The variety and breadth of issues addressed by Foundation research may surprise some, but there is a consistency of purpose throughout all our research projects, which is to provide the valuable education component necessary to solve our industry's most complex problems. Follow the links below for a summary of each research project and its findings.

by Dr. Erick C. Jones, Assistant Professor/Director, RFID Supply Chain Logistics Lab;
Kelli Kopocis, Masters Student, Industrial and Management Systems Engineering;
Tim Wentz, P.E., Associate Professor, Construction Management;
Rodrigo Franca, Masters Student, Industrial and Management Systems Engineering;
Terry L. Stentz, Ph.D., CPE, CPC, Associate Professor, Construction Management Department; All University of Nebraska - Lincoln

RFID technology has allowed a wide variety of firms to track assets in a wide spectrum of industries, including the construction industry. These RFID systems, which involve tags that collect data automatically, can be an important tool for increasing productivity in the mechanical contracting environment. In this study, a methodology derived in the RFID Supply Chain Lab at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, called Design for Six Sigma Research, was used to evaluate the performance of RFID technologies in a construction environment. Lab and on-site testing were used to analyze RFID reader interrogation rates. The testing results confirmed that RFID technology could perform at 60-99% accuracy levels for the stated conditions and products. The economic analysis of a best, worst, and most likely case scenarios yielded cumulative profits of $270,459, $201,462, and $236,026 respectively. As a result, it has been concluded that using RFID technology is a viable strategy in the mechanical contracting industry, for products with the stated characteristics and operational parameters.

Read the Study (PDF).

by Atul Dighe, Senior Futurist, Social Technologies, LLC

Successful contractors know that planning for the future makes good sense. Even if they can't always give this activity the time it deserves, they will take advantage of useful information about the future when it is available ... and relevant.

The decision to commission a study looking 10 to 15 years into the future of our industry was made by MCERF in November of 2002, with the project eventually being awarded to Atul Dighe, principal and senior futurist with the consulting firm Social Technologies, LLC. In studying the future of the mechanical contracting industry, Dighe used an immense, proprietary trends database, knowledge gained through similar studies for other specialty construction groups, and a series of focused discussions with mechanical construction and service contractors and manufacturers. Results were reported to an overflow audience at the Mechanical Contractors Association of America's (MCAA) 2004 convention, and the final report was sent to MCAA members in March.

The report identifies five major trends resulting from technological advances, scientific breakthroughs, and changing social structures that will impact the mechanical construction and service industry between now and the year 2020. Two of these trends evolve from current industry conditions, and three of them are exterior to the industry but, nonetheless, they portend significant impact. The report is structured to include implications for the industry and identifies subjects for future research. One of the most important and practical aspects of the report is its inclusion of activities that contractors can undertake now to better position their companies to meet future challenges and opportunities.

Read the Study (PDF).

by Dr. Iris Tommelein, University of California, Berkeley

In today's marketplace, companies no longer compete one-on-one; their supply chains do.

Contractors providing HVAC, plumbing, and other mechanical services, strive to make their business more successful. They continuously examine ways to improve their business processes, both at the jobsite and in the office, but what can they do to increase value and reduce waste in their supply chain, to positively affect their bottom lines?

When all participants in a supply chain strive to provide value to their direct and indirect customers, while removing waste from their processes, that supply chain becomes a value chain.

By streamlining work processes, developing stronger relationships with suppliers, and using technology, contractors can significantly increase their company's profitability.

This report highlights key concepts in supply chain management that will help contractors transform their supply chain into a value chain. If you read it, you will discover the opportunities and the challenges which emerge when you integrate the business processes of contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers.

Read the Study (PDF).

by Dr. Parviz Daneshgari, President, MCA, Inc. (A Management Innovation Company)

Changes in customer expectations in the construction industry regarding project delivery, time, cost, and quality have forced the stakeholders to search for new operational models. Advances in non-construction industries in the areas of procurement and business management have improved the national productivity by an average of 2.7% per year from 1987 to 1996 and 3.9% per year from 1996 to 2000. The construction industry?s productivity, however, has not followed suit. The productivity in the construction industry has only increased by a mere 0.2% per year from 1987 to 1996 and -1.0% from 1996 to 2001. One source of this static productivity increase in the construction industry is the procurement chain management system. The current practice of procurement is no longer satisfying the market requirements. Due to the urgent need for improvement of the current construction procurement model, a variety of alternative models are being practiced throughout the industry.

This research was commissioned to investigate the prevailing, existing, and alternative models of procurement. In order to adequately assess the strengths and weaknesses of each model, a neutral comparison of each model was conducted. After thorough investigation, a common problem was discovered in each procurement model being practiced. None of the existing and alternative models are offering an efficient, streamlined approach to procurement.

Read the Study (PDF).

by Ducker Worldwide (Consulting Services)

The MCERF-funded insurance liability reform study by Ducker Worldwide, The Contractor Liability Insurance Cost and Coverage Problem - Solutions to Improve, was completed and made available on MCAA's website in 2005. The comprehensive industry survey and analysis was compiled from interviews and survey data from hundreds of contractors and industry experts. It describes the growing problems of mounting cost and decreasing scope of liability coverage; and it shows that premiums have increased an average of 50 percent over the past five years, while the scope of coverage has narrowed considerably. The report suggests a broad scope of remedial approaches including federal reforms and state law tort reform measures.

Read the Study (PDF).

by the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA)

The Mechanical Contracting Education & Research Foundation (MCERF) underwrote the conversion of all 23 of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America's (MCAA) safety training videos into both English- and Spanish-language DVD sets (two DVDs per set). MCAA members received the DVD sets, free of charge, in the late summer of 2005. This project anticipates the fact that Hispanics will comprise the single largest population group in the construction industry's labor force by 2010 and reflects MCAA's desire to be a leader in serving their needs to work safely on mechanical construction and service projects. MCERF's Trustees approved funding for the project at its May 2005 meeting in Baltimore, MD.

To obtain these DVDs, please contact Linda Burke at 301-869-5800.