of Ideal Heating Company in Brookfield, Illinois

Stephen R. Dawson II

Stephen R. Dawson II of Harrell-Fish, Incorporated in Bloomington, Indiana

Changing of the Guard

Tom Stone passes the MCAA Presidential gavel to Greg L. Fuller.

President Stone offered a final word of thanks to all those who contribute to MCAA’s success before passing the gavel to MCAA’s 2017 President, Greg L. Fuller. In his first address to the association as its president, Fuller said:

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is an honor to be chosen to lead MCAA. I am looking forward to working with all of you to further our industry. This industry and the people that make it up mean everything to me. You have my word on that…

I received my journeyman plumber status back in 1985, began my career as a superintendent and joined North Mechanical in 1991 as a project manager. In 1997 I was lucky enough to be able to purchase the company.

Seeking ways to ensure my company’s success, I got involved in the MCA of Indiana and the group’s Indianapolis Chapter. I’ve served on the Boards of both organizations, as well as their Labor/Management and Finance committees. And, I’m currently Chairman of the UA Local 440 Health and Welfare Trust.

My introduction to MCA of America came in the form of attending the national association’s many educational programs. I now chair MCAA’s Project Managers Education Committee and am an instructor at our immensely popular Institute for Project Management.

I joined MCAA’s Board of Directors in 2010 and joined the Executive Committee four years later.

And I am here today to tell you that I can trace my company’s success—directly and indirectly—to my involvement in MCAA.

If you already participate, that’s great, and I urge you to consider upping your game.

And if you’ve been on the sidelines, wondering how to get involved, please just ask. We will find a way to use your talents. The industry will benefit from what you can do, and you and your company will benefit from your involvement as well. You have my word…

This year I pledge to “get out of the office” and to visit as many local associations as possible. They are what this association is about. Promoting participation in our local associations will be one of my primary goals this year.

Also, we are all fortunate in that the relationship between the MCAA and the UA is at an all-time high.

We developed a great partnership during General President Hite’s tenure and we will build on that with General President McManus and his terrific leadership team.

Mark, thank you for your comments earlier. I found them very inspirational.

We all understand that our biggest challenge as union contractors is to maintain, and yes, regain market share.

Last year—2016—saw a growth in the union representation rate in construction for the first time in many years. I believe this growth did not just reflect a market rebound; it also reflected a growing demand for a skilled and technologically proficient workforce—one that is being trained in our union apprenticeship programs.

And no trade is training its members more professionally and extensively than the United Association. And for our part, MCAA will continue to make sure our members are fully prepared for the technological and managerial challenges of tomorrow.

That’s what it will take to secure a bright future for the members of both of our fine organizations. That’s what it will take, and that’s what we will do. Again, you have my word…

So, I promise you that I will work hard to build on and continue the fine work of those who came before me. Please join me.

It is an incredible honor to stand before you as the president of MCAA.

Thank you very much.”

Tokens of Appreciation for a Job Well Done and One to Come

MCAA President Greg L. Fuller presents Immediate Past President Tom Stone with a token of appreciation for his service.

President Fuller presented Immediate Past President Stone with an MCAA Award for his leadership, saying, “Every time you look at this I hope you’ll remember how much we all appreciated the contributions you made to MCAA as our 2016 President.”

MCAA Immediate Past President Tom Stone looks on as fiancee Sharon Glynn presents a gift to new First Lady Lynne Fuller while MCAA 2017 President Greg L. Fuller looks on.

Immediate Past First Lady Sharon Glynn presented a gift to Lynne Fuller, saying, “Being First Lady is a lot of fun, and one of the best parts is travelling to meet with many of our local associations. So, as a token of our appreciation here is a travel bag and a monogrammed shawl for you to enjoy as you travel.”

Association Leaders Recognized

The national officers who serve as MCAA’s Executive Committee and the new members of MCAA’s Board of Directors were introduced.

Your National Officers

MCAA 2017 Executive Committee

Introducing the members of MCAA’s Executive Committee who will lead your association this year: Vice President and Assistant Treasurer Brian Helm, President-Elect Michael A. Brandt, President Greg L. Fuller, Senior Vice President and Treasurer Robert J. Durr Jr. and Immediate Past President Tom Stone.

Your New Board Members

MCAA 2017 New Board Members

The newest members of MCAA’s Board of Directors are: Larry L. Gunthorpe of Gunthorpe Plumbing & Heating Company in East Lansing, Michigan; Rick Gopffarth of Dynamic Systems, Inc. of Dallas, Texas; Stephen W. Harvey of Soefker Services in Memphis, Tennessee and Scott Wallenstein of Neptune Plumbing & Heating Co. in Cleveland, Ohio.

Astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly Shared their Story

Astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly

Astronauts Mark and Scott Kelly spoke about their experiences in space and in life. This was the first time the duo has spoken to MCAA. Mark Kelly last spoke at MCAA’s Awards of Excellence Breakfast in 2013 in San Antonio.

MCAA 2017 Wrapped Up by Looking Ahead to MCAA 2018

MCAA President Greg L. Fuller

In conclusion, President Fuller remarked, “Our time here in San Diego is over, but I’m confident that each of us will be leaving here with great ideas to take home to our companies and some new contacts, too. I hope each of you choose to stay involved in MCAA this year or become even more involved. I think we can agree that after reflection, we’ve realized that MCAA is an even more important element in our success than we thought! That said, I hope to see you at next year’s convention!”

See you in San Antonio March 25 – 29, 2018!

MCAA 2018 San Antonio March 25-29, 2018

UA EVP Rick Terven Testifies at House Hearing on Composite Pension Plans

United Association Executive Vice President Rick Terven testified before the House Education and Workforce Committee on September 22nd on Chairman John Kline’s proposals to modernize multiemployer pensions.

In his testimony, Terven stressed that “If composite plans are not made available, we believe that many existing defined benefit plans will eventually be replaced with defined contribution plans. The opportunity for creative solutions to our retirement income challenges is within our grasp. We strongly encourage Congress to take advantage of it and expand available offerings to enable labor and management to find solutions which best meet their specific needs.”

Read Terven’s testimony.

The Committee press release answering questions on the Chairman’s proposal can be found here. The discussion draft, which was released two weeks ago, contains new multiemployer composite plan designs that were part of the Solutions Not Bailouts proposals held back when the Kline-Miller pension reform law was enacted in 2014. The composite plans were developed by the National Coordinating Committee for Multiemployer Plan’s Retirement Income Security Review Commission, which included MCAA and the United Association.

Chairman Kline has invited interested parties to provide input into the draft’s features. He has also requested comments and proposals on how to shore up funding for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) multiemployer plan insurance fund, which is headed for insolvency within 10 years without major changes to its program and insurance premium funding.

In releasing the discussion draft Chairman Kline stated:

“For years, the committee has worked on a bipartisan basis to improve multiemployer pensions and safeguard the retirement security of workers and retirees. We have already made significant progress, and the draft proposal released today represents the next step in this important effort.

This proposal will provide more retirement choices for workers, more flexibility for employers, and greater protection for taxpayers. It reflects the input of business and labor leaders, as well as retiree advocates who have long recognized the need to strengthen the retirement security. I encourage other concerned individuals to share their views and ideas.

There is still a lot of work to be done, including tackling the fiscal challenges facing the PBGC. Improving the multiemployer pension system is an urgent priority for employers and labor leaders that will benefit America’s workers and taxpayers. I hope my colleagues in the House and Senate will make it an urgent priority as well.”

The composite plans are new plan design options that plan sponsors can choose to adopt or not in plan amendments. The discussion draft envisions adoption of a composite plan by amendment to a traditional multiemployer defined benefit plan that suspends future accruals into the former (legacy) plan (Red Zone plans cannot convert). All future accruals then flow into the new composite plan.

In the new composite plan, annual one-year and 15-year funding projections must maintain 120% funding. Shortfalls must be addressed by added contributions, future accrual cuts, and other benefit adjustments to meet the 120% funding safeguard. The legacy plan also must be funded under current funding rules, and there are minimum funding requirement contributions for all employers that enter the composite plan.  And, because the benefits in the composite plan are not insured by PBGC, no PBGC premiums are paid on those participants. Legacy plan participants still pay the PBGC premiums at whatever new higher level may be imposed.

The UA and MCAA also submitted a joint statement of support to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Chairman Kline’s call for urgent Congressional action is fully warranted, as the composite plan models have been thoroughly vetted in Congress over the past several years.  Action this year will stem the need for consideration by the next Congress, which would take a year or more, and thereby diminish the remedial benefits of the composite plan model for the entire system.  MCAA, the UA and the NCCMP coalition continue to press lawmakers to honor Mr. Kline’s perseverance on this most important issue and to heed his call for timely and effective action this year, even though time is short.