Organization: MCAA

Hospital Cuts Energy and Maintenance Costs with Cutting-Edge Daikin Chillers

When Southern New Hampshire Medical Center in Nashua, NH, started having problems with its antiquated chiller system, the facility was eager to make an upgrade and chose Daikin chillers primarily for the energy efficiency. As a result, it has cut energy use in half and reduced maintenance costs.

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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

MSCA and Convoy of Hope Help reVIVE Springs Mission Rescue

MSCA partnered with the Convoy of Hope at this year’s MSCA19 Education Conference to provide support to Springs Mission Rescue in Colorado Springs, CO. Volunteers helped to take care of some big projects at the Rescue Mission. Along with helping put together meals, the group helped build a new fence, painted inside, and put up new signs. The Rescue Mission said they accomplished things that would normally take several weeks in just a few hours.

A special thank you to all of our members that volunteered their time. A special thank you to Mike Frank and team at Braconier Plumbing and Heating Company, Milwaukee Tool and Home Depot.

Learn How to Foster Creativity and Innovation at the MCAA Technology Conference

Can encouraging your staff to have a wide range of interests help grow your business? Yes, according to New York Times best-selling author David Epstein. Epstein will share findings from his latest book, Range: How Generalists Succeed in a Specialized World during the MCAA Technology Conference. Learn how innovation is encouraged by having a broad range of experiences. You won’t want to miss his insightful presentation!

Bowling Green State University Becomes MCAA’s Newest Student Chapter

MCAA welcomes our newest student chapter, Bowling Green State University!

Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, the BGSU chapter is sponsored by the MCA of Northwest Ohio. This is the association’s first MCAA Student Chapter.

Robert B. Austin, Assistant Professor of Construction Management serves as the chapter’s faculty advisor. Robert worked with Anne Saloff, Executive Vice President of the MCA of Northwest Ohio, to get the chapter established and students invested.

BGSU’s Construction Management program is tailored to produce industry ready construction professionals with a sufficient background in Mechanical and Plumbing.

Congratulations BGSU and welcome to the MCAA family!

Give Your Field Leaders the Opportunity to Be a Better Leader

Elevate your field leaders’ vision, perspective and performance when you send them to the 2019 Field Leaders Conference in Jersey City, NJ. Your field leaders are the frontline face of your company and the leader of your crew. At the MCAA Field Leaders Conference, your field leaders will hear from leading construction industry consultant, Kevin Dougherty when he speaks about Building Relationships: Communication on the Jobsite. Dougherty guides your team on how to communicate with different players, be a better listener, deal with difficult people, and bridge conflict. Give your field leaders the opportunity to be a better leader and grow your company’s profits and brand.

Join Us in Maui at MCAA2020 for an Experience You Won’t Forget!

The aqua waters, the blowing palms, the sun-soaked days and torch-lit nights…join us in Maui at MCAA2020! MCAA2020 will bring you a tremendous lineup of world-class speakers, lots of entertainment, fun parties and an experience you won’t forget. Don’t wait any longer as rooms are going fast–register today for the best room selection. You can find all the details and register directly through the convention website. We look forward to seeing you there!

Explore the Latest from Watts Water Technologies, Aquatherm 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:

Watts Water Technologies - MCAA Virtual Trade Show
Watts Water Technologies
Say hello to Pronto!™ – the brand new adjustable floor drain from Watts® that provides maximum efficiency and accuracy during installation. Designed for post-pour adjustment with flexibility in mind, Pronto! Key product features save contractors time and labor costs.

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Aquatherm LP - MCAA Virtual Trade Show
Aquatherm LP
Engineered for heating/cooling, compressed air, & other non-potable applications, Aquatherm Blue Pipe® is safe for indoor, outdoor, & direct-bury projects. The virtually leak-free pipe with a 10-year warranty comes in 1/2-24 in. sizes.

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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

Full HVACR101 WebBook Series Now Available

To better serve our members we have converted all our HVACR 101 modules into WebBooks. All ten HVACR101 WebBooks are now updated and live on the MSCA Resources page. MCAA and MSCA members can now access some of our most valuable publications on our new WebBook platform. You will be able to take notes, print sections, and share with colleagues. And most importantly, when we have updated content, unlike a downloaded pdf, our WebBooks can be instantly updated behind the scenes while your notes are preserved securely on your computer.

ALL WEBBOOKS  NOW AVAILABLE:
  • What is HVACR?
  • Terminology and Slang Used in the HVACR Industry
  • HVACR Basic Sciences and Formulas
  • 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

Check Out the 2020 Dates for MSCA Sales Institute Courses

MSCA’s Sales Institute, an MSCA University program is the first and only focused training program specific to service sales in the HVACR industry. This program, unlike any other, provides a clear career path for growing and developing service sales professionals to ensure their success, enhance their value to the company, encourage retention and, ultimately, increase sales. Nowhere else does such a comprehensive educational offering exist that focuses on your needs.

Register now, class spaces are LIMITED!

MCAA and WiMI Partner with the UA at Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference

Representatives from MCAA and its Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) initiative joined the UA at the 2019 Tradeswomen Build Nations conference (formerly Women Build Nations) for the second year. The event, which took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, from October 4-6, 2019, was sponsored by North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU).

More than 2,600 union tradeswomen came together to network and learn from each other, including more than 400 UA journeywomen and apprentices, business managers and agents supporting their locals.

UA General President Mark McManus addressed the UA group on Saturday, saying, “the diversity in our work and local unions is going to continue to grow in our United Association.” He was joined by the Laura Ceja, National Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator; Cheryl Ambrose, Health, Safety and Environmental Administrator, and Jill Timushka, National Manager of Youth, Diversity and Indigenous Relations at UA Canada.

The conference included a banner parade celebrating the skilled trades in attendance in addition to workshops addressing diversity and leadership.  Mark McManus and Laura Ceja spoke to all of the attendees at Sunday’s Final Plenary Session.

MCAA and the UA sponsored Saturday night’s event for the UA attendees at Gameworks in the Mall of America®. Members of MCAA’s WiMI Steering Committee Steering Committee attended the event, which included MILWAUKEE TOOL’s tool raffle and a photo booth sponsored by LAARS, a Bradford White Company.

MCAA and the WiMI Steering Committee look forward to continuing their partnership with the UA to support this trailblazing event next year in Washington, D.C.

 

IFS’ Contractor Checklist for Selecting a Field Service Management Application

Lacking a broad and powerful field service management application, trade contractors can find themselves facing a variety of business challenges. However, if your contracting business gets its operations processes right by leveraging comprehensive field service management software like that available from IFS North America, you can turn that challenge into an asset. Here are nine essential functional capabilities trade contractors need in their field service management software to make the most of service revenue opportunity.

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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

Find Innovative Ideas for ALL Members at the MCAA Technology Conference

Whether you’re in construction, plumbing or service, you’ll find innovative ideas to move your company forward at the MCAA Technology Conference. General sessions feature content of interest to all contractors, while breakouts and workshops let you choose the education that suits your interests. Don’t miss out…join this community of innovators!

The Work Practices in this Guide Help You Break the Line Safely

Safe work practices can be the difference between a safe line break and an extremely hazardous situation. MCAA’s latest guide will help you benchmark your practices and protect your workers.

Inside, you’ll find information about:

  • Common line breaking hazards
  • The most likely injuries from improper line breaking operations
  • Common causes of line breaking incidents
  • General line breaking preparations
  • A checklist you can use to ensure that line breaking is done consistently

By using these tools and educating your workers, you can ensure that every line break is a safe one.

MCAA Student Competition Challenges Chapters with NYC Chiller and Cooling Tower Replacement Project

This year’s MCAA Student Chapter Competition project has been released to all participating student chapters. MCAA student chapter members have been tasked with developing a proposal to be the prime contractor on a chiller and cooling tower replacement project in the Penn South building in New York City.

This year’s project details were generously provided by Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corporation of Fresh Meadows, New York.

Scope of the Project

The project includes the completion of all plumbing, piping and HVAC, electrical, controls and any other work required to complete the project as described in the bid documents. The student chapters are tasked with purchasing all equipment and materials, and providing all necessary labor to compete the entire project scope as detailed in the cap documents.

The successful bidder will be required to coordinate the installation of their work with all other trades. This will include full BIM coordination with all other crafts to locate and correct any clashes before fabrication or installation of any piping or ductwork. The contractor will be responsible for all costs related to any modification required for rerouting or relocation of any pipe or duct due to their lack of participation in the model clash detection exercise.

Final Four at MCAA2020 Convention

Members of MCAA’s Career Development Committee will evaluate and score the first round proposals. The teams earning the top four scores will present their proposals during the Student Chapter Competition at the MCAA2020 in Maui, Hawaii on Monday, March 16.

The stakes are high–the first place team wins $10,000, second place wins $5,000 and the finalists each receive $2,500.

GreatFutures Forum Presentation

MCAA Board of Directors members Scott Hinton of Harrell-Fish and Michael Russo of Fresh Meadow Mechanical discussed the project’s request for proposal (RFP) in detail at the MCAA GreatFutures Forum. Watch the video below to learn more about the first-round proposal requirements and the project’s overall scope.

Want to get involved?

Reach out to your local MCAA Student Chapter to offer guidance to the students as they navigate the competition RFP.

Find the Latest from LAARS, Penta Technologies 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:

LAARS, a Bradford White Company - MCAA Virtual Trade Show
LAARS, a Bradford White Company
Powerfully innovative, MagnaTherm® HTD commercial boilers and volume water heaters feature 20:1 turndown on ALL sizes. Combustion is tracked through all firing rates for unequaled efficiency optimization.

Learn More

Penta Technologies, Inc. - MCAA Virtual Trade Show
Penta Technologies, Inc.
From maintenance contracts to mobile field data collection, PENTA empowers contractors with the information they need to optimize service operations from the field to the office. Save time and increase efficiency, with PENTA.

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

Would Your Foremen Benefit from Damage Prevention Guidelines for Excavations? CNA Can Help.

To protect workers and prevent damage, proper planning and procedures are critical for underground facilities excavations. MCAA’s long-time partner in safety CNA has prepared a risk control bulletin on the subject, and is sharing it with MCAA members. The bulletin covers preplanning, identifying facilities on large and small projects, on site procedures, backfilling, managing damage if it occurs, employee accountability, and more.

CNA Risk Control Bulletin

Complete Temperature Systems Slashes Office Staff Time with MobiliForms

Complete Temperature Systems of Chicago cut office staff time by 14 hours per week using MobiliForms from iBusiness Technologies to help streamline their operations. Before, field work orders, service tickets, and preventive maintenance checklists had been driven around, which delayed invoicing and created the possibility of getting lost. Now, information streams in real time, allowing for same-day or next-day invoicing. CTS’ government contracts require specific work acknowledgement letters; with MobiliForms in place, they are signed onsite, stored, and shared digitally. MobiliForms also allows techs to capture pictures and sounds on work orders.

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

Inspire Your Field Leaders to Strive for Greatness

Your foremen didn’t get where they are by coasting. They’re good at what they do, and they can get even better by cultivating the attributes of great foremen. Greg Fuller, whose career spans from apprentice to company president and MCAA President, will lead a discussion of the top 10 attributes of great foremen. He will inspire your field leaders with new ideas and energy, to look at their role differently through an important professional lens, so they come back highly motivated to strive for greatness.

MCAA’s GreatFutures Forum Has Monumental Success!

MCAA student chapter members and member companies met in the nation’s capital September 19-21, 2019 for the MCAA GreatFutures Forum.

Molly Sizemore of the Penn State University Student Chapter said, “as a first-year attendee, I was blown away by the opportunities and resources provided to me as a student set to enter the industry.” And Molly wasn’t alone.

The forum kicked-off Thursday night with a welcome from MCAA President Brian Helm who shared the benefits of joining the mechanical industry, including the personal side — how “students will build connections and develop life-long relationships.” He touched on how fast technology is evolving in our industry and the immense opportunities for students to be part of these exciting changes.

Then speaker and illusionist Vinh Giang spoke about how creating and cultivating the right influences in your lives can make the difference for tremendous success. Next MCAA Career Development Chair and MILWAUKEE TOOL Vice President of Training Jon Finch presented on the DiSC® behavior style assessment. Attendees identified their own personality traits and learned how to engage in more impactful ways with different behavior styles.

Friday started with the 3rd annual MCAA GreatFutures Job Fair. The fair connected 35 participating MCAA member companies, both contractors and manufacturer suppliers, and 150 students looking for internship, co-op and full-time job opportunities.

After lunch attendees were given the opportunity to tour the mechanical systems of the new Museum of the Bible. The tour was facilitated by Southland Industries and Mike Miller of Kirlin Group. Students had a firsthand look at the cooling towers and generators on the building’s green roof, along with the state-of-the-art equipment in the mechanical rooms and fire pump rooms.

The day concluded with dinner at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, where attendees had time to explore the exhibits, watch an IMAX movie and enjoy riding the simulators.

Saturday began with a session on this year’s MCAA Student Chapter Competition project. The scope and proposal criteria were revealed by Scott Hinton of Harrell-Fish and Michael Russo of Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corporation, both members of the MCAA Board of Directors and Career Development Committee. The project was contributed by Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corporation and will involve a chiller and cooling tower replacement project, including the completion of all plumbing, piping and HVAC.

The keynote speaker was Colonel Nicole Malachowski, the first female pilot selected to fly as part of the USAF Thunderbirds, closed the forum with a motivating message on leadership and overcoming adversity. Nicole detailed her career and life challenges and inspired everyone with her courage and success when faced with the headwinds of her life.

MCAA thanks this year’s generous host and sponsors, the MCA of Metropolitan Washington, for their support in bringing the forum to Washington, DC. MCAA and the student chapter members are already looking forward to next year’s GreatFutures Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 1-3, 2020. Mark your calendars!