Organization: MCAA

SBA Announces Loan Necessity Questionnaire for PPP Borrowers of $2M or More

On October 26, 2020, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a 30-Day “information collection” regulatory notice (85 FR, 67809-67810) with various forms implementing the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan program under the CARES Act. 

Of particular note is SBA Form 3509 – Loan Necessity Questionnaire (For-Profit Borrowers), for borrowers with PPP loans of $2 million or more. The form is to be sent by bank lenders to borrowers after the borrower applies for loan forgiveness.  Once the form is sent to the borrower from the bank, the borrower will have only 10 days after receipt of the form to compile the comprehensive responses to the questionnaire. Eventually the answers to the questionnaire will be sent to the SBA for their review and analysis. 

Below is a non-scientific compilation of legal and accounting advice relating to the forms. Of particular note among all of them is the requested comparison on 2nd quarter gross revenue between 2019 and 2020, and other issues relating to the good faith application standards of the initial loan application. The advice compiled below counsels early action to be ready for the short response time, careful legal and accounting review of the loan application standards and responses, and other elements of judgment for the loans. 

The forms are not listed on the SBA website yet, and are expected to be released on or about November 25th, the close of the comment period.  There are some reports that banks already have the draft form and are ready to use it immediately upon approval. 

Please review the various advice articles below from:

Congratulations to MCAA’s Emerging Student Chapter & Chapter of Excellence Grant Recipients

On behalf of the John R. Gentille Foundation and MCAA’s Career Development Committee, we are pleased to announce the following Student Chapters received a 2020 Emerging Chapter Grant: Bowling Green State University, Cypress College, Northern Kentucky University, and Virginia Tech, Blacksburg Campus.

The Emerging Chapter Grant was created to assist new chapters in becoming more established or struggling chapters in overcoming a challenge or obstacle. The financial assistance this grant money provides has helped chapters build stronger and better programs that attract and interest more students.

The John R. Gentille Foundation and MCAA’s Career Development Committee are also pleased to share the following Student Chapters received a 2020 Chapter of Excellence Grant: Ball State University, California State University, Chico, California State University, East Bay, Fairleigh-Dickinson University, Ferris State, Kansas State University, Kent State University, Purdue University, the University of Maryland, the University of Missouri- Columbia, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

This Chapter of Excellence award recognizes student chapters for their extraordinary performance and accomplishments during the prior year, as well as encourage their continued growth and development.

Congratulations to all recipients and many thanks for your continued interest and participation in MCAA’s Student Chapter program.

MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight Episode 4: Richard Lattanzi, Apollo Valves

In the fourth episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series, MCAA Immediate Past President, Mike Brandt interviews Richard Lattanzi, Chief Executive Officer Americas for Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems – Americas. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

Richard is the President and CEO of Aalberts Integrated Piping Systems – Americas, where he is responsible for the business that includes the “Apollo” valves portfolio, Elkhart Products Corporation fittings, and Shurjoint grooved products. Prior to joining Aalberts, he built his career at Siemens and Honeywell where he held positions in strategy, operations, product development, and executive leadership with a focus on commercial building technology products and solutions. Over his career, he has developed a reputation for developing innovative/smart products, building great teams, and focusing on outstanding service and support. He enjoyed living in four countries and gained the experience of leading both regional and global technology and manufacturing businesses. Richard holds an MBA and a BS of Engineering, both from the University of Pittsburgh. Originally from the Pittsburgh area (Oakmont), he and his wife now reside in Charlotte NC.    

Recorded: Friday, November 20, 2020

Beyond the Classroom Video Series: The Benefit of Connecting with Industry Professionals

University of Missouri-Columbia mechanical engineering major Kylie Nedelka first learned about the MCAA GreatFutures program after hearing the association president speak to her class a few years ago. It was here Kylie realized the many benefits of being involved with the program.

“Networking is by far the best thing you can do in your career,” Kylie said while stressing the importance of building a professional network. Using her networking skills, she has landed two internships with SIEMENS, a member of the MCAA Manufacturer/Supplier Council. Kylie landed her first internship opportunity at the 2018 GreatFutures Forum while riding on a bus to Disneyland, where she shared a seat and struck up a conversation with Kristin Junia, Program Manager at SIEMENS. The following day, Kylie made sure to stop by the SIEMENS booth at the forum’s career fair. This is where she could talk more in-depth with Kristin about her education and internship interests and was offered an internship on the spot.

We hope Kylie’s story inspires other students to put themselves out there and not be afraid to talk to and connect with people within the industry, as you never know where it will lead!

You can read more of Kylie’s story here.

Michael James Industries & UA Local 638 Lend Veterans a Helping Hand

MCAA members Michael James Industries, Inc. and sister company County Fair Air Conditioning teamed up with the Steamfitters Local Union 638 Metals Trade Branch to help Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2913 with vital repairs and replacement in the face of COVID-related budget shortfalls.

A fleet of trucks bearing a team of technicians and project manager from Michael James Industries arrived at the Patchogue, New York-based VFW Post 2913 on September 22, 2020. They and company co-owner Michael Herman met with VFW members and their commander, Senator Monica Martinez, the president of the Building and Trades Council and a representative from Steamfitters Local Union 638.

The mission of the day was to remove a failed main HVAC system and replace it with a new 5-ton system that included both outdoor and indoor units, hot water coil, re-piping and new valves. The system is one of three in the building, needed for heating and cooling the lower level used for meetings and member activities. Though the installation itself was routine, how it came to be was anything but.

Helping Hands – From Officials to Industry

The ball got rolling when Senator Monica Martinez received a visit from constituent Dave Rogers, a Veteran and the commander of VFW Post 2913, and his affable black Labrador Retriever service dog, Grunt. The visit was an appeal for help. The VFW found that they could not afford to repair or replace this vital system, with their income impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a member of the Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, Veteran projects are a priority to Senator Martinez. She called Matthew Aracich, President of the Building & Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties, who in turn reached out to Steamfitters Local Union 638 Metals Trade Branch’s Union President, Patrick Dolan, Jr.

Trade unions are well known for coming together to solve problems and improve communities, and their response was exactly that. In an incredibly generous act, Local Union 638 not only got on board; they also allocated funds through the Service Fitters Promotional Fund to purchase all of the equipment and materials donated to the VFW project.

Local Union 638 President Dolan called upon union members James Carlson and Michael Herman, owners of Michael James Industries, to ask if there was any way they could help with this project installation. Carlson said, “We’ve had such a great relationship with Union 638 for many years, and Veterans have sacrificed so much for us – we were happy to get behind this and lend our support.” Herman added, “We love helping out in our own community and giving back, so this project hits home.”

   

Volunteering for the Veterans

Thanks to the commitment and selfless generosity of so many helping hands volunteering from multiple offices and union trade organizations, VFW Post 2913 has a dependable new system that will allow them to continue to provide valuable services and support to area Veterans for many years to come.

MCAA applauds this effort, and the efforts of all our members to make a difference in their communities.

Register Now for the 2020 Industry Improvement Funds Virtual Seminar

Registration is now open for the 2020 Industry Improvement Funds Virtual Seminar on December 3, 2020 from 11:00am – 1:45pm Eastern. The seminar will provide legal updates and a legislative and regulatory outlook. Group discussions centered around the new norm, engagement, post-COVID actions and collective bargaining agreement extensions will round out the program. Don’t delay, register now for this complimentary education.

National Service and Maintenance Agreement Survey

The MSCA is requesting all companies that have signed up to be a part of the National Service and Maintenance Agreement to take a few moments to complete a brief survey.  Respondents feedback and recommendations will add to the value of the Agreement by helping them maintain and grow their service market share. It will also improve and enhance their competitiveness as well as help guide the MSCA Labor Committee as they begin negotiations later this year. All responses are anonymous, only the compiled results will be utilized. The survey will close on November, 20th 2020.

To access the survey, please click the link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NSMA2020. 

Download the full agreement

WiMI is Looking for New Mentors

The MCAA Women in the Mechanical Industry’s Mentor/Mentee program is a great opportunity for seasoned professionals in the industry interested in serving as advisors to those new to the industry or be a role model to students looking to join the industry.  The relationships built in this program help to guide our industry into the future with a diverse, exciting group of women who may have never connected otherwise. It also enables women from all spectrums of the mechanical and HVACR service industry to connect, support, guide and counsel each other.

Our recent webinar demonstrated just how beneficial a mentor/mentee partnership can be, watch webinar here.

We are always open for both mentors and mentees. To join our program, please complete the form below and send to bdolim@mcaa.org.

Mentor Form
Mentee Form

Learn more about the program!

Modern Piping Provides a Look Inside Their Fabrication Facilities & Processes December 10, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. EST – Register Today!

When site restrictions were enforced this past March, many contractors turned towards their fabrication facilities to keep their projects on track. Fabrication not only allows for a controlled environment with greater safety and oversight, it also allows companies like Modern Piping in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to leverage their productivity gains at a higher rate and even work two shifts to keep their work on pace with their schedule. 

Due to the impacts of COVID-19, MCAA has decided to postpone their 2020 Fabrication Conference to 2021. In lieu of an in-person conference in 2020, the MCAA Fabrication Committee is working to provide MCAA members with a virtual sneak peek inside some of the most innovative fabrication facilities.  

Over the last ten years, Modern Piping has been pushing the leading edge of fabrication by applying lean manufacturing concepts, developing software that digitizes their process and automates not only their digital workflow, but also their actual production. This has resulted in a dramatic productivity gain seen throughout their entire construction process. 

On Thursday, December 10, Modern Piping’s Fabrication Shop Manager, Jim Tedow will be joined by MCAA’s Director of Innovative Technologies, Sean McGuire, and MSUITE’s CEO, Britton Langdon, to discuss their processes, tools and techniques in fabrication. This interactive session will include videos from Modern Piping’s fabrication facilities and a discussion on manufacturing concepts utilized at Modern. Attendees will see how they have streamlined their processes from design to the field. Registration for the MCAA Fabrication Virtual Mini – Modern Piping session is complimentary and limited to MCAA members only. 

REGISTER

OSHA Provides New COVID-19 Guidance Regarding Workplace Ventilation

OSHA recently issued new guidance on how to use workplace ventilation systems to reduce exposures to the coronavirus, including efficiency targets for air filters and recommendations for fan use. The guidance calls for employers to install HVAC filters with minimum efficiency reporting value ratings of “13 or higher, where feasible,” and to “consider using” high-efficiency particulate air fan and filtration systems, “especially in higher-risk areas.”

It also urges several stems to increase the flow of outdoor air into indoor areas, including increasing HVAC systems’ outdoor air intake; taking steps to verify that exhaust air is not being pulled back into a building, such as by traveling through open windows or nearby intakes; ensuring exhaust fans in restrooms specifically are “fully functional, operating at maximum capacity, and are set to remain on”; and opening windows and “other sources of fresh air” when possible.

LEARN MORE

CNA Shares Risk Control e-Talks on Business Resiliency

MCAA member CNA, MCAA’s long-time partner in workplace safety, loss control, and risk control, is sharing its Risk Control e-Talks series on Business Resiliency with MCAA members. The series addresses how natural and manmade catastrophes, pandemics, and civil unrest create uncertainty, complexity, and challenges that unfold in real time. The talks provide tips and resources that will help your business thrive during these environments.

LEARN MORE

Find the Latest from Lochinvar, LLC and Josam 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:

Lochinvar, LLC
Lochinvar’s glass-lined, jacketed and insulated storage tanks are specifically engineered to provide a high volume supply of hot water at a constant outlet temperature.

Learn More

Josam Company
Josam Company’s comprehensive line of drainage products offer labor saving features and benefits with the installer in mind. In addition to ease of installation, we also offer customized solutions for the most difficult applications.

Quality Engineered Drainage Products.

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

WiMI Mentors and Mentees Share Their Experiences and Advice In Encouraging Panel Discussion–Watch Now!

Yesterday, Women in the Mechanical Industry (WiMI) Chair, Kori Gormley-Huppert led a lively discussion with mentor and mentees who are currently participating in the initiative’s Mentor/Mentee Program. Pattie Krippendorf, Vice President of the Service Division at Helm Group and a mentor in the program, shared her industry and life experiences, as well as offered her best advice to those newly navigating the industry. Mentees, Ali Brown, a student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Madelyn Conway, a project engineer at BMWC Constructors, Inc. and Michelle Mays, a Sales Operations Coordinator at Crockett Facilities Services, spoke to the value of being involved in this program, and how invaluable they have found the assistance from their mentors, women with years of experience in the mechanical industry, in career planning, networking and goal setting.

The WiMI initiative was created to enable women in the mechanical industry to further enrich their careers through networking, educational, mentoring and career development opportunities. Interested and want to get involved?

WiMI Mentee Questionnaire

WiMI Mentor Questionnaire

MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight Episode Two: Rich Simons, LAARS, a Bradford White Company

In the second episode of MCAA’s Sponsor Spotlight series, MCAA President-Elect, Armand Kilijian, welcomes Rich Simons, Vice President and General Manager, Laars Heating Systems for LAARS, a Bradford White Company. The Sponsor Spotlight Series is a new way for MCAA contractor members to learn more about the Manufacturer/Supplier Council (M/SC) Governing Board members, their products, their relationship with MCAA, and what being a member means to them.

Rich Simons is the General Manager of Laars Heating Systems, a subsidiary of Bradford White Corporation. He is also a Vice President on the Bradford White Corporation Senior Staff. In his role he is responsible for all aspects of the Laars Heating Systems business. Before joining the Laars team, Rich spent 21 years with Honeywell in in roles of increasing responsibilities from Director of Engineering to Director of Marketing with roles in channel, product, and applications management. Generally spending his focus to the boiler controls business, Rich saw through the definition, development, and release of several generations of oil and gas combustion controls and boiler controls. Rich is named on six U.S. patents and been engaged in both U.S. and European markets.     

Recorded: Friday, November 6

With eSUB Software, Braconier Cuts Payroll Processing Down to Minutes

Braconier adopted eSUB’s comprehensive software platform to standardize project management and operations, cutting processes such as timecard inputting and payroll processing from a full day down to minutes. The platform also helps Braconier document every aspect of their projects, which helps keep things running smoothly.

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

Next Week is the Finale of MCAA’s GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program

The GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program has completed the eighth week of presentations. Next week’s finale is your last opportunity to listen and learn from students who have previously participated in the competition. Tune in for Does your student chapter have questions as you finalize your project for MCAA’s Annual Student Competition? on the LIVE GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program panel presentation on Tuesday, November 17th at 3:00pm EST. 

Five $50 Gift Cards will be raffled off during the LIVE presentation.

Register for access to any of these upcoming sessions or to check out any of the previous presentations in the GreatFutures Virtual Fall Program. View the full schedule and register today!

REGISTER NOW

Those who are already registered can visit the GreatFutures Fall Virtual Program website to catch up on any programs they may have missed.

DON’T FORGET Monday, December 7th, all student chapter competition projects are due in Procore. All student chapters will be provided with their project results on Friday, January 15th. MCAA will then work with each of the Final Four teams to prepare for the Final Four presentations, including a technology requirement review and a thorough rehearsal. Final Four presentations will follow the standard time, twelve minutes per presentation, with ten minutes for Q&A. These presentations will be recorded then released to MCAA’s membership on Monday, March 22nd to kick-off MCAA’s Virtual Education Conference. 

We understand this is new, but MCAA’s Career Development Committee will be there every step of the way. Stay tuned for more information and registration details. If you have any questions, please reach out to MCAA’s Director of Career Development, Megan Walsh at mwalsh@mcaa.org.

PCA Wraps Up Their Virtual Education Series on Plumbing Service with a Discussion on Heavy Equipment

The final episode of the series, hosted by JPG Plumbing & Mechanical Services, focused on the heavy equipment required for vac services.

Plumbing service has emerged as a profitable business line for many MCAA and PCA members seeking to balance their operations with services that provide higher profit margins. From the outside, it might appear to be a difficult set of operations to get into but seeing how a leading contractor runs it can make it much more achievable.  

In September of 2020, JPG Plumbing and Mechanical Services opened their doors (virtually) as part of the seven-week PCA Virtual Education Series on Plumbing Service. With the help of the PCA, JPG showcased seven parts of their operation from standard drain cleaning and truck tools all the way to complicated aspects like robotic pipe inspection and vac services. Each module in the series included a 15-minute video, taken onsite from their operations, a workbook with parts and prices and a 45-minute discussion on the individual section.

In the final episode of series, JPG President John Geiling, showcased how far their company has taken plumbing service – into heavy equipment purchases. JPG’s Vac Services Division Manager, John Davis, detailed the company’s progression from low-profile pump trucks that they had custom made to the investment-heavy Vac-Con Titan vactor truck. The Titan can be used to hydro-excavate, vacuum larger volumes and objects as well as hydro-jet. These vehicles frequently work in conjunction with their robotic pipe inspection truck that can certify and repair pipes with a robotic crawler, avoiding expensive excavation.

Attendees that were not able to participate in the live events have the ability to go back to watch the recorded presentation and handouts for weeks after the original presentation. Although the innovative conference was performed in a virtual setting in 2020, plans are underway to host the conference in person in the fall of 2021. 

H.L. Moe Company, Inc. Recognized for Safety Excellence

MCAA and CNA are pleased to announce that H.L. Moe Company, Inc. earned the association’s top safety award for 2019 in Size Category 2, 100,001 – 250,000 work hours. H.L. Moe Company’s successful “Cart Mounted Vise” program to address ergonomics set the company apart.

The program outfits each worker with a “Cart Mounted Vise.” The vise eliminates the need to bend down to perform the work. Instead, the vise lifts the work up to the employees. With the implementation of the cart vises, which include a fire extinguisher mounted on each of them, the company virtually eliminated one-handed cutting of pipe, bending over, soldering on unsecured surfaces, and performing hot work without a fire extinguisher nearby.

The MCAA/CNA Safety Excellence Awards Program began in the 1990s when MCAA partnered with CNA Insurance. It is a fiercely competitive program in which only the best of the best compete for the awards.

Participants are required to describe their safety programs in detail, including how they achieved safety excellence and why they believe they deserve the award. The Safety Awards Selection Taskforce, which is led by CNA, carefully evaluates each submission looking for safety leadership, an advanced safety culture, effective leading indicators of safety performance, and innovative safety initiatives that helped the company achieve an exceptionally high degree of safety excellence.

MCAA and CNA congratulate H.L. Moe Company, Inc. for earning such a high degree of safety excellence in 2019.

Kori Gormley-Huppert Featured in Maker Month Profile

Kori Gormley-Huppert, president of MCAA member Gormley Plumbing + Mechanical and chair of MCAA’s Women in the Mechanical Industry Steering Committee, is among those profiled as part of Stanley Black & Decker’s Maker Month Campaign. The campaign is designed to empower makers and tradespeople around the world. Stanley Black & Decker is the parent company of DEWALT and LENOX, both MCAA members.

In the interview-style profile, Kori talks about her company, her career and the mechanical industry. She also offers advice to those who are just getting started thanks to perspective gained from her own experience and her work on MCAA’s Career Development Committee.

In addition to profiles spotlighting a diverse range of makers and creators from tradespeople and engineers to philanthropists and innovators throughout the industry, the campaign shines a light on the trade skills gap, which is one of the biggest issues facing the workforce today.

“To help solve for the vast skills gap today, an issue made worse by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, businesses need to showcase and celebrate the wide variety of opportunities people can pursue across the skilled trades,” said Jim Loree, President & CEO of Stanley Black & Decker. He added “Maker Month is our contribution to this effort, helping to highlight the vast potential these careers offer.”