With XOi, J.M. Brennan, Inc. was better able to show customers exactly what their projects needed and why, resulting in increased sales and revenue. Tracking their key performance indicators (KPIs) with XOi, J.M. Brennan has seen their closure rate for field quotes increase by 10 percent, among other improvements.
Simplify Tagging, Save Time Featuring Marking Services Inc.
An energy company in the Southeast teamed up with Marking Services Inc. (MSI) to replace its outdated labeling systems across their electricity generating plants, saving time and labor. Working closely with the company, MSI developed a standardized labeling system to help with safety, compliance, maintenance, and emergency response at the company’s many plants (including solar and hydroelectric facilities). As a result, the company implemented a labeling and asset management program using more than 500,000 labels. MSI’s field team ensured proper and precise installation, which in turn saved the energy company time and labor.
Build Your Business with Updated Time Tracking: Advice from Raken
Modernizing the way you log, review, and approve work hours will positively impact more than just your payroll process. Streamlined digital time tracking with software from companies like Raken can help your construction business build more accurate estimates, increase profitability, and improve employee retention.
Improving Efficiency & Morale with Customized Software with Procore & McKinstry
After multiple failed attempts to implement project management software that worked for everyone, McKinstry finally found success with Procore. The customized product from Procore increased efficiency, cut delays, and improved morale. Procore is a benefactor of MCAA25.
Additional Pipe Cutter Increases Capacity & Trims Waste with Watts Specialties, LLC & Progressive Mechanical, Inc.
Progressive Mechanical, Inc. added a second Watts pipe cutting machine to keep up with shop demand, gaining capabilities and cutting waste. Progressive Mechanical has fabrication shops in Clawson and Bay City, MI.
Explore BIM Related Cost Overrun Impacts with MCAA’s Management Methods Bulletin & New Change Orders Edition
Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sheet metal (MEP/SM) contractors are normally at the forefront of Building Information Modeling (BIM) activities on a construction project. Substantial BIM cost and time overruns have occurred on many projects due to the fluid boundaries between coordination and design. MCAA’s Identifying, Quantifying and Preventing BIM Related Cost and Time Impacts Management Methods Bulletin explores the factors that contribute to these overruns, allowing contractors to better plan for them. The bulletin is now included in a 2024 edition of MCAA’s Change Orders, Productivity, Overtime—A Primer for the Construction Industry. MCAA members can download both resources free as a benefit of membership. Printed copies of the Change Orders resource are also available for purchase.
Helpful Habits of Successful Plumbing Estimators: Thoughts from McCormick Systems
Cultivating successful estimating habits should make creating fast, accurate bids a seamless process, so you win more plumbing jobs. Here are seven things to consider as you cultivate better estimating habits.
A Novel Solution to High-Rise Pipe Rehab with NuFlow Technologies & Althoff Industries
NuFlow Midwest, in partnership with Althoff Industries, successfully completed a large-scale pipe rehabilitation in a 60-story Chicago high-rise by using NuFlow Technologies’ cured-in-place pipe lining (CIPP) for hard-to-reach pipes, avoiding costly, disruptive removal and preserving vital building systems. This minimally invasive solution enabled Althoff and NuFlow to comply with Chicago’s building codes while preserving surrounding mechanical systems and reducing downtime in shared spaces.
Small Steps, Big Wins: Staying Ahead with Cumulative Learning Featuring Tyfoom
For mechanical contractors, staying competitive is a constant battle. But that doesn’t mean you need to make big changes that take a lot of time, effort, and money—it’s about making small, steady improvements over time in processes and people that add up to remarkable results. Focusing on marginal gains and cumulative learning offers a practical way to boost efficiency, reduce risks, and retain top talent—all while building a smarter and more capable workforce.
Customized Pipe Cutter Saves Time & Money with HGG Group & Cerris Systems North Central, Inc.
Cerris Systems North Central, Inc. (formerly MMC Contractors) needed a unique pipe cutter to meet rapidly growing demand, so they collaborated with HGG Group to develop the first-ever ProCutter 900 RB. The results were immediate, with instant time savings. A recurring job involving 30” pipes that used to take two weeks to cut now only takes four days.
Quality & Productivity Soar with Tecnar and Way Engineering
Way Engineering was skeptical that automated welding could deliver the high quality they demanded, but Tecnar’s Rotoweld 3.0 technology proved so effective, the company purchased a second machine just three months later. The Rotoweld is also helping Way Engineering adapt to the industry-wide shortage of skilled welders.
Chain Hoist Simplifies Install & Saves Labor with MILWAUKEE TOOL & Hooper Corporation
Switching from manual hoists to MILWAUKEE TOOL’s M18™ Compact 1-Ton Chain Hoist with ONE-KEY™, Hooper Corporation minimized the physical demands on its workers while making installation much easier and decreasing downtime. Using a cordless chain hoist takes less time to set up and also allows Hooper’s team to get into more tight spaces, increasing efficiency overall. MILWAUKEE TOOL is a benefactor of MCAA25.
MCAA’s New Podcast Available Now
Welcome to Inside MCAA, The Blueprint to Mechanical Contracting, the podcast dedicated to unveiling the strategies and resources that power success within the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. Hosted by renowned Customer Experience Coach and NEI Instructor Frank Favaro, each episode dives deep into the wealth of educational tools, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts that define MCAA.
Beacon Economics Report Offers a Strategic Decision-Making Tool for Service
The 2024 Beacon Economics Market Report for MSCA is here! This essential report delivers up-to-the-minute insights and data-driven analysis tailored for mechanical service contractors. Uncover updated key trends for 2024, including market shifts and economic forecasts that directly impact your business. This study is an invaluable resource for looking at market trends that will help guide strategic decisions and keep you competitive. Don’t miss out on this powerful tool—download the new report today!
Selecting the Right Tools for Plumbing Success: Tips from Ridge Tool Company
The complexity of longer, more elaborate pipe systems, paired with the urgency of getting a business back up and running, makes having the right tools for commercial plumbing repairs essential. You need tools with the appropriate power and size capacity to complete jobs, enough cable to ensure they can reach the end of longer pipes, and extra cable flexibility to allow navigation of longer pipe runs. Along with finding tools with these general features, here are five basic tools you should invest in for commercial work.
Acing School Installation Test with LAARS, a Bradford White Company & The Helm Group
Asked for advice on the Belvidere, IL, School District’s new boilers, the Helm Group’s Service Division recommended Laars Heating Systems Company’s MagnaTherm® FT boilers. The Helm Group was impressed with the product quality as well as Laars’ extended warranty and commitment to supporting customers. Helm Group then competed for and won the contract to install and maintain the Laars systems, successfully installing them in the strict three-month window before the new school year. LAARS, a Bradford White Company, is a benefactor of MCAA25.
Message from Parthiv Amin, M/SC Chair: Efficiency Everywhere, Every Day
This issue of Smart Solutions demonstrates how you can rely on MCAA manufacturer/supplier partners to become more efficient and productive on the shop floor, in the field, and in the office.
Monitoring Fab Projects in Real Time with MSUITE & McCarl’s
By swapping out Excel spreadsheets for MSUITE software across multiple fabrication shops, McCarl’s Industrial and Mechanical Contractors now has real-time visibility into their workflow, not the two-to-three-day lag time. Adopting a fully digital platform has optimized workflows and increased operational efficiency.
