Archives: News Items

MCAA’s Newest Online Course: Foundations of Field Leadership Registration NOW OPEN!

We are excited to announce our newest educational offering: an 8-week online program created for new and aspiring field leaders working for MCAA member companies.

Foundations of Field Leadership (FFL) is taught by senior field leaders with extensive experience running mechanical jobs. The program is based on the input of 42 mechanical field leaders from MCAA member companies across the country. The topics covered in this course were identified by these 42 experts as being the most important things for new field leaders to learn.

These topics cover a wide range of fundamental skills: from Planning to Documentation; from Safety to Leadership. Each lecture is a combination of best practices, lessons learned, and tips and tricks provided by the field leaders themselves – based on their experience, leveraging their extensive knowledge of the role and its requirements.

The course is made up of weekly online lectures with real-time student interaction, quizzes, and short video assignments. We have just completed our pilot programs, Courses 1 & 2, and you can read what our first students thought of the program on the FFL course webpage.

Registration for our next courses are now open. There is no limit on how many new or potential field leaders an MCAA member can enroll, but registration will be done on a first-come, first-served basis.

Visit the FFL course webpage to learn more about this exciting new offering, and get full details on our next classes and what is required to enroll.

VISIT COURSE PAGE

Summer’s Here – Make a Splash with an Internship Grant

Summer internships are already at their midpoint. Did you remember to submit your Internship Grant applications for the lucky students spending their summer learning about mechanical contracting at your office? What could your company do with $1,000 to enhance your internship program that would create a splash around the office?

Ideas for 1-2 Interns

Offset their salary
Offer a housing subsidy, if they are from out of your area
Reward performance with a bonus
Develop individual scholarships

Ideas for Larger Groups of Interns

Order company swag
Provide technology upgrades
Participate in gift card raffles
Schedule a Lunch and Learn
Pair up with mentors for social outings
Team up with an MCAA company for an intern dodgeball / baseball match (with treats)
Gather for an end of summer celebration

Keep in mind, the first step to using Internship Grant funds successfully is to submit the form!

Internship Grant (Part 1):

Submit an application for each intern.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Companies with one intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant OR companies with two or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant.

Part 1: Internship Grant Application

Internship Grant (Part 2):

Then, once your intern is hired full-time post-graduation, come back and submit a Part 2 form for a $500 gift card to present to the new hire. Keep in mind, new hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must have previously been included on a Part 1 list. Part 2 applications may not be submitted until after the new hire’s full-time start date.

Part 2: Internship Grant Application

MCAA thanks the John R. Gentille Foundation for its support in underwriting many of the activities of the MCAA Career Development Initiative. Chief among these is an internship program that allows mechanical contractors to identify and evaluate potential full-time hires for their companies.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Power & Hand Tool Safety Resources

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. Our resource this week highlights 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 on power and hand tool safety from our partner in safety, MILWAUKEE TOOL. They’re just a few of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

DOWNLOAD

On June 26th, the MCAA, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), and The Association of Union Contractors (TAUC) announced the inaugural Safety & Health Conference scheduled for January 13-16, 2025, at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach in Fort Lauderdale, FL., poised to be the biggest construction safety event of the year, sponsored by MILWAUKEE TOOL.

Explore the full range of 700+ safety and health resources available from MCAA here.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

The 2024 AEC Best Practices Conference Invites New & Veteran Association Executives to Attend & Meet the MCAA National Staff

July 28 – July 31, 2024 | Washington, DC

The AEC Best Practices Conference provides MCAA affiliated association executives with a valuable platform for sharing innovative strategies and insights to enhance organizational effectiveness. Attendees gain actionable takeaways and forge meaningful connections, fostering collaborative growth within the Association Executive Council (AEC) community.

All local association executives, whether a new executive director or a veteran, are strongly encouraged to attend. Register today!

This year’s AEC conference includes several guest speakers, three UA representatives, and the MCAA Staff.

VIEW FULL AGENDA

Don’t miss the chance to expand your skill set and share ideas with a network of Execs! Join us July 28 – 31, 2024 in Washington, DC. Register today!

REGISTER

Connect With the Latest Training from CNA and Watts Water Technologies at MCAA.org

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

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

CNA
CNA’s Subcontractor Prequalification – Gather necessary information for current and future construction jobs.

Learn More

Watts Water Technologies
Grow your skills anytime, anywhere. Our Watts Works online training allows you to “Learn On-the-Go” with modules in less than 7 minutes, earn tokens and redeem for free merchandise. After you are done, you will feel confident with new knowledge and skills.

Learn More

Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

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

Learn More

Shane McMorrow Becomes MCANY EVP

Shane McMorrow has been named the new Executive Vice President of Mechanical Contractors Association of New York, Inc., (MCANY) effective July 1, 2024. Shane began working at MCANY in 2012 and quickly exhibited leadership qualities beyond his youth, taking on any and all responsibilities and executing all of it. He is poised to lead the Association for many years and equipped to handle the turbulent world that is the New York City and Long Island construction market.

Shane graduated from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, Devin, a physician, and their daughter, Annie Mae. Shane grew up playing hockey and the New York Rangers are his favorite team. Devin, who hails from California, may have become an even bigger hockey fan!

MCAA congratulates Shane on his new role.
You may contact Shane at shane@nymca.org.

Find the Latest from NIBCO INC. and Morris Group International in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

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

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

NIBCO INC.
The NIBCO^® 585HP High Performance ball valve and the revolutionary technology used in its construction, use, and performance. The 585HP includes patented, laser-welded construction (designed to eliminate potential leak paths), high-quality lead-free Performance Bronze^®, and an easily reversible handle. With a pressure rating of up to 1,000 psi CWP and 150 SWP, the NIBCO 585HP ball valve is the perfect fit for drinking water, HVAC, isolation or throttling, or domestic hot and cold water piping operations.

Learn More

Morris Group International
Meet the W.D. Manor Dialysis Box from Whitehall, a member of Morris Group International. Its all-in-one unit is quicker to install and is less expensive than a traditional system.

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

Connect With Additional Manufacturer/Supplier Training

Save yourself time and let MCAA connect you to the latest Manufacturer/Supplier member’s training opportunities. Visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of the Resource Center to get started.

Help Keep Your Project Up to Code

Standards and requirements that affect specifications are continually evolving to reflect new technologies and changing circumstances. Dave Lazear, director of commercial sales for NIBCO INC. (an MCAA24 major sponsor), pointed out, “If you have not reviewed and modified your specifications in the last two years, chances are your information is outdated.”

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

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

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

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

New NCPWB Technical Bulletin Focuses on What Mechanical Contractor Managers Need to Know About Piping Codes & Customer Specifications

The National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau (NCPWB) has released a new Technical Bulletin highlighting what contractors can do to avoid risks. The risks may come about from many sources. Failure to agree on the piping code that applies to work can result in ugly disputes. The inspection requirements in customer specifications can lead to the need for unplanned repairs. Welders can make welds that put your business at risk. Learn to protect your company.

Bridging Manufacturer Supplier and Contractor Members at MCAA’s 2024 Converge in Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis played host to MCAA’s 2024 Converge meeting, a pivotal event bringing together Manufacturers, Suppliers and Contractor industry leaders under one roof. Held from June 24-26 at the home of the Indianapolis Indians, this year’s meeting marked a significant convergence of ideas, innovations, and collaborations aimed at shaping the future of mechanical contracting, through executive-to-executive meetings. Each attendee worked hard to prepare for this meeting through completing profiles and pre-meetings to arrive and have more meaningful conversations in person.

The group was welcomed with a reception & dinner at Victory Field on Monday night. Many took part in batting practice on the field in the scorching heat, with some even making it over the fence. Tuesday was a busy day behind closed doors, with up to twelve 45-minute meetings, networking continued between meetings and at dinner. Wednesday concluded with a half-day of the remaining 45-minute meetings.

MCAA’s 2024 Converge not only delivered a strategic, excutive-to-executive, engaging experience but left the members with smiles and key business take-a-ways.

Save the date for MCAA’s 2025 Converge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 23-25, 2025. We have a max capacity for (25) Manufacturer/Supplier member companies and (40) Contractor member companies. If you are interested in reserving a spot, contact Lesley Ravas.

Resource Highlight: Heat Stress

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. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

VIEW RESOURCE

Explore the full range MCAA resources in the Resource Center, where you can use the blue Find A Resource bar to pinpoint exactly what you need.

Participate in the 2024 Lean Benchmarking Survey – Your Input Matters

MCAA is partnering with the Lean Construction Institute and Dodge Construction Network to study the national utilization of Lean in design and construction. The 12-15 minute survey will reveal important benchmarking data to determine the progress of Lean use throughout the industry, and we invite you to participate.

As a design and construction professional, your input is critical to the success of this study, whether you utilize Lean or not. This research will determine the degree to which the design and construction industry is aware of and utilizing the specific Lean practices and provide the comparative data needed to understand trends based on previous years’ studies.

Participants need to be familiar with project outcomes (budget compliance, schedule compliance, etc.) and contracting methods, as well as the processes in which project teams engage. Owners, architects, interior designers, engineers and contractors with experience with all types of building projects, from commercial to industrial to infrastructure, are eligible.

To thank you for your participation, upon completing the survey, you will be eligible to receive a copy of the findings of this study and LCI’s Lean Deployment Guide. Please note that your participation will be completely confidential – results will be analyzed and reported to the industry in aggregate only. Individual replies will only be made available to the survey participants.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Baker Group Announces Jeff Jordan as Vice President of Cedar Rapids Branch

As its presence in Eastern Iowa continues to grow, MCAA member Baker Group has promoted Jeff Jordan to the position of Vice President, Cedar Rapids Branch. In this role, Jordan will be responsible for the financial performance, client experience, team management, and representing the Cedar Rapids Branch on Baker Group’s leadership team.

Jordan, a Senior Project Manager and Team Leader in the Sheet Metal Business Unit, brings extensive experience and a proven track record of success to his new role. He has been with Baker Group for over 15 years, contributing significantly to many projects in Cedar Rapids.

“I am excited to lead the great team we have here in Cedar Rapids,” Jordan says. “We have a group of highly skilled professionals who are dedicated to serving local clients. I am confident that together, we can continue to grow and succeed in this region.”

“We want our team to be fully ingrained in the community and able to make decisions with a full understanding of what Eastern Iowa clients want, need and deserve,” says Daryld Karloff, Executive Vice President of Building Services. “Jeff has done an outstanding job managing projects in the Cedar Rapids office, and we have full confidence in his ability to lead the branch effectively.”

Baker Group has been involved in significant projects in the region, including the new University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics project in North Liberty.

“I believe in the potential of our Cedar Rapids team,” Jordan adds. “With our collective skills and knowledge, we are well-positioned to take on new challenges and opportunities, driving regional growth and success.”

Jordan officially starts as Branch Leader on July 1.

“We have grown significantly in the region in recent years, and there is an opportunity for us to accelerate that even further,” Jordan says. “My primary focus is on continuing our team’s growth and providing our clients the kind of service they deserve.”

“Jeff’s dedication and expertise make him the ideal person to lead our Cedar Rapids branch,” Karloff says. “We look forward to seeing continued growth and success under his leadership.”

MCAA congratulates Jeff on his new role.

New MCAA Staff Role for Darnelle Everett

Darnelle Everett is MCAA’s new Associate Director Dues Management. Darnelle will support MCAA’s new dues software, which will streamline the collection and management of dues from our members. Please join us in congratulating Darnelle on his new role!

MCAA Partners with SMACNA & TAUC for the Biggest Construction Safety Event of the Year

The Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA), the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA), and The Association of Union Contractors (TAUC) are thrilled to announce the inaugural Safety & Health Conference scheduled for January 13-16, 2025, at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach in Fort Lauderdale, FL., poised to be the biggest construction safety event of the year.

Sponsored by MILWAUKEE TOOL, the 2025 Safety & Health Conference will bring together safety professionals from across the construction industry to collaborate and explore the challenges and opportunities within our field. It is imperative that contractors are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to create safe workplaces where the risk of injury and illness is minimized.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a range of educational programs designed to enhance their professional skills. Subject Matter Experts will cover various aspects of jobsite safety, including discussions on emerging technologies and evolving best practices that can be implemented in their operations. Hands-on workshops will also be available, allowing experts to delve into new safety & health concepts in detail and provide practical guidance to help attendees better understand these innovative ideas.

For the first time ever, two new summits will also be offered, a pre-conference Construction Mental Health Summit and a post-conference Construction Risk Management Summit.

Registration for the conference will open in September 2024. Mark your calendars to ensure you don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to learn about the latest developments in the safety industry!

For those interested in exhibiting at the 2025 Safety & Health Conference, please reach out to Alex Kopp.

June 25, 2024: The Treasury Department & Internal Revenue Service Publish Final Rule Regarding Prevailing Wage & Apprenticeship Requirements

The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have published final regulations regarding the prevailing wage and registered apprenticeship (PWA) requirements that taxpayers must satisfy to receive five times the base tax credit or deduction amounts with respect to certain clean energy facilities, properties, projects, technologies, or equipment under the Internal Revenue Code (the Code), as amended by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). The overview below seeks to explain the portions of this lengthy final rule that we felt would be of most interest to MCAA. There are aspects of the rule that are not addressed in this document, and the MCAA public policy team is happy to answer questions about aspects of these lengthy regulations not addressed in this overview.

Please reach out to MCAA’s public policy team if you have any questions.

MCAA OVERVIEW

Members Can Now Join a MCAA Peer Group

Participating in industry peer groups not only offers a valuable platform for fostering relationships and exchanging expertise within a supportive community but also represents a proven best practice adopted by many successful MCAA contractor members. These groups provide professionals with an opportunity to benchmark their performance, exchange best practices, address common challenges, and gain strategic insights from industry peers.

MCAA has partnered with Maxim Consulting Group to assist in placing our members into existing peer groups and facilitate the establishment of new ones. If you’re interested in joining a peer group, please complete our survey.

Congratulations to Carter Bennett, 2024 Alan P. O’Shea Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to Carter Bennett, 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. These scholarships were presented by Richard Tomaiko (MCA of New Jersey President) and Phillip Petillo (MCA of New Jersey Executive Director) at the MCAA24 Awards of Excellence Breakfast in Orlando on March 20th.

Carter anticipates graduating from Ferris State University in May 2025 with a degree in HVAC/R. He is currently active in his student chapter and has held the position of Treasurer. This summer Carter will be interning with MCAA Member, Limbach Company LLC.

“The amount of time and effort that MCAA puts into finding careers for their students seems to be the most out of the organizations. At Ferris, we have several companies that will come in and tell us about their company. For students that go into the HVAC/R trade blindly, it can be hard to imagine how work really is since it likely won’t be just like the labs that we have in school. When companies actually come in and talk about what they do, students can receive a much clearer picture into what they are walking into.

After I graduate, I would like to share my experiences with students to help them find a career for themselves. Being a student makes me realize how daunting it can be to find a career after college. Something that would make me want to work for a company would be knowing that they invest in someone as a person and not just to get the job done. When a company spends time teaching new employees and realizing that they have potential for more, it’s very appealing. The second thing would be the company’s atmosphere. Realizing that it is more like a family can make it a much more enjoyable place to work. These values are very important to me because I am someone who doesn’t look at a job opportunity as short-term, but more as an investment for myself.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Carter on this prestigious scholarship and thank the MCA of New Jersey for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.

MCAA and Partners Team Up with Virginia Tech to Improve Head Protection

Thirteen years after releasing the first independent safety ratings for varsity football helmets, the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab is expanding into the construction industry. This summer, researchers will begin an 18-month study to develop the first ratings system for safety helmets, commonly referred to as hard hats or construction helmets, using their five-star scale. This project is being funded and guided by the John R. Gentille Foundation, ELECTRI International, the American Society of Concrete Contractors, and The Association of Union Constructors in an effort to reduce the number of head injuries in our industry.

The lab has previously conducted injury biomechanics research outside sports, including toy product safety and drone impact testing. However, this is the first time they will develop a ratings system for a non-sports helmet.

“Construction has the most workplace fatalities,” said Steve Rowson, Helmet Lab Director. “Better head protection could be life-saving in many accidents.”

Between 2000 and 2008, the construction industry had more traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) than any other industry, according to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

The project’s objectives are:

Analyze head impacts in construction through accident reports and surveillance video.
Translate real-world conditions to controlled laboratory tests.
Test and publicly release data on available safety helmets on the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings website.

The lab will use its Summation of Tests for the Analysis of Risk (STAR) model to compute overall performance scores for helmets, assigning a rating from one to five stars based on a series of impact tests tailored to construction helmet conditions.

“We are honored to support research that will improve the safety of the men and women building our nation by focusing on the industry-specific factors that contribute to head injuries,” said Raffi Elchemmas of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. “We are all committed to finding solutions to the challenges that the construction industry faces every day and confident this project will lead to improved head protection and reduce injuries.”

The project is scheduled for completion by August 2025.

“We hope this work reduces disabling or fatal head injuries by providing stakeholders with data to make informed decisions on the most effective personal protective equipment,” Rowson said.

Learn more about the lab’s methodology, history, and upcoming project by watching the video on Virginia Tech’s website.

Find the Latest from Stratus and Watts Water Technologies 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:

Stratus
Stratus is a cloud-based platform that revolutionizes MEP fabrication and construction by integrating CAD software like Revit and AutoCAD with manufacturing tools, reducing errors and boosting efficiency.

Learn More

Watts Water Technologies
The quarter 3 theme for the Watts 150th Anniversary Sweepstakes is revolved around summer activities. Earn tickets and redeem them for prizes.

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

Connect With Additional Manufacturer/Supplier Training

Save yourself time and let MCAA connect you to the latest Manufacturer/Supplier member’s training opportunities. Visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of the Resource Center to get started.