Organization: MCAA

On the Hunt for New Hires? Post to the GreatFutures Job Board to Attract Spring Grads!

Graduation season is quickly approaching and students majoring in construction-related fields are searching for that perfect first full-time position. Many of these spring graduates have internship experience at home, but are looking to explore a new geographic location. The GreatFutures Job Board is a tool to help match these students from 40 colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada with MCAA members looking to hire. Post your full-time, entry-level positions today to attract qualified students ready to start their career in mechanical contracting!

How to Post an Entry-Level Job or Internship 

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

Hired an Intern? Submit an Internship Grant 

Already have an intern? Don’t forget to submit your Intern Grants for 2024! Part 1 applications are $1,000 for 1 intern or up to $2,000 for 2 or more interns. Then once you hire an intern full-time, come back and submit Part 2 for a $500 gift card to present to your new hire. 

Part 1:

  • Submit an application for each intern (Interns must be listed on a Part 1 application to be eligible for Part 2)
  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis
  • Companies with one intern are eligible for a $1,000 grant OR companies with two or more interns may receive a $2,000 grant

Part 1: Internship Grant Application

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. New hire conversions are unlimited, but the name must be included on a Part 1 list from an MCAA member company. Submit the form below to notify MCAA of a new hire conversion.
• Part 2 application may not be submitted until after the full-time start date.

Part 2: Internship Grant Application

2023-2024 Educator of the Year Winner – Joe Karpinski

The student chapter members at Kent State University proudly nominated Joe Karpinski for the MCAA 2023-2024 Educator of the Year award based on his mentoring, mechanical industry knowledge, participation in chapter activities, and involvement in the creation of student-focused networking opportunities with local mechanical contractors through the MCA/MSCA of Cleveland, Inc. In addition to a trophy, he received a $5,000 award.

“After teaching in the Akron Public Schools for 30 years, in 2005, Joe was approached by Kent State University to create a construction management program. In 2007, Joe founded the CM Major with just 15 students. In 2024, the program has a major, minor, over 30 courses, and 260 students.

2007 also brought the start of the MCAA Chapter at Kent State with the GreatFutures Forum being held just an hour away in Cleveland. Joe brought 13 students to the conference and in the Spring of 2008, Kent State’s MCAA Student Chapter was officially charted. 

The Kent State chapter and program would not be what it is today without Joe Karpinski. After 17 years at Kent State, and a fulfilling career of 47 years teaching, Joe will be retiring at the conclusion of the Spring 2024 semester. On behalf of all the Kent State student members, we can confidently say that Joe has had a tremendous impact on who we are as students, chapter members, and early professionals.

We will miss him dearly and are eternally grateful for the scholarships, internships, jobs, support, and opportunities he has provided for us. Joe has been more than just an advisor to us. His mentorship will never be taken for granted and we are grateful to have been cared for by Joe as if we were a part of his family. We thank Joe for all his efforts over the years and we hope he has a lasting and enjoyable retirement. He has absolutely made his mark on Kent State and all of his students’ lives.

– Morgan Fischer – Kent State University Student

Morgan goes on to describe Joe Karpinski’s approach to several areas:

Recruiting

Joe makes announcements and explains in every class for many weeks about joining the MCAA chapter and encourages participation in the competition. His reach to all the students is a tremendous help. With teaching the internship course, he also assists in bridging communications between the student chapter and getting those students involved with mechanical contractors.

Employment Opportunities

Joe works with the Student Organization Board to organize two career fairs each year, hosting over 70 companies, including many from the MCA/MSCA of Cleveland chapter. This event is heavily encouraged for students to attend, although since some companies and students don’t attend, Joe is able to utilize his connections to follow-up and connect students for internships and full-time positions. Students always know they can come to Joe if they are unable to secure an internship, and he’s had great success in making connections over the years. 

Leadership

Joe could not be a better role model for the Kent State students. He is positive and an open-handed advisor, allowing his students to explore their ideas, but ready to help when needed. Joe has always only been a text, phone call, or email away and offers endless support for the chapter’s endeavors. Joe is always there to help tackle new ideas and the first in line to help obtain the resources needed by the chapter. 

Congratulations to Kent State’s Joe Karpinski on being awarded the 2023-2024 Educator of the Year! MCAA wishes you a happy and well-deserved retirement!

MCAA President Rick Gopffarth Shares His Vision for the Year Ahead

Newly elected MCAA President Rick Gopffarth shared his hopes for MCAA, his passion for developing the next generation of mechanical industry leaders, and the need to help members navigate the industry’s ongoing labor issues in a recent Contractor magazine article. Asked what one message he would share with his fellow contractors, he said, “Work hard, surround yourself with great people, lean on your friends and relationships, but more than anything, have fun. We are part of the greatest industry in the world. Embrace it, own it and enjoy the ride!” Gopffarth became MCAA’s president at the close of MCAA24 on March 21, 2024.

2023-2024 Student Chapter of the Year Winner – University of Maryland, College Park

At the MCAA24 Awards of Excellence Breakfast on March 20th, the University of Maryland, College Park was awarded the 2023-2024 MCAA Student Chapter of the Year for their continued achievement and overall focus on offering career opportunities in mechanical contracting to their student membership.

Sponsoring Local Affiliate: MCA of Metropolitan Washington, Inc.

  • Tom Bello – Executive Vice President
  • Randall Chenworth – Director of Education

Faculty Advisor

  • Fitzgerald Walker – University of Maryland, College Park

Career Development

During the past year, the chapter participated in three field trips on the UMD (University of Maryland) campus to learn about mechanical systems first-hand. The students especially enjoyed their tour of the UMD Kim Engineering Building HVAC system, one of the most efficient and sophisticated mechanical systems on campus. By touring all floors of the building, they got an idea of the scale and complexity involved in the construction and conditioning of a commercial building that controls the indoor air quality for numerous classrooms and laboratories. The students were able to apply some of the principles from their campus tours directly to their 2023-2024 MCAA Student Chapter Competition project. The chapter received a Merit award for a Top Ten placement in that competition. 

Student members also organized a professional development meeting where one of their MCA Metropolitan Washington mentors presented “things to do and NOT to do as an intern or new employee.” The session emphasized items such as work attire, appropriate and formal communication, and punctuality. 

Recruitment

Coming into the 2023-2024 school year, the UMD student chapter members knew that recruitment would be one of the most important factors to focus on. With only 4 returning students, they made a plan to attend several student organizational meetings and fairs in hopes of attracting students interested in mechanical contracting. Through their recruitment strategies highlighted below, the chapter successfully grew from 4 to 17 students. 

  • Attended the New Student Fair
  • Attended the Mechanical Engineering Student Organizational Fair
  • Talked to fellow students one-on-one
  • Collected recommendations from professors
  • Sent Engineering Department mass e-mails
  • Participated in classroom visits to announce the chapter
  • Arranged for MCA of Metropolitan Washington to present to a Project Management class

One of the most successful recruiting fairs was the A. James Clark School of Engineering New Student Fair, which focuses primarily on incoming freshman and new mechanical engineering students. Due to the younger demographic of this event, the chapter was able to focus on recruiting students who could learn from current chapter leaders and then continue the chapter in the future. Likewise, the ClarkLEAD Engineering Student Organization Fair is a program where new first-year and transfer students participate in activities to develop a sense of connectedness to their peers and community. During this fair, three members of the student chapter spoke on a panel and shared the benefits of belonging to their chapter in front of 60 new students.  

The chapter also used an interview process for potential members this year. Prospective students interviewed with the chapter’s co-presidents, who explained the basics of the chapter, MCA of Metropolitan Washington, and MCAA with a PowerPoint. Each prospective student could then determine whether chapter membership is consistent with their goals and career aspirations. The interviews also allowed the co-presidents to see if the prospective student was a good fit for the chapter and its end goal of educating future mechanical contractors and engineers.

Student Chapter Fundraising

Student chapter members volunteered to staff golfer registration, a putting contest and a raffle at the MCA of Metropolitan Washington Student Chapter Golf Tournament. This event, which invites mechanical contracting companies from the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area to the UMD Golf Course, provides an excellent opportunity for student chapter members to interact with mechanical contractors in a more relaxed and non-interview-based setting. The event raised over $18,000, including close to $2,000 from the student raffle.

Community Service

One especially notable event for the chapter was reading to students at Francis T. Evans Elementary School. The chapter members read “Grit Leads to Greatness,” a children’s book that highlights the need for the trades as two siblings go on a journey in a dystopian society. One book (sponsored by Procore) was distributed to each chapter at the MCAA GreatFutures Forum in Milwaukee last fall. After reading the book to a 3rd grade class, the chapter members answered numerous questions about mechanical contracting and learned this was the first exposure to the trades for many of the elementary students. The chapter loved the experience of sharing their passion for the industry so much that they worked with faculty advisor Fitzgerald Walker and the MCA of Metropolitan Washington to distribute 70 copies of the book to children at that school a month later. 

The UMD students also held a food drive on campus this past winter. Following the month-long drive, they delivered three large boxes full of non-perishable food items to the University of Maryland food pantry. The chapter wanted to do something to give back to those less fortunate in their community, especially during the holiday season.

Congratulations to the University of Maryland, College Park on this well-deserved recognition!

Raising Mental Health Awareness with Safety Resources

Construction has one of the highest rates of death by suicide of all industries in the United States, about four times higher than the general population. MCAA is proud to tackle Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention head on with a series of NEW resources developed in partnership with the United Association (UA).

  • Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention Video – Our newest safety and health video highlights the success story of an industry veteran, with appearances from MCAA’s president Robert Beck, the UA’s Jen Massey, industry expert Dr. Sally Spencer Thomas, and MCAA member Ricky Reams. The video is available in both English and Spanish to MCAA members and the general public.
  • Joint Statement from MCAA & UA – UA General President Mark McManus and MCAA President Robert Beck highlight the importance of mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
  • 988 Chips & Hard Hat Stickers – The MCAA and the UA have partnered to create UA/MCAA branded chips and hard hat stickers highlighting the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. See 20 Years of Safety Excellence – September 2023: Mental Health Awareness for ordering information.
  • Mental Health Toolbox Talks – This series of 38 toolbox talks is easy to reference, quick to use, and a great way to start the conversation on mental health awareness and suicide prevention in construction at your company. The talks are available in both English and Spanish.

Studies show that suicide is killing workers in the construction industry at five times the rate of work-related injuries like falls and struck-by incidents. And it’s killing them in all parts of the industry – including upper management. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to why this is happening nor is there an easy fix, but in many cases deaths from suicide CAN be prevented when we push mental health stigma aside and help one another. The MCAA & Alliance Partners Suicide Prevention Webinar explored the topic. This is one recording you won’t want to miss – you could help save a life!

MCAA consistently offers mental health education and training as part of its Safety & Health Conference. Mark your calendar for the 2025 Safety & Health Conference, January 14 – January 16, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

This problem is not going away any time soon, and we cannot solve it alone. MCAA is committed to ongoing, collaborative efforts that shine a light on the issue. We are committed to providing resources to combat it. Stay tuned for future developments.

Visit mcaa.org and search “mental health” to see all MCAA’s mental health awareness and suicide prevention resources.

Department of Defense Announces New Cybersecurity Requirements

In 2020, the Department of Defense announced a new strategic effort to provide enhanced cybersecurity efforts for their building projects going forward. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) will ensure accountability for companies to implement cybersecurity standards to protect sensitive data during the design, build and operations of DoD facilities. Through research grants by the John R. Gentille Foundation and ELECTRI International, a video series, along with official DoD CMMC documentation, has been produced by MCAA’s Chief Security Fanatic, Nick Espinosa to provide ongoing updates on CMMC changes as the standard evolves and in-depth tutorials on all 110 CMMC Level 2 security controls.

Visit mcaa.org/jrgf and search “CMMC” to find all the resources.

Dramatically Increase Efficiency

With a large project on the horizon and more on the way, AMS Industries, Inc. invested in a Watts Specialties, LLC pipe cutting machine and immediately reaped benefits. “Pipe cuts that were previously taking one man 40 hours to complete are now being cut in 8 hours—including olets!” said Beth Thullen, fabrication shop superintendent at AMS.

Keeping Up the Pace

AMS has built their reputation over five decades of serving clients in multiple industries. They aim to build a better, stronger, and more durable company for the future; protect the AMS brand; and meet their commitments to clients to help improve local communities.

Thullen started her career in 2007 as an apprentice in UA Pipefitters Local 597 and has been with AMS Industries for 12 years. “The last three years we have seen numerous changes and a substantial increase in shop fabrication for commercial and nuclear piping,” she said. “Fortunately, we have stayed extremely busy, and despite having a great team, we are always looking for ways to be more efficient. Previously, we were mainly using a bandsaw, magnetic torch, and different types of pipe and prep machines. We were also renting equipment, doing repairs, and buying replacement parts.”

Thullen continued, “We pride ourselves on being competitive and finding ways to speed up our pipe fabrication flow. Accelerating the steady output of pipe was a priority. Each pipe cut was taking around 15 minutes, followed by an end-prep machine. One of our largest projects was coming due in 2023, with more projects scheduled for 2024. Simply put, we needed a more efficient way to cut pipe.”

AMS began discussions about purchasing a new CNC pipe cutting machine. “The only company mentioned was Watts Specialties,” said Thullen. “We lined up a trial period with a Watts machine at another fabrication shop in the spring of 2021. One of our machine operators worked in this facility for a month, cutting pipe for AMS projects on the Watts machine. We quickly realized an automated pipe cutting machine was the solution for our efficiency goals.”

AMS purchased a W-244 pipe cutting machine with a 25’ conveyor system. “We are now cutting a lot more pipe from 6” to 14” outer diameter with more efficiency,” Thullen noted.

Expectations Achieved

“We were hoping for an increase in productivity with a decrease in manhours,” said Thullen matter-of-factly. “As we expected from our trial machine, we have definitely seen an increase in productivity. The cut pipe leaves the machine with clean bevels. The welders are now more efficient, spending less time on layout and fit-up.”

Thullen explained, “We are mostly running prespooled fabrication with a lot of olet holes. We also get regular requests from the field for ‘spur-of-the-moment’ piping needs. It is really nice to be able to quickly design a new spool by simply putting the dimensions in the machine … on the go, then load the spools on a truck and deliver the pipe to the field. This kind of swift flexibility was hard to accommodate prior to having the Watts machine.”

Game-Changing Software

Thullen also appreciates the Watts 3D-Profile Plus Software. “The software is great,” she noted. “The majority of our larger jobs are scanned, modeled, spooled, and moved to a shared file by the drafting department. My operator is able to make decisions about which jobs he uploads on a daily basis.”

Learning the software has been a smooth process, according to Thullen. “Our machine operators, only two months into working with the Watts machine, are very comfortable. The benefit of the software is greatest on bigger jobs when we upload spools to be cut in multiple quantities.”

Moreover, Thullen explained, “The software is also a game changer when we get requests for lateral, mitered, or saddled pipe cuts. It only takes five minutes to design and cut a unique spool. Before we had the Watts machine, it would take one to two hours—calculating coordinates, laying out the project, and then cutting the pipe with a torch or a grinding/cutting wheel.”

AMS has not yet needed to call for support, but, said Thullen, “start-up and training with Jessie Scribner, the lead support technician for Watts Specialties, was super informative. He definitely set us up for success, so we are not overly concerned about what might happen when we need support.”

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

Highlighting Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity risks rank as a top concern for companies worldwide. CNA, a supporter of MCAA24, offers Risk Control e-Talks, a series of short podcasts (about 15 minutes each) on risk and resilience. Season 3 focuses on cyber resilience. It offers insights into current cyber attack trends, cyber risk management approaches, and solutions to manage this significant threat to business resilience.

In the first season, the Risk Control e-Talks addressed business resiliency around natural and manmade catastrophes, pandemics, and civil unrest. It explored the resilient mindset of firms that survive unprecedented events, innovative strategies to sustain operations, and how to make informed decisions in times of uncertainty.

In the second season, episodes discussed business income, such as 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.

Listen to CNA’s e-Talks series for tips and resources to help your business prepare for and mitigate disruptions of any kind: https://www.cna.com/web/guest/cna/microsite/risk-control-e-talks/season-3?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MCAA-2024

For more information, visit www.cna.com. MCAA thanks CNA for being a supporter of MCAA24.

Preventing a Prolonged Power Plant Shutdown

Through a preventative maintenance program, F.W. Webb Company found and fixed oil leaks at a New Hampshire power plant that could have caused major problems. Instead of a long shutdown that could have affected electricity customers across New England, F.W. Webb completed repairs during a planned two-week plant closure.

Driven by natural gas, the highly-efficient, clean-burning power plant uses both combustion and steam turbines to serve 745 megawatts of electricity to customers. The power plant engaged Webb’s Process Controls Division to perform preventative maintenance on all of the plant’s motor-operated valves. Webb discovered obscured oil leaks in 44% of the Rotork valves— causing downstream issues related to steam discharge.

Webb identified that heat near the steam generator damaged all the direct-mount electric actuators. The team learned that the plant’s Pakscan™ system had experienced malfunctions since 2019 because of incompatible Pakscan/Siemens cards.

The plant shut down for two weeks to allow Webb’s Rotork Service Technicians to perform the following:

  • Identify 54 Rotork-operated valves distributed across a 48-acre facility comprised of two generators interconnected via a Pakscan system.
  • Log all settings, performance, inspection, event, and field failure data for each valve, and merge those data with historical and specification data.
  • Fix leaks in 24 of the 54 valves.

Although the two-week shutdown was planned, complications compacted the schedule, including a three-day delayed start and a requested weekend reduction in crew size. The plant also required Webb technicians to work 12-hour days. To get the job done, technicians formed two groups of three. One team removed the actuators, while the other rebuilt and prepared them for reinstallation.

The power plant avoided a prolonged shutdown and additional capital expenditures thanks to Webb’s preventative maintenance.

The Rotork actuators now perform to the manufacturer-recommended 20-year lifespan. All valves functioned properly after the plant went back online—and the Pakscan system worked flawlessly too.

Webb’s crews overcame the schedule delay, including actuator rebuilds commencing the second week, to complete the project in 11 days with a 100-percent success rate and without any time lost to injury. The power plant avoided a prolonged shutdown and additional capital expenditures thanks to Webb’s preventative maintenance.

For more information, visit www.fwwebb.com.

Pairing Scanning Technologies to Boost Productivity

Different jobs require different tools—not to mention the software to accompany the hardware options. The 3D reality capture solutions available today can work together to create a perfect blend of technologies to optimize your workflow efficiency and productivity.

The Need for Speed

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) enables mobile scanning of indoor, outdoor, and subterranean environments. Problems can arise when an autonomous or semi-autonomous device needs to identify its geospatial location in real time without the aid of the Global Positioning System (GPS) or other global navigation satellite system, while creating a map of its surroundings and placing its location on that map. SLAM technology solves this challenge by using computer algorithms and light-ranging technology like LiDAR (light detection and ranging) plus 360° cameras to perform both functions simultaneously. The technology is useful where GPS triangulation is difficult or impossible, such as in certain engineering and construction settings.

Increasing Accuracy

Mobile scanning complements stationary reality capture achieved through terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). Laser scanners like the FARO® Focus Premium Laser Scanner, now with Flash Technology™, are perfect examples of what fixed position scanning can achieve.

Read FARO’s guidelines and best practices for laser scanning: https://knowledge.faro.com/Hardware/Focus/Focus/Laser_Scanner_Best_Practices

Even with the speed and accuracy of stationary laser scanners, increasingly accurate mobile scanning—like that provided by the FARO Orbis Mobile Scanner—can be a critical time-saver, because it better captures hard-to-reach locations efficiently. At normal walking speeds of 2 to 4 mph (3.2 to 6.4 kph), a SLAM mobile scanning system can capture data up to 10 times faster than traditional TLS methods alone.

Cloud Software Enhances Productivity

Once the data are collected with the right 3D measurement tool for the job, the information must be processed through the right software. A cloud-based solution like the FARO SphereÂŽ XG Digital Reality Platform allows construction, operations, and geospatial professionals to upload, view, measure, analyze, and share reality capture data in a single environment.

A platform solution can integrate data from a wide variety of capture methods, including stationary scanning, mobile scanning, iPhone LiDAR scanning, and 360° photo capture. It also can consume data from standard industry file formats and integrate with several of the industry’s most popular building information management (BIM) and project management platforms.

A cloud-based platform allows for real-time collaboration and project oversight; the ability to scan, upload, and share reality capture data; and secure storage of historical data throughout the project lifecycle. Efficient software is a vital component of a balanced 3D reality capture toolkit.

Watch this webinar for more details on building a 3D reality capture toolkit: https://www.faro.com/en/Resource-Library/WebinarPresentation-Recording/Perfect-Blend-of-Reality-Capture

Improving Profit Margins

The efficiency gain from a 3D reality capture workflow has a significant productivity multiplier effect. More locations can be scanned faster, with fewer personnel onsite and less risk of data gaps, so repeat site visits are reduced or eliminated. Enhanced throughput and project-to-project agility (thanks to speed, accuracy, ease-of-use, and portability) can translate into important new business opportunities in existing and yet-to-be-tapped markets.

SLAM technology like that in the FARO Orbis Mobile Scanner attempts to unite the accuracy of stationary laser scanning with the portability of quick mobile scanning solutions. An ideal workflow features stationary scanning for highly granular work, plus a mobile scanner to quickly map and measure natural or as-built environments.

For more information, visit www.faro.com.

Building the Industry Workforce

LAARS, a Bradford White Company (and a benefactor of MCAA24), is working closely with MCAA and the United Association (UA) toward a shared vision of continuous support for a trained, skilled workforce that is committed to safety, quality, and productivity. LAARS and the UA have established more than 50 advanced water heater and boiler training labs across the United States, with many more in development.

“Training has always been important,” said Raymond Boyd, director of education and training for the UA. “It’s the life’s blood of what we do. And the most important result of training is safety. An educated workforce is a safe workforce.” Safe workers and a safe workplace are prerequisites for the quality and productivity that drive the industry.

Additionally, the industry is evolving. Dustin Bowerman, director of training services for Bradford White, explained, “The technology our products depend on and regulations are constantly in flux, and we all should commit to staying on top of those changes in order to continue meeting the needs of our customers and living up to our partner obligations.”

In Person, Hands On, and Online

Classroom learning is essential to transfer the foundational knowledge and principles of the skilled trades. UA apprentices, for example, experience 216 hours of in-class instruction related to their field. A growing range of online and virtual training options have emerged to supplement traditional in-class and hands-on training. Live online training sessions allow instructors and trainees to connect and interact directly, in real time. These sessions increase efficiency and substantially minimize travel costs. New and emerging tools such as virtual reality and online simulations provide trainees with unprecedented safe and convenient access to new information. Following up virtual training with hands-on practice is essential for fully translating information into actionable skill.

Learn about LAARS Academy, which offers in-person factory and regional training, mobile demos, and videos: https://www.laars.com/laars-academy

“There’s enormous opportunity for online training, but ultimately there’s nothing like picking up tools and working directly with equipment and material,” said Eric Ortega, training coordinator for UA Local 208 in Denver. “Hands-on, in-person training with real equipment is still the foundation for the apprenticeship model, and I don’t see that ever going away.”

Steve Moruzzi, national training manager for LAARS, added, “Technicians get more out of hands-on training than other methods. They retain far more information when they’re able to physically perform an action once or twice than if they just read it or watch someone else do it.”

Real-World Learning Labs

Learning labs that simulate the real-world environment are ideal for technical training. Bradford White and LAARS subsidized the purchase of equipment for the UA as it expands and enhances its training centers across the United States and Canada to build some of the most advanced training facilities in the world. The cost and access limitations of hands-on training make industry partnerships—such as those Bradford White and LAARS maintain with MCAA, the UA, and other organizations—critical to the well-being and future of the industry. Manufacturers offer a range of training resources and platforms, including equipment, personnel, and expertise.

“We took all the equipment that was available, and then we ordered more,” said John Sullivan of UA Plumbers and Gas-Fitters Local 1 Training Center in New York. “We wanted to make sure we had everything we needed to train the next generation of plumbers. We didn’t want to just set up a showroom where they could look at the equipment while someone tells them how it works. We designed a learning lab where every piece of equipment is fully piped and working, so we can teach someone how to fire it up, how to bring it online, and how to troubleshoot. They get real-world hands-on experience with the equipment they’ll see on the job.”

Sullivan continued, “This kind of training opportunity is essential for the future of our industry. Leveraging our partnership with Bradford White and LAARS has served as a catalyst for something that will have a meaningful impact on our members and their customers for years to come. It’s also strengthened our partnership, which will ensure continuing benefits for all of us in the future.”

A culture of training ensures that proven skills and best practices are passed on. It also ensures that learning is a priority and helps inspire new generations of dedicated, expert workers who will become the future trainers and leaders of the industry.

The UA’s Boyd noted that partnering with Bradford White and LAARS “has been critical in our development of state-of-the-art, world-class training facilities for our members. And that success positions us to envision more ways to leverage our shared strengths in the future.”

For more information, visit www.laars.com. MCAA thanks LAARS, a Bradford White Company, for being a benefactor of MCAA24 and providing the convention bag.

Gaining Protection and Productivity With Advanced Safety Technology

Murphy Company adopted MILWAUKEE TOOL’s latest M18 FUEL™ ½” Drill/Driver because it has the power and speed to keep them productive on the job, but also because of an enhanced safety feature that prevents injuries caused by over-rotation. The drill’s AUTOSTOP™ Control Mode senses over-rotation in a bind-up and automatically shuts off the drill, providing more control and reduced kickback. MILWAUKEE TOOL is a benefactor of MCAA24.

The Danger of Over-Rotation

With nearly 30 years of experience, Ricky Reams, the vice president of safety and quality at Murphy Company, understands how tools directly impact safety and productivity on a jobsite. Reams described an incident in which a lead foreman was showing an apprentice how to do a task. Based on the position and height of the task, they felt safer doing it in a lift rather than on a ladder.

“They actually did a great thing! They moved the ladder, got a scissor lift in place, and went up,” said Reams. “But they still had to reach completely overhead, because they were still limited by the height of the lift.”

During the application, the drill caught, spun, and injured the foreman’s hand. With 115 years in business and more than 1,300 employees nationwide, this one incident may seem minor in the scale of Murphy Company’s business, but the company places strong emphasis on safety and continuous improvement.

“We had an injury in front of the apprentice we were trying to train and a lead foreman that required medical treatment,” said Reams. “But even if we take away the direct costs and hours spent investigating the injury, it still has an impact on how a customer perceives us. We had a recordable injury on that job because of the over-rotation of the drill.”

On a quarterly and annual basis, Murphy Company does a formal analysis of jobsite injuries to assess and prioritize problems. The analysis is focused on understanding the types of injuries that occurred, how they happened, the task being undertaken, and how it was performed, among other factors.

Check out trends in construction industry injuries from CPWR, the Center for Construction Research and Training: https://www.cpwr.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Quarter3-QDR-2019.pdf

“When we really got down to it, the majority of the hand injuries that we had associated with a drill were from working on an elevated platform, either in a lift or on a ladder; they were working overhead, and they were drilling with a large 4” or 5” hole bit,” noted Reams. “Many of the injuries were happening at almost the exact same task. In that overhead body position, there is less control over the tool.”

Dive deeper into the risks of over-rotation and other injuries on the job in this Construction Executive article: https://constructionexec.com/article/the-safety-technology-in-safety-technology-tools

Around the same time that Murphy Company was coming to their conclusions after analyzing hand injuries, MILWAUKEE TOOL introduced their newest M18 FUEL ½” Drill/Driver. Working side-by-side with users to understand their needs and frustrations, MILWAUKEE TOOL’s research teams were repeatedly asked for a drill that reacts more consistently to bind-ups. Solutions from other tool manufacturers were either overly sensitive, shutting the tool down prematurely, or not sensitive enough, so the feature did not engage at all.

In developing the new drill, MILWAUKEE TOOL used data from users in the field and lab-correlated data points. MILWAUKEE TOOL then leveraged advanced machine learning to account for the numerous and challenging variables associated with drilling a hole with a ½” drill. The combination of real-life and machine data points led to the development of an industry-leading solution that shuts down the drill’s motor at the right moment. Additionally, the advanced algorithm results in excellent reaction time and minimizes nuisance shutdowns that can hinder productivity.

Engineering a Solution

“The message we were getting from our field employees was that over-rotation was an issue with the current drills being used in certain applications, and we wanted to find a better solution,” said Reams.

The wide range of tasks and applications Murphy Company handles requires a tool line that is diverse enough to apply to everyone. In the mechanical trades, workers often need to work overhead, at heights, or in hard-to-reach places. The further away from the body the tool is, the less control the user has, which can result in jobsite injuries.

“Think about where duct work or pipe goes,” Reams explained. “It’s in the ground, it’s in the ceiling, but very seldom allows for ideal body positioning. Often what we’re doing tends to be at some level of an off-center or awkward position.”

When MILWAUKEE TOOL’s latest drill with the enhanced technology was introduced, Murphy Company immediately put it to the test in the field with some of their top journeymen and craftsmen to understand the drill’s functionality and performance.

“Anytime we make any type of switch to any type of tool or equipment, we test it in real-world applications. We evaluated the new drill/driver with AUTOSTOP technology with multiple teams and jobsites, and the tool performed exactly as advertised—from a power perspective, from a run-time perspective, and even down to the ergonomic controls and design of the tool itself, like the weight and the battery options that are available. AUTOSTOP technology stopped the drill as soon as it sensed a bind-up and started to rotate.”

Reams continued, “AUTOSTOP technology immediately neutralizes the tool and reduces the risk of a potential injury. It was a long time coming. That’s an engineering solution to a problem that’s as old as when drills were first invented.”

Following the trial, Murphy Company updated their tool catalog so that they purchase only MILWAUKEE TOOL’s M18 FUEL ½” Drill/Driver moving forward.

“Regardless of how much training we do, the complexity and variations of our jobs will always present hazards,” Reams noted. “When using technology and engineering controls in tools to reduce or completely eliminate the hazard or the possibility of using that tool incorrectly, we’re saving countless injuries from happening.”

For more information, visit www.milwaukeetool.com. MCAA thanks MILWAUKEE TOOL for being a benefactor of MCAA24, hosting the Wednesday night reception and Awards of Excellence Breakfast.

Managing Communication, Keeping Projects On Track

Miscommunication and excessive administrative efforts led Modern to adopt MSUITE technology to manage their fabrication operations in unison with other departments. “MSUITE helps prioritize the work for our shop managers to make sure we’re on the right track,” said Jim Tedrow, piping operations leader.

Managing Moving Parts

Modern, a mechanical contractor in the Eastern Iowa market and beyond for over 80 years, has had tremendous growth and built a positive culture with loyal employees who stay with Modern for decades. “I have been with Modern for 23 years and seen its amazing growth firsthand,” said Tedrow. “We’ve moved into three different shops, beginning at a small shop of 27,000 square feet to currently a 90,000 square-foot building with office space and a fabrication floor for piping, plumbing, and sheet metal. Now, that’s grown, and we’re looking at another expansion.”

The high volume of work, combined with shifting priorities, documentation requirements, and staffing and schedule changes, all make production very complex; as a result, in a traditional (highly manual) working environment, communication is either nonexistent or delayed. “MSUITE fills this gap and allows stakeholders to update data that automatically resets priorities and indicates delays or schedule changes. In addition, with all of those moving parts impacting production and deliveries, MSUITE enables real-time fabrication visibility on more substantial projects,” said Tedrow.

“Quality control and quality assurance are always challenges in any business. MSUITE improves quality assurance and quality control through automating digital documentation and tracking, eliminating things we used to do manually,” said Tedrow.

Tracking Changes

MSUITE provides critical visibility and communications between the fabrication shop and workers in the field, designers, engineers, project managers, and customers. The technology offers a single-source platform for collaboration, production, and delivery across multiple stakeholders involved in ensuring project success. For example, staff can update notes, place things on hold, and update due dates, helping the fabrication shop operate in sync with other departments at a high level and keeping everyone on the same page. Tedrow added, “Having complete visibility and tracking work in progress enables us to use metrics for improving performance.”

Read MSUITE’s tips for improving fabrication shop operations: https://www.msuite.com/5-tips-for-mechanical-contractors-enhancing-fabrication-shop-operations/

MSUITE offers several features that help Modern digitize its operation:

  • The Digital Fab Shop means a paperless job floor, where the drawings on the floor are always the most current version. No more losing drawings or building off the wrong document.
  • Weld Log Tracking digitally captures the welder identification, welding procedures, heat numbers, inspector, quality assurance process, and quality assurance results for reporting and administration.
  • Digital tracking makes nondestructive evaluations more manageable; because X-ray testing, welder identifications and numbers, and other data are mapped and captured, generating reports is easy, and manual entry is eliminated.
  • Automatic closeout documentation generates multiple documents, such as a drawing status report, weld tracking, bill of lading, and final drawing markups.

“Creating a paperless job floor, improving quality control, closeout documentation, and Weld Log Tracking are value-added benefits of the real-time productivity gained through enhanced visibility and eliminating communication gaps in one platform—making MSUITE a game-changer for Modern,” said Tedrow.

“The selling point to our team for adopting technology is that it’s hard to estimate the benefits of offsite fabrication construction. Being able to leverage data in MSUITE and provide it to the design and estimating departments enables Modern to win more business,” Tedrow explained.

Improving Worker Performance

MSUITE tracks employee productivity automatically and helps provide Modern with actionable data to help improve employee performance, no matter the level. “Historically, this was a ‘gut’ observation or [involved] manually adding stats to spreadsheets, but these types of tasks are eliminated from managing and helping staff improve performance,” said Tedrow.

The MSUITE team trained Modern staff onsite, and the technology has evolved over the years. “The customer support team is very effective; their support desk is second to none, and they’re speedy to respond. … The key to adoption is leadership communication, adaptability, and explaining how MSUITE improves employee and organization performance. With any technology adoption effort, there’s a cultural and behavioral change.”

Real-Time Transparency

With MSUITE, control and product accuracy processes run as high as 95 to 98 percent, translating to a 2-percent failure rate on parts coming out of the fabrication shop. “If we’re doing a large industrial job, MSUITE offers ‘full disclosure’ of what our fab shop is doing and what we’re working on at any stage,” said Tedrow.

“MSUITE enables notifications to stakeholders, and it’s super easy and keeps all the messages and data in one platform and automatically connected to the production schedule. Archaic data silos (email in-box, spreadsheets, paper, phone calls, product changes, etc.) are nearly eliminated.  Important tasks, messages, drawing notes, deadlines, change requests, and schedule changes that sometimes fall through the cracks are averted because everyone is on the same page with real-time data in MSUITE,” said, Tedrow.

For more information, visit www.msuite.com.

Predictive Maintenance Streamlines Operations

With the nClarity predictive maintenance (PdM) platform, Mazza Mechanical transitioned from the traditional preventive maintenance model to a digital-based service, streamlining business operations considerably. Mazza Vice President Ledgie DeRose explained, “We are now able to get early warnings when issues emerge without having to go onsite. This is far more productive than our old approach of dispatching techs 12 times per year.”

Ledgie DeRose continued, “In the event we feel the need to dispatch techs, they are far better prepared with a precise diagnosis, optimizing our time onsite and reducing callbacks. It’s always great when a tech gets onsite before the customer even knows there is an issue.”

Meeting Customer Demands

Brothers Dan and Ledgie DeRose, president and vice president of Mazza, respectively, and their team service some large, innovative manufacturing clients who expect continuous innovation from their partners. Manufacturers are seeing the industrial sector’s evolution to a digitized PdM model, so it was inevitable that Mazza would feel some pressure to migrate to a PdM service model.

Using Pulse circuit boards connected to sensors that monitor key metrics in each HVAC unit, the nClarity technology captures and analyzes operations, which Mazza service operations personnel use to anticipate maintenance needs.

The DeRoses began engaging clients in discussions regarding the impact the nClarity technology could have on their operations. The real motivator for most clients was the emphasis on system monitoring integrated into their service operations that drives measurable uptime.

“Our clients are sophisticated operators that understand the value of data in their businesses. Approaching them with a platform that collects machine-level, real-time data that is processed through purpose-built analytics that detect sources of machine degradation and potential failure really addressed a need,” said Dan DeRose.

Package units that service critical areas were targeted in several facilities. Mazza techs installed Pulse circuit boards at each HVAC unit and connected sensors from the Pulse to key components inside each unit (capturing information on supply and return air, high and low side pressure, and temperatures). An onboard, utility-grade meter was connected via a current transformer to unit power. Ledgie DeRose estimated installation took about two hours per unit.

One-minute interval data are routed from each Pulse to a private cellular network (no IT needed), which is then forwarded to nClarity’s service operations analytics engine in the cloud. Ultimately, building insights (i.e., robust alerts) are pushed to service operations dashboards and mobile applications that act as a digital gauge. Service operations personnel are all able to remotely access machine data.

“While a lot of our customers have invested in sophisticated controls, we are convinced implementing a monitoring solution is really what our customers are looking for to meet this need.”

—Ledgie DeRose, Vice President, Mazza Mechanical

“While a lot of our customers have invested in sophisticated controls, we are convinced implementing a monitoring solution is really what our customers are looking for to meet this need,” said Ledgie DeRose. “If we tried to do this with controls, it would be way too complicated, expensive, and not as usable by my service ops team.”

This nClarity article highlights the sales advantages of real-time HVAC monitoring devices: https://www.nclarity.com/blog/the-unfair-sales-advantage-of-iot-based-real-time-hvac-monitoring

A Win-Win Situation

Dan DeRose said, “We are really encouraged by the impact this data is having on our teams and our clients. Even in its early stage, it’s easy to see the value of a predictive service model.”

Mazza is now exploring additional benefits for clients and looking for areas that can drive further productivity gains. “From conducting ‘pre-PMs’ (prioritizing units based on performance before doing onsite preventive maintenance), to engaging in performance data-centric asset planning, to measuring energy consumption with the Pulse’s onboard power meter, we are excited to enter into the next phase of this transition,” said Dan DeRose.

For more information, visit www.nclarity.com/contractor.

Help Keep Your Project Up to Code

Specifications provide clear instructions on a project’s intent, performance, and construction; a detailed specification can anticipate and answer construction questions onsite, saving the contractor time and money. Combined with drawings, they are contractual documents that can minimize project risk and give support if any legal issues arise. When the project is finished, construction specifications become part of the audit trail and can form the basis for future management or policies, such as best practices to optimize future endeavors.

Standards and requirements that affect specifications are continually evolving to reflect new technologies and changing circumstances. Dave Lazear, director of commercial sales for NIBCO INC. (an MCAA24 major sponsor), pointed out, “If you have not reviewed and modified your specifications in the last two years, chances are your information is outdated.”

Types of Specifications

Performance specifications lay out the operational requirements, with the focus on the outcome and function of the project. Performance specifications allow a contractor to exercise flexibility and creativity when deciding how to follow through with a project.

Prescriptive specifications, which list the exact materials to be used and the processes for installing them, are typically formatted in the following ways:

  • General: Refers to national or international design standards, product handling, required submittals, design requirements, and quality control
  • Products: Details the products required for each task and the performance and structural requirements for each
  • Execution: Explains how to prepare the materials, manage the installation, and test the quality after installation

Proprietary specifications require the use of a single, approved product type for an installation, often because of owner preferences, existing equipment already on site, or the need for a specific piece of equipment to accomplish a certain task.

Keeping Up With Changes

Industry organizations are continually updating their standards and codes. For example, the National Plumbing Code is updated every three years and follows a rigorous set of guidelines, including a review process involving thousands of experts from around the country. A building’s occupancy and corresponding plumbing fixture requirements are determined by code requirements, as well as project-specific requirements that may exceed code. Assessing these parameters can highlight the need for changes to a system design.

When supply chain issues and product shortages occur, you might have to adjust your specifications to reflect product availability. Also, if you tend to rely on what has always been specified before, your specifications might overlook new, innovative designs and products that can increase productivity and cut costs.

Tap Into NIBCO’s Free Review Service

NIBCO offers customers the opportunity to have their specifications reviewed by industry professionals to ensure that they meet the most current industry standards. “If you aren’t taking advantage of this service, you are missing out on a great opportunity for free professional advice that could impact your building’s performance,” said Lazear.

NIBCO can review plumbing, fire protection, and any mechanical specifications to ensure that they are not outdated. Users get one-on-one, individualized attention and interaction from experts who are up to date on the latest standards. The turnaround time for review varies but is typically complete within two days.

Learn more about NIBCO’s free Specification Review Service for this critical area of your business: https://www.nibco.com/resources/specification-tools/

For more information, visit www.nibco.com. MCAA thanks NIBCO INC. for being a major sponsor of MCAA24, hosting the 47th Annual Round Robin Tennis and 3rd Annual Pickleball Tournament, and providing the Convention app.

Ramping Up Welding Capacity

Metropolitan Mechanical Contractors, Inc. (MMC) put Novarc Technologies Inc.’s Spool Welding Robot™ (SWR) to work and dramatically increased their welding capacity, achieving consistent, high-quality welds every single time. Corey Hagerty, pipefitting shop foreman at MMC, described the impact: “Before implementing the SWR, we typically had three to four guys welding (depending on the project) and we averaged from 60 to 80 factored diameter inches (FDI) a day. Currently, we’re doing 200 to 250 FDI a day on the SWR; we even achieved 290” in one day.”

MMC has an impressive portfolio of completed projects including the Mall of America, Target Center, Target Field, and the Xcel Energy Center. “The SWR has helped with our capacity on the larger projects, and that’s definitely where we have shined,” said Hagerty.

Aiming for Quality and Consistency

When evaluating pipe welding automation systems for their fabrication shop, MMC was looking for a solution that would help them achieve consistent, high-quality welds. “The projects that we work on vary a lot,” said Hagerty. “Specific jobs typically require a percentage for X-ray and ultrasound testing. Sometimes we run into jobs where it is 100% X-ray and sometimes 10%. What was important to us was to improve the quality and consistency of our welds.”

Novarc’s SWR is a welding cobot designed specifically for pipe, small pressure vessels, and other types of roll welding. Since implementing the SWR, MMC has increased their pipe welding capacity dramatically, with no failures or repairs needed to date. In North America, repair rates at pipe fabrication shops are typically around 3 to 5 percent. A shop producing 6,000 welds per year with a 5-percent repair rate is likely spending around $300,000 each year on repairs. At MMC, Hagerty noted, “The cost of repairs is typically between $800 and  $1,000 per test, and with Novarc we’ve achieved a 0-percent failure rate.”

Tackling the Welder Shortage

The SWR has reduced MMC’s dependence on highly skilled welders, of whom there is a global shortage. With the SWR, MMC has been able to leverage the skills of its current workforce. Hagerty explained, “We actually have an individual that was a pretty skilled welder in the field of stick welding, and he didn’t have a significant amount of experience in wire, but he just obtained certification with wire, and we’ve been able to put him on the SWR. It’s been pretty seamless to be able to put a junior-level welder on the SWR and achieve high-quality welds.”

Learn more about MMC’s experience with Novarc during this online chat with Corey Hagerty: https://www.novarctech.com/videos/

In addition, Novarc has helped MMC get the most out of their SWR. “Novarc’s support team has been very helpful, and they ensured that we were up and running all the time,” said Hagerty. “I really like the platform that the team has in the background; basically, if there is an important issue, they see it and they take care of it right away. They have a gauge on who takes care of it, how, and why.”

Hagerty also praised Novarc’s training opportunities. “The Novarc Academy was also a great help. I had walked through the training sessions myself, and I think that it took out a lot of the unknown and the pessimistic views that a lot of welders can have towards it. The fact that you can override it, interact with it, and make adjustments on the fly is a huge benefit. I fully believe that’s the benefit to Novarc over the other semi-automatic processes,” Hagerty concluded.

For more information, visit www.novarctech.com.

Extra Eyes Onsite, Catching Errors Early & Cutting Travel Time

Thanks to photos and videos captured onsite by OpenSpace technology, U.S. Engineering fixed an error during construction that would have required expensive rework if it had not been caught early. With OpenSpace, U.S. Engineering managers are keeping tabs on projects remotely, saving hours of travel time and costs.

True As-Built View Improves Quality

As quality control manager for U.S. Engineering, Chad Lucks routinely travels across the Rocky Mountain region to oversee projects. He wanted a better way to document the many jobsites he was tasked with monitoring than notes jotted down by colleagues and cell phone pictures, which could be unreliable and inconsistent. He also hoped to reduce his commuting time with technology that would help him stay on top of more than a dozen projects at any given time, even remotely.

“Through the detailed documentation OpenSpace provides, we have a true as-built.”

—Chad Lucks, Quality Control Manager, U.S. Engineering

Lucks started using OpenSpace to capture his projects, including hospitals in North Dakota and Arizona, a Target in Boulder, CO, and a public school system in Denver, CO, with the main objective of reducing risk. He soon began relying on the BIM Compare feature (which shows a side-by-side view of actual site conditions with the model) for day-to-day work. “I switched to OpenSpace because I can be anywhere and reference the drawings and model we’re using in Arizona, for example, alongside what’s really happening onsite,” Lucks explained.

OpenSpace has proved easy to learn, and project engineers can capture sites by simply strapping a 360° camera to their hard hats and walking. OpenSpace automatically generates a Google Street View-style video of the project. Lucks typically plays the video at half-speed to look carefully for discrepancies and issues from his office.

Having a single source of truth helps everyone get on the same page. For example, Lucks recently noticed in BIM Compare that a section of piping and valves present in the model was missing in a ceiling. He created a Field Note in OpenSpace, assigned it to the virtual design construction technician, and linked it to Procore. From there, the team confirmed there was an error in the as-builts, which was corrected. Because Lucks caught the discrepancy before the ceiling was closed up, U.S. Engineering avoided potential rework costs if the mistake had only been noticed months later.

“Paper as-builts are old-school and going away,” said Lucks. “Through the detailed documentation OpenSpace provides, we have a true as-built, which is better for maintenance and the owner at the end.”

“I switched to OpenSpace because I can be anywhere and reference the drawings and model we’re using in Arizona, for example, alongside what’s really happening onsite.”

—Chad Lucks, Quality Control Manager, U.S. Engineering

Streamlining Processes

U.S. Engineering is also using OpenSpace Track to automatically generate completion percentages for sheet metal installation, which facilitates monthly pay applications and saves time. Lucks also thinks it benefits superintendents by helping them understand whether teams are falling behind on a project. U.S. Engineering Project Manager Aaron Denning is using OpenSpace Track to track sheet metal installation and forecast how much sheet metal should be brought to the project, so materials are not sitting onsite for weeks before they are needed.

Lucks is using OpenSpace’s 3D Scan feature to scan electrical and ductwork near ceilings to measure them later—without having to climb a ladder or use a tape measure, saving him time. “Our goal is to have [OpenSpace] on every project where we’re allowed to take photos,” Lucks said.

Learn how to use OpenSpace to create time-lapse videos of your project by clicking here.

Enhancing Communication, Increasing Productivity

Thanks to OpenSpace, Lucks does not need to visit jobsites in person as often, saving him as much as 10 hours of driving per week. Recently, OpenSpace eliminated the need for designers to fly in to visit a project, because U.S. Engineering’s Senior Project Manager Patrick Barnett pulled up OpenSpace captures during an owner, architect, and contractor meeting to address their questions virtually.

OpenSpace helps keep Lucks up to speed on progress at out-of-state sites he does not visit as often, so he can contribute more effectively. “Before OpenSpace, people would be calling me without me having any context,” he said. “It was definitely a lot harder.”

Reliable documentation from OpenSpace has also helped U.S. Engineering manage potential conflicts. When a general contractor recently provided a hard deadline for work completion, U.S. Engineering was able to demonstrate that another contractor had not completed their work, blocking U.S. Engineering from proceeding.

For more information, visit www.openspace.ai.

Fueling Growth With a Software Solution

Former service technician Kevin Harris started Preferred Mechanical Group (PMG) 4 years ago with two technicians; now PMG employs 52 technicians and an office staff of 26—and Harris projects continued growth over the next few years. ServiceTrade talked with Harris about his company’s impressive growth and how the service software helped him build an efficient, technician-centric company.

When you started the business, did you anticipate this kind of success?

It’s been a dream of mine for a long time, and I’ve been planning for 15 years. I knew what the competition was like and felt fully confident that we would do things better. We’d have better software, better processes, better techs. I felt like if we could do all that—and I felt we could pretty easily—then the sky was the limit.

And PMG has used ServiceTrade from the beginning?

Finding a software solution was one of the top priorities on my checklist. We’ve had ServiceTrade since month three of being in business.

You worked as a technician for over 20 years. How did that influence your decision when shopping for software?

I was very vocal as a tech. None of my technicians can be more vocal than I was. I knew what my techs needed and what they didn’t and was looking for a company that could meet my high standards. When I looked at software, there were many that worked, but they weren’t built for techs in the way ServiceTrade is. ServiceTrade provides my techs with a single place to do their work in an easy-to-use, intuitive interface.

To get valuable insights from the field, ServiceTrade created a Mechanical Trades Advisory Board: https://servicetrade.com/blog/servicetrade-announces-mechanical-trades-advisory-board/

How does ServiceTrade help streamline operations?

We use ServiceTrade for all parts and labor management. It forces techs to input their time accurately and correctly document what they’ve purchased on a job. It is the ultimate way—the only way—that you can guarantee all of your costs hit the job.

Without ServiceTrade, I’d have to hire one or two additional office staff and devote them exclusively to labor and parts management. I believe in using software for these kinds of things and utilizing office staff to grow the business in other ways.

Another thing: I’m a firm believer in not touching things twice! Once someone enters something into the system, the system should be able to take that information to wherever it needs to go. And that’s what ServiceTrade does.

“When I looked at software, there were many that worked, but they weren’t built for techs in the way ServiceTrade is.”

—Kevin Harris, President and CEO, PMG

It sounds like you are really utilizing the platform to its fullest potential.

The platform has scaled with the business. We’ve started a new plumbing division and controls division on top of our commercial HVAC work, and we’re able to use ServiceTrade for everything.

What I really love about ServiceTrade is that I am always pushing, asking for more, and while I don’t always get it, I have a true partnership with the ServiceTrade team. They’re always willing to listen and strive to provide the best software solution. That is a big deal to me. I’m always trying to innovate and be better than others. I don’t like to settle. If you’re not striving to be better, then you are going backwards. ServiceTrade aligns with me on that.

One of my goals as an owner of a mechanical contracting business is to have a better work/life balance and more time with my family. Having the right processes and a software partner like ServiceTrade helps the business run better. I don’t have to be so “on it” and wear myself out. I can use technology to help with that.

For more information, visit servicetrade.com.

Simplify Remote Monitoring & Maintenance

Installing smart products like the SC Argus™ Pro suite from SLOAN (an MCAA24 benefactor) allows facility managers to monitor and maintain products remotely, saving time. These products also reduce water usage, improve sustainability, and contribute to a healthier, more hygienic restroom environment.

By tracking vital metrics such as water usage, battery life, and alarms, SC Argus Pro helps maintenance teams better understand the overall status of their facilities while keeping restroom products operational. With two-way communication, facility managers can change settings, set hygienic line flushes, customize reports, and get a more complete understanding of faucet-to-flushometer activation ratios and average handwashing time.

The latest addition to SLOAN’s Smart Systems collection, the SC Argus Pro suite consists of smart products, data bridges, and cloud-based SC Argus software that turns collected data into insights viewed through a web browser. The system is compatible with a wide range of SLOAN smart products, including energy-efficient SOLIS® flushometers and high-traffic ETF faucets. SC Argus Pro connects with all SLOAN IoT (Internet of things) devices for easy remote management and employs the latest best practices for end-to-end customer data security.

For more information, visit www.sloan.com. MCAA thanks SLOAN for being a benefactor of MCAA24 and sponsoring the Monday lunch speaker, Kevin Brown.

Rethinking Construction Site Sanitation

Modular Portable Toilet Pods Save Costs, Water, and Worker Dignity

With help from Morris Group International® (MGI) and its AcornVac® vacuum plumbing system, Matt Davenport of Southland Industries designed portable toilets that are easy to transport and use less water than other options, saving the company money and time. Portable toilets are notorious for their unpleasantness, and Davenport, Southland’s project constructability lead, found them downright “inhumane.” MGI is a major sponsor of MCAA24.

Thinking Outside the Box

Driven by his dissatisfaction with portable toilets, Davenport set out to find a better solution for jobsite toilets during the construction of the $2.1-billion Sutter Health California Pacific Medical Center’s Van Ness Campus Hospital in San Francisco on a zero-lot line site. Initially, he envisioned ways to enhance privacy in traditional portable toilets but soon realized more was needed.

Southland collaborated with MGI AcornVac engineers and other stakeholders to design a temporary toilet system that is easier to clean, easier to move, and uses less water than typical portable toilets.

A conversation with MGI sales representative Mike Furlong led Davenport to the AcornVac. He inquired about the possibility of a temporary, pod-based solution, and coincidentally, AcornVac had recently developed a pod prototype. Davenport and AcornVac engineers collaborated to refine it, transforming his vision into reality: a clean, private privy equipped with a flushing toilet, internal lighting, a handwashing station with running water, and easy portability.

The complete portable toilet system was made up of 40 modular plug-and-play vacuum toilet cubicles that tied into the vacuum center located in the underground parking garage. A forklift could easily move the toilet cubicles, and the removable tops meant they could be transported as needed from floor to floor via the regular elevators. That eliminated the coordination necessary to use the demand lifts.

Transformation Through Teamwork

After finalizing the design, Davenport presented his idea to Sutter Health and general contractor HerreroBoldt. The project used a Lean integrated project delivery (IPD) strategy, which brings together all project stakeholders in a collaborative effort. Davenport believes this collaborative approach was crucial to the success of his proposal.

“I had the positive support from the core group,” Davenport explained. “With that support, my mind was free to think. But with that support comes great responsibility; you don’t want to disappoint the team. It’s a double-edged sword.”

Davenport’s AcornVac system was ultimately accepted, and he credited the IPD process for fostering the open communication and collaboration that made it possible.

In addition to improved convenience, Davenport pointed out the environmental benefits of the AcornVac system. With a flush using just under a half-gallon of water and no risk of leaks due to vacuum pressure, these units are far more sustainable than portable options.

“This is going to be a hospital,” Davenport noted, “and those blue portable rooms often leak what I’d consider toxic material. That can’t be good.” He says cost and water savings are just bonuses: “It’s about treating people humanely.”

Take a virtual visit to the facilities here: https://youtu.be/uFbikNYDjnM?si=rNyvev9QnXMRpI2Y

Sutter Health recognized the value right away. By adopting the innovative system, they lived up to their commitment to supporting workers. It transformed an otherwise unpleasant necessity into something elevating.

The client even sourced bathroom attendants from a neighborhood cleaning company to maintain cleanliness. The results spoke for themselves: workers appreciated the new units, and after three years, not one toilet suffered vandalism or damage.

Building on Success

Given the success, Davenport now wants to take the concept further. For his next high-rise project, he plans to add fans to the pods for airflow and water bottle fillers from MurdockÂŽ Manufacturing (an MGI brand) for hydration.

The fact that MGI supports the modular building trend attracted Davenport to its brands and products. Though initially nervous about the vacuum components, hands-on guidance gave him confidence: “The AcornVac engineers were with us every step, even after setup. That support means I’ll definitely do this again.”

Davenport said it could make sense for general contractors or large mechanical firms like Southland to purchase the pods and then move them from site to site because they are so modular and movable. That way, sites could have flushing toilets and working handwashing stations from the start of construction, then add to the system as the project ramps up.

“The AcornVac engineers were with us every step, even after setup. That support means I’ll definitely do this again.”

—Matt Davenport, Project Constructability Lead, Southland Industries

The success of the AcornVac bathroom pod system shows the power of collaboration and thinking outside the blue box. Davenport was driven by the vision of providing workers with facilities that treated them with basic dignity. He turned this vision into reality by working with stakeholders, engineers, and an open-minded client.

Now, the modular pods have become a blueprint—both for Davenport’s future projects and for construction firms aiming to embed quality sanitation systems right from the start. Most importantly, the transformation has had a simple but profound impact, offering essential facilities that make workers feel valued rather than miserable. When creative solutions tap into that kind of positive potential, everyone wins.

For more information, visit www.morrisgroupint.com. MCAA thanks Morris Group International for being a major sponsor of MCAA24 and providing convention lanyards.