Organization: MCAA

Raken Outlines Five Ways to Manage Generational Gaps on the Jobsite

From apprentices to expert craftsmen, the construction industry employs a workforce that spans multiple generations. While an age-diverse workforce brings well-rounded skills and experiences to the table, it is not always easy to manage efficiently. Employee expectations and preferred communication styles vary greatly from generation to generation. With today’s labor shortages and low employee retention rates, if mechanical contractors want to attract and keep top talent, they need to explore strategies to help their age-diverse crews work together effectively.

  1. Automate Communications

Clear, consistent communication is vital on a construction project but is one of the most difficult challenges of managing a multigenerational workforce. Each age group is accustomed to sharing and consuming information differently and has unique preferences regarding channels, content, and frequency.

The best way to accommodate a variety of preferences is to use technology to automate communications. For example, daily reporting software that provides report templates, checklists, photo capabilities, automatic notifications—and other features that simplify the way data are collected and shared—helps mechanical contractors reduce errors and misunderstandings.

Traditional methods of communicating in the field, such as handwritten reports or Excel spreadsheets, are time-consuming and leave plenty of room for error. Standardized digital reports remove doubt and help employees of all ages share information in a consistent manner. Field contractors can use templates to capture the right data without guesswork, attaching photos and videos for added clarity. They can also share standardized digital reports instantly, so there is no need to scan documents or compose separate emails, and reports can be collected and combined for managers automatically.

  1. Use the Right Technology

Not all technology is created equal. And, just as they have unique communication preferences, older and younger generations prefer to use technology in different ways. When looking for software to improve communications and daily reporting, prioritize ease-of-use to appeal to varying experience and comfort levels. Focusing on solutions that offer intuitive interfaces and simple, easy-to-understand workflows encourages high adoption rates.

Complex software that requires significant training to use may overcomplicate communications instead of streamlining them. Conduct thorough research before investing, and make sure to choose a solution that accomplishes your goals without convoluting simple processes with unnecessary features.

  1. Create a Formal Mentorship Program

Younger and older employees will naturally exchange tips and techniques while working together. Creating a formal mentorship program encourages this behavior and gives employees the opportunity to learn on the job, something that is valued by workers of all ages.

Establish official guidelines for mentorship that include approved schedules and subjects to cover. Determine criteria for both program eligibility and completion, and, if possible, provide incentives for both mentors and mentees to participate.

Your program does not need to stick to the traditional structure of older, more experienced workers taking on the mentor role. Young employees may have skills they can share with older workers. Having a formal program promotes employee retention by demonstrating the company’s commitment to its workers’ professional growth.

  1. Schedule Diversity Training

Providing diversity training helps employees better relate to and communicate with workers from other generations. It promotes empathy and understanding. Many diversity education programs are available in person and online. Some programs focus specifically on age diversity. You may even be able to devote several toolbox talks to this topic.

Training can also teach interpersonal skills that workers can use to identify and resolve conflicts related to age differences. These soft skills help current managers mitigate age gaps in the workforce and help younger employees grow into management positions.

  1. Seek Feedback

Don’t overlook one of the simplest ways to better manage age-diverse employee groups: ask your employees for feedback. While different generations tend to share preferences among themselves, not every member of a given age group feels exactly the same. You may be surprised by some of your employees’ preferences and pain points.

Choose a method—or methods—for gathering employee feedback and invite employees to provide honest opinions about the company’s processes and procedures. Review the information you receive to identify areas for improvement. Address common concerns, and if concerns cannot be resolved, explain why. Employees of all ages appreciate being heard and feeling recognized by their employer.

Read Raken’s blog post for more insights on how communication improves productivity in construction. https://www.rakenapp.com/blog/how-communication-improves-productivity-in-construction

To learn more about field-first reporting that is easy for all generations to use, visit www.rakenapp.com.

A&R Mechanical Overcomes Supply Chain Challenges Building Illinois Softball Center Thanks to NIBCO

Breaking ground on the Rex and Alice A. Martin Softball Training Center at the University of Illinois in April 2021, A&R Mechanical Contractors, Inc., faced the unique challenges of building during the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent supply chain issues. They successfully completed the project on schedule thanks to NIBCO, which manufactures more than 90 percent of its products in the United States. “I would have to say NIBCO was very instrumental in helping A&R Mechanical get this project finished in a timely fashion,” said Chris Asklund, A&R Mechanical project manager. NIBCO is a major sponsor of MCAA23.

State-of-the-Art Softball Center

A&R Mechanical partnered with NIBCO on the new indoor softball training center because of NIBCO’s easy-to-install and reliable products and NIBCO’s reputation for high-quality, domestic-made valves and fittings at a competitive price.

The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics opened the new, state-of-the-art indoor practice facility for the Fighting Illini softball program in time for the start of the fall 2022 school year. The project was funded by a $3 million, lead-naming gift from Rex Martin and his daughters, Ashley Martin and Alexis Martin-Klose, in honor of their late wife and mother, Alice Martin, who received her master’s degree from the University of Illinois, one of the top schools in architectural engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering.

The $6-million training center provides a premier indoor performance and development facility for Fighting Illini softball student-athletes. The structure, measuring approximately 13,000 square feet, was constructed as an addition to the existing softball clubhouse and includes a full, collegiate-size infield as well as hitting and pitching cages with retractable netting. The center’s ability to host full infield practice is rare among comparable softball training facilities. Other features include a new recruiting lobby and hall of fame, an expanded player lounge, restrooms, increased storage, and improved parking.

Overcoming Supply Challenges

A&R Mechanical, a fourth generation, family-owned company that started in 1925 in a small garage in Urbana, IL, took on the project in the midst of exceptionally uncertain times. Asklund, who has been in the pipefitting trades since 2001, said, “The global material shortages that we witnessed as a result of the pandemic definitely had an effect on the project schedule, but fortunately it was minimal, thanks in part to NIBCO that always had the valves we needed available.”

The University of Illinois project was the first large-scale project that A&R Mechanical had collaborated with NIBCO on. “We used a lot of NIBCO products on this project and the inventory was strong—we really depended on NIBCO during COVID when the world was experiencing uncertain supply chains,” Asklund added.

A variety of NIBCO valves were specified for the project—from butterfly valves and iron check valves to ball valves and bronze check valves, ranging in sizes from 1/2” through 4”. Sold through distributor Ferguson-Lafayette for the project, the valves (mainly soldered and threaded) were used for the installation of the new hydronic system, including new boilers, air curtains, pumps, fan coil units, and heat exchangers.

Partnering for Success

“We were familiar with NIBCO valves and had found them to be easy to install and reliable on past projects,” said Asklund. “We were looking for a true partner for this project and we chose NIBCO because of its reputation for high-quality, domestic-made valves and fittings at a competitive price. We also appreciated that during times when material pricing escalation was happening at a rapid pace, NIBCO was very fair and consistent with their pricing.”

Taking advantage of VDC and prefabrication, A&R Mechanical was able to minimize its workforce needs in the facility and keep workers together in one spot, which helped during COVID-19 and aided with keeping the project on schedule.

In recent years, A&R Mechanical has expanded its capabilities into virtual design and fabrication. During the pandemic, this proved to be very beneficial.

“We were able to design at the A&R Mechanical facility onsite with VDC (virtual design and construction),” explained Asklund. “Ninety percent of the project was prefabricated offsite at our shop, in a controlled environment.”

A&R Mechanical’s VDC department laid out the mechanical room and the perimeter piping. The prefabricated portions were built in the prefab shop and were delivered in pieces to the project site and then constructed onsite. A&R Mechanical was able to keep its workforce down in the facility and keep everybody together in one spot, which helped during COVID-19 and aided with keeping the project on schedule.

At the fabrication shop, NIBCO arranged “lunch-and-learns” for the A&R Mechanical team to share best practices and training for valve, solder, and press installation. “It was great to be part of this project and partner with NIBCO. Not only did they provide a reliable product that met the specs, but they were great to work with, and the on-time deliveries were invaluable,” said Asklund. “This project definitely had some unique challenges, but with the collaboration of all the partners involved, the job got done.”

The project achieved LEED silver certification and stands as a testament to the resolve, ingenuity, and hard work of all involved. A true collaboration between all the stakeholders—the Martin family, the University of Illinois Engineering and Capital Projects teams, NIBCO, A&R Mechanical, IMEG Engineering, Ferguson Enterprises, and Williams Brothers Construction—who came together to deliver a premier indoor training and performance facility that honors the memory of Alice A. Martin and will benefit Fighting Illini softball student-athletes for generations to come.

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

Pipe Fabrication Institute Standards Help Contractors Meet Demanding Criteria

Complex and sensitive facilities—such as nuclear and fossil fuel plants, refineries, steel and paper mills, chemical processing plants, and semiconductor and pharmaceutical manufacturing plants—require sophisticated piping systems. These systems must perform under great stress while adhering to strict safety, health, and governmental regulations. Relying on well-developed, industry-recognized standards ensures that your work meets even the most demanding criteria.

Since 1913, the Pipe Fabrication Institute (PFI) has been developing and writing Standards for the pipe fabrication industry. These Standards are referenced by ASME B31 piping codes; engineering, procurement, and construction companies (EPCs); and multiple end users.

PFI’s piping Standards are developed and maintained to the current ASME Codes and Industry Standards by the PFI Engineering Committee, a group of engineers, quality inspectors, fabrication software consultants, and flange and fitting manufacturers who meet twice a year. The committee’s unique blend of expertise helps make PFI’s Standards the highest referenced Standard with EPCs and end users in the pipe fabrication industry. Among their most notable Standards is ES-03, Fabrication Tolerances, which establishes the acceptable tolerances for fabrication. Referencing PFI ES-03 in your next bid or fabrication drawing can increase a potential client’s confidence in your work.

Another popular Standard is ES-48, Random Examination, which describes a commonsense approach that gives you options for achieving the ASME’s B31.3 code requirements for random examination. Standard TB-10, Guidelines for Calculating Factored Weld Diameter Inches, establishes methods for calculating diameter inches of weld that can be consistently applied to pipe spool fabrication to measure job progress.

The PFI Engineering Committee continuously develops new Standards to promote progress in the pipe fabrication industry. One of the newest Standards, ES-50, Internal Oxidation for Piping Welds, serves as a simple means of identifying the acceptable level of discoloration of the root side of stainless-steel pipe welds. It also gives general guidance on the level of root surface discoloration that can be tolerated for some service conditions. Additionally, the Standard lists estimated purge time to reduce the parts per million of oxygen inside the pipe, which affects discoloration and integrity of the root pass.

With over 40 Standards and Technical Bulletins, ranging from branch reinforcement worksheets to visual examinations, PFI has the fabrication Standard to help you meet client demands.

For more information, visit pfi-institute.org/home.

Harder Mechanical Tackles Welder Shortage, Amps Up Productivity With Novarc’s Spool Welding Robot

By implementing Novarc’s Spool Welding Robot (SWR), Harder Mechanical Contractors has minimized their need for highly skilled welders and increased productivity from an average of 120 factored diameter inches (FDI) per shift to more than 200 FDI, while also achieving a repair rate of 0 percent and maximizing arc-on time. Moreover, because the SWR is a collaborative robot—or cobot—Harder Mechanical can assign less experienced welders to operate the machine, significantly improving shop productivity and resulting in high-quality welds every single time.

See the Novarc SWR cobot in action! https://www.novarctech.com/spool-welding-robot/

Weathering the Welder Shortage

The welder shortage, caused by the combination of an aging welder workforce and the lack of uptake of the welding trade, is affecting many industries, and it is one of the main reasons why Harder Mechanical decided to look into welding automation solutions. With over eight decades of experience, Harder Mechanical is a large, nationally recognized contractor with an outstanding reputation, based in Portland, OR.

“Our biggest priority was to get qualified welders,” said Mark Nastari, corporate quality director at Harder Mechanical. “Like everybody else in construction, we’re seeing a lot of skilled labor retiring and the new generation of workers not choosing blue-collar union jobs. So we were getting pretty nervous about finding specifically hard wire welders for our shop.”

Nastari noted that the shortage of highly skilled welders is a particular concern. “To find guys who have the skill to weld hard wire with a gun and be able to pass X-ray was getting pretty flimsy,” he said. “Our biggest concern was buying equipment that we can train people on easily and get them up and running and making X-ray quality welds.”

Harder Mechanical found that even junior welders using the Novarc SWR can produce excellent welds, none of which have required repairs.

Harder Mechanical was looking at pipe welding automation solutions that would help them combat the shortage of skilled welders when they came across Novarc’s SWR, a cobot designed specifically for pipes, small pressure vessels, and other types of roll welding.

“We’re very tech savvy at Harder Mechanical, and we’re always looking for better tools, better means and methods.” said Nastari. “So we looked at a variety of mechanized and automatic weld equipment. It came down to a decision between Novarc and another pipe welding machine that we had seen at FABTECH. What made the Novarc machine stand out was the quality of the root pass, the laser, and the technology.”

Dramatically Increasing Productivity

Nastari noted, “In our wheelhouse piping, which I call 2”–16” diameter pipe, a good welder would average about 120 diameter inches [per shift]. With the SWR, we have already exceeded 200 diameter inches, and we are not even at full throttle.” In fact, he predicted substantial advances for the future. “It will be easy for us to get to 300 diameter inches on our wheelhouse piping with the SWR.” The significant productivity improvements provided by the SWR can help contractors become more competitive when bidding on jobs and increase their profit margins on current jobs.

Robot Boosts Safety, Efficiency, Accuracy

Nastari pointed out other upsides of the new technology. “Another benefit of the Novarc machine is the safety factor. You don’t have welders hunched over, breathing fumes; they are standing back behind a weld screen, looking at the HMI [human machine interface], recording it. They really don’t need to get near the weld except for when they start it and when they stop it,” said Nastari.

Nastari continued, “The robot really kicks butt because we do not need to stop and clean in between passes. We’ve had a lot of clients come to see our shop during the bid process, and they go crazy when they see the robot. They love it! They love the videotape capability. We play back the welds for them and they are absolutely gorgeous welds.”

Prior to purchasing [Novarc’s] SWR, we were experiencing failure rates of 2–3 percent, which is better than industry average. But on the current job with the robot, we are doing X-rays, and we haven’t had any repairs,”

—Mark Nastari, Corporate Quality Director, Harder Mechanical

The ability to train junior welders to use the robot has also proved to be a substantial boon to Harder Mechanical. “Currently we have three people trained. We are a union contractor, and two of the people trained are apprentices. The third guy is a journeyman, and all three of them are about the same as far as competence. We’ve never had apprentices who could wire a weld and pass X-rays before. That’s a huge benefit to us, and it’s fantastic!” said Nastari.

The SWR minimizes human error and therefore reduces the failure rates from the North America industry average of 3–5 percent to less than 1 percent, resulting in massive cost savings for fabrication shops. “Prior to purchasing the SWR, we were experiencing failure rates of 2–3 percent, which is better than industry average. But on the current job with the robot, we are doing X-rays, and we haven’t had any repairs,” said Nastari.

Harder Mechanical has also been pleased with Novarc’s support as they put the SWR into practice. “The support was fantastic; we were always able to get ahold of the Novarc support team. They were always able to work on the screen in real time, and they always showed up when they said they were going to show up,” said Nastari.

For more information, visit www.novarctech.com.

Danforth Turns to Mueller Industries’ Streamline Press Fittings to Meet Hospital Project Demands

A new, state-of-the-art hospital in New York required that John W. Danforth Company use solder connections for mechanical piping and press fittings for the plumbing, so they looked to a trusted and reliable partner, Mueller Streamline Co., a primary subsidiary of Mueller Industries, that could provide both. That decision has paid off with a smooth construction process to date, supported by building information modeling (BIM) technology that ensured accuracy for prefabrication. Mueller Industries, Inc. is a major sponsor of MCAA23.

The Wynn Hospital—owned by Mohawk Valley Health System—in Utica, NY, is one of Danforth’s most significant projects yet in New York. It is a 680,000-square-foot, 10-story facility that combines several different hospitals under one roof.

“It’s a full-service, state-of-the-art hospital that combines just about any service that you would need, healthcare-wise, in one building,” said Richard DeLotto, vice president of operations at Danforth. The Wynn Hospital includes an emergency department, imaging services, behavioral health, and 22 procedural and operating rooms. “It’s a very big project within this area, and we knew it would be a challenge organizing the amount of manpower we needed onsite and getting all the materials we needed in a timely manner,” said DeLotto.

Focusing on big-picture planning and attention to small details is critical for a project of this magnitude, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Though the project faced many obstacles, such as supply shortages and the increased cost of materials, DeLotto’s planning skills ensured his team succeeded on every job.

With full access to Mueller’s CAD library, Danforth uploaded all of the necessary Streamline fittings information into their building database, allowing them to draw with precision accuracy and to precut all of the pipes and within a dimensional tolerance that was nearly perfect in the field.

Danforth has purchased and installed plenty of Mueller materials in the past, but this was the first time it decided to use the company’s Streamline® Press Fittings. “We know Mueller and their leadership position in the industry,” said DeLotto, “and we wanted to standardize things and use a partner that could serve us on both systems, before and after, from both a quality and quantity standpoint.”

Brian Caufield, vice president of Mueller Streamline Company, said, “We value our relationship with Danforth at the highest levels within our company, so when we discussed this project with them, we knew that we needed to perform with a quality product—copper tube, copper solder fittings, and copper press fittings, accessible BIM information, engineering submittals, and timely service. I believe Mueller Streamline’s unique ability to provide a copper piping system—copper tube with various types of copper fitting connections—allowed us to deliver on the metrics required by Danforth for a successful installation on this project.”

A significant key to the project’s success was the continued access to high-quality goods in a tough market, a point that DeLotto stressed. “We’ve had some quality issues with other products in the past for one reason or another,” he explained. “Quality here has been consistent and excellent, and as far as availability goes, it’s been very good in a tough market where it’s difficult to get certain elements of installation materials. Mueller Streamline Co. and its support team worked with our staff and our preferred wholesale distributor to make things as seamless as possible.”

As a company driven by virtual design and construction, Danforth relies on manufacturer information when designing project plans. With full access to Mueller’s CAD library, Danforth uploaded all of the necessary Streamline fittings information into their building database. When it came to drawing the job, all the right fittings and dimensions were already in place, making the transition from virtual design to procurement much more straightforward.

“Working with Mueller made creating bills of materials for procurement very accurate,” said DeLotto. “Once we created those bills, it wasn’t generic. We had all our specific part numbers. We know we’re buying an ID, buying a T, buying the right female adapter.”

As a prefabricator, Danforth depends on accurate dimensions. Sometimes, a team can build a catalog of generic fittings that are close to what is needed in the field. Danforth did not have that option. Having the exact specifications and information directly from the manufacturer reduces the time and labor required to build such a catalog and lessens the risk of parts not lining up correctly.

“We get to draw with precision accuracy, which gives us the confidence to precut all of the pipes and get into a dimensional tolerance that is going to end up being pretty much perfect in the field. And going with Mueller gave us complete consistency on how we drew the job. We count on that as a prefabricator and someone that puts in everything based on the model,” said DeLotto.

The Wynn Hospital is projected to open to the public in mid-2023. Throughout the project, DeLotto has praised the quality, service, and savings that the relationship with Mueller brought. “You get wins on all counts, and we certainly like having an upstream relationship with a manufacturer,” he said. “There’s easy access because our distributors carry Mueller’s Streamline products, and you get the wins on cost, quality, and viability. After how well this has gone, I think there’s a lot of opportunities for us to work together in the future.”

For more information, visit www.muellerindustries.com. MCAA thanks Mueller Industries, Inc. for being a major sponsor of MCAA23.

McKinstry Relies on MSUITE to Gain Productivity Insights Across the Enterprise

McKinstry set out to gather more insight into fabrication shop productivity and enhance the connection between its Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) and Fabrication teams. They partnered with MSUITE to improve communication and better understand the costs of work, which ultimately will help them target investments and improve overall project management.

Driven by their passion for innovation, technological expertise, and a deep sense of responsibility to positively impact the environment and community, McKinstry has established a reputation for building the future, and they have discovered that prefabrication and manufacturing is the way to do it. The contractor turned to MSUITE with the specific goals of removing the spooling bottleneck, providing the field with an easier method for submitting and tracking orders, and coordinating multitrade prefabrication with multiple contractors and shops.

Companies are moving away from using spreadsheets to track manual activities such as fractions of labor hours, worker shifts, completion dates, materials, quantities, and multiplier formulas to calculate estimates. MSUITE automates and provides predictive analytics to improve fabrication operations. McKinstry chose MSUITE to help improve productivity tracking, status tracking, and demand forecasting for shop operations. “We selected MSUITE because it provided the greatest fidelity into our shop operations and the strongest link between VDC and Fabrication teams,” said C. J. Best, director of manufacturing at McKinstry. MSUITE enables McKinstry to increase visibility, productivity, and accuracy in the shop by managing production as work moves from drawing approval through site receiving.

Whether it is the endless emails asking when things will be shipped or the drawing changes on the fly, MSUITE streamlines communications between office, shop, and field teams with real-time notification of things like approvals for fabrication, drawing markups, and trucks leaving the shop.

MSUITE also enables McKinstry to leverage their building information modeling (BIM) data to review shop productivity across several vantage points. Currently, fabricators understand that pounds-per-hour or diameter-inches per hour are industry-standard metrics, but these metrics do not always provide enough insight into fabrication shop operations. For example, when fabricators are processing material that is cut and kit (commonly found on plumbing copper systems), measuring diameter-inches per hour makes very little sense, because none of the material is joined in the shop.

MSUITE allows contractors like McKinstry to track all work based on workflows that have a different number of stages. When the fabrication shop crew performs the job, time is associated with each stage (and the related material or joint). Those data are connected to the work package and tied to the project. Such deep data connections allow McKinstry to better understand how their fab shop is performing by setting a baseline for comparison benchmarks. Now, new investment, training, and process flow changes are tracked, giving McKinstry insight on whether those processes should be deployed across all shops or one shop at a time.

Like other contractors, McKinstry operates with a network of shops, synchronizing their capacity planning and workload allocation across the Pacific Northwest. Using MSUITE can ensure project demands are met without confusion or missed opportunities—notably in tracking material and labor capabilities.

As fabrication processes continue to move towards automation, the insights provided by MSUITE are more crucial than ever for contractors to make informed capital investment decisions. Without this insight, construction firms are forced to rely on metrics that do not account for recent advancements in technology, networking, or human behavior.

MSUITE is helping McKinstry gain better visibility into their workflow, which will allow them to optimize manufacturing schedules for guaranteed project schedules. Tighter collaboration between detailing and manufacturing will help them deliver higher quality and strict tolerance compliance. Streamlined supply chain management will lower costs and decrease delays for clients. The ability to fabricate more equipment in their shop ultimately increases safety, quality and cost management for McKinstry.

For more information, visit www.msuite.com.

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.

LeafLine Industries opened its headquarters and an indoor cultivation facility in Cottage Grove, MN, in 2014. It tripled the size of that facility in 2020 with the addition of a 134,000-square-foot greenhouse and continued to expand with the construction of a 77,000-square-foot addition in 2022.

Cannabis medical facilities produce a lot of plant wastewater, so it is essential to have drainage that can handle large amounts of liquid and effectively remove wastewater from the facility. Drainage systems work hard in these facilities; without the proper drainage system as part of the design, the water runoff from the irrigation system would have nowhere to go, which could then cause diseases to the plants.

Egan Company found Josam’s PRO-PLUS Trench Drain System easier to handle and install than other systems because of its lightweight composite material, which is stronger and more temperature-resistant than other trench drain products.

Josam Company and Bennerotte Marketing Agency, Josam’s manufacturing representative in Minnesota, worked with Egan Company from the start of the LeafLine Labs construction project during the submittal phase. Egan Company’s senior project manager, Todd Achterkirch, met with the design team to determine the best drainage solutions and assisted through the design phase to get the drainage products selected, approved, coordinated, and procured in time for installation.

To satisfy the project requirements, Josam provided 772’ of PRO-PLUS 100 Series channels with ductile iron grates to meet the drainage demands. The PRO-PLUS channels provided were 4” nominal width and the grates were Class-C PRO-SNAP®, Josam’s innovative grate securing system without bolts. Josam supplied the required drainage products on time to meet the project’s schedule. Prior to the material arriving at the project destination, Egan Company pre-assembled the drain in the shop to streamline the field installation.

Egan Company was delighted to use the PRO-PLUS trench drain system for this project. “The PRO-PLUS system was much easier to handle and install because of its lightweight material,” said Achterkirch. The system “assembled nicely, the parts were all labeled well, and the pre-installed set screws saved time and worked perfectly with the all-thread rod,” he added.

The Josam Company’s trench drain is manufactured using glass-fiber reinforced polyester (GRP) pressed from sheet molding compound (SMC), which is a composite of polyester resin, mineral fillers, and glass-fiber mats. It is lighter in weight, stronger, and expands and contracts in extreme temperature ranges less than other trench drain materials such as polymer concrete, polypropylene, and high-density polyethylene. The combination of SMC and GRP makes this channel 1.5 times stronger and 70 percent lighter than polymer concrete trench drains.

“To make it even easier during the installation process, Josam provided an installation technical layout design which tells you exactly where each channel goes in the run at no additional cost,” Achterkirch added.

The project also used the innovative PRO-SNAP grate securing system. PRO-SNAP grates can be secured and removed quickly and easily with a single hand movement, eliminating the need for bolts or special tools and preventing loose or rattling grates. “The PRO-SNAP design gave us an attractive drainage solution while offering a simpler grate installation by pushing down on them with your hand and locking them into place,” said Achterkirch. “We saved even more time by not having to spend extra time typically needed with the traditional locking bar grate system.”

Achterkirch continued, “Projects that involve installing the PRO-PLUS trench drains are simple and less stressful. It’s not only a quality product but one that offers a variety of labor-saving features that allow us contractors to remain profitable.”

For more information, visit www.josam.com.

Connect With the Latest Training from SLOAN and IMI Hydronic Engineering 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:

SLOAN
The finishing touch for any commercial restroom, PVD special finishes stand out and last. Learn more about how these finishes are made, are more durable than chrome, and how different products can be combined to delight customers.

Learn More

IMI Hydronic Engineering
Learn from experts and achieve the best results in hydronic systems. Our practical and theoretical training will include applications for projects, installations, commissioning, and operation.

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

Postler & Jaeckle Boosts Productivity Using GTP’s STRATUS Manufacturing and Installation Labels

With a goal of eliminating paper in the shop, increasing efficiency in cutting, and using barcode labels to improve shop workflows, Postler & Jaeckle started working with STRATUS software from GTP Services in 2015. Since then, the company has seen a continuous return on investment with STRATUS, most recently by using labels to increase efficiency with hangers.

To reduce the amount of time field workers spent laying out hanger points or searching for material, Postler & Jaeckle began using STRATUS to create hanger packages, pre-cut hangers in the fabrication shop, and generate labels. STRATUS extracts information directly from the model, makes it available in a digital model viewer, and prints it directly on the label.

Postler & Jaeckle uses STRATUS software from GTP to generate labels directly from models that give its workers all the information they need to install hangers. The approach allows smaller crews to get the work done faster.

The contractor previously tried different methods for hanger installation. For example, they would send a person with a tablet to layout points on the floor in advance and have an installer use the tablet to continuously find the location of each hanger. Another method involved using a total station to map out points or creating a shop drawing with dimensions and tags. All of these approaches led to a bottleneck further in the process, as the field workers were left depending on one person with a tablet or total station or waiting for the drafting shop to complete a sometimes difficult-to-read installation drawing.

STRATUS bypassed all those issues by simply creating a label designed for manufacturing and installation. The labels include information such as the hanger number, rod size, rod length, hanger type, elevation, attachment type, and grid offset. The grid offset tool in STRATUS tells a user exactly how far east, west, north, or south of a gridline to install a hanger. Now, an installer can easily read the hanger coordinates on the label and install a hanger without using a tablet or referencing installation drawings.

In a recent project that involved more than 10,000 hangers, Postler & Jaeckle prefabricated most of the hangers in packages of roughly 250 hangers each, with a built-in allowance for rod length adjustment. They had 3,000 hangers built in the truck before installation began, and they did not have any issues with slab sag or structure. Overall, fewer than 1.5 percent of the 10,000 hangers were duplicated or changed. That project solidified the company’s conviction that manufacturing from labels reduces material handling and dependence on tablets or internet connections. As a result, Postler & Jaeckle could install hangers with smaller crews and reduced supervision time.

Postler & Jaeckle uses STRATUS to create hanger packages, pre-cut hangers in the fabrication shop, and generate labels, reducing the amount of time field workers spend laying out hanger points or searching for material.

“The STRATUS Manufacturing and Installation Labels (MAIL) have allowed us to gain double-digit productivity savings,” said Jesse Gorman, operations manager at Postler & Jaeckle. “Productivity gains allow us to have bigger margins and win more work.”

Utilizing labels for efficiency does not stop with hangers. Postler & Jaeckle continues to pioneer innovation with labels for pipe installation. Using a system of sequential lettering labels, the field crew can install assemblies similar to building with an erector set. Starting with a STRATUS “reference” label to locate one specific part in a package coupled with the grid offset functionality, the “A-A” or “B-B” labels on each end of every assembly quickly show the orientation of assemblies. This simple approach provides an installation roadmap for the workers in the field.

Postler & Jaeckle’s commitment to embracing streamlined and impactful solutions drastically decreased redundancies, increased efficiency, and contributed to the quality of their finished product. In New York state, where journeyman labor costs $1.20 a minute, saving minutes brings value quickly. As demonstrated by Postler & Jaeckle, increasing efficiency by building directly from labels produced by STRATUS is a quickly attainable win for any company.

For more information, visit gogtp.com.

CNA Risk Control e-Talks Offer Insights Into Business Resilience

You cannot eliminate the possibility of business disruptions—but you can prepare for them. Whether the cause is a storm, a cyberattack, or another unexpected event, a sudden disruption could affect your organization at any time. To grow and thrive in an uncertain risk environment, your business needs preparation to absorb, adapt, and be resilient to disruptive events. CNA, a benefactor of MCAA23, offers a series of short podcasts (about 15 minutes each) on risk and resilience.

Listen to CNA’s e-Talks series for tips and resources that will help your business thrive: https://www.cna.com/web/guest/cna/microsite/risk-control-e-talks/welcome.

Season 1: Resiliency

This business resiliency series addresses how natural and manmade catastrophes, pandemics, and civil unrest create uncertainty, complexity, and challenges that unfold in real time. Episodes explore the resilient mindset of firms that survive unprecedented events, innovative strategies to sustain operations, and how to make informed decisions in times of uncertainty.

Season 2: Income

In the second season, episodes discuss business income, with a focus on demystifying this complex topic. Topics include selecting the right coverage to be prepared for disruption, restarting business after a disruption, and how to handle the most common resiliency issues that businesses face in the current environment.

For more information, visit www.cna.com. MCAA thanks CNA for being a benefactor of MCAA23.

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.

Just 30 minutes from downtown Nashville, the new hotel opened to the public on March 3, 2022. During planning and construction, Naquin wanted a continuous supply of hot water for the 75-room hotel, which also includes a full-size kitchen and industrial laundry facilities.

After 15 years in the industry, Naquin is familiar with the pain points guests sometimes experience. “In the past, I’ve had problems getting enough hot water up to the top floors at peak hours when more people are showering,” he said. The water heaters he chose for the Hampton Inn had to guarantee hot water for every room at all times of the day.

A. O. Smith’s Cyclone XL water heater was the ideal solution for the small mechanical room of a four-story hotel, reliably providing hot water to all rooms while taking up minimal floor space.

The hotel mechanical room’s size posed some constraints. With a smaller footprint than other large commercial properties, the Cyclone XL water heater was the ideal solution to ensure ample hot water and allow adequate room for installation and maintenance.

The Cyclone XL water heater excels in applications with maximum hot water requirements by adjusting the firing rate to meet demand. The unit has a unique dual stainless steel heat exchange system that uses a two-step heat transfer process to deliver thermal efficiencies of 97 percent. It also comes equipped with A. O. Smith’s iCOMM™ Connectivity Platform, allowing hotel management to remotely monitor and adjust each unit’s settings.

“We have been incredibly pleased with the consistency the Cyclone XL units have provided—the water temperature you get on the first floor is the same temperature you get on the fourth floor,” said Naquin. “We’ve been busy since opening and even with reaching room capacity on multiple occasions, we have received positive feedback from guests about always having hot water. It’s good to have one worry off my shoulders and know that we can count on the Cyclone XL units to provide reliable hot water 24 hours a day.”

Based on his experience with A. O. Smith, Naquin said he would recommend the Cyclone XL water heater to others in the hospitality industry. “The communication from A. O. Smith was the best I’ve ever experienced from a vendor,” Naquin noted. “Every time I had a question or needed support, someone from A. O. Smith was there to help. That was a big deal for me.”

For more information, visit www.hotwater.com.

Message from Christopher Catania, M/SC Chair: Staying Ahead of the Game

Whether it’s labor shortages, supply chain challenges, tight deadlines, or other hurdles, MCAA members and manufacturer/supplier partners are finding smart solutions to stay ahead of the game. Harder Mechanical Contractors minimized their need for highly skilled welders and increased productivity with Novarc’s Spool Welding Robot. A&R Mechanical overcame COVID-19 and supply chain challenges by using NIBCO’s domestically manufactured products. Maxair Mechanical relied on Victaulic’s 3D models to anticipate potential pitfalls and avoid costly delays for a new medical school campus.

Some MCAA members are providing exceptional value to their clients with creative approaches. Bluegrass Hydronics and Pump helped a rural school district qualify for a federal grant to install two new antimicrobial Delta cooling towers at no cost to the school district. JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Services is using Zurn’s new oil and grease interceptor monitoring technology to minimize costs, risk, and burden for their customers, building business along the way.

The right products can be crucial to increasing efficiency and improving productivity. F+F Mechanical Company invested in a Watts-Mueller pipe cutter that dramatically improved speed and quality while decreasing labor costs. Egan Company found that Josam’s trench drain system saved time and streamlined installation. Danforth turned to Mueller Industries for products that met a new hospital’s narrow specifications. Thanks to SPX Cooling Technologies, Graco Mechanical replaced an aging cooling tower in a tight space with an even tighter timeline. A.O. Smith was the ideal choice to provide a dependable water heating solution for a new four-story hotel outside Nashville, TN.

As digital technology advances, more and more MCAA members are reaping the benefits of software solutions. Silicon Valley Mechanical saw rapid productivity and efficiency improvements on the shop floor with PypeServer software. Postler & Jaeckle has seen a continuous return on investment with STRATUS from GTP Services, most recently by using labels to increase efficiency with hangers. To improve communication, collaboration, and customer service, McKinstry is using MSUITE, Therma has adopted Procore, and B&W Mechanical works with ServiceTrade.

This issue is loaded with advice from industry experts. Tyfoom and Raken have valuable tips on workforce learning and communication, while Ridge Tool Company describes what to look for in ergonomic tools. Also look for insights from CNA, FARO, IMI Hydronic Engineering, Miller Electric, the Pipe Fabrication Institute, Reliance Worldwide Corporation, and Sloan. For even more inside knowledge, visit our manufacturer/supplier partners in person at MCAA23.

Find the Latest from Morris Group International and Parker Hannifin 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 Trap-Defender® trap primer is designed to be connected to any potable cold-water line. It automatically activates when a valve or faucet is opened, and the system experiences a drop in pressure.

Learn More

Parker Hannifin
ZoomLock® MAX, Press-To-Connect Refrigerant Fittings is the next step in ZoomLock’s evolution. ZoomLock MAX fittings provide better overall value than the original ZoomLock for today’s contractor.

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

Inspire Your Field Leaders to Strive for Greatness at the 2023 Field Leaders Conference

MCAA’s Field Leaders Conference is where field leaders realize their importance and value as professionals and members of the management team. Have your field leaders join us in April, May, August, and October to learn the skills they need to be business, and results, oriented managers focused on growing company profits and brand.

SESSION HIGHLIGHT

Inspire Your Field Leaders to Strive for Greatness
with Greg Fuller, MCAA Past President & President and Owner, North Mechanical Contracting and Services Company

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

Greg Fuller is the President and Owner of Indianapolis-based North Mechanical Contracting and Services Company. Greg began learning about the craft at age five when he’d meet his father on jobsites. His journey continued into his teen years when he stocked shelves in his father’s small plumbing service company while gaining new insights into the business. After completing his apprenticeship, he joined North Mechanical and moved up to Project Manager when the position opened with the departure of the owner’s son.

We have four conferences coming up 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 personnel today! This is a conference you can’t afford them to miss.

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

MCAA23’s Keynote Speakers Are Sure to Inspire!

MCAA’s Convention provides so many important moments and we are determined to make each attendee’s experience great. Over the course of the week there will be opportunities to hear from inspiring speakers on the topics that matter.

Opening General Session with the Dirtiest Man on TV Mike Rowe

Mike Rowe is a writer, narrator, producer, recording artist, Emmy-Award winning TV Host, New York Times Best Selling author and the CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation. As the creator and host of Dirty Jobs, Mike is best-known as “the dirtiest man on TV.”

In his role as a perpetual apprentice, Mike has highlighted hundreds of workers in dozens of essential industries. His foundation has awarded over six million dollars in work ethic scholarships to nearly 1,500 men and women, and his commitment to reinvigorate the skilled trades is unrivaled. 

Brunch with Former White House Press Secretary Dana Perino

Former White House Press Secretary, political commentator, podcaster and New York Times bestselling author Dana Perino is a revered voice on current events, politics and foreign policy. Perino served as White House Press Secretary, the second woman to hold that position and the first to do so in a Republican administration. She is a mainstay of Fox News programming, previously anchoring The Daily Briefing with Dana Perino, now co-hosting The Five as well as co-anchoring America’s Newsroom with Bill Hemmer & Dana Perino, is a featured panelist for election coverage and is known by fans as “The Voice of Reason.”

Perino, who was born in Wyoming where her family still ranches, offers unique insights from her time in the White House and as a journalist about message management during times of crisis, cultivating the qualities of powerful leadership and the key issues facing companies and organizations in today’s political climate, and skillfully moderates thoughtful conversations that get to the heart of the matter. 

Awards of Excellence Breakfast with Tennis Legend John McEnroe

On and off the court, John McEnroe has proven himself to be one of the most intriguing and controversial public figures of his time. Throughout his playing years, his bold and irreverent style made him, for many, a symbol for a generation of “rock n’ roll” athletes. He won his first Grand Slam singles title in 1979 when he captured the first of four U.S. Open Championships. In 1981, he took the first of his three Wimbledon singles titles, becoming the youngest #1 ranked male in the history of professional tennis. Since leaving the court, his unique commentary and style in the broadcast booth have garnered him national Sports Emmy nominations. He has written two bestsellers, all based on his trademark retort to the chair umpire: You Cannot Be Serious and But, Seriously. McEnroe is the Founder and Director of The Johnny Mac Tennis Project (JMTP), which changes young lives by removing the racial, economic and social barriers to success through tennis, and the John McEnroe Tennis Academy (JMTA). 

Closing General Session with American Ninja Warrior Host Matt Iseman

Life is short, do what makes you happy.” That’s the advice that Matt got from his dad, a world renowned physician, when Matt quit medicine to pursue standup comedy. And those words still guide Matt today. A regular on multiple TV programs, Matt shared his medical expertise and unique lifestyle tips on Hallmark’s Home & Family; won an Emmy Award for his hosting on Style’s Clean House and combined his lifelong passions of sports and comedy to host Sports Soup on Versus (now NBC Sports Network).  

Matt’s ongoing battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis transformed him into a strong supporter of the Arthritis Foundation. His battle with Renal Cell Carcinoma has also made him a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. Matt combines his winning sense of humor and unique experiences and perspective as a doctor turned comic, who also hosts a smash hit show. His dynamic remarks can cover everything from battling cancer, to overcoming obstacles, to the paramount importance of following your dreams. 

See you soon in Phoenix!

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Project Forecasting

Mechanical industry project managers (PMs) are often confronted with aggressive schedules and incomplete construction documents. In this environment, managing a project to a profitable outcome is predominantly about controlling change and implementing resourceful and efficient strategies to minimize cost. MCAA’s Project Forecasting offers tips to help PMs accurately and regularly measure progress, leading to improved results. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

  • What forecasting is, and why it is so important
  • The structure of a good job cost or work breakdown
  • Cost categories
  • Cost codes
  • The elements of cost
  • Why it’s important to charge expenses where they were budgeted
  • Forecasting labor
  • Forecasting equipment and subcontract costs
  • Forecasting material costs
  • The role of the accounting group and systems in forecasting
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.

MCA of Eastern Missouri Celebrates Its Transformation

Kristy Stephens, Executive Director of the MCA of Eastern Missouri, an MCAA affiliate, recently reported on the progress she and her team have made since she came aboard nearly 6 years ago. The board and the staff have embraced the challenge to guide the organization through systemic transformation, and it shows in their results.

The MCA of Eastern Missouri has renovated its building, adding state-of-the-art technology in the conference and training rooms. They adopted a new public image, and they became more efficient thanks to a cloud-based paperless office and a Salesforce-based integrated member relations tool.

The association’s governance structure has also matured through committee reform, succession planning, board self-assessment, and ongoing training. The MCA of Eastern Missouri engaged in joint strategic planning with our labor partners, gathering key industry leaders with varying agendas to identify and work on shared priorities. Their success is evident through improved communication, unprecedented collaboration, and innovative new programs.

By creating a culture of learning, the MCA of Eastern Missouri has seen camaraderie among competitors and increased engagement from individuals and the companies they represent.

MCAA congratulates the team at the MCA of Eastern Missouri on their transformation. We can’t wait to see what you do next!

READ THE IMPACT REPORT

CLRC Releases 2022 Year End Settlements Report

The Construction Labor Research Council (CLRC), a longstanding partner of MCAA, has released its 2022 Year End Settlements Report. The report covers the first year of newly bargained settlements to assist readers in understanding current trends. It also covers all years of negotiated settlements to assist in projecting future labor costs. In addition to a general overview, the report provides various detailed data cuts, including by geographic region and specific craft. For additional information, contact Carey Peters, Executive Director, at 202-347-8440 or clrc@clrcconsulting.org.

Find the Latest from SLOAN and iBusiness Technologies in MCAA’s Virtual Trade Show

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

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

SLOAN
Sloan’s new top-fill soap dispenser eliminates the hassle of going under the sink deck to refill soap reservoirs, saving time and preventing soap waste.

Learn More
iBusiness Technologies MobiliForms

iBusiness Technologies
Reduce costs and get paid faster with MobiliForms. Your identical, familiar forms now on iPad with signature and image capture. MCAA & MSCA members love MobiliForms because it pays for itself!

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