Organization: MCAA

Find the Latest from Miller Electric Mfg. Co. and Metraflex Company 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:

Miller Electric Mfg. Co.
Simplified and optimized for pipe fabrication shop welding, the PipeWorx 400 Welding System’s streamlined set-up with one touch welding, quick process changeover, and Pulsed and Modified Short-Arc MIG processes, makes training and turn-around times faster than ever before.

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Metraflex Company
Metraflex energy-saving LPD-Y-Strainer dramatically reduces pressure drops. ROI within 1 year. Larger screen with more holes. Re-engineered to reduce turbulence.

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

Warwick Mechanical Boosts Business with XOi System for Technicians

Facing a tight labor market, Warwick Mechanical Group turned to XOi for technology solutions that make it easy for less-seasoned technicians to get information and communicate with supervisors and customers quickly. Warwick’s revenue reached around $115 million in 2021, and Ron Clark, vice president of Service, credits solutions like XOi with contributing to that success.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Visit the Smart Solutions Case Studies area of our website! You’ll see how other mechanical contractors found their win-win with productivity-enhancing and cost-saving applications from members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

McKinstry Company Demonstrates How Fabrication and Innovation Converge

MCAA’s 2022 Fabrication Conference showcased how mechanical contractors are adopting and innovating in the built environment. McKinstry Company, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, hosted the tour this year and demonstrated to attendees how integrated digital design, collaboration and fabrication are creating a path for contractors that leverages combined productivity into profitability.

As part of the conference, attendees were able to participate in an all day tour that was essentially a 17-part case study on modern business practices. McKinstry explained their business practices, from estimating and design through project coordination, fabrication and installation. Along the way, they showed the tools and software programs that they use, and their coordination and fabrication processes.

“The tour is no small project,” said Jay Rohan, MCAA Fabrication Committee Chair and Dynamic Systems Senior VP. “It takes a lot of effort to organize speakers, sessions and presentations, in addition to having a great operation worth sharing. CJ Best (McKinstry, Director of Manufacturing) and the entire McKinstry team did a tremendous job of sharing their processes and giving everyone a couple of good ideas to take home with them.”

The conference featured education and case studies from contractors willing to share their own best practices. Jim Tedrow and Brandon Minick from Modern Companies presented on how they continuously look to improve. In their presentation, they shared how something as simple as hanger fabrication can be improved as long as you measure your time, evaluate your process and seek input from the field. By rethinking what they considered a very organized process, they were able to simplify the system and save time in both shop and field labor.

The conference also included presentations and guest speakers from our partner associations, NECA and SMACNA. Electrical and sheet metal contractors shared the differences in their processes and considerations when they fabricate. While many MCAA members perform multiple trades, the perspective from our building partners provided attendees with additional insights on building practices and coordination.

We concluded with a recap and a preview of our revamped 2023 Fabrication Conference in Seattle again next September 13-15 with additional tours and programming to allow for increased attendance. Save the date!

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Company Safety Programs

Worker safety and health is a top priority for mechanical contractors. MCAA’s Company Safety Programs reviews ten basic components that should be covered in every company safety program, regardless of company size, giving contractors food for thought as they review their own company’s program. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin covers:

The components of a corporate safety policy
The importance of a corporate commitment to safety that has the buy-in of leaders and workers alike
Worker training requirements
The importance of a disciplinary action policy
The components of a safety incentive program
The importance of substance abuse and drug testing
The components of a work site hazard analysis
Accident/incident investigation’s role in preventing future accidents/incidents
The importance of modified duty policies to getting workers on the job and saving the company money
Recordkeeping requirements

DOWNLOAD

For related content mentioned in this bulletin, download the Model Safety Program for Mechanical Construction and the Model Safety Program for Mechanical Service.

MCAA offers a wide range of safety resources developed specifically for the mechanical industry. Find them on the Direct Links to MCAA & MSCA Safety Resources page and in the Resource Center.

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.

New England MCA Starts Local WiMI Committee

The New England Mechanical Contractors Association (NEMCA), in conjunction with the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, is proud to announce the formation of NEMCA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry, New England committee. The group hosted its inaugural meeting on Friday, October 14, 2022 at the Newbury Hotel in Boston.

VIEW PRESS RELEASE

Check Off ‘Finding the Perfect Intern or New Hire’ from Your To-Do List

The clock is ticking on end of the year to-do lists. Have you secured your summer intern for 2023? While this may seem like an item that can be pushed to the bottom of your list, most students are already committing to summer plans before 2022 comes to a close. This is especially true for May graduates looking for full time employment. MCAA recently updated its job board to make posting internships and entry level full-time positions easy. Take the first step to filling those openings – post your positions today!

How it works:

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

MCAA’s Job Board Delivers Results

A student from Ball State University was recently hired by U.S. Engineering after using the new GreatFutures job board to find a summer internship. Congratulations to Reece Manning and U.S. Engineering! Read the article.

There’s Still Time to Apply for an Internship Grant!

If you already employed an intern in 2022, remember to submit an application for an Internship Grant. MCAA members may submit up to two applications per year for a $1,000 grant (to your company) and an accompanying $500 gift card (to the intern).

APPLY FOR AN INTERNSHIP GRANT

JPG Plumbing and Mechanical Services Teams Up to Tackle Hunger

On October 29, 2022, JPG Plumbing and Mechanical Services, Inc. teamed up with Kingdom Investors and Kids Against Hunger to donate and package meals for thousands suffering from starvation and malnutrition. Kids Against Hunger partners with organizations like JPG in bringing people together to make a difference feeding starving children and their families throughout 70 countries. JPG employees, their family members, friends, and vendor partners packaged more than 42,000 meals for distribution by Convoy of Hope to feed families in Haiti. This is the second year JPG has partnered with Kids Against Hunger, and they will continue to make this an annual event.

Scenes from the Event

Connect With the Latest Training from SLOAN and Morris Group International 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
In this webinar we explore how touch-free hygiene can easily be incorporated into K-12 or higher facility restroom design. Watch now.

Learn More

Morris Group International
Inclusive Restroom Design in Public Bathrooms explores the benefits of inclusive spaces and discusses design and material options for inclusive public bathrooms.

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

Enhance Your Company’s Quality of Service With MCAA’s NEI Courses and Kevin Dougherty

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Kevin Dougherty, who uses his industry experience to provide tangible solutions to today’s problems in an easy-to-listen-to style.

Kevin has served as a foreman, journeyman, sales manager, project manager, operations manager, and corporate trainer for a multimillion-dollar mechanical contractor. He has also been a frequent speaker for MCAA, MSCA, the UA and other trade associations. Kevin’s ability to entertain audiences and hold their interest while getting his message across consistently makes him one of the industry’s top speaking and training talents.

He teaches those who attend the Service Training Series (STS) Seminars for Service about the fundamental principles of effective leadership and communication:

People Management
Sales and Marketing
Customer Service
Supervisory & People Management
Finances
Time Management
Communication
Cost and Pricing
Strategy
Planning

Like our other NEI instructors, Kevin brings his unique knowledge of the industry and teaching experience to his seminars. Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAA’s NEI is all about! Visit the NEI website for more information about these seminars and a full list of the NEI courses available to MCAA members.

Book your courses via the NEI website, then apply for a 20% rebate on the instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class.*

LEARN MORE ABOUT KEVIN’S CLASSES

NEI WEBSITE

*This benefit is available only to MCAA members and local affiliates in good standing who book courses via the NEI website. Learn more about the rebate program here. Have questions or need personal assistance? Contact MCAA’s Frank Wall or call him at 301-990-2215.

Find the Latest from Morris Group International and Aquatherm LP 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 Kwik Ship® Brands program is a collection of popular specifiable products and many ready-to-ship inventory from across seven different Morris Group International® divisions. Download our brochure now!

Learn More

Aquatherm LP
Engineered from scale- and corrosion-resistant polypropylene, Aquatherm Blue Pipe® is ideal for commercial heating and cooling systems and many other non-potable applications. It is available in sizes ranging from ½-in. to 24-in. to handle any size project. Aquatherm pipe and fittings are connected using virtually leak-free heat fusion, and have an anticipated life span of 50+ years.

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

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

Learn to Inspire Employees with Standout Leadership from 2023 Safety Conference Speaker Connie Podesta

MCAA’s 2023 Safety Conference includes 50+ hours of education from subject matter experts, plus inspiring keynote speakers like Connie Podesta. Connie will take you inside the minds of your most difficult employees and give you the tools to turn negative attitudes into positive, entitlement into accountability, complacency into productivity, complaining into solutions and “that’s not my job” into ownership. Join us January 17-19, 2023, in San Diego, CA. Register today!

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

Close collaboration between IMI TA, a branch of IMI Hydronic Engineering, and building designers led to a 23-percent savings in annual energy consumption (equivalent to $19,341) for an Oklahoma public building. The Lawton Public Safety Facility in Clay Coe, OK, is a 100,000-square-foot, four-story building with 350 working stations. The original design strategy for the facility included proportional control valves with no balancing valve on each terminal and a variable speed pump (VSP) differential pressure (DP) sensor.

LEARN MORE

Looking for More Smart Solutions?

Plus, you’ll find tips and ideas on other ways you and your company can save money and enhance your productivity.

VISIT SMART SOLUTIONS

New Study Compares Contractor Usage of Best and Worst Language in Contract Clauses

The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) has partnered with ELECTRI International (NECA) and the New Horizons Foundation (SMACNA) to assess and produce a detailed report on construction contracting best practices. Our collaboration is meant to provide industry-wide data that supports our members’ contract negotiations and guidance on better contract language to reduce liability. With better practices in place, risk can be shifted away from trade contractors to the appropriate party, leading to a more profitable industry overall.

First, Document Crunch identified the criteria used to analyze where the provisions at issue were considered Best Practice, Medium Practice, or Deficient Practice. Once those parameters were established, the Document Crunch proprietary platform extracted specific terms from each of the contracts to determine the frequency of each practice. After analyzing the data, Document Crunch has identified the 10 riskiest contract provisions that impact trade contractors.

Download a free copy of the research results below, which includes a description of each provision at issue, the criteria used to identify each issue, and the frequency of occurrence across the sample data.

The John R. Gentille Foundation underwrites the development of practices, tools, methods and materials to advance the mechanical and service trades.

DOWNLOAD FREE COPY

MCAA Student Chapter Member Gets Hired Using the GreatFutures Job Board

Name: Reece Manning
Student Chapter: Ball State University
Internship Company: U.S. Engineering

“I recently accepted the position of Construction Operations Intern for the summer of 2023 at U.S. Engineering. I initially caught wind of this internship thanks to an email from MCAA promoting the GreatFutures job board with companies who were hiring and also again at the GreatFutures Forum job fair in Boston.

The U.S. Engineering internships caught my eye because one of the locations was in Kansas City, where I call home. The job board made it very easy to apply for the position and then the job fair in Boston provided a comfortable and welcoming environment to introduce myself and get to know the U.S. Engineering representatives (Sarabeth Gandara and Kevin Stoddard). From that point forward, the hiring process continued as normal.

When I received the internship offer, I eagerly accepted and I’m looking forward to my summer with MCAA member, U.S. Engineering!”

VIEW JOB BOARD

Two Leaders in the HVACR and Building Science Fields Join Forces to Train the Industry

The HVACR industry is faced with a labor shortage, rapidly changing technology, and the emerging challenge of building electrification. With that in mind, Daikin, the largest manufacturer of HVACR (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) equipment, and the United Association, the industry’s largest provider of skilled labor and education, are joining forces to tackle these challenges.

On October 25, 2022, a new training lab was opened for business at the Steamfitters Technology Center in Harmony, PA. This lab is outfitted with the latest residential and commercial VRV products that are available from Daikin and will serve as the east coast training hub for UA instructors. If you would like to find out more about this new training facility and how it can benefit your company, reach out to UA Training Specialist Robert Vilches at rvilches@uanet.org or 757-452-0916.

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Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Why Mechanical Contractors Should Furnish Equipment

While direct purchasing appears to offer advantages, hidden pitfalls may increase costs and delay project completion. MCAA’s Why Mechanical Contractors Should Furnish Equipment examines these advantages and pitfalls, giving contractors a well-rounded perspective on owner concerns and how best to address them. It’s just one of MCAA’s educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership.

The bulletin examines these advantages sought by direct purchasing:

To permit early purchase of long-delivery items to ensure timely deliveries and to avoid construction delays
To save the contractor’s markup for overhead and profit
To provide the engineer with closer control of compliance with specifications in equipment bids
To incur possible cost savings by beating price increases
If the owner is purchasing production equipment, the owner would naturally feel he had the expertise in selection rather than the installing contractor

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.

2023 Advanced Institute for Project Management: Only A Few Seats Remain!

Each year, MCAA provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for senior project managers, project executives, and operations directors to come together and hone their skills at our Advanced Institute for Project Management.This 5-day intensive program will take place January 29 – February 2, 2023, in Austin, TX, and only a few seats remain. Don’t delay – register today!

Our top-notch instructors are a combination of mechanical presidents and CEOs and industry experts with extensive first-hand experience. The program explores best practices for topics including operational management, client relations, claims avoidance, and company-level financials. Participants will leave with knowledge and skills that can be immediately applied to their jobs, not to mention an invaluable network of industry peers.

In the words of last year’s AIPM graduates:

“Overall, this was one of, if not the best, trainings I have ever attended… It feels like the info discussed in this class is almost perfectly suited for this point in my career. Great, great opportunity.”

“This was worth every penny. Working like we all do, we can be isolated. But meeting and connecting with my classmates was maybe the greatest pleasure of my career. I plan to keep in touch for many years to come!”

“I am beyond impressed with the caliber of this program. The lessons and insight given are of the highest level. Moreso, the opportunity to interact with, pick the brain of, and observe every single lecturer has been invaluable in my eyes. You take away not only knowledge, but an understanding of the disposition it requires to be successful.”

Registration for AIPM is processed on a first-come, first-served basis, and only a few seats remain. Companies may send up to two participants to the program. Tuition is $2,900 and registration can be completed online via the AIPM course page, where you will find additional course details.

Sloan Wins 2022 WaterSense Excellence Award

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized Sloan, an MCAA member, with a 2022 WaterSense® Excellence Award for helping people save water. In recognition of its commitment to promoting WaterSense and water efficiency in 2021, Sloan was honored during the WaterSmart Innovations (WSI) Conference and Exposition October 6 in Las Vegas along with 33 other awardees – utilities, manufacturers, builders, retailers, and other organizations that partner with WaterSense to promote water-efficient products, homes, and programs.

WaterSense, a voluntary partnership program sponsored by EPA, is both a label for water-efficient products, programs, and homes and a resource for helping consumers learn ways to save water. Since 2006, more than 2,100 WaterSense partners and over 40,000 models of certified water-efficient plumbing and irrigation products have helped consumers and businesses save 6.4 trillion gallons of water—enough water to supply all households in the United States with water for eight months. In addition to water savings, WaterSense has helped reduce the amount of energy needed to pump, treat, and heat water by 754 billion kilowatt hours and helped consumers save $135 billion in water and energy bills. These savings also helped prevent 288 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, which is equivalent to planting 4.8 billion trees.

“Throughout 2021, our award-winning partners helped people protect this precious resource by promoting WaterSense labeled products and water-efficient behaviors,” said Veronica Blette, Chief, WaterSense Branch. “Saving water is particularly critical in areas impacted by drought but is also a path to helping consumers stretch dollars by reducing their water and energy bills.”

WaterSense honored Sloan as a 2022 Excellence Award winner for promoting WaterSense labeled products in the marketplace. As the only manufacturer of exclusively commercial products, Sloan’s award was distinguished for its extensive offerings of WaterSense labeled flushometers, toilets, urinals, commercial showerheads, and faucets.

“For over a century, Sloan has provided safe, reliable, water-efficient products for the commercial marketplace,” said Parthiv Amin, Sloan Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. “Water Connects Us is more than just our tagline. Sloan understands the dynamic relationship between the world’s water management systems and its ecosystems. The WaterSense Award for Excellence highlights our commitment to protecting the earth’s most vital natural resource: water.”

For more information about WaterSense, visit www.epa.gov/watersense.

Learn From Your Peers at the 2023 MEP Innovation Conference

Event Dates: January 11 – January 13, 2023 | Austin, TX

Keeping up with the latest and greatest mechanical innovations is a daunting task for contractors. Finding the time to research, test and implement new technologies feels like an impossible task. One of the only ways to keep up is to learn from others. The 2023 MEP Innovation Conference is constructed around that concept – learning from others.

“We built the conference knowing that we can’t solve everything on our own. We have to collaborate,” as Bob Snyder Jr., CEO of Binsky & Snyder and MCAA Technology Committee member points out. “With each of us sharing our wins and losses, we might not have solved all of our own problems, but we might get an idea from another contractor that has done it successfully.”

The 2023 conference will take place January 11 – January 13, 2023 in Austin, TX. These three days will be loaded with educational content and real-world practical experiences. It combines contractor case study presentations and 32 unique breakout sessions on contractor processes, research and experiences, paired with local contractor facility tours and a manufacturer exhibit.

Registration is limited and open to MCAA, NECA, and SMACNA members as well as labor representatives from their corresponding Unions. For more information or to register for the conference, visit the MEP Innovation website below.

MORE INFORMATION

REGISTER NOW

Event Contact
Have questions or need assistance? Contact us at eventregistration@mcaa.org or 301-869-5800.

Thank you to our conference sponsors:

Build Your Service Company’s Relationships & Success With Skills from NEI Instructor Nancy Bandy

MCAA’s National Education Initiative (NEI) Seminars bring our best programs to your local association or your company thanks to instructors like Nancy Bandy, Managing Director of TRAINSITIONS Consulting Group LLC. Nancy provides service contractors and employees with the skills they need to build on the company’s relationships and success.

Nancy draws on many years of experience in training and management consulting to develop and deliver highly effective custom training programs using proven experiential learning methods.

She is well known among MSCA members and has been responsible for developing and delivering many of the MSCA courses, webinars, and other resources highly popular with MSCA members. Prior to starting her own company, Nancy’s previous experience included executive positions with Coldwell Banker, Koll Real Estate Services, CB Richard Ellis and Strategic HR Services.

She offers four NEI seminar series designed specifically for service.

The Sales Development Series (SDS) Seminars for Service series is designed for your service sales team to excel by successfully prospecting, building presentation skills and fostering strong relationships with the customer.

Employee Development Series (EDS) Seminars for Service are geared towards all team members as they focus on developing and building the skills necessary to perform their best in and out of the office.

The Management Development Series (MDS) Seminars for Service are designed for managers to hone their coaching skills through positive feedback, motivation and recognition. The seminars teach how to build accountable teams and manage the dynamic of change. Fostering the idea of team success is key.

The Customer Service Series (CSS) Seminars for Service are designed for service professionals to enhance their service skills and create a culture of service starting at the top, with emphasis on customer loyalty and managing their most valuable assets.

Like our other NEI instructors, Nancy brings her unique blend of industry and teaching experience to virtual courses, a new NEI offering. Providing top notch, accessible education for everyone in your organization is what the MCAA’s NEI is all about! Visit the NEI website for more information about these seminars and a full list of the NEI courses available to MCAA members.

Book your courses via the NEI website, then apply for a 20% rebate on the instructor fees, up to $5,000 per class.*