A. O. Smith launched the Adapt™ Premium Condensing Gas Tankless Water Heater, which promises unparalleled installation flexibility in the field—it can be conformed on the spot to fit the exact needs, no matter the install location, fuel type, or existing venting. It is the first tankless water heater designed and manufactured entirely by A. O. Smith.
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.
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.
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.
Going Big: Adding a Second Pipe Cutter Leads to More Efficiency with Watts Specialties & Alexander Mechanical, Inc.
Alexander Mechanical, Inc. purchased its first Watts pipe cutting machine in 2020 and immediately increased efficiency and decreased material costs. So as business grew and fabrication jobs started calling for bigger pipe, Alexander Mechanical bought a second, larger Watts pipe cutter that again increased efficiency and also offered more flexibility.
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.
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.
NEW MCAA Peer Groups
Participating in industry peer groups not only offers a valuable platform for fostering relationships and exchanging expertise within a supportive community but also represents a proven best practice adopted by many successful MCAA contractor members. These groups provide professionals with an opportunity to benchmark their performance, exchange best practices, address common challenges, and gain strategic insights from industry peers.
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.
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.
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.
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. […]
Growth Up 25% In One Year with ServiceTrade & Hurst Mechanical
Since adopting ServiceTrade, Hurst Mechanical experienced 25 percent growth in a single year, a testament to the efficiencies gained through the platform. In addition, using ServiceTrade to streamline preventive maintenance (PM) scheduling and management led the company to increase PM volume by 20 percent.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MCAA’s Newest Course: Foundations of Field Leadership
We are excited to announce our newest educational offering: an 8-week online program created for new and aspiring field leaders working for MCAA member companies.
