Welcome to Smart Solutions
Smart Solutions case studies highlight how MCAA contractors and Manufacturer/Supplier Council members collaborate to improve productivity, manage costs, and solve real‑world project challenges. Each case study focuses on practical applications of products, technologies, and processes that deliver measurable results across mechanical construction, service, fabrication, and operations.
Through real project examples, Smart Solutions provides insight into how contractors are applying innovative solutions to streamline workflows, improve coordination, and enhance overall performance. Explore the case studies below to identify ideas, approaches, and proven practices that can be adapted to your own operations.
Latest Issue
Aquatherm Outlines Steps to Success With Butt Fusing Polypropylene Piping
A properly performed butt fusion on polypropylene piping is a wonder of the modern world: two pieces of pipe (or a pipe and fitting) become one solid piece. The joint is as strong—if not stronger—than the pipe itself. There are no leak paths, and, when properly performed, the fused joint will remain leak-free throughout its 50-year-plus year lifespan.
With History of Success, John E. Green Selects Aquatherm PP-R Piping for School Expansion
John E. Green Co. of Highland, MI, cut labor and installation time by using Aquatherm’s polypropylene-random (PP-R) pipe systems for a 2013 project at the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy (U of D Jesuit). The project went so well that when U of D Jesuit and John E. Green teams reconvened in 2014 to plan the school’s new science building, no other piping options were considered.
Auburn Mechanical Finds Aquatherm a Perfect Fit for Jail’s Tough Pipes
To fix a decades-old leaky piping system in Seattle’s King County Jail, Auburn Mechanical used Aquatherm’s polypropylene-random (PP-R) pipe systems to combat the aggressive water degrading the existing pipes. Aquatherm’s products not only provided an ideal solution but also cut installation time and cost when compared with copper piping.
Warner Mechanical Uses Aquatherm Pipe to Help Manufacturer Rebound Quickly from Roof Collapse
A roof collapse could have knocked IVP Plastics of Washington, IL, out of commission for a long time, but Warner Mechanical LLC, of Edwards, IL, used Aquatherm polypropylene pipe in the rebuild, helping the manufacturer get back to business quickly. The heat fusion process made Aquatherm piping easier and faster to install than traditional welded pipe, saving Warner Mechanical time.
P1 Group Installs Aquatherm PP-R Piping, Saving Time When Every Second Counts
By using Aquatherm polypropylene-random (PP-R) Blue Pipe® to replace carbon-steel pipe at Berry Global’s injection-molding facility, the P1 Group of Lawrence, KS, successfully completed installation in just 24 hours. The lightweight pipe is easy to transport and easy to join using a flameless heat-fusion technique that saves time. The speed of installation was more than just a productivity win for the contractor; at Berry Global, a mere half-second loss in production time can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
John E. Green Company Earns High Marks for Campus A/C Retrofit Using Aquatherm’s Blue Pipe and Heat Fusion
To install a central air conditioning system in a high school campus’ main residence building during the short summer break, John E. Green Company called on Aquatherm for an easy-to-install, in-ground piping solution that allowed them to meet the rush deadline. The Aquatherm piping also proved to be an environmentally friendly solution for the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy (U of D), addressing concerns about the potential problems of burying pipe.
