Archives: News Items

ConsensusDocs Offers Standard Contract Document for Prefabricated Construction

Prefabricated construction has been around for decades, but important contractual and legal issues have remained unaddressed in most construction contracts. The new ConsensusDocs 753 Standard Prefabricated Construction Contract provides an off-the-shelf solution that is unique to prefabricated construction.

The ConsensusDocs 753 agreement for prefabricated construction, which includes modular buildings, is between a Constructor and a Prefabricator. The agreement addresses the most common type of prefabricated construction, an off-site prefabrication of a component that is delivered and installed at the worksite.

Also addressed is application of the common law rather than the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). In addition, industry standard definitions for prefabricator, prefabricator’s site, and a prefabricated Component are established. The agreement provides for specific provisions addressing concerns related to inspections and sensitive proprietary information and equipment involved in prefabrication.

MCAA members can save on their orders using the Discount Code: MCAA100. For more information, visit the ConsensusDocs website.

MCAA’s WiMI Mentor/Mentee Program Introduces Cynthia and Krista!

The ever-enthusiastic Cynthia Djongoue Kamga, has been a Project Manager with The BP Group in New York, NY for the past seven years. Her years in the HVACR industry have created a drive to continually excel and learn  so she can grow beyond her tasks at hand. After learning of the WiMI Mentor/Mentee Program after the WiMI Conference when there was a Mentor/Mentee program created, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have someone guide her when she felt “stuck in a bubble” on the way she viewed her responsibilities and how to grow professionally.

Although active in her own projects, Krista Ebbens, also seven years in the industry, was very happy to connect with Cynthia as her mentor to assist, advise and share best practices. Krista is the Executive Vice President of Human Resources and General Counsel with J. F. Ahern Co. in Milwaukee, WI. She wears many hats but has such a welcoming personality and genuine desire to pause and help when needed.

Cynthia and Krista connect so well that it was easy to understand why they are great role models of the WiMI Mentor/Mentee Program. Although COVID created a set-back in their plans to connect they have already set a future date to meet virtually.

Cynthia entered the program looking for pointers on how to redirect her thoughts and take action steps  regarding her own tasks and career. In helping Cynthia, Krista reminded her that you can’t “settle in a routine in your environment without analyzing situations and thinking outside of the box.”  She also advised Cynthia to put together action steps on   specific goals and to move forward with it. “It’s empowering to get outside of a task or routine to grow, both personally and professionally.  You just have to make sure to schedule the time to do it,” Cynthia reiterated.

They both made a great point in stating that “although we work in the same construction business, there are big regional differences and it’s interesting to hear about the experiences in New York vs. Wisconsin. Construction in New York City is very different and experiences seem to happening there  before it becomes  a thing in the mid-west, so it creates a great learning experience ”. This is especially relevant to the current pandemic.

Krista and Cynthia both encourage folks that haven’t attended a WiMI event to do so.  They mentioned that the educational programs are top notch and relevant while the networking provides a fantastic and unique opportunity. Such events provide the opportunity for mentees to talk with other mentees, for mentors to share ideas and new connections to be made.  They agreed that through sharing best practices, they have found that old dogs can teach new tricks and that there is always something to share between people.

Krista, the first female Management Committee member and female shareholder in the company, leaves us with these powerful words; “Always make sure you take time for personal career development, especially in a deadline driven industry.  It’s important to make sure you carve out time to educate, network, and manage because every investment you make in yourself will pay off with personal development in your professional career.”

For more information visit the Women in the Mechanical Industry Initiative Page.

Spotlighting 2020 MSCA Extraordinary Everyday Hero Awardees

MSCA has been honoring our industry’s very own everyday heroes for the past five years at the annual education conference. Our expectations were blown away by just how many heroes we have within our industry – we received nineteen nominations this year! We are so proud of the many peers among us who do extraordinary things every day, simply out of the kindness of their hearts with a passion to make a difference for the better.

Leigh Smith, UMCI, Mukilteo, WA

“I would put Leigh up as one of the sharpest minds in the HVAC industry; UMC is fortunate to have him on their team,” is what Nels Keith had to say about UMCI colleague, Leigh Smith.

Whether on a service call, project, or tech training, Leigh portrays the skills to exceed expectations. He is a person that others often turn to for advice and guidance. His ability to work through challenging site logistics and meet customer deadlines amongst unthinkable constraints is nothing short of miraculous. One such project was a critical retrofit on an AHU at Seattle Children’s Research Institute. With a limited weather window, Leigh lead the project to retrofit an AHU with two Turbocor compressors, an evaporative condenser, a large evaporator, and controls integration within a span of approximately five weeks. Thanks to Leigh, the customer’s research was able to continue without any negative impacts. Throughout the project, the importance of the service Seattle Children’s Research Institute provides was the number one priority. Leigh has mentored many UMCI apprentices and journeyman alike through the challenges of learning a very complex trade and through personal issues.

Leeann Reece, Welch and Rushe, Inc., Upper Marlboro, MD

Welch and Rushe’s president and owner, David Welch, says “Leeann truly exemplifies the Latin origin of the word extraordinary, which is “outside the normal course of events.”

For many of us, our ordinary course of events is to be with and care for loved ones, work, and connect with friends when possible. For Leeann, every step and every breath she takes is in her service to others. Her constant ongoing activities reveal the many ways she dedicates her skills, talents, and compassion for people. For the past nine years, Leeann has served as Welch and Rushe’s HR Manager. For the past twelve years she has been an EMT and, for six of those years, an active Anne Arundel County Firefighter. Remarkably Leeann doesn’t stop there because she selflessly also serves as an emergency first responder to those who may have contracted COVID-19. We all are presented with choices to either be selfish or selfless, courageous or fearful, to remain comfortable or to take a risk to help someone else. Heroes step out, step up, and make things happen for the betterment of all. Leann is an “Extraordinary Hero” every single day.

Bob Warren, Standard Plumbing and Heating, Canton, OH

According to Chadd Cline, Bob’s manager at Standard Plumbing and Heating, “If you could “create a tech” using special software, Bob Warren would be your end result every time.”

Bob has served Standard Plumbing and Heating and the local community for 20 years. Even the best technicians know they can reach out to Bob if they ever get stumped by a service call, whether the equipment is old or new. Bob does whatever is asked of him and has embraced change every step of the way. Bob will work tirelessly until the customer is up and running. It doesn’t matter the conditions, weather, or even if he hasn’t slept in 24 hours – he is there to see the project through. With COVID-19, he was given even more of a chance to shine. While many techs did not want to enter hospitals and nursing homes, Bob worked with those customers daily. One day he even told the dispatcher he needed to get back to a site because the previous day there was a COVID-19 patient in the room he needed to work on and now that the patient is no longer in that room he wanted to finish the job. A situation that would give the best of us pause and reason to not go back did not deter Bob.

MSCA is proud to recognize these heroes in our industry and distinguish them as an MSCA Extraordinary Everyday Hero. We will be spotlighting each of these heroes over the next few months. For a full list of 2020 Extraordinary Everyday Hero Awardees, please click here.

Find the Latest from Watts Water Technologies and Harris Products Group 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:

Watts Water Technologies
Hurry, this is a limited time offer! Earn FREE Lifestyle Merchandise twice as fast by completing any of our new 100+ online courses on Watts Works online.

Learn More

Harris Products Group
Port-A-Torch® outfits include torch handle, two regulators, welding & brazing tips, hoses, striker, safety glasses. Cut up to 1” standard kit, 4” with optional larger tips & acetylene cylinder. Available with or without cylinders.

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

Withum COVID-19 Bill Update – 10/12/2020

As the very public debate in Congress regarding another stimulus bill rolls on, Withum wanted to share an update issued late last week by the SBA, in conjunction with the Department of Treasury. With lobbying groups, lenders, and borrowers long-since advocating for a more simple forgiveness process, specifically for smaller loans, the SBA took this into their own hands late last week, as they released a new interim final rule (“IFR”). Because they are required to work within the confines of the current statutes, the consequences of this interim final rule are not as far reaching as proponents for a simpler forgiveness process would like, but it’s certainly a movement in the right direction. Here are the highlights:

New Application Form and Simplification for Loans under $50,000: In the release of the IFR, the SBA granted a de minimus exemption that all borrowers who have loans under $50,000 (provided that they do not, with affiliates, exceed $2M) would be exempt from any reductions in the loan forgiveness amount based on reductions in full-time equivalents or reductions in salaries/wages. This is welcomed news to these borrowers. The SBA also released the Form 3508S, a much more simple version of the Form EZ previously issued, which just asks the borrower for the bare minimum of requirements – loan information, forgiveness amount, and for the borrower to sign the certifications. While this is welcomed news to borrowers, the statutes of the CARES Act still require that forgiveness is not to be issued unless supporting documentation supporting the expenditures is provided, and there was no change to this rule offered by the SBA. Borrowers who utilize this form are still required to submit the supporting documentation for their expenditures, ultimately supporting the amount claimed for forgiveness. Further, the IFR clarifies that lenders are required to complete the following when in receipt of such application: 1) confirm receipt of the certifications, 2) confirm receipt of the documentation required to be submitted. It clearly indicates that the borrower is responsible to provide an accurate calculation of the loan forgiveness amount. 

With 3.57 million outstanding PPP loans totaling $62 billion in funds, this is set to simplify the process for about 12% of the PPP funds distributed. Withum expects that lending institutions will need some time to update their systems to allow for these applications, so borrowers who fit this mold will likely need to wait a couple more weeks to apply for forgiveness if they desire to use the new form.

Changes to the Lender Review Process for All Loans: In addition to the above, the IFR also amended lender responsibility with respect to reviewing documentation from submitted borrowers. In response to what appears to be an overwhelming number of borrowers submitting applications with documentation of eligible payroll and non-payroll costs in excess of the loan amount, lenders responsibilities are now adjusted such that they are only required to confirm the borrower’s calculation and review the required documentation up to the amount of the request forgiveness amount. Although we cannot be sure how each lender will approach/implement this guidance, it stands to increase the speed with which loans are being processed if utilized. 

What Else is Going on in Congress? Since the IRS published Notice 2020-32, disallowing deductions for expenses that were forgiven under the PPP, Congress members have spoken publicly about how this notice was not in line with the intentions of the CARES Act. On October 1, the House passed an updated Heroes Act which contained language allowing such deductions, marking the first time we have seen any legislation overturning the IRS notice make any headway. Based on what has transpired since that date, we know that the Heroes Act, in it’s current form, is very unlikely to be signed into law, however inclusion of language in this regard is encouraging nonetheless. 

Also at the forefront of these discussions are additional appropriations for the PPP funds. At the very least, the White House has signaled that they would be amenable to redeploying the nearly $130B of unused appropriations for the PPP, and Congress members on both sides of the aisle have indicated they are favor of a PPP v2. The most solid proposal we have seen to date is within the updated Heroes Act, which includes a second round of loans, utilizing the same formula as the first round, to eligible ‘smaller businesses’ of 200 employees or less who can also demonstrate a 25% reduction in revenues in either Q1, Q2 or Q3 as compared to last year. The maximum size loan under this proposal would be $2M. Eligibility under alternative size standards and how the affiliation rules would be applied are not clear at this time.

With HDPE Pipe and Victaulic Couplings, Shoemaker Mechanical Makes Light Work of Cooling Tower Replacement

By using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe rather than carbon steel and pairing it with Victaulic’s HDPE pipe joining system, Shoemaker Mechanical replaced a cooling tower in less time than planned, with fewer people than expected, and avoided potential weather delays. Tulsa Community College’s (TCC’s) system has performed with no issues since it was installed. Victaulic is an MCAA major sponsor.

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

NIBCO Partners with Trimble to Enhance Customer Relationships

When NIBCO wanted to increase awareness of their products among new and existing customers, they partnered with Trimble to integrate NIBCO’s products and details into the Trimble database. The partnership also provides NIBCO with insights to help them better serve their customers. Both companies are MCAA members. NIBCO is an MCAA major sponsor and Trimble is a benefactor sponsor.

Building and Enhancing Customer Relationships

For NIBCO, the customer relationship is key, but identifying the right decision makers and connecting with them on a daily basis was a challenge. Because NIBCO sells through a distributor channel rather than directly to customers, the company needed ways to target specific customer bases in major markets, create demand for their products and add value by connecting with them on a regular basis.

According to David Lazear, National Commercial Manager at NIBCO, getting the company’s products in front of engineers and designers would increase the likelihood that contractors would select those products for their projects. “If an engineer specifies it, or a designer draws it, a contractor will buy it and a distributor will stock it,” he said.

Enter the Trimble Partnership

With the new partnership in place, Trimble integrated NIBCO’s products and details into its database, which can be accessed electronically in real-time, for up-to-date modeling information. NIBCO can now reach between 100 – 1000 (or more) detailers, fabricators, engineers and designers daily with their building product data found in Trimble MEP software.

About the Trimble Analytics solution, Lazear said, “It helps to know who is making decisions about the product; is it the detailer, is it the job site person, is it purchasing? I also like to understand which systems our individual products are going into, insights that help us create a better customer experience for our customers.”

Partnership Results in Benefits for NIBCO & its Customers

The ability to have up-to-date product content available from Trimble helps NIBCO with constructability in the field. Using Trimble, NIBCO is able to get its large portfolio of commercial and specified products in front of 1000s of end users, and the placement of its content within Trimble workflows also benefits customers by providing this information at their fingertips. The speed of connection and access to accurate information further enhances NIBCOs relationships with its customers.

“A majority of U.S. contractors use some type of Trimble product, which helps when NIBCO goes in to talk to them,” said Lazear. “The value for our customers is having pricing, dimensional information, cut sheet data and any product specific information they want on a vast array of products available through Trimble Trade Service. It helps us stay very tuned in to our customers’ needs.”

Updated Videos for HVACR101 WebBook Series Now Available

MSCA has begun revising the videos accompanying the recently updated HVACR 101 WebBooks. The first three video modules are now updated and live on the MSCA Resources page.  These videos provide an overview of each training module and are extremely valuable for new employee orientation.

HVACR Modules:
  • What is HVACR? New Video!
  • Terminology and Slang Used in the HVACR Industry New Video!
  • HVACR Basic Sciences and Formulas New Video!
  • Air Conditioning Basic — Small Tonnage
  • Air Conditioning Basic — Large Tonnage
  • Airflow Types and Systems
  • Commercial System Applications
  • HVACR Support Components and Control Systems
  • Heating Systems
  • Focusing on the Customer

Week 5 of MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program – Fabrication

The GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program has completed the fourth week with two presentations on project management. This past week, we heard from MCAA’s Director of Project Management Education, John Koontz, on project organization charts, and Project Executive for Holmberg Mechanical, Troy Aichele, on scheduling 101.

Next week, we will focus on fabrication, and hear from Jeff Miller, Director of Virtual Construction at Harrell-Fish, Chris Summers, Senior Project Manager at Harrell-Fish and Sean McGuire, MCAA’s Director of Innovative Technologies. Together we will learn about the importance of how and why fabrication is used and understanding the importance of a fabrication plan as a specialty contractor. Our three speakers will give a glimpse of the technology MCAA members are currently using and how it is evolving the use of fabrication.

The information in these presentations is not only for the competition project, but for you and your future. The real-world insight and advice from some of the industry’s best to meant to help you succeed. If you haven’t been able to watch live weekly, know you have helpful presentations waiting for you. You may access these presentations at anytime on the GreatFutures Fall Virtual Program website under the “Video Library” tab after logging in.

Here’s a look at the full Fall schedule! 

REGISTER NOW

Field Leaders Conference is MCAA’s First In-Person Conference Since March

MCAA held its first in-person conference since the onset of COVID-19 this week in Toledo, Ohio. The MCAA Field Leaders Conference (FLC) was a great success with 125 field personnel, made up primarily of foremen and superintendents, spending three days together networking, sharing best practices and learning from industry experts.

In an effort to keep all attendees safe, MCAA instituted several safety policies including, the wearing of face masks at all times, daily temperature checks and distanced conference tables with fewer chairs. All attendees were encouraged to use the numerous hand sanitizing stations throughout the meeting space, and follow social distancing guidelines.

MCAA partnered with the MCA of Northwest Ohio and Executive Vice President, Anne Saloff, to ensure the success of the conference. In addition to registering multiple foremen, journeymen and superintendents, Saloff also registered fifth-year apprentices from the UA Local 50.  

A highlight of the conference is always the product display held the first evening. MCAA would like to thank DEWALT, Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co., MILWAUKEE TOOL, Victaulic, Viega and Zurn for their participation in Toledo. Representatives from these members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council had the opportunity to address the attendees about their companies and products, and then attendees had the opportunity to visit the exhibitor tables.

The FLC was first held in 2015 and averages 2-3 conferences a year. A big part of the conference’s success circles back to the stellar faculty involved. Greg Fuller and Mark Rogers, two MCAA Past Presidents who started their career in the trades and now own their own mechanical contracting companies, share their experiences and lessons learned from being on both sides of the fence. Chris Haslinger, UA Administrative Assistant to the General President, focuses his presentation on the latest equipment and technology that is changing the way jobsite projects are managed. John Koontz, MCAA’s Director of Project Management Education and former contractor and professor, brings a balance of academic and practical experience to the group. Kevin Dougherty, leading construction industry consultant, discusses successful ways to build and maintain relationships with focus on being a better listener and how to be the most effective communicator possible. Finally, Mark Breslin, President of Breslin Strategies, conducts a presentation on leadership, how to promote positive change and how to effectively achieve it.

MCAA will be holding two 2021 Field Leaders Conferences in Seattle, Washington (May 12-14) and in Boston, Massachusetts (October 6-8). It’s a conference your lead field personnel cannot afford to miss and we hope to see them there!

How Most Contractors Build Plumbing Service Business

PCA’s fourth module in their Virtual Education Series on Plumbing Service focuses on water heater service and installation, the entry point for most contractors trying to build a commercial plumbing business.

Although most contractors get started in commercial plumbing through warranty, repair and servicing new construction work, the most common way that most contractors build their commercial plumbing service division is through water heater repair and installation. Most manufacturers are in constant search of reliable contractors to help repair and install their products after the point of sale. By becoming a certified repair and installation contractor for water heaters, it not only drives reliable work, but gets you in the door with potential new customers.

In the fourth module of the PCA’s Virtual Education Series on Plumbing Service, attendees will get a first-hand look at how the host company, JPG Plumbing and Mechanical Services, perform water heater service, repair and training.  The module will feature a video taken with JPG President, John Geiling discussing their progression into commercial water heating and the pros and cons of it. The video continues with an overview from JPG Vice President, Marc Gluck on how they teach technical skills for plumbing service and the tools required. 

In addition to the JPG case study, Dustin Bowerman from Bradford White, discusses how manufacturers work with contractors and JATC’s to provide training on all of their products in order to develop a mastery of the processes, software and equipment.

Following the video, the PCA’s Sean McGuire will lead a virtual discussion with John Geiling, Marc Gluck and Dustin Bowerman on some of the commercial plumbing service. They will discuss the corporate benefits, technical skills and strategies that are needed in order to be successful.

The PCA Virtual Education Series is a seven-module case study with weekly sessions focusing on JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Services. Each module includes a video, an online discussion and handouts.  The series is limited to MCAA, PCA and MSCA members and costs $400. Prior sessions can still be accessed after their live broadcast.

For more information, contact Sean McGuire.

REGISTER NOW

MCAA Members Featured in ACHR News

Bob Dills of Western Allied Mechanical and Julie Wolfington of Boland, both MCAA members who are active in MSCA, are featured in an ACHR News article. The article on current trends impacting HVACR contractors in the high performance building sector includes insights from manufacturer Emerson, also an MCAA member.

Confront Your Unconscious Biases to Better Understand Your Decisions and Relationships

November 10, 2020 from 12:00 PM–1:00 PM Eastern

Did you know your brain can process 400 billion bits of information per second? Pretty impressive, right? Our brain’s super-computing powers are essential to making quick decisions for everyday life and general survival, and a majority of that processing happens without us even being aware of it. Welcome to the world of unconscious bias!

On November 10 at 12:00 PM EST MCAA’s WiMI will be sponsoring “Confront Your Unconscious Biases to Better Understand Your Decisions and Relationships.” In this highly engaging workshop, members of MCAA will be challenged to confront their own unconscious biases (don’t worry, we all have them) and understand how those biases impact how humans think, communicate, and act in the workplace. They participate in a series of “Bias Busters” that use multimedia content and experiential exercises to uncover their biases and learn how their brains works. Participants have countless “aha” moments, and they discover how bias impacts all kinds of decisions ranging from who is hired and promoted to who you sit next to in the break room. The program culminates with easy-to-use strategies to mitigate bias and build a positive and inclusive workplace culture.

MCAA MEMBERS LEAVE THIS PROGRAM WITH THE ABILITY TO: 

  • Understand how unconscious bias impacts decision-making and relationship-building          
  • Design decision-making processes that mitigate the impact of unconscious bias
  • Build diverse teams and relationships that reach across lines of difference
Bias busters, unconscious bias hacks, and virtual activities make this an unforgettable and powerful program.

Tune in for the 66th Annual Employee Benefits Virtual Conference offered by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

MCAA is glad to share an upcoming virtual education option offered by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans.

The 66th Annual Employee Benefits Virtual Conference will run November 2-19 with timely sessions on the issues we are all facing. The virtual delivery provides flexibility to fit your schedule—you can watch the sessions as they are presented or tune in later and watch on demand.

You’ll find program details and registration information here: www.ifebp.org/usacvirtual.

Until we can meet in person, let’s join together for online education!

Webinar #30: Navigating the PPP Loan Forgiveness Process

As the 24-week period finishes up for many borrowers, the time is now to start putting together that application for loan forgiveness. Join Withum Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) leaders Daniel Mayo and Matthew Walsh as they discuss the application process and what your lenders will be looking for when applying for forgiveness.

Additional Resources:

Navigating the PPP Loan Forgiveness slides (PDF)
Questions for Withum? Contact Matthew Walsh

This webinar was recorded Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

Find the Latest from MILWAUKEE TOOL and Lochinvar, LLC 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:

MILWAUKEE TOOL
MILWAUKEE® continues to drive layout innovation with the introduction of two laser solutions on the M12™ System and three Lasers powered by REDLITHIUM™ USB. M12™ Lasers deliver all-day run-time, best visibility*, and faster set-up. The USB Rechargeable solutions are designed to tackle frustrations with current alkaline-powered solutions, eliminating the dependency on disposable batteries. All of the MILWAUKEE® lasers are engineered with a focus on power, visibility, and set-up in order to increase productivity on the jobsite.

*When compared to 12V Multi-Plane Lasers With All Green Diodes or 12V Cross Line & Point Laser With All Green Diodes

Learn More

Lochinvar, LLC
The SHIELD™ commercial water heater features an advanced water heating system beautifully packaged for the smallest possible footprint. The SHIELD is available in ten models in standard and ASME construction.

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

MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program – Welcome to Week 4 & NEW WiMI Program Presentation JUST ADDED

If you have been tuning into the weekly GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program presentations, you have learned about estimating and project management, and explored construction management software, Procore. You have even been given first-hand advice on the the best tools and tips to use as you work on your project, from previous students who were once in your position and went on to compete in the Final Four of MCAA’s Annual Student Chapter Competition. All of the information in these presentations is for you, not only apply to your Student Chapter Competition project, but beyond. This is real-world insight and advice from some of the industry’s best to help you succeed. If you haven’t been able to watch live weekly, know you have helpful presentations waiting for you. You may access these presentations at anytime by following the “Video Library” tab after logging into the GreatFutures Fall Virtual Program website.

We are excited to share we have. added a special live panel presentation highlighting MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry Mentor/Mentee Program to this GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program. Join us on Thursday, October 29 at 1:00 pm EST to hear from current mentors and mentees on why and how they got involved with the program and learn how you can get involved too. Mentees will speak to how valuable they have found the assistance from their mentors, women with years of experience in the mechanical industry, in career planning, networking and goal setting. Our mentors will share their experiences and offer their best advice to you as you navigate through studying and working in the industry!

Here’s a look at what is still to come this Fall! 

REGISTER NOW

2020 MSCA Extraordinary Everyday Hero Award

MSCA has been honoring our industry’s very own everyday heroes for the past five years at the annual education conference. This year, we were certain that every contractor operating in today’s environment has employees that have gone above and beyond to satisfy customer requests, assist in community efforts or unselfishly support their company. Our expectations were blown away by just how many heroes we have within our industry. This year we received nineteen nominations! There are so many peers among us who do extraordinary things every day, simply out of the kindness of their hearts with a passion to make a difference for the better.

MSCA is proud to recognize all these heroes in our industry and distinguish them as an MSCA Extraordinary Everyday Hero. We will be spotlighting each of these heroes over the next few months. 

Ralph Caba, Donnelly Mechanical, Queens Village, NY

Jeremy Carty, Warwick Mechanical Group, Newport News, VA

Brad Chittum, Warwick Mechanical Group, Newport News, VA

Chuck Cholke, American Combustion Service, Road Mokena, IL

Montavia Deloatch, Warwick Mechanical Group, Newport News, VA

Kevin Johnson, Johnson Controls, Sparks, MD

Chris LaBarre, McKinstry Co LLC, Seattle, WA

Shaun McCann, Atomatic, Arlington Heights, IL

Erik Miles, EMCOR Services Nevada, Las Vegas, NV

Leeann Reece, Welch and Rushe, Inc., Upper Marlboro, MD

Josh Reith, Warwick Mechanical Group, Newport News, VA

Kyle Seaman, Warwick Mechanical Group, Newport News, VA

Debbie Sells, American Combustion Service, Road Mokena, IL

Tom Skowronski, CT Mechanical, LLC., Addison, IL

Leigh Smith, UMCI, Mukilteo, WA

Matt Smith, Mollenberg-Betz, Buffalo, NY

Matt Stortz, American Combustion Service, Road Mokena, IL

Bob Warren, Standard Plumbing and Heating, Canton, OH

Sonny Webb, Tozour Energy Systems, King of Prussia, PA

Protect Your Business from Risky Drivers

“Negligent entrustment” can stem from employees driving company-owned vehicles, their personal vehicles, or other vehicles on company business. Employers have a responsibility to know if an employee has something in his or her driving background that creates a risk to others. Negligent entrustment implies a company knew or should have known that it put an unsafe driver behind the wheel of a vehicle and allowed that employee to drive on behalf of the company. (CNA is an MCAA benefactor sponsor.)

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