Want to improve your business relationships, gain product knowledge and leverage your business strategy? Join us for MCAA Converge. More than just a meeting, MCAA Converge is a meticulously crafted experience designed to address the unique needs of your company. Picture executive-to-executive meetings, a melting pot of strategic discussions, and an atmosphere buzzing with innovation.
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.
Advances in Oil-Free Compressors
In the air- and water-cooled chiller markets, oil-free compression technology is emerging as a more efficient, quieter, more easily applied, and easier-to-maintain alternative to legacy screw compressors. For original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end-users of mission-critical chillers in large HVAC applications, oil management adds costs and complexities to system designs—which typically result in declining energy efficiencies throughout their lifecycles.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Racing Ahead of Casino Schedule
To meet the tight timeline for a new multimillion-dollar casino and hotel, The Severn Group leveraged the Victaulic grooved copper system’s design flexibility and on-site fabrication capabilities to manage the project’s most critical aspects. As a result, The Severn Group was ahead of schedule on every portion of their scope of work. Victaulic is a major sponsor of MCAA24.
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.”
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.
Message from Parthiv Amin, M/SC Chair: Safety = Success
This issue of Smart Solutions includes insights on promoting safety as a key component of maintaining productivity.
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.
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.
Enhancing Customer Experience and Repair Reliability
Crockett Facilities Services uses XOi technology to improve customers’ experience, which translates into more confidence in Crockett’s recommendations and repairs. XOi also provides Crockett’s technicians with easy access to a knowledge database, repair manuals, and expert guidance, so they can make well-informed decisions, and repairs are done right the first time. Happy customers and efficient, effective technicians help Crockett be more productive.
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.
How Smart Pump Technology Simplifies Installation & Maintenance
The development of intelligent pumping systems with smart motors is key to meeting the growing demand for better efficiency and reduced energy consumption. Integrating smart technology in pump systems can simplify installation and maintenance, ensure reliable operation, and minimize environmental impact.
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).
Managing the Houston Heat
By specifying a new Marley® MH Element™ Fluid Cooler from SPX Cooling Tech, LLC, Letsos Company provided a more efficient, more sustainable alternative to repairing the deteriorating existing cooler of an historic Houston building while maintaining a similar footprint, simplifying the installation process.
