Smart Solutions – Summer 2024 Issue

Message from Parthiv Amin, M/SC Chair: Clutch Partners

Every issue of Smart Solutions showcases real-world examples of how contractor members and supplier partners collaborate to address complex challenges and sensitive situations.

Saving Money and Extending Reach Through Partnership with FARO & Ferguson

For the past five years, FARO and Ferguson have embarked on a partnership that benefits both: With FARO equipment, Ferguson has transformed its business model and streamlined workflows—saving time, money, and labor—while FARO continued to gain a foothold in the industries that Ferguson supports. Ferguson plc’s success relies on the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and its desire to partner with companies like FARO that are dedicated to delivering the very best that reality capture hardware, software, and software as a service (SaaS) has to offer.

FARO Technologies, Inc.

Increasing Weld Speed with Novarc Technologies & Kleeberg

Despite an industry-wide shortage of skilled welders, Kleeberg has increased productivity by partnering with Novarc Technologies and adopting the Spool Welding Robot (SWR™). The SWR is a welding cobot designed specifically for pipe, small-pressure vessels, and other types of roll welding. With the cobot, Kleeberg has increased welding speed by three to four times on larger pipes.

Novarc Technologies Inc.

Partnering to Accelerate Production

For a new medical product manufacturing plant, North Mechanical chose Morris Group International^® (MGI) brands Acorn Engineering Company^® and Jay R. Smith Mfg. Co.^® to meet the tight deadline and accelerate the manufacturer’s production capacity. MGI’s flexibility and willingness to prioritize the contractor’s needs proved crucial in helping North Mechanical overcome obstacles and deliver a successful project.

Morris Group International

Enhancing Pipefitter Training: A Collaboration Between NIBCO & Local 597

Recognizing the need for skilled professionals equipped with knowledge and practical experience, NIBCO, a leading provider of flow control products, has partnered with Chicago Pipefitter’s Local 597 Union to enhance its training programs. This collaboration aims to elevate the level of training and ensure that apprentices are well prepared for the field.

NIBCO INC.

The Complete Package: Saving Time and Money on Hospital Project with Zurn Elkay Water Solutions & John W. Danforth Company

John W. Danforth Company wanted a lean jobsite for its new hospital project, so it worked closely with Zurn on packaging materials and delivery schedules long before any materials were needed, saving time and money in the process. The new Wynn Hospital of Utica, NY, part of the Mohawk Valley Hospital System, opened in October 2023 on time and on budget.

Zurn Elkay Water Solutions

Court Is In Session

Power and Combustion, Inc. partnered with Victaulic to minimize disruptions over the course of a nine-month HVAC overhaul, mitigating project risks and increasing onsite productivity while ensuring that the building—a courthouse—remained fully operational throughout construction. In the project’s second phase, Power and Combustion again leveraged Victaulic grooved solutions to enhance installation efficiency while upgrading the building’s mechanical room.

Victaulic

Cleaning Up Coal Plant Emissions

A coal-burning power plant in Gallatin, TN, chose Apollo® Valves from Aalberts integrated piping systems for a vital environmental upgrade. Apollo Valves products were selected for their reliability, durability, and precision—crucial characteristics in managing the slurry of limestone that neutralizes sulfur dioxide in flue gasses.

Aalberts IPS – Apollo Valves

Maximizing Productivity with Cordless with MILWAUKEE TOOL & Pan Pacific Mechanical

Using MILWAUKEE TOOL’s new line of wet/dry vacuum solutions helps Pan Pacific Mechanical better keep its workspaces clean, which enhances productivity. Pan Pacific also found the cordless vacuums safer, more versatile, and more durable than corded vacuums.

MILWAUKEE TOOL

Maximizing Project Coordination

With 360° reality capture from OpenSpace, UMC is harnessing real-time data and visualization to mitigate risk and optimize workflows. UMC recognizes that effective project coordination and adoption of innovative technologies are critical for success. Complete jobsite capture helps achieve unprecedented accuracy and efficiency in project planning and execution. Here are the most common uses of OpenSpace that help minimize errors and enhance collaboration across the full construction lifecycle.

OpenSpace

Software Links Office and Field Saving Time and Hassle

With construction challenges increasing and timelines decreasing, DILFO turned to Trimble’s ProjectSight project management software to improve communication, manage risk, and save time on every project. Based in Ottawa, DILFO is one of Eastern Ontario’s largest mechanical contracting, HVAC services, and plumbing and heating contractors. The second-generation, family-owned business was founded in 1980 and employs more than 200 construction and service professionals. ProjectSight helped them streamline their document control and enhance team collaboration.

Trimble

Retaining Your Competitive Edge with New ESG Resources

In today’s competitive landscape, demonstrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) awareness is no longer optional—it’s essential for business growth. As MCAA members, embracing ESG practices can significantly impact your success. […]

Rethinking How Work Gets Done

A decision to expand their workspace led J.M. Brennan to use Stratus to create a digital workflow that dramatically improved efficiency on the shop floor. After about two months, the investment had paid for itself with tremendous time savings, primarily in spooling. Integrating Stratus into the workflow not only transformed internal processes but also overall efficiency.

Stratus

MCAA & BuildOps Partner to Elevate Safety in Mechanical Contracting

MCAA has joined forces with BuildOps, an MCAA member and a provider of all-in-one field service and construction management software tailored for the modern mechanical contractor. This pivotal partnership will integrate MCAA’s extensive safety training resources directly into the BuildOps platform, granting all MCAA member companies using BuildOps unprecedented access.

BuildOps

Balancing Restroom Style & Function

The key to a successful restroom renovation lies in balancing aesthetics with practicality to create a space that is not only visually appealing but also integrates functionality, durability, and performance. A well-designed restroom can significantly enhance the overall experience for users, leaving a positive impression and reflecting well on the facility.

T&S Brass and Bronze Works

Making a Sustainable Business Transformation

For contracting companies looking to undergo a sustainable business transformation, making the sustainability shift can mean all the difference in future success. And environmental, social, and governance principles, often referred to as ESG, is a rapidly developing topic that you are likely hearing about now more than ever before.

SLOAN

Boosting Mechanical Revenue 30 Percent

After making the transition from paper recordkeeping to BuildOps software, “our revenue has grown by 30 percent, we’ve doubled the number of tickets that we can handle, and we’re working more efficiently than before,” said Scott Fuksa, president of Jackson Mechanical Service.