Organization: MCAA

JPG Increases Efficiency, Builds Business With Zurn SmartPro Monitoring

JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Services’ adoption of new oil and grease interceptor monitoring technology from Zurn has significantly reduced pumping overspend and minimized the risk of backups for JPG’s customers. The increased monitoring is translating into more tank repair and replacement work as customers gain better visibility into their systems. Zurn Elkay Water Solutions is a benefactor of MCAA23.

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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

Celebrate Women in Construction Week & Register for MCAA’s 2023 WiMI Conference

Women in Construction Week or WIC Week celebrates and promotes the role of women in the construction industry. In 1998, NAWIC held the first WIC Week and it has grown and expanded each year since. This week, MCAA wants to celebrate the many successful women among our membership and this amazing industry.  

MCAA launched our Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) initiative in 2018 and it has continued to grow year after year. The WiMI initiative was created to enable women in the mechanical industry to further enrich their careers through networking, educational, mentoring and career development opportunities. Over the years WiMI has brought education opportunities across all of MCAA’s events, including MCAA’s Convention, MSCA’s Education Conference, MCAA’s Safety & Health Conference and the MEP Innovation Conference. WiMI’s largest opportunity for education and networking for women in the industry is at our annual WiMI Conference.  

This year’s WiMI Conference will be held June 12-14 in Nashville, TN and is a great opportunity for all women to DISCOVER  their potential. The conference will feature exceptional speakers, interactive educational sessions, industry related roundtables and opportunities to build lasting relationships with fellow women in the mechanical industry. A full menu of educational offerings will help attendees discover all the opportunities this industry has to offer. From industry newcomers to executives, and everyone in between, this is the event to attend for all women in the mechanical contracting industry.  

JOIN US IN NASHVILLE

Proposed Bylaws Change to Be Voted on at the Annual Business Meeting

The MCAA Board of Directors recommended a change to the MCAA Bylaws at its annual summer board meeting held last July in Victoria, British Columbia. The recommended change would extend the current two-year waiting period to seek re-election to the Board of Directors to four years. This bylaws change will be voted on by the membership at the Annual Business meeting held during the upcoming convention on Thursday, March 30, 2023.

Educate Your Field Leaders on the Latest Productivity-Enhancing Tools & Resources

Technology and innovation are evolving rapidly, and it is critical that field leaders be educated to keep pace. MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference lets field leaders explore the latest offerings from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council. By asking questions, they gain a fresh understanding of how those offerings impact project performance. They return ready to share these insights to help maximize your company’s ROI. That’s just one example of how the industry-specific content gives field leaders the skills, understanding, and inspiration to positively impact their company’s bottom line. The conference will offer the same education and exhibitors in Scottsdale, AZ (April 3-5), Chicago, IL (May 17-19), San Francisco, CA (August 2-4) and Des Moines, IA (October 11-13). Register your field leaders today!

Meet Our Exhibitors

The following Manufacturer/Supplier Council members are slated to exhibit at all four field leaders conferences. That means every field leader who attends will have the same opportunity.

  • Autodesk Construction Solutions
  • DEWALT Industrial Tool Company
  • GTP Software, Inc.
  • MILWAUKEE TOOL
  • Morris Group International
  • NIBCO INC.
  • Procore Technologies, Inc.
  • Victaulic
  • Viega
  • Zurn Elkay Water Solutions

Those who attend the Scottsdale conference will also see ASC Engineered Solutions.

About the Education

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference benefits field leaders at all levels and your company.

Field leaders will learn to:

  • View themselves as professionals
  • Understand how their performance impacts the bottom line
  • Establish tangible goals
  • Appreciate the importance of customer relationships and their role as the face of the company

They will return to your company with:

  • Real-life tips and tools for success on the job site
  • Ways to control crucial job site conversations
  • An action item list they can put to work right away
  • A fresh perspective on the latest tools and construction resources
  • A network of other jobsite leaders to advise and support them
  • The inspiration to take this knowledge and apply it to better themselves at work, and in life

The conference will offer the same education and exhibitors in Scottsdale, AZ (April 3-5), Chicago, IL (May 17-19), San Francisco, CA (August 2-4) and Des Moines, IA (October 11-13). Don’t let your field leaders or your company miss out. Register today!

April 3-5, 2023 | Scottsdale, AZ
May 17-19, 2023 | Chicago, IL
August 2-4, 2023 | San Francisco, CA
October 11-13, 2023 | Des Moines, IA

Arden Building Companies Recognized by Rhode Island Monthly

Arden Building Companies, an MCAA member, was recognized in the March issue of Rhode Island Monthly magazine as part of a series celebrating family-owned businesses. The article celebrates Arden’s nearly 70-year history, during which the company has evolved from a mechanical and general contracting group into the multi-faceted group of companies, which includes Arden Engineering Constructors, Corporate Mechanical of New England, MJ Daly, and Unique Metal Works. MCAA congratulates MCAA President Robert M. Bolton and the entire Arden team on their rich history. We look forward to seeing where the next 70 years take you!

Doug Smith of Dynamic Systems Inc. Named MCAA Innovator of the Year

The MCAA Innovative Technology Committee recognized Doug Smith from Dynamic Systems, Inc. as the 2023 Innovator of the Year at the annual MEP Innovation Conference hosted by MCAA, NECA and SMACNA in January in Austin, Texas. Smith is the director of VDC technology at Dynamic Systems, Inc., a Texas-based contractor, and leads the design and coordination process between a team of over 120 people.  

Recognized by his peers for his leadership in research, process integration from virtual design to fabrication, and his ability to be a resource to colleagues in the industry. Smith has previously presented at the MEP Innovation Conference, MCAA Fabrication Conference and the MCAA Technology Conference.  

“Doug is one of the best people in the industry to know,” said Travis Voss, the Helm Group’s leader of innovative technologies. “When you are at a roadblock on something, more than likely he has faced the same challenge and will tell you how he fixed it. That kind of candor is part of the amazing culture he brings to the industry, and we all try to emulate.”  

About the award: The MEP Innovator of the Year award is given each year at the MEP Innovation Conference to recognize the people driving research and innovation in the industry. A representative from MCAA, NECA and SMACNA is recognized each year. 

Looking for Talent? Post an Entry-Level Job Today & Meet Candidates at the Hire Me Corner at MCAA23

Over 125 Students from close to 30 chapters are registered for MCAA23. They will soon be scoping out MCAA’s GreatFutures Job Board for companies they would like to meet with in Phoenix to discuss internships and entry-level full-time positions. Post your position(s) today and be sure to stop by the Hire Me Corner (inside the Manufacturer/Supplier Council Exhibit) on Tuesday, March 28th to meet students in person.  

Students seeking employment opportunities will be stationed at tables based on where they would like to find work (not necessarily where they’re located now). Tables will be separated geographically into West, Central and East. Stop by the table that best fits your company’s location and find your next great hire.  

MCAA23 Student Chapters

The following schools will be bringing students to MCAA23. Be sure to check out the We’re Here Banner at MCAA23 for the most up to date listing of schools as they arrive on-site. 

  • Alfred State University
  • Auburn University
  • Ball State University
  • Bradley University
  • California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
  • California State University, Chico
  • California State University, East Bay 
  • California State University, Sacramento 
  • Fairleigh Dickinson University 
  • Ferris State University 
  • Illinois State University 
  • Iowa State University
  • Kansas State University
  • Kent State University
  • McMaster University
  • Milwaukee School of Engineering 
  • Missouri State University 
  • Oregon State University
  • Pittsburg State University 
  • Purdue University 
  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 
  • SUNY at Binghamton University 
  • University of Maryland, College Park 
  • University of Nebraska 
  • University of Washington
  • Utica University 
  • Wentworth Institute of Technology

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

Hired an Intern? Submit an Internship Grant Request

MCAA wants to hear about all of your mechanical contracting interns and has revised the internship grant application process to ensure program success is being rewarded and celebrated.

Part 1: MCAA members with one intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant. Companies with two or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant. One form should be filled out for each intern (even beyond two).  

Part 1 applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis and may be submitted once per calendar year, per intern.

Internship Grant Form – Part 1

Part 2: For companies successfully converting an intern (from their part 1 list) to a full-time new hire, a $500 gift card will be mailed to the company to present to their new hire. These new hire conversions are now unlimited, but the name of the new hire must be included on a part 1 list from an MCAA member company to be eligible. 

Part 2 applications may not be submitted until after their full-time start date.

Internship Grant Form – Part 2

Ridge Tool Company Offers Tips for Selecting Ergonomic Tools to Minimize Strain, Increase Productivity

Not long ago, the impact of a tool on its user was not given much thought when it came to tool design. Today, thanks to advancements in technology and a better awareness of how repetitive use of a tool can contribute to injury, ergonomic tool design is becoming the norm. To help ensure you are making the best equipment investment for your team, here are basic ergonomic tool features to look for.

  • Tools that are well balanced, lightweight, and can be operated with one hand are ideal. The weight will vary depending on the use of the tool. Thanks to technology, tools are becoming smaller and lighter, minimizing strain and fatigue for the user while increasing productivity on the jobsite. Look for the smallest and lightest tools to meet the demands of your typical jobsites.
  • In the case of hand or press tools, the center of gravity should be aligned with the center of the gripping hand. In other words, the tool should feel “easy” to hold either in an upright position or in the position in which it will be used.
  • For hand tools used for precision work, the handles and grips should have a “power grip.” Handle diameter recommendations vary, but in general, cylindrical handles of 1½” offer a better power grip, although they can range from 1¼” to 2”. For precision grips, a diameter of 1¼” is recommended. The larger diameter will allow for maximum torque, while the smaller diameter helps with dexterity and speed.
  • To ensure a good grip, sufficient friction must exist between the hand and the handle, and friction should remain consistent even with a sweaty hand. Hand tools should be made of non-slip, non-conductive, and compressible materials, such as textured rubber, that help keep the tool from slipping out of the hand.
  • To avoid tendonitis in the index finger (otherwise known as “trigger finger”) from tool use, look for solutions that allow you to use two or three fingers to activate switches to reduce discomfort and minimize the risk of injury.

Minor aches and pains add up over time, taking individuals off the jobsite because of injuries or down a different career path entirely. Using tools with even a few ergonomic features will go a long way toward reducing this physical strain and injury.

For more information, visit ridgid.com. 

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Jobsite Coordination

Mechanical contractors are likely to bear a large chunk of the responsibility for modern jobsite coordination. This can have cost implications that must be analyzed prior to making a bid. MCAA’s Jobsite Coordination highlights notable qualifications for discussion. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

  • The difference between historical and modern job coordination
  • Specification clauses covering coordination
  • Coordinated drawings
  • Assignment of costs incurred due to insufficient space
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.

IMI TA’s Support Center Cuts Energy Costs at Oklahoma Public Safety Facility

In recent years, the power needed to heat or cool buildings has fallen dramatically with the focus on reducing energy consumption and minimizing the environmental impact of HVAC installations. The flow rates in our installations are much lower now than in the past, especially if we use modulating controls on the terminal units.

Installations must be designed to guarantee a minimum flow rate for boilers and chillers so that their power output can be controlled and they keep running reliably. The same applies to variable-speed pumps requiring a minimum flow rate. Here, IMI Hydronic Engineering explains the issues around low flow rates in boilers, cooling units, and pumps; solutions to guarantee the minimum flow rate; and effective ways to control low flow rates.

Alongside control precision and stability, the system designer should consider the overall output of the installation depending on the control type recommended for the terminal units. The flow rates in an installation are directly linked to the necessary power and the temperature difference. In general for 85 percent of the heating period and 73 percent of the cooling period, the installation operates below 50-percent load. For 50 percent of power, a flow rate on the order of 20 percent is sufficient.

Issues With Low Flow Rates

Care must be taken to guarantee the minimum flow rate required for boilers, chillers, and heat pumps. Variable speed pumps also require a minimum flow rate.

In terms of distribution, low flow rates will affect circulation speeds, which can result in problems with sediment and air pockets. Low flow rates result in a greater temperature drop from the source unit (boiler, chiller, or heat pump) to the terminal unit. Finally, control valve characteristics must be considered for controlling lower flow rates.

How to Guarantee the Minimum Flow Rate

One simple and popular way of ensuring a minimum flow rate is to use a “static” bypass for a constant flow rate through boilers or chillers. This bypass is sized to create a slight pressure drop that will create hydraulic decoupling between the source unit and the terminal units. Variable flow on the distribution units will not affect the flow rate in the chillers.

Operating chillers and boilers with variable flow improves production efficiency. To achieve this, a “dynamic” bypass is used that stays closed until the primary flow rate approaches the minimum flow rate required by the production equipment.

The table summarizes ways to guarantee the minimum flow rate. Each approach has benefits (plus signs) and drawbacks (minus signs).

The minimum flow bypass with a balancing valve (A) should be adjusted below two thirds of the minimum flow rate to account for overflow when other control valves close.

As seen in (B), a bypass can be designed with a bypass valve that opens when the differential pressure passes the setpoint. These are diaphragm-spring technologies that are most effective with a proportional range on the order of 20 percent. This approach limits pumping costs and unwanted changes in the return temperature.

Three-way diverting valves (C) on the last terminal units are also used for maintaining minimum flow. This solution is easy to install but creates unwanted changes in the return temperature.

The best bypass design is with a motorized valve (D). The valve is opened according to the primary flow rate measured by a flow meter. As the flow rate approaches the acceptable limit, the valve gradually opens. The valve should not open or close too suddenly, causing surges.

Effective Control of Low Flow Rates

We need to accurately control the power output at low flow rates. For this, system designers must pay attention to the characteristics of two-way control valves. The two main criteria are the valve characteristic and the turndown.

The equal percentage (EQ%) flow characteristic is a way of compensating for the non-linearity of the exchangers. To control a flow rate between zero and 20 percent, an EQ% valve would operate between zero and 50-percent opening, which is 2.5 times more than a linear valve that is suitable for on-off application.

The other important criterion is the turndown. A turndown of 25 means that the minimum controllable flow rate is 4 percent of the nominal flow rate.

Controllable power is a function of the authority and the turndown of the control valve. The authority depends on the valve size and the available differential pressure. Authorities between 0.5 and 0.8 offer excellent control and can be achieved with differential pressure controllers or pressure-independent control valves.

For example, with an authority of 0.6 and a turndown of 25, the minimum controllable power is 20 percent, which corresponds to about 30 percent of the operating time. In other words, if no solutions are used to stabilize the available differential pressure in a circuit, the authority of a standard modulating control valve can go below 0.25, which could cause the control valves to operate in on-off mode with very low controllability for 30 percent of the operating time.

 Compare Costs and Benefits

Our installations require us to manage lower and lower flow rates correctly or risk decreasing the life cycle of the equipment (pumps, boilers, and chillers). Compared with the cost of energy or premature wear, the investment needed to correctly control minimum flow rates is relatively modest.

To maintain a minimum flow rate and controllability in a hydronic system, IMI Hydronic Engineering recommends that system designers take into account minimum flow bypass using solutions like fixed bypass with bypass valves or bypass with motorized valves to get more precise flow and temperature control throughout the system. Particular attention should be paid to the characteristics of the control valves. High turndown, the EQ% flow characteristic, and high control valve authority are the criteria that will ensure effective control of exchanger power for most of the operating time of HVAC installations.

For more information, visit www.imi-hydronic.com.

Therma Bridges Creativity and Collaboration with Procore’s Construction Management Platform

Therma’s steady growth and sterling reputation over the decades has been driven in part by its highly motivated and skilled innovators, each with their own approach to process—which also resulted in a disjointed recordkeeping system. They chose Procore’s scalable construction management platform to standardize their project processes and centralize their document management, creating seamless collaboration, complete flexibility across project types, and a single source of truth and project data accessible to all. Now, workers collaborate through a common platform with deep visibility into all the information they need, all available on mobile devices.

Silicon Valley’s Mechanical Contractor

Founded in 1967 in the area that would come to be known as Silicon Valley, by 1970, Therma’s clients included semiconductor companies before anyone knew what a semiconductor was. Therma made it a practice to put only the best and brightest self-starters in the field, the better to stay atop Silicon Valley’s continually cresting wave. They became known as the go-to specialty contractor for biopharmaceutical and life sciences companies, data centers, and other technologically complex builds.

Compared with other platforms, “Procore is more automated, it’s more collaborative, and it’s a better tool for bridging the office and the field.”

—Greg Conn, Director of Operations, Therma

Greg Conn, director of operations at Therma, explained, “The company grew organically, and its success came from the motivated people who worked here. As the company grew, there were a lot of individual worker methodologies with little standardization. A project’s actual documentation could live on someone’s personal computer or somewhere else. Locating project files and records proved challenging if you were not the author. There were a lot of people doing it their own way.”

Sandra Sherry, Therma’s virtual design and construction (VDC) software manager, concurred. “There was no single standard. Many people used spreadsheets and a variety of different apps that they might personally download to help with documentation. There was no unifying tool or process,” said Sherry.

One Platform, One Standard

For 50 years, Therma’s success has been fueled by their unique ability to do it all—from a one-day fabrication to a $30-million data center job. Therma chose Procore’s construction management platform because it flexes to accommodate Therma’s diversity of projects in a collaborative, transparent ecosystem. Procore automatically standardizes project workflows, streamlines cross-project coordination and communication, and seamlessly connects field and office teams.

Sherry described one example of how Therma leveraged Procore to increase transparency. “I was hearing that the field wanted the ability to view the models on their mobile devices,” Sherry said. “We utilized Procore’s Models tool to train all detailers on how to publish a model, and within an hour of publishing, the field could see the model and walk through it. The feedback was amazing.”

Therma evaluated several other construction-focused software, said Conn. Before they committed to another platform, though, Therma’s CEO, Jeff Sprau, wanted another look at Procore, which seemed more aligned with Therma’s needs and plans for growth. After a thorough leveling process, Procore beat the competition by including the most value in one platform—as well as the best price. “Looking back, we have not second-guessed our decision,” said Conn. “Procore is more automated, it’s more collaborative, and it’s a better tool for bridging the office and the field.”

Download Procore’s Construction Activity Index, which aggregates jobsite activity from Procore as well as publicly available information to measure construction activity across the country: https://www.procore.com/ebooks/construction-activity-index

For more information, visit www.procore.com.

F+F Mechanical Slashes Pipe Cutting Time and Labor Costs With Watts-Mueller Machine

Recognizing that pipe fabrication was slowing down its prefabrication process, F+F Mechanical Company invested in a Watts-Mueller pipe cutter that dramatically improved speed and quality while decreasing labor costs. In fact, thanks to the efficiencies gained from prefabrication using the Watts-Mueller machine, F+F Mechanical recently completed a full boiler room change-out for a hospital in just three months.

Several years ago, F+F Mechanical, a full-service mechanical contractor based in North Haven, CT, recognized the need to embrace new technology. John Ferrucci, vice president of F+F Mechanical, said, “We needed to move into prefab units and modular construction. As we started this process, it quickly became clear that pipe fabrication was taking too much of our projected time and consuming too much of our budget—piping was the bottleneck in our progress. We had four men fully dedicated to cutting, beveling, and prepping pipe.”

F+F Mechanical Vice President John Ferrucci noted, “The quality of beveling with the plasma torch on the Watts-Mueller machine dramatically improved the speed and quality of our X-ray joints.”

Ferrucci continued, “We visited a few large fabrication shops and observed them using the advanced technology we were considering—we had to upgrade our capital equipment. We were already looking at Watts-Mueller and one other manufacturer; everyone we talked with advised us to look at Watts-Mueller.”

In 2017, F+F Mechanical purchased the Watts-Mueller W-242 (two axis) machine with a 25’ bed and a conveyor outside the building for preloading and feeding pipe into the building. “We quickly went from two men working all day cutting pipe each day to cutting pipe two days a week. The labor savings alone justified the purchase of our new Watts-Mueller pipe cutting machine,” said Ferrucci.

“Another cost-saving benefit was gained efficiency with welding X-ray joints,” continued Ferrucci. “We had been using oxy-fuel in our pipe cutting. The quality of beveling with the plasma torch on the Watts-Mueller machine dramatically improved the speed and quality of our X-ray joints. All large-bore, high-pressure steam piping that requires radiographic testing passes at 100 percent now. One of the contributing factors to the success is the good end prep from our new machine.”

Ferrucci noted, “For the quality of the machine and all the features, the price was competitive, but what really got my attention was that every mechanical company I spoke with raved about Watts-Mueller machines.”

When he attended the annual MCAA Convention, Ferrucci visited the Watts-Mueller booth. “I introduced myself to David Carr and told him about our needs. Working with David was really great. He has so much knowledge of the industry and honestly told me what we really needed, actually steering me away from the more expensive options I thought we needed.”

Recently, F+F Mechanical upgraded the Watts-Mueller 3DPP software. “We are seeing substantial improvements with office/shop communication as well as gains in efficiency and accuracy,” said Ferrucci. “Our cut/prep time has gained roughly 60 percent in efficiency since the addition of the W-242 pipe cutting machine. All of our connected fabrication capabilities have increased. We now can cut heavy-wall pipe, stainless steel, and nozzle outlets.”

F+F Mechanical credits its ability to replace the boilers at Yale New Haven Hospital’s Saint Raphael campus in just three months to its prefabrication capabilities. The project included a complete replacement of three 1,000-horsepower boilers and all the high-pressure steam mains in the power plant and was performed with no time loss for the hospital. “We could not have completed this project in this timeframe prior to having the Watts-Mueller machine,” said Ferrucci.

For more information, visit www.watts-specialties.com.

Graco Mechanical Upgrades Houston Highrise in One Weekend with Marley Cooling Towers

For Graco Mechanical of Houston, TX, Marley NC® Cooling Towers from SPX Cooling Tech, LLC proved to be the ideal solution for replacing a highrise building’s aging cooling tower in a tight space with an even tighter timeline—just one weekend. These factory-assembled, or “package,” towers allowed for faster installation than a field-erected option while meeting the building’s needs.

A Tall Order

Installing a cooling tower on a roof of any height is never an easy task. Graco Mechanical was called on to disassemble an old wooden cooling tower and replace it with a new one for the Lyric Tower, a 26-story modern office tower in the theatre district of downtown Houston. The building needed a new tower—or towers—that was efficient and could be installed inside the existing mechanical pit without altering too much of the existing piping arrangement and structural steel. To add to the challenge, Graco Mechanical would only have a single weekend to complete the project, so as not to disrupt service for the tower’s tenants.

Using two Marley NC Cooling Towers, Graco Mechanical met the Lyric Tower’s need for new, efficient cooling towers that could be installed inside the existing mechanical pit without altering too much of the existing piping arrangement and structural steel.

Based on the required load and flow factors, the project tTeam selected two cells of model NC8407 to handle up to 1,800 gallons per minute and 700+ cooling tons per cell. The Marley NC cooling towers’ heat transfer media, fans, gravity-flow water distribution, and mechanical drive systems work together to provide industry-leading cooling and energy efficiency.

The units were also specified as all stainless-steel construction, which provides additional corrosion resistance and long-term durability. The units were equipped with variable flow nozzles to maximize effectiveness and energy savings while supporting chillers and pumps during off-peak periods.

Reaching for the Sky

Once the cooling towers were selected, Graco Mechanical was tasked with finding the best way to get them to the rooftop. Being in downtown Houston, there was little room for error, and the unique combination of height, reach, and load weight was beyond the capabilities of all locally available cranes. Using a helicopter lift would have its own limitations because of weight and air traffic regulations.

Eventually, the Graco team sourced one of only two cranes in Texas that could handle the job, with the help of TNT Crane & Rigging. Despite being one of the largest costs of the project, this crane still provided significant savings over all other proposed ideas.

Working Through the Weekend

Teardown on the existing tower began Friday afternoon. The crew at Graco Mechanical and a handful of subcontractors worked day and night in shifts to remove all the components of the existing field-erected tower.

The Lyric building’s downtown Houston location posed problems for local crane operators and even helicopters, so Graco Mechanical found one of only two cranes in the state that could handle the job—allowing them to meet the extremely tight deadline for cooling tower installation.

“Plans were sent out to each subcontractor with the layout of the streets and how the staging area would be set up, so each sub knew the exact part they were playing and when they were due up,” explained John Kanouff, general manager of service for Graco Mechanical. “This step was critical to completing the project on time.”

Starting at approximately 1 a.m. on Sunday, the new towers were lifted into position. Once they were safely placed in the mechanical yard, the crew immediately began reassembling the mechanical, plumbing, and electrical systems.

“The crane group did a great job on the lift plan, and they calculated, down to the inch, the clearance they would have when the crane swung on each lift,” added Kanouff.

By the time tenants started arriving on Monday morning, the Graco Mechanical crew had done exactly what they set out to do: the new Marley cooling towers at Lyric Tower were up and running—as was the central plant—for the workforce returning from the weekend.

For more information, visit spxcooling.com.

FARO Offers Five Tips for Maximizing Profitability With 3D Reality Capture

When processes are not aligned at every stage of a construction project, costly delays and unnecessary expenses are inevitable—and in the worst-case scenario can even result in legal disputes. Communication with stakeholders, the ability to monitor site progress, and the interconnected nature of construction work can all pose challenges to your bottom line.

However, if you streamline your construction progress management, you can mitigate risk and avoid losses. Here are five ways that 3D reality capture can help you avoid poor process management that could result in lost income.

  1. Avoid Costly Project Disputes

According to an Arcadis report, the global average cost for construction disputes in 2021 was $52.6 million, and disputes lasted an average of 15.4 months. Without a tool to track onsite progress accurately at every stage of your project, your organization might be leaving itself open to the risk of legal disputes, which can cost millions of dollars in settlements and legal fees.

Read Arcadis’ 2022 Global Construction Disputes Report: Successfully Navigating Through Turbulent Times: Read the Report Here.

Misaligned expectations of construction quality, delays in delivery, and the handoff between contractors are three common areas where construction disputes arise. These risks can be easily avoided with proper documentation and recordkeeping. So, when it comes time for a construction project handover, a comprehensive progress record like 3D reality capture can mitigate the risk of legal disputes.

  1. Build Long-Lasting Customer Networks

If construction progress is not managed, tracked, and communicated efficiently, stakeholders are left in the dark about the status of their projects, which can lead to doubt, confusion, and a reduced likelihood of future business opportunities for your firm.

Without being able to visualize the site in its entirety, stakeholders might need to make regular site visits to gain peace of mind about progress and to ensure that everything is on track. Site visits can be inconvenient, time-consuming, and costly, possibly damaging your reputation with clients. However, by using 3D reality capture tools—such as the FARO® Focus Premium and Focus Core Laser Scanner, alongside the FARO Sphere Cloud Platform—you can capture site conditions in a visual format easily to ensure an up-to-date, as-built record.

  1. Collect Complete As-Built Documentation

Securing repeat jobs with clients is always a positive outcome. With each maintenance and renovation project, contractors must complete and update as-built documentation. If that documentation is not up to date, every time a new project begins, a comprehensive walk-through and additional pre-work must take place before the work is started. These walk-throughs are not only time-consuming but also add to labor costs. Maintaining a reliable as-built record of the site that is updated within a shared, cloud-based platform, such as Sphere, allows you to avoid the extra time and labor costs.

  1. Minimize Expensive Rework

According to a 2018 survey by PlanGrid, in the United States, almost 50% of rework results from miscommunication. The lack of a visual representation of the jobsite and communication that happens in disjointed email threads or group texts can often lead to misunderstanding about what is really happening onsite. Without a shared platform to coordinate, collaborate, and execute plans, decisions can be made based on inaccurate or incomplete data.

Learn more about the PlanGrid survey from this blog: https://blog.plangrid.com/2018/08/fmi-plangrid-construction-report/

In this setting, 3D reality capture provides a huge competitive advantage in profit margins for your construction firm. The accuracy and objectivity it provides prevent many miscommunications that can lead to costly rework.

  1. Make Accurate Cost Estimates

Inaccurate cost estimation can easily lead to cost overrun for your construction firm. Bids that overestimate or underestimate the costs of materials or labor can significantly impact not only the project’s completion, but also your firm’s bottom line.

Overestimations may lead to a client choosing not to hire your firm at all, while underestimations can mislead clients about the size of the investment—potentially delaying payment to your contractors or project completion, which could result in litigation and damage your company’s reputation. These issues are most often caused by a simple lack of good visual data of the jobsite. You can easily avoid inaccurate cost estimations with a fast, accurate 3D reality capture setup.

Minimize Risk With Better Data Faster

When properly implemented, 3D reality capture—from a construction progress management platform like HoloBuilder™ to the accuracy provided by a FARO Focus Premium Laser Scanner—lets your team collect, analyze, monitor, and integrate field data for a variety of specific uses.

By capturing the jobsite in 3D, your onsite and offsite teams can collaborate seamlessly while keeping stakeholders in the loop at any point of the project. Once the project is complete, you will have an accurate, objective progress record to eliminate doubt and minimize the risk of legal disputes, improving the likelihood of repeat business.

For more information, visit www.faro.com.

Miller Electric Illustrates Benefits of Induction for Welding Preheating

Welding preheating is used to ensure weld quality and reduce the chance of cracking and other defects that can result in costly rework. Preheating is commonly used in field and shop applications when welding steel or steel alloy pipes or plates that are 1” thick or more. Applications that often use preheating include power plant and structural construction, as well as pipe fabrication. Here, Miller Electric outlines four common methods for welding preheating and how to choose the best option for your application.

When To Use Preheating

The process of preheating involves heating the area around the weld joint or the entire part to a specified temperature before welding. This reduces the weld cooling rate and drives out moisture, which helps prevent hydrogen buildup and the potential for cracking.

Determining whether an application requires preheating depends on several factors, including the type and thickness of the base material. Often, use of preheating is dictated by the welding procedure specification (WPS), which outlines the minimum and maximum preheating temperatures as well as the necessary duration of preheating. Welders typically must monitor and document the base material temperature between weld passes to ensure the metal remains within the required temperature range.

Weld Preheating Methods

Several methods can be used for preheating, and each option offers benefits and drawbacks. Determining the best method for a specific application often depends on the material thickness, weldment size, project timeline and budget, and available personnel and expertise.

  • Induction creates a magnetic field that generates eddy currents within the base metal, heating it internally from within. Accessories such as cables or blankets are placed on or near the part to generate the magnetic field. Induction provides quick setup time—often less than five minutes—and a fast time to reach the desired temperature. This method also produces a uniform heating area, making it easy to achieve and stay within the necessary temperature window. In addition, because the output coils do not get hot or create an uncomfortably hot environment for welders, induction can be safer than other methods. It also delivers flexibility to heat parts of many sizes and shapes. Induction can have a higher initial cost and require some operator training to ensure proper wrapping techniques.
  • Open flame involves operators using a fuel gas and compressed air torch (sometimes called rosebuds) to apply flame directly to the metal part. Flame preheating requires little operator training, but it does have several drawbacks. Flame often provides inconsistent temperature uniformity, has a slower time to reach desired temperature because of its inefficient process, and also compromises comfort and safety for operators working near the soot, smoke, and gases produced. This method also includes the extra expense of gas storage and distribution.
  • Resistance heating uses electrically heated ceramic pads placed on the base metal. The tiles transfer heat to the part through radiant and conductive heat, specifically where the pads are in contact with the part. This method can offer temperature consistency as long as no heating pads are broken. Downsides of resistance heating include cost and inefficiency. This method is often contracted out to a third party, increasing the cost. It can also sometimes take an hour or more to arrange and secure the heating pads on the part; the required cool-down time also adds significant time to the process. Broken heating pads can cause hot and cold spots in the part and add repair and replacement costs to your heating process. Also, resistance heating elements get extremely hot and can pose a safety hazard.
  • Ovens use convection heating, and the entire part is placed inside the oven, resulting in uniform heating. This method allows for heating many parts at once. However, ovens can be quite large and must be connected to an electrical outlet or gas supply, so they lack mobility. When large parts are involved, you may have to transport hot parts through your facility. In addition, the oven may need to be preheated for several hours before it is used, adding time to the process.

Induction Provides Many Benefits

Many critical welding applications require preheating. Understanding the differences between the preheating methods can help you choose the one that optimizes efficiency, reduces costs, and minimizes safety hazards for operators. Contractors in numerous industries have seen significant time savings with a move to induction heating—reducing cycle time by several hours per weld in some cases. Compared with other methods, induction heating is an efficient, consistent method for preheating, bakeout, and stress relieving for a wide range of part shapes and welding applications, helping you save time and money.

For more information, visit www.millerwelds.com.

Bluegrass Hydronics and Pump Turns Emergency Replacement Into No-Cost Upgrade With Delta Cooling Towers

By installing antimicrobial cooling towers from Delta Cooling, Bluegrass Hydronics and Pump helped a rural Kentucky school district qualify for a federal grant to replace a failed tower and another nearing the end of its life. The units solved the two biggest issues the school district was facing: budget constraints and the need for durable solutions.

It all started when a cooling tower used in conjunction with the school’s HVAC system failed. The old, metal-clad cooling tower at the area middle school required significant maintenance over the years. However, the district was hoping to delay the expense of replacing it along with another aging metal tower used by the high school.

“They needed a new tower, fast. Theirs was in real bad shape from years of rust buildup and they were experiencing all kinds of leaks—panel leaks, gasket leaks, everything,” explained Zach McKinney, sales engineer at Bluegrass Hydronics and Pump, which helped the school district with the cooling tower replacement.

Often in an emergency situation, researching for optimal replacement options gets tossed aside for what can be done quickly and easily. Fortunately, for the school district, the team at Bluegrass had experience with advanced engineered-plastic cooling towers.

Going for the Grant

To cut costs, McKinney had a plan. He knew that some engineered-plastic cooling towers are now manufactured with antimicrobial properties. He believed this feature would qualify the towers for government funding under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) program.

Because Delta Cooling’s antimicrobial cooling towers are eligible for federal relief funds to address environmental health hazards in schools, Bluegrass Hydronics and Pump helped a rural Kentucky school district obtain two much-needed towers at no cost.

Created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, ESSER funds are awarded to schools that need to repair or improve their facilities. To qualify, the improvements must reduce exposure to environmental health hazards. Originally intended for COVID-19 relief, the program was expanded in 2021 to include other environmental health and safety projects not directly related to coronavirus.

Antimicrobial engineered-plastic cooling towers were first designed to help prevent outbreaks of the potentially fatal Legionnaires’ disease. Unlike metal towers, engineered plastic can be molded with special wide-spectrum antimicrobial additives throughout the plastic. These additives operate on a cellular level to continuously disrupt and prevent uncontrolled growth of microorganisms and biofilm within the cooling tower.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains how Legionnaires’ disease can grow and spread and how to prevent it. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/legionnaires/index.html

“It worked! The school district was awarded the grant and was able to acquire both towers at no out-of-pocket expense,” said McKinney.

A Textbook Case

The adoption of antimicrobial cooling towers has become increasingly important because of the growing number of outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease at numerous locations throughout North America. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that as many as 18,000 people are infected with the Legionella bacteria in the United States alone every year. Found naturally in freshwater environments, Legionella becomes a health hazard when it grows unabated in water that is not properly treated. A significant number of outbreaks have originated in cooling towers.

“A cooling tower is the perfect breeding ground for Legionella, because it’s wet and humid and exposed to sunlight,” explained McKinney. “The Legionella will colonize the walls of the tower, and the colony will grow bigger and bigger.”

Cooling towers have a long history of effectively expelling heat from the water used in many commercial and industrial applications. However, even when they are disinfected and properly maintained, cooling towers are potential breeding grounds for Legionella, according to the CDC.

Legionella bacteria spread to humans when expelled water vapor or mist containing the bacteria is inhaled. For this rural Kentucky school district, the location of their cooling towers amplified their concerns over this issue.

“One of the towers sits right by the football stadium,” said McKinney. “Can you imagine if they had an outbreak right there with all those people in the stands? That would be bad news!”

Back to School

The school district ultimately selected a TM series 310-ton cooling tower and a 250-ton Paragon model manufactured by Delta Cooling. The company pioneered engineered-plastic cooling towers in the 1970s and recently innovated the first cooling towers featuring antimicrobial resins in not only the fill, but also the entire base cooling tower structural material, sump, and drift eliminator.

The engineered-plastic towers are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is impervious to the natural and chemical causes of rust and corrosion. The towers are also unaffected by the acidity from water sources, including evaporation make-up water and even the water treatment chemicals that attack metal towers from the inside out. This feature solved the second issue for the school district.

“Durability was a huge part of what won us that job,” added McKinney. “With HDPE, the whole tower is molded in one piece, so you don’t have any of the leaking points that caused the failures in metal towers. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Delta puts a 20-year warranty on their towers. You just don’t get that kind of lifespan with metal towers.”

To further reduce ongoing cost and maintenance requirements, the school district also wanted to get away from the belt-driven fan systems that require periodic downtime for replacement. The Delta Cooling direct-drive fan eliminates the belts entirely. In addition, the variable-frequency drive motor, which requires less horsepower than the school district’s previous towers, is already translating into a substantial savings on electric power consumption.

“We are actually already working to roll this out again at other schools,” concluded McKinney. “The ESSER funds are still available, and with these antimicrobial HDPE cooling towers, we know we can help other schools improve their situation.”

For more information, visit www.deltacooling.com, call 800-289-3358, or email sales@deltacooling.com.

Simplifying the Way We Capture and Transfer Knowledge

By Frantz Belot, Ph.D.
President and Co-Founder, Tyfoom

With more than 70 million baby boomers set to retire by 2030—more than 10,000 each day—organizations need to rethink the way they capture and transfer knowledge before it is lost forever.

In fact, 42 percent of company skills are only known by one person.[1] Much of this information is mission-critical, proprietary, experiential, and unique. It is based on how employees apply what they have learned throughout their careers—and in the case of baby boomers, what has led them to be the most efficient and productive generation of workers the earth has seen.

Yet today’s training is getting lost on the next generation. Eighty-seven percent of millennials say that their corporate learning experience is boring and not relevant.[2] And, it’s not just millennials: one third of all employees say the training their organization provides is out of date.[3]

If learners don’t see training as relevant to what they do, they will become frustrated and it is more difficult to retain them. They will also forget what was taught, which is frightening considering that employees forget 70 percent of information after one day.[4]

Video-Based Microlearning

Video-based microlearning delivers highly engaging content in a way that ensures knowledge transfer. It differentiates itself from other forms of microlearning in a few significant ways. First, it simplifies rather than overcomplicates communication and training. Second, it uses the concepts of spaced learning and video content to provide a daily cadence and repetition of topics to improve retention—and confidence—in learners.

Video-based microlearning also allows organizations to have user-generated, manager-approved content, which can greatly enhance top-down communication and training. It will often be made available in the flow of work so employees can remember in the moment they need, but also in an on-demand library for when they forget.

Most platforms that provide video-based microlearning were developed on iOS or Android mobile devices—not a desktop computer—and as a result are designed to be mobile-first. This means they leverage the functionalities and behaviors that are inherent to smartphones. It also means that video-based microlearning is short—often under two minutes.

Video-based microlearning training modules don’t need to take 7–10 hours to create. Rather, they can be created in minutes following a simple step-by-step methodology that we created based on years of scientific research.

Using a Proven Methodology

By following the methodology below, organizations can quickly create and distribute video-based microlearning training for their organizations.

Step 1: Determine the Topic

First, identify the topic that requires training. You may want to understand what employees already know on the topic, where they can improve, what new skills need to be taught, or which old skills need review. Training topics are strategic, broad ideas that are important to your organization.

Some organizations will regularly survey their employees and managers to determine what skill sets are needed by managers and desired by employees.

Step 2: Isolate Best Practices

Next, break that topic down into several skills or best practices that can be taught. Don’t include anything that is unnecessary. Typically, asking top performers at your organization about the skills and best practices that make them top performers will help you identify and isolate these skills.

Each skill taught should have three or four main points that can be taught. If there are more, break them down into multiple lessons—unless they are processes, such as the steps of how to change a tire or importing information into a database, where a short list of steps is still brief.

Step 3: Outline in Small Chunks

The average attention span in humans is approximately 8.25 seconds.[5] Research shows that effective training takes about two minutes to ensure knowledge transfer. As a result, training should be short.

This is a good thing—and what employees want—in that it allows organizations to provide short bursts of useful information that is relevant and to the point.

To keep your training short, create a brief outline of the training that includes a brief one-sentence introduction that stresses the importance of the topic. Then, include three main “takeaways” that you want learners to remember. Then, close with a call to action asking them to implement what was taught.

A formal script is not needed, which saves time and builds credibility.

Step 4: Record the Video

Because your training video is less than two minutes, communicate only the information that is needed and in a way that is clear and easy to understand. Shoot the video in less than three takes, as the delivery of information will likely degrade and length increase.

For quick training and communications, you can use your mobile phone, which is more than adequate for most training modules. You can also record video on a computer desktop with screen capture software and a microphone.

Step 5: Edit the Video

To edit, use software that is available in your app store or bundled with your device. Get right into instruction as you start the video. Don’t employ an opening title sequence, rather include a branded bumper at the end to reduce distraction. Where possible, add text on the screen to reinforce key concepts.

Distribute, Test, and Report Daily

Distributing training on a daily basis is critical. It is equally important to test daily to ensure knowledge transfer and provide accountability.

A simple quiz format that covers each of the main points of the outline is ideal. Not only does it reinforce and test retention, but it has the added benefit of helping understand if learners are engaging with the content they create.

As a result, make sure that your training platform allows you to automate the quick uploading, distribution, and testing that is required. In addition, it should allow for the creation of an on-demand library so employees can quickly access crucial information in the flow of work.

This new training methodology is designed to help contractors reduce the time required to create video-based microlearning. Whether the outcome is safety, culture, reducing rework, or standardizing best practices, it can help you create the most effective training modules that are easily remembered and put into practice by your workforce.

MCAA members can download Tyfoom’s “cheat sheet” of this methodology: https://www.tyfoom.com/cheat-sheet-create-effective-training-in-7-minutes/.

For more information, visit www.tyfoom.com.

 

[1] Davis, J. (2018, July 18). Knowledge loss: turnover means losing more than employees. HR Daily Advisor. https://hrdailyadvisor.blr.com/2018/07/18/knowledge-loss-turnover-means-losing-employees/
[2] Adkins, A., & Rigoni, B. (2016, June 30). Millennials want jobs to be development opportunities. Gallup. https://www.gallup.com/workplace/236438/millennials-jobs-development-opportunities.aspx
[3] Lorman Education Services. (2021, September 1). 39 statistics that prove the value of employee training. https://www.lorman.com/blog/post/39-statistics-that-prove-the-value-of-employee-training
[4] LoCicero, C. (n.d.). 10 facts & stats about learning retention you’ll want to remember. Bridge. https://www.getbridge.com/blog/10-stats-about-learning-retention
[5] Zauderer, S. (2022, December 26). Average human attention span by age (infographic). Cross River Therapy. https://www.crossrivertherapy.com/average-human-attention-span

Maxair Mechanical and Victaulic Streamline Complex Med School Project From Design to Startup

For a new, state-of-the-art medical school campus, Maxair Mechanical saved valuable time by installing “miles of piping” using Victaulic products rather than welding and relying on Victaulic’s 3D models of the mechanical space to anticipate potential pitfalls and avoid costly delays. Streamlining processes at every opportunity, Maxair completed the project on time, despite labor and supply chain challenges. Victaulic is a major sponsor of MCAA23.

Thanks to Victaulic’s VDC team, Maxair was able to optimize the mechanical room layout for the School of Medicine, so each component is easy to access and can be disassembled without welding or flanging, simplifying maintenance and service.

The new Mercer University School of Medicine in Columbus, GA, boasts 77,000 square feet of classrooms, research facilities, and office space. To support it, Mercer University needed a sophisticated, reliable mechanical system that would keep students and faculty comfortable and safe while also providing temperature control to critical areas, such as a gross anatomy laboratory and vivarium.

Mercer University tasked NBP Engineers Inc. and Maxair Mechanical with installing four mechanical spaces at the new site, which included three boilers, chilled and heating water piping and pumps, a condenser system, and five dedicated air handling units for the laboratories.

Working under a tight completion deadline, Doug Polley, Maxair’s senior project manager, knew they needed to incorporate strategic solutions to compress their schedule and mitigate risk. Victaulic was the ideal partner for the job.

Setting Up for Success

The mechanical rooms required precise layouts to fit the necessary equipment and piping. Optimizing the spatial design was also a priority, as it would simplify the initial installation and facilitate future maintenance and servicing for Mercer University. The Victaulic Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) team was fundamental to meeting the project’s demands.

Victaulic’s VDC team worked to optimize the layout and design of the entire mechanical system at Mercer University which, combined with the efficiency of Maxair’s new fabrication shop, enabled workers to keep pace despite delivery delays.

“Victaulic used their expertise to create 3D models of the mechanical spaces, which proved hugely advantageous in the BIM [building information modeling] process,” Polley said. “The 3D modeling enabled us to optimize the room layout, identify potential issues ahead of time that might have wrecked the schedule, and put solutions in place during the design phase that avoided costly rework.”

Dale Heiring, principal at NBP Engineers, Inc., added, “We were pleased with the consistent support Victaulic provided. The team reviewed all our specs—which are extremely thorough—and they made sure every detail was accounted for.”

Navigating Challenges

When Maxair Mechanical first bid on the project in the fall of 2020, they were prepared to work through a certain degree of uncertainty. Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic affected the available skilled labor pool and caused supply chain disruptions that directly affected construction schedules.

“It was constantly a race to keep up on the project. It was quite challenging. There were moments that seemed impossible,” Polley said.

Challenges ranged from finding sufficient staff to substitute workers when outbreaks spiked to delayed material arrivals because delivery drivers struggled to locate people at drop-off locations on the large campus. But Maxair was determined to complete the work on schedule—and they did.

Maxair Mechanical used Victaulic grooved couplings, fittings, and valves to tie in two boilers inside the first-level mechanical room at Mercer University’s School of Medicine, saving time compared with welded solutions.

The thoughtful and clear design and layout of the mechanical space, combined with the efficiency of Maxair’s new fabrication shop, enabled workers to keep pace despite delivery delays. Onsite, pipefitters worked off of a detailed spool map, developed by the Victaulic VDC team, that streamlined installation, while the grooved couplings, fittings, valves, and equipment modules proved easy and fast to install.

“If we had welded everything, it would have been very challenging to maintain the schedule,” Polley said. “We had miles of piping to install throughout a large, two-story medical building, and we were working with many complex systems.”

“Once the materials and units arrived, it didn’t take long to install the Victaulic product, the mechanical rooms were laid out well, and the designs were easy to follow,” said Guy Cozzolino, Maxair’s pipefitting coordinator.

A Productive Partnership

Despite unfavorable supply chain conditions that complicated this highly sophisticated mechanical installation, Maxair Mechanical and NBP Engineers, Inc. delivered the full scope on schedule. By partnering with Victaulic and engaging its VDC services, the engineers and mechanical contractors streamlined the entire process before materials were even purchased.

Mercer University School of Medicine at Columbus welcomed its inaugural class of medical students to the new campus in December of 2021. “It’s a win for Mercer that their students got this state-of-the-art facility that is well thought-out from the design phase to the final product,” Polley said.

For more information, visit www.victaulic.com. MCAA thanks Victaulic for being a major sponsor of MCAA23.

Connect With the Latest Training from Trimble and SPX Cooling Tech, LLC 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:

Trimble
Watch Trimble’s educational webinar to see how value engineering can help you win more bids and address common industry challenges such as labor and material shortages. Plus, this training will show how you can save time on mechanical estimates that include value engineering alternates without a re-takeoff.

Learn More

SPX Cooling Tech, LLC
Looking to tune up your evaporative cooling knowledge? SPX Marley Contractor Resources include live and on-demand webinars, School of Cool® training, installation videos and more. Check it out.

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

Troy Turpin, CEM & Ryan Hoggatt Named UMC Shareholders

UMC, an MCAA member, has named Development Director Troy Turpin, CEM, and Manufacturing Director Ryan Hoggatt shareholders of the firm. Both Turpin and Hoggatt have been with UMC for many years and play critical roles in the current operations and future growth of UMC.

Turpin has more than 23 years of experience working in mechanical design and construction for the building industry with various roles in energy consulting, project management, and business development. As a certified energy manager (CEM), he has been responsible for development and concept planning of large-scale projects with sustainability goals or requirements. He is UMC’s director of development responsible for leading the project executive and business development teams, as well as overseeing the preconstruction team. He continues to support both external and internal clients.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to become a shareholder at UMC,” said Turpin. “The business has made great strides since 2008 when I officially became a part of the UMC family. During that time, we have seen the strategic parts of the business grow in an ever-changing marketplace. We truly have the best employees and clients. I’m excited to make my contributions to the business as a shareholder, by helping to ensure that we continue to grow the business strategically and continue to offer a great place to work for our employees and offer the best solutions to our many great clients.”

Hoggatt has been with UMC since 2008. He is the director of UMC’s manufacturing division that consists of a system of standardized, streamlined processes that eliminate waste, improve productivity, increase efficiency, and ensure quality and safety. Using cutting-edge technology, Hoggatt is responsible for corporate manufacturing and virtual construction strategy, standards, and operation, as well as construction technology adoption and implementation. He has developed the company’s robust prefabrication business that supports modular construction and drives efficiencies throughout the construction delivery process.

“Although much has changed since I joined UMC in 2008, the one constant has always been our amazing employees and tremendous clients,” said Hoggatt. “I hope to contribute to the legacy of previous generations at UMC by maintaining our longstanding culture and traditions while continuing to pursue innovation that will ensure our competitiveness in the marketplace for the foreseeable future. It’s an honor to become a shareholder at UMC and I am committed to our promise to provide a best-in-class workplace for our employees and experience for our clients.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Ryan and Troy to the ownership team at UMC,” said Steve Brooks, president. “With a passion for building and devotion to our clients, their dedication will help to ensure the company’s growth and prosperity. They both bring strong creative ideas on how to make UMC a better place to work and a better partner for our clients. The success of our business relies on new ideas and perspectives. Continuing to grow our ownership group helps us stay competitive and creative in our approach to the market.”

MCAA congratulates Troy and Ryan on their shareholder status. We wish you and the rest of the UMC team continued success.