Archives: News Items

MCAA’s 2021-2022 Student Chapter Competition is Underway!

The project was released this afternoon to the student chapters participating in MCAA’s 2021-2022 Student Chapter Competition. The project this year, provided by Mollenberg-Betz, Inc. in Buffalo, NY, will require students to work through a lot of logistical challenges as they contribute to a Lake Placid Olympic Center Revitalization job.

Once again this competition will be run through MCAA’s member company, Procore. Additionally, for the second year in a row, MCAA’s Career Development Committee partnered with Trimble, one of MCAA’s Manufacturer and Supplier Member Companies, offering students the use of Trimble’s new estimating software, Trimble Estimation MEP, for the Student Chapter Competition. 

Trimble Estimation MEP is an easy-to-use, web-based estimating software that combines document storage, graphical takeoff, Trade Service material pricing and MCAA labor into one solution. Trimble Estimation MEP is straightforward and intuitive as it walks users through the process of creating an estimate step-by-step, making it the perfect tool for the students to use. While using Trimble Estimation MEP is not a requirement for the project, Trimble has generously made the software available to all MCAA student chapters for free.  

MCAA would like to thank all partnering member companies for their support in this year’s competition. If your student chapter would like access to the project in Procore or access to Trimble Estimation MEP, please email Megan Walsh at mwalsh@mcaa.org.

Find the Latest from Tyler Pipe & Coupling and Marking Services, Inc. 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:

Tyler Pipe & Coupling
Tyler Pipe & Coupling produces quality cast iron soil pipe and fittings and no-hub couplings in the heartland of America. Visit our website to see how quality cast iron is made right here in the USA.

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Marking Services, Inc.
MSI’s AIM Mobile Technology delivers on-demand 24/7 access to critical asset information. Our QR coded tags provide instant access to critical documents in the field. AIM will greatly increase productivity and efficiency in the field providing Asset and Document Management (O&M, Commissioning, Startup, Warranty, Submittals, etc.) to meet your turnover package needs.

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

The Next Qualified Level Arc Flash Safety Training Webinars Scheduled for October 21, 2021

Make sure your service techs have the up-to-date safety training they need to protect themselves from arc flash and electrical shock hazards while working on equipment pushing 480 volts or less. The session covers all applicable OSHA requirements, NFPA 70E provisions, best practices, and real-world accident information.

VIEW BROCHURE

The next two webinars will be presented on October 21, 2021. The first webinar will take place from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. ET, and the second is from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET.

REGISTER TODAY

Take advantage of the MCAA/MSCA member discounted webinar prices below.

PRICING:

# of Trainees (per company)Cost (per person)
1-5$200/person
6-10$175/person
11-25$150/person
26-50$125/person
51-100$100/person
101+Email for Pricing

If you can’t make it in October, the webinar will be taught again twice on November 18, 2021. Questions? Contact Raffi Elchemmas.

Daikin Magnitude Chiller & Optimized Controls Save Hospital More Than $70,000 per Year

When it came time for Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center (LHDCMC) of Lanham, MD, to update its aging HVAC infrastructure, it quickly awarded the business to the Daikin Applied team in Washington, DC, which has helped the hospital meet its patient care and comfort needs for years. The project leads helped LHDCMC secure a $160,000 energy efficiency rebate from the local utility provider, and the updates will save the facility over $70,000 per year in energy costs. The work had to be completed in the midst of a shutdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Asbestos Awareness for the Mechanical Trades Safety Training Video & Materials

Each week, MCAA will highlight one or more of the educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership. This week, we focus on MCAA’s Asbestos Awareness for the Mechanical Trades Safety Training Video and its materials. This video will teach your workers to protect themselves from the hazards involved in working around microscopic asbestos fibers.

Your workers will learn:

  • What asbestos is
  • Where asbestos can be found on the jobsite
  • What the health hazards of asbestos exposure are
  • How to identify potential asbestos hazards
  • How to protect themselves from asbestos hazards

The video comes with a pocket guide that highlights key training points, a training documentation sheet, a 20-question multiple choice test, and a test answer key.

Download the Video and Accompanying Materials

 Video | Pocket Guide | Documentation Sheet | Test | Answer Key

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

Webinar: Ferguson Discusses Industry-Wide Material Shortages, Supply Chain Disruption and Price Escalation

While manufacturers are working to keep up with demand, unprecedented material shortages, product price increases and ongoing supply chain disruptions are impacting nearly every product category, supplier and consumer. Ferguson’s Vice President of Logistics Brian Sullivan and Director of Category Management Scott James, share insights into today’s challenging supply landscape from a global perspective and how MCAA members can use that information to aid in critical business decisions and business planning.

Brian Sullivan is the VP, Logistics at Ferguson Enterprises. Brian provides strategic direction and operational responsibility for all areas of transportation for Ferguson, which include contract carrier transportation, the dedicated fleet, parcel, international logistics and trade compliance. Before joining Ferguson, Brian was with Google where he was the Global Leader of Logistics, Distribution and Trade Compliance. In addition, Brian has worked for J. Crew and Bed Bath and Beyond, where he held leadership roles in global transportation, distribution and supply chain. 

Scott James is the Director of Categories for Pipe Valve and Fittings for Ferguson Enterprises and has over 30 years of wholesale experience managing volatile commodity businesses. Scott has a diverse wholesale business background with an in-depth knowledge of plumbing, industrial, and mechanical/commercial products. Scott’s branch sales and management experience along with his broad industry knowledge have proven invaluable to him in his role as a member of Category Management. Scott’s work experience includes Category Management, Commodity Management, Program Management, Product Development, Vendor Management, Strategy Development, Procurement, Branch Management/Operations and Sales.  

MCAA/CNA MICROLEARNING SAFETY VIDEO SERIES: Refraining from Distracted Driving

At the beginning of the month, MCAA announced the launch of the NEW MCAA/CNA Microlearning Safety Video Series. Together with our partners in safety, CNA, we developed a series of easy-to-watch safety videos that are under 3-minutes! This week concludes the MCAA/CNA Microlearning Safety Video Series.

Please enjoy our fourth microlearning video on Refraining from Distracted Driving to Help Prevent Motor Vehicle Collisions.

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Find the Latest from Harris Products Group and AB&I Foundry 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:

Harris Products Group
MCAA contractors … stop wasting your time on the intricacies of gas systems. If you are designing a specialty gas system, you will find a perfect partner with Harris. Give us a call: 1.800.733.4043 ext. 2.

Learn More


AB&I Foundry
AB&I Foundry manufactures cast iron soil pipe & fittings for DWV Plumbing Systems. Visit the website to see how cast iron is made right here in America.

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

Wayne Crouse, Inc. Cuts Installation Time with Marley Cooling Towers

Installing Marley® Cooling Towers from SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc., Wayne Crouse, Inc. shaved several days off of the schedule for a challenging project at a large university medical center in Pennsylvania. Extensive advance planning and coordination with the hospital, contractors, and trades was key.

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

MCAA’s Safety & Health Initiative Highlights OSHA & CMS Response to the Vaccination Mandates

MCAA’s Safety & Health Initiative explains how the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are responding to the new vaccination mandates projected to affect two-thirds of American workers.

Last week the White House announced a national strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. During the speech, President Biden announced two Executive Orders and certain administrative actions that will increase mandates for vaccination in both government and private workplaces. Altogether, the vaccine requirements announced on September 9, 2021, are projected to affect about 100 million Americans, or two-thirds of American workers.

What You Need to Know

  • Vaccination Requirements for Employers with 100+ Employees – OSHA is developing an Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to require all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workforce is fully vaccinated or require any workers who remain unvaccinated to produce a negative test result on at least a weekly basis before coming to work.
  • Vaccination Requirements for Federal Employees and Federal Contractors – Directs agencies to implement a program to require COVID-19 vaccination for all Federal employees by November 22, 2021.
  • Vaccination Requirements for Health Care Facilities – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will require COVID-19 vaccinations for workers in most health care settings.

See the full memo, provided by our consultants at Alston & Bird, for the basic facts and an outline of the Biden Administration Executive Actions last week.

Digest of the Biden Administration’s Executive Order 14042 and Copy of the EO

The Biden Administration’s Executive Order Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, Executive Order 14042 issued September 9, 2021, applies to direct Federal prime contracts above $250,000 and all lower tier subcontracts for work performed at the project site and facilities where work is performed pertaining to covered prime contracts and subcontracts. It does not apply to Federally assisted contracts or suppliers on covered prime contracts. The EO pertains to both prime and subcontractors, irrespective of total employment, while the other Biden Administration EO on vaccination applies to all employers (Federal contractors or subcontractors or otherwise) who employ 100 or more workers. MCAA will keep you apprised on regulatory developments along this ambitious and unique regulatory schedule.

The primary elements of the Executive Order are:

  • It is based on the President’s authority on the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act to promote economy and efficiency in government contracting. 
  • It provides that all prime contractors and lower tier subcontractors shall incorporate contract provisions that comply with the [yet to be developed] guidance to be published by the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force that are subsequently ratified by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 
  • It sets a target of September 24, 2021 for the Task Force’s initial guidance, and then calls for OMB ratification and publication of same in the Federal Register. 
  • After that, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council is tasked with amending the Federal Acquisition contract provision in line with the approved guidance by October 8, 2021, for inclusion in contract actions (new contracts, and existing contract extensions) above the $250,000 FAR Simplified Acquisition threshold by October 15, 2021.

Connect With the Latest Training from Watts Water Technologies and A.O. Smith​ at MCAA.org

The Manufacturer/Supplier Training area of MCAA’s website connects our contractor members with training opportunities available from the members of MCAA’s Manufacturer/Supplier Council.

Participating companies highlight and link to new webinars and training opportunities across their product lines, services, solutions or web pages. Here are just a few of the recent additions:

Watts Water Technologies
Watts eLearning system provides access to a wide selection of products and solutions from our family of brands. Courses can be accessed anytime, anywhere; perfect for your busy schedule!

Learn More

A.O. Smith​
We offer top notch training, available 24/7. You can learn about our Residential, Commercial, and even Tankless. Training includes items like How it Works, Installation, Application, & Service tips.

Learn More

Interested in More Training from Our Supplier Partners?

Be sure to visit the Manufacturer/Supplier Training area for all the latest offerings.

Learn More

Find the Latest from BuildOps and Galloup 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:

BuildOps
BuildOps is the only all-in-one operational platform built specifically for the modern commercial contractor, combining service and projects under one roof.

Learn More


Galloup Company
Galloup is a premier industrial distributor of pipe, valves and fittings, dedicated to service and support. Serving Michigan, Indiana and Ohio with nine facilities, including two distribution centers.

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

MCAA and the UA Issue Message Supporting COVID Vaccination

MCAA President Armand Kilijian and UA General President Mark McManus issued a message highlighting the importance of the COVID vaccine to protect not only ourselves and our families, but our jobsites, our fellow members and contractors, and our end users.

CRW Mechanical Wins Bid with Labor-Saving Milwaukee Press Tool

CRW Mechanical won the bid for a parking garage’s gas piping project by switching to a Milwaukee® M18™ Force Logic™ Long Throw Press Tool rather than using a traditional all-weld approach. The Press Tool saved CRW Mechanical 15 percent on the project’s labor costs, and the crew saved 125 hours—all with just one Long Throw Press Tool onsite.

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

Resource Highlight: MCAA’s Scaffold Safety Training Video & Accompanying Materials

Each week, MCAA will highlight one or more of the educational resources that are free to MCAA members as a benefit of membership. This week, we focus on MCAA’s Scaffold Safety Training Video and its materials. This video will teach your workers to protect themselves from the hazards inherent in working at heights on both mobile and stationary frame scaffolding.

Your workers will learn about:

  • Scaffold setup
  • Scaffold height and capacity limitations
  • Safe access
  • Fall prevention and protection
  • Safe work practices

The video comes with a pocket guide that highlights key training points, a training documentation sheet, a 20-question multiple choice test, and a test answer key.

Download the Video and Accompanying Materials

Video | Pocket Guide | Documentation Sheet | Test | Answer Key

Have Questions or Need Personal Assistance?

Contact MCAA’s Raffi Elchemmas.

MCAA/CNA MICROLEARNING SAFETY VIDEO SERIES: Proper Material Staging

Last week the MCAA announced the launch of the NEW MCAA/CNA Microlearning Safety Video Series. Together with our partners in safety, CNA, we developed a series of easy-to-watch safety videos that are under 3-minutes! Last week we highlighted Safe Lifting Techniques and each week, for the next three weeks, we will highlight the following videos: Proper Materials Staging, Personal Health, Distracted Driving.

Please enjoy our second microlearning on Proper Material Staging to Help Prevent Musculoskeletal Injuries.

VIEW RESOURCE

Find the Latest from Lochinvar, LLC and Seton 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
Setup and service are a snap for contractors thanks to KNIGHT’s SMART SYSTEM. Ensuring comfort and efficiency for your customers is our first priority!

Learn More
Seton - MCAA Virtual Trade Show


Seton
Since 1956, we’ve been providing contractors with quality service and products designed to meet your critical project requirements. Our complimentary services allow you to free up resources to work on other critical aspects of the project.

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

Victaulic and Current Mechanical Achieve Perfect Harmony on Ambitious Expansion Project

For a demanding new warehouse project with a nine-month timeline, Current Mechanical counted on Victaulic’s experienced virtual design and construction (VDC) team, fabrication services, and grooved mechanical couplings to save installation time even as its workforce was stretched thin. “With the labor shortage, I am not sure we would have been able to complete this project without using Victaulic’s fabrication services,” said Steve Lewis, project manager at Current Mechanical.

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