Organization: MCAA

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Comparison of Industry Standard Form Agreements Between GCs and Subcontractors

The most used form agreements between prime or general contractors (GC) and subcontractors are the AIA A401 and the ConsensusDocs 750, and with good reason. Both are more likely to yield terms and conditions that are favorable to a subcontractor. MCAA’s Comparison of Industry Standard Form Agreements Between GCs and Subcontractors highlights the similarities and differences between these form subcontracts to help you decide which is right for your next project. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin compares provisions related to:

  • The subcontract documents
  • Scope of work/code compliance
  • Progress payments
  • Payment for stored materials
  • Retainage
  • Final payment
  • Interest on late payments
  • Changes in the work
  • Schedule/delay damages
  • Warranty
  • Indemnification
  • GC bonds
  • Dispute resolution
  • Consequential damages
  • Temporary facilities
  • Information regarding the owner’s ability to pay
  • Liens
DOWNLOAD

The Managing Killer Contract Clauses (CT9) bulletin referenced in this bulletin is available here.

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

Congratulations to Brock Schulz, Recipient of the 2023 Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations to Brock Schulz, this year’s recipient of the annual Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship, which honors the late owners (Wayne, Patrick, and Emmett Reilly) of the John W. Danforth Company, one of the preeminent and charter members of MCAA. Kevin “Duke” Reilly presented the award during the Awards of Excellence Breakfast at MCAA23 in Phoenix, AZ.

Brock studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nebraska and graduated in May 2023. He was an active member of his MCAA student chapter and served as the Fundraising Chair. Brock has been interning at MCAA Member, MMC Contractors since May 2021 and upon graduation was hired as a full-time Project Engineer.

“I joined MCAA for several reasons. At first it was another way for me to find an internship and get involved. I had been informed of what MCA was by a fellow member. However, after joining I quickly realized how much this organization has to offer. I think a better answer for this question is why I have come back over the last three years as a student member. I have returned to MCA not only for all of the benefits but also for all the opportunities to give back to both my community as well as those who have helped bring me up. I have enjoyed all the volunteering, helping out the younger generations get excited about their futures or giving a relaxing night to our contractors through our wine tasting fundraiser/networking event. The people in this industry have not only helped me open up and branch out as a person but have also led me along a path helping me grow up and become a better and stronger man. I am very appreciative for all MCA has giving me thus far and will do my best to give back as much as possible throughout my future career.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Brock on this prestigious scholarship and thank John W. Danforth Company for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.

Find the Latest from FARO Technologies, Inc. and A.O. Smith 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:

FARO Technologies, Inc.
[WEBINAR] Discover the power of FARO® 3D Reality Capture and watch the on-demand webinar to explore how it assists builders and engineers in planning, designing, and managing MEP systems effectively.

Learn More

A.O. Smith
A. O. Smith’s Cyclone® XL commercial gas water heater operates at 1 million BTU/hour with a smaller footprint than two current Cyclone 500,000 BTU/hr units. A 750,000 BTU/hr Cyclone XL model is also available. The new models feature a unique dual stainless-steel heat exchange system, providing a two-step heat transfer process that delivers thermal efficiencies of 97%. Intelligent Demand Response automatically adjusts the differential set point to increase availability of hot water during large demand periods. www.hotwater.com

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

HIRE ME at GFF Twenty-Three!

Registration is now available for the MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Sept 28-30, 2023). Be sure to be in the room for the most untraditional job fair around! We’ve done away with stationary booths and are bringing the students straight to you for a relaxed and casual networking breakfast. Identifiers will be distributed to signify if you’re offering an internship / YELLOW, full-time job / GREEN, or if you’re just there for the bacon at breakfast / PURPLE. 
Employers are encouraged to wear a company shirt and then the students will be wearing matching GFF shirts. 

How it works: 
(Let’s say you’re an employer looking for an intern.)

  1. Make sure you’re wearing a company shirt.
  2. Grab your identifiers from the Job Fair table on Friday morning (mardi gras beads).  Yellow = Internship.
  3. Mingle around the room and look for students (matching shirt) wearing yellow beads.
  4. Say hello to students who match what you’re looking for in terms of employment.
  5. Scan their badge to share contact info and/or swap business cards (blank cards available for students to utilize)
  6. Head over to the breakout room if you’d like to do a quick on-site interview.
  7. Enjoy the bacon-themed breakfast and some iced coffee.

GreatFutures Forum Registration

  • Registration is complimentary for MCAA Student Chapter Members, Contractor Members, Local Association Executives and Sponsors
  • Registration closes on August 30th!
REGISTER NOW

GFF23 Program Highlights

Thursday, September 28th
• Welcome & Different Paths to Mechanical Panel
• Handling Sticky Situations with Business Etiquette
• Keep Your Eyes Open: How Wonder Can Change Everything – Keynote
• Mechanical Playground and Late-Night Snacks

Friday, September 29th
• Job Fair
• Confidence for Breakthrough Changes – Keynote
• Competition Skills Stations & Competition Introduction
• MILWAUKEE TOOL Tour
• Dinner at Harley-Davidson Museum

Saturday, September 30th
• Presidential Message from MCAA President, Robert Beck
• Sustainability Panel
• Building Your Chapter roundtables
• Trivia Competition Prizes

Josam Company’s Lightweight Drain System Makes Installation a Snap for Egan Company

Egan Company selected Josam Company’s drain system to ensure that LeafLine Labs, the premium medical cannabis cultivator in Minnesota, had the right drainage systems to meet their unique needs. Josam Company’s PRO-PLUS® Trench Drain System was a welcome change from other labor-intensive drain systems that Egan Company had used, saving time and streamlining installation.

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

Don’t Miss Out – MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is Heading to San Francisco

Conference Dates: August 2-4, 2023 | San Francisco, CA

August will be here before we know it, and so will our third Field Leaders Conference of the year. Those who attend will return with the skills they need to be business- and results-oriented managers focused on growing company profits and brand. Grow your field leaders’ skill set. Register your team today!

Field Leaders Will Learn

  • To view themselves as professionals
  • The importance of the bottom line
  • Why customer relationships matter
  • How to establish tangible goals
  • What’s the “smarter” way to work
  • Their role as the face of your company
  • What it means to be a great foreman

Staying On-Site Adds Networking Time

When they stay at the conference hotel, your field leaders will have extra time to share experiences and listen to others. They will build new relationships that allow them to exchange advice and support long after they leave.

Financial Assistance Opportunities

The United Association’s (UA) International Training Fund (ITF) is offering $5,500 grants for foreman administrators who attend one of the 2023 MCAA Field Leaders Conferences. Find additional information about these grants and learn how to apply in this article.

Your Lead Field Personnel Cannot Afford to Miss this Conference!

Don’t delay – register your team for the August conference today! The button below will take you right to the event site for the San Francisco conference for all of the event details and registration.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

The conference will be offered again October 11-13, 2023 in Des Moines, IA for those who can’t make it to the August conference. Learn more and register for the Des Moines conference here.

Help Students Answer “What is Mechanical Contracting?” by Posting Your Internship or Full-Time New-Hire Position on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board

MCAA recently released a video that explains, “What is Mechanical Contracting?” Although this video can answer the basics, there’s nothing quite like experiencing a career opportunity first-hand.  If you’re looking for bright new talent for the Fall 2023/Spring 2024 school year or already on the hunt for your Summer 2024 interns or full-time new hires, then post your position now on the MCAA GreatFutures Job Board to attract student chapter members looking to experience the wide world of mechanical contracting!

How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship

  • Login with an MCAA username and password
  • Click on the job board within the Career Development page
  • Click Manage My Jobs and Add a Job to create your posting
  • Jobs remain active for 1 month to ensure postings stay fresh
  • When the job is set to expire, a reminder will be sent for you to either “mark as filled” or “duplicate” and repost for another month
  • Interested students can view postings and submit their contact information and resume
  • Your office will be notified via email when interested students submit their resume
  • From there, your office is encouraged to continue with your company’s application and interview process
VIEW JOB BOARD

Katie Spatcher Promoted to Vice President of Service Sales at Arden Engineering Constructors   

Katie Spatcher has been promoted to Vice President of Service Sales at Arden Engineering Constructors, an MCAA member company. She will lead the company’s growing sales team.

She previously served as a Senior Account Manager for Arden Engineering’s service division.

Robert M. Bolton, the owner of Arden Engineering Constructors and MCAA’s Immediate Past President, hired Spatcher in 2004 after she graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in mechanical engineering. Since then, Spatcher has helped grow Arden’s service division, providing customized, engineered building solutions and unparalleled customer service.

“Katie Spatcher has been pinnacle to the success of Arden Engineering’s service division over the years. We are delighted to announce her well-deserved promotion,” said John Puniello, President of Arden Engineering Constructors.

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Safety and Productivity: Does Improving One Increase the Other?

Reduced costs are just one benefit that a company realizes when it establishes a comprehensive safety program. A company’s productivity and business also improve. MCAA’s Safety and Productivity: Does Improving One Increase the Other? uses case studies to highlight the key ingredients for success: a commitment from top management and a clear plan of action that involves all employees. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

  • The link between safety and productivity
  • Case studies showcasing the common factors of success
DOWNLOAD

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.

MCAA’s Expanded Fabrication Conference Offers Four Facility Tour Options

Registration is open and already 50% sold out for the MCAA 2023 Fabrication Conference, powered by MSUITE. This benchmark event has been expanded to offer four facility tour options, allowing us to include more MCAA members than ever. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your understanding of mechanical fabrication, connect with industry leaders, and explore innovative fabrication facilities. Join us in Seattle September 11-13, 2023. Learn more and register today!

Seattle is an impressively fabrication-forward city with multiple tour options. This year, we are offering an unprecedented choice of exclusive access to these leading fabrication facilities:

  • UMC, Inc. (primary host) – mechanical and plumbing
  • SJS Mechanical – light commercial and plumbing, perfect for those new to fabrication
  • MacDonald Miller – sheet metal only; will talk process and metrics
  • Shinn Mechanical – innovations in sprinkler fitting and material handling

These tours are an invaluable opportunity to see industry-leading practices in action, discover new techniques, and gain insights directly from the experts shaping the future of mechanical fabrication.

Spanning over two and a half days, the conference is designed to offer a comprehensive educational experience as well. Contractors from around the country will share their expertise in fabrication to provide takeaways outside the fabrication tour. Each conference session will be contractor driven with demonstrations and case studies of how MCAA members are increasing their productivity and profitability by using fabrication.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your understanding of mechanical fabrication, connect with industry leaders, and explore innovative fabrication facilities. The MCAA 2023 Fabrication Conference is set to be a landmark event, and we look forward to welcoming you in Seattle September 11-13, 2023!

Register now through our MCAA Fabrication Conference website and join us for the most expansive MCAA Fabrication Conference to date.

Connect With the Latest Training from Mueller Industries, Inc. and Xylem Inc. – Bell & Gossett 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:

Mueller Industries, Inc.
Streamline® PRS Copper Press Fittings | Instrucciones de instalación Instrucciones de instalación de conexiones prensadas de cobre PRS. English version also available under supplier training.

Learn More

Xylem Inc. – Bell & Gossett
Bell & Gossett offers free training/education opportunities for plumbing and hydronic HVAC industry professionals. The Little Red Schoolhouse and Remote Learning Hub host a wide range of seminars tailored to different occupations within the industry.

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

2024 Safety & Health Conference: Call for Proposals – Submissions Are Due July 14th

Calling all Safety Professionals. Have you ever wanted to present at a national Safety & Health Conference?

Now is your chance to share your knowledge and expertise with hundreds of attendees from all over the country at the 2024 Safety & Health Conference in Tucson, AZ, January 16-18, 2024.

Submissions are due July 14th, 2023. Proposals must be submitted using the link below.

Please email raffi@mcaa.org for any questions about presenting.

SUBMIT PROPOSAL

Congratulations to Amaya Caggino, Recipient of the 2023 ATP Inspiring Future Leaders Scholarship

Amaya Caggino is the recipient of the brand-new ATP Inspiring Future Leaders Scholarship. The scholarship was established to recognize, support and inspire students in the mechanical industries.

Amaya studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland – College Park and graduated in May 2023. She was an active member of her MCAA student chapter and served as both Vice President and then President. She has been interning at MCAA Member, The Poole and Kent Corporation since May 2021 and upon graduation was hired as a full-time Project Engineer.

“I initially joined the MCAA student chapter because the faculty advisor recruited me, as he felt I would be a good fit and asset to the team. At that point during freshman year, I had never heard of mechanical contracting, however I was open to learning about something new. After shadowing the team for the semester, I was amazed at how the team was able to work together so effectively through different challenges to create a full-scale bid proposal that not only had real components of a construction project, but was a bid for a real-life construction project. Overall, after watching the team work to create the bid, I was in awe and I knew that this type of work in the mechanical contracting industry was something that I wanted to do with my career. I then decided to join the student chapter team myself for the following three years.

Five years after graduation, I see myself leading my very own project with Poole and Kent. I see myself as a project manager working on large scale projects, specifically data centers, and working towards earning various certifications such as the PMP and attending the Institute for Project Management.”

MCAA and the John R. Gentille Foundation congratulate Amaya on this prestigious scholarship and thank ATP Learning Solutions for their commitment to supporting students interested in pursuing a career in the mechanical contracting industry.

Celebrate MCAA’s 20 Years of Safety Excellence Each Month of 2023 With a Safety Resource Kit

To celebrate MCAA’s 20 Years of Safety Excellence, MCAA is offering monthly safety kits to benefit our contractors around the country and the mechanical industry workers they support. Each kit will include videos, webinars, trainings, and additional resources on each monthly topic.

July 2023: 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. This month’s kit includes information and posters from MCAA, OSHA, CNA and Milwaukee Tool. We will also be partnering with Tyfoom on a free heat stress webinar on July 27th at 3:00 pm ET.

CNA Resources

Milwaukee Tool Resources

MCAA Toolbox Talks

Tyfoom Webinar

DOWNLOAD RESOURCE SUMMARY

Find the Latest from Morris Group International and Craftmark Pipe Markers 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:

Morris Group International
The ConTrols® Hi-Low Master Mixing Valve mixes hot water from the heater with cold water to the right temperature for the distribution system. ConTrols is a member of Morris Group International.

Learn More

Craftmark Pipe Markers
CraftMark DuraMark Self-Stick Pipe Markers Durable indoor/outdoor pipe marking system meets ASME/ANSI A13.1 2020 Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems. MCAA members receive a 30% discount and free shipping on all pipe markers!

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

A. O. Smith Water Heaters Provide Reliable Hot Water at Any Hour for Hotel Guests

A hospitality industry veteran opted for A.O. Smith for a dependable water heating solution for a new four-story Hampton Inn in Ashland City, TN. “Hampton Inns thrive on being local,” said hotel general manager Sammy Naquin, “so it made sense to turn to A. O. Smith, who is right here in Ashland City, for a solution.” Naquin worked closely with A. O. Smith, which specified two 750,000 Btu/hr Cyclone® XL commercial gas water heaters, recommended for the hotel’s size and water heating demands.

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

The Preparatory Institute for Project Management Online: Registration Now Open for the Last Class of 2023!

Registration is now open for the final Preparatory Institute for Project Management of the year. Classes will take place Mondays and alternate Wednesdays from August 21st to October 18th. Register your Assistant Project Managers, Project Engineers, new hires, or people transitioning to the office from the field or estimating today, before spaces fill up.

This online introductory course covers topics fundamental to successful project management that are applicable regardless of company size. Our team of contractor-instructors have a broad range of work experience and many of them have spent time in small and medium-sized family-owned businesses. Classes are live – never recorded – and student interaction is a critical component of the program.

The Pre-IPM will provide value whether a member contractor’s operation is small medium or large. From Planning & Time Management, to Scheduling and Close-Out, the lessons learned in Pre-IPM are applicable across the board. As our students have told us:

“The Pre-IPM course was a great course to take.  It did a fantastic job of covering common topics/issues that PMs face every day and gave many tools to manage these things as a beginning PM.”

“I love that it was a road map for what it means to be a PM, with a clear path to being successful. PM has always felt like the wild west, fake it till you make it. This class showed me there is a standard. I also am excited to be implementing many of the things I learned.”

Because attendance at all lectures is required for certification, all potential students should review the schedule of dates on the Pre-IPM webpage before enrolling to ensure they have no conflicting commitments. Registration takes place on a first-come, first-served basis – and classes fill quickly. Visit the Pre-IPM webpage to sign up your APMs, PEs, and new hires today!

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Learn Essential Strategies for Keeping Your Workers Safe from Heat Illness in MCAA & Tyfoom’s Webinar

Heat Illness poses a serious concern for worker safety and health in the mechanical construction and service industries. Join MCAA and Tyfoom as we review strategies to keep workers safe against heat illness during a 30-minute webinar on Thursday, July 27, at 3:00 PM EDT. The webinar will emphasize the importance of awareness, best practices, and effective communication in ensuring worker safety. It will also address strategies for doing so, including planning awareness and training, best practices, and consistent communication into the daily work routine. Register today!

The webinar, which will be led by Tyfoom’s Jason Cuskelly and facilitated by MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas, will provide attendees with an understanding of:

  • The urgency of implementing these strategies
  • The importance of planning to ensure employees are safe from heat illness
  • How intentional communication helps to educate employees about the risks associated with heat and best practices for staying safe
  • The role of microlearning techniques as an effective method for knowledge retention, enabling employees to stay informed and vigilant

By implementing these best practices, MCAA members can mitigate the risks of heat-illness, safeguard their workforces, and promote an overall culture of safety.

Register

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Five S’s: The Road to Improvement

Seeking to improve shop productivity, Kinetics adopted the 5 S’s, a variation of lean thinking. By applying these actions, Kinetics’ employees were able to reduce wasted time, materials and information, thereby increasing their productivity. MCAA’s Five S’s: The Road to Improvement shares the process and the results the company was able to achieve. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

  • What the 5S’s are and how they work
  • Kinetics’ 5S’s implementation guidelines
  • The results
DOWNLOAD

For a full list of available Management Methods Bulletins, visit the Management Methods Bulletins page.

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall.