| Hurst Mechanical Achieves National Designation for Environmental Excellence | |
| ROCKVILLE, MD Oct. 8, 2008 – The Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) announced that Hurst Mechanical has been awarded the MSCA GreenStar designation, which recognizes MSCA STAR qualified contractors who have met stringent guidelines for environmental responsibility throughout their companies. MSCA is the nation’s leading trade association for air conditioning, heating and refrigeration contractors with over 1,200 members across the United States and Canada. (For the complete article, see attached story.) [View PDF] | |
| B&V Mechanical Appoints Project Manager/Estimator | |
| Grand Rapids, MI, August 20, 2008 – B&V Mechanical Inc., a full service mechanical, plumbing and Maintenance Company is pleased to announce Mr. Andy VanderMoren was recently appointed to the position of Engineer/Estimator. (For the complete article, see attached story.) [View PDF] | |
| Hurst Mechanical Awarded MSCA GreenStar Designation | |
| Belmont, MI, August 25, 2008 – Hurst Mechanical, a member of the Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA) has been awarded the prestigious MSCA GreenStar designation (see attached article). [View PDF] | |
| Andy Egan Company awarded the MSCA GreenStar Certification | |
| Andy Egan Company, a full service mechanical construction company, was recently awarded the MSCA GreenStar Contractor Certification. The Andy Egan Company earned this distinction by successfully demonstrating its commitment to environmental stewardship throughout the company. The Green Star designation confirms that the Andy Egan Company possesses the skills and expertise necessary to deliver energy-efficient, cost-effective indoor environmental solutions. (For the complete article, see attached story.) [View PDF] | |
| B&V Mechanical Awarded the MSCA Star Contractor Certification | |
| Grand Rapids. MI, August 20, 2008 – B&V Mechanic was recently awarded the MSCA Star Contractor Certification. MSCA STAR is an achievement designation for service excellence awarded to an elite group of mechanical service contractors by the Mechanical Service Contractors of America (MSCA), the nation's leading trade association representing the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) service contractor. (For the complete story, see attached article.) [View PDF] | |
| Alliances Conduct Joint Meeting | |
| A joint meeting of the Mid-Michigan Construction Alliance and West Michigan Construction Alliance was conducted on August 6. Alliance presidents Andy Mosser, Mid-Michigan and Walter Christophersen, West Michigan hosted the event. Approximately 40 Michigan contractor and labor leaders were present for the luncheon meeting. The complete article is attached. [View PDF] | |
| GONE GREEN YET? | |
| Hurst Mechanical proudly announces that Russ Borst has obtained LEED AP accreditation from the USGBC (US Green Building Council). Russ and the Hurst Green Team will be specializing in LEED certification for Existing Buildings (EB). [View PDF] | |
| West Michigan Construction Alliance Elects Officers | |
| Plainwell, MI – Walter D. Christophersen, Business Representative for the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, has been elected President of the West Michigan Construction Alliance at their Board of Directors meeting on January 24. He has been a charter and active member of the Alliance since it’s inception in 2003. [View PDF] | |
| What an Owner & General Contractor Expect from Construction Contractors and Construction Labor | |
| Mark Norton of Meijer, Inc and Tom McGovern of Rockford Construction Company, Inc. spoke to members of the West Michigan Construction Alliance at their November 28, 2007 membership meeting. Approximately 50 labor and management leaders heard from both guests on “What an Owner & General Contractor Expect from Construction Contractors and Construction Labor.” [View PDF] | |
| Construction Contracting, From A Power Plant Owner’s Perspective | |
| Consumers Energy conducted a seminar entitled, “Construction Contracting, From A Power Plant’s Perspective,” on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at the Comfort Inn Conference Center in Plainwell. Company executive, J. B. Lewis led the discussion where approximately 50 area labor and management leaders were in attendance. [View PDF] | |
| WMCA Takes Advice On Adding Value | |
| Plainwell, MI – At its recent membership meeting the West Michigan Construction Alliance heard how contractors can add value to a construction project, a theme developed by Bruce Burgess of Wolverine Building Group of Grand Rapids. [View PDF] | |
| FMI Expert Suggests Better Marketing | |
| Publishing courtesy of Michigan Building & Construction Trades Council & Michigan Construction News). [View PDF] | |
| Bob Beam honored by Southwest Michigan Building Trades | |
| Kalamazoo, MI June 13, 2007 - Robert Beam Vice President for Business and Finance at Western Michigan University (WMU) was recently honored with a recognition luncheon sponsored by the Southwest Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council. The luncheon was held at the Fetzer Center on the campus of WMU. [More...] |  |
| B&V Mechanical Appoints Matthew Greenland as Service Manager | |
| Grand Rapids, MI June 8, 2007 – B&V Mechanical Inc., a full service mechanical, plumbing and maintenance company is pleased to announce that Matthew Greenland was recently appointed to the position of Service Manager. [More...] |  |
| Board Officer Elected at WMMCA | |
| Grand Rapids, MI June 6, 2007 – The West Michigan Mechanical Contractors Association (WMMCA) elected Rick Ekkens to the Board of Directors. Rick Ekkens is the President of B&V Mechanical Inc. [More...] |  |
| WMCA Forum Seeks Improved Project Approach | |
| Can more be done to improve labor and management relationships while attracting project owners to unionized construction? See the accompanying article from the February 22, 2007 Forum, courtesy Michigan Construction News. [View PDF] | |
| "Spirit of Solidarity" Monument Is Worth The Wait [external link] | |
| Union members and supporters in West Michigan showed the same perseverance as striking furniture workers 94 years ago - resulting in the dedication of a beautiful new labor monument on April 19. See the accompanying article provided by Marty Mulcahy of The Building Tradesman and Michigan Construction News. [More...] | |
| "Spirit of Solidarity" Monument Set | |
| GRAND RAPIDS, MI, April 12, 2007– In preparation for the "Spirit of Solidarity" Monument dedication on April 19 in Ah-Nab- Awen Park near the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, labor unions and signatory contractors volunteered their services to set the Monument in place. The nine-foot-tall Monument of three bronze figures commemorates Grand Rapids’ historic 1911 furniture strike. [View PDF] | |
| Marketing Construction Takes Full Effort | |
| Want to get more work in the highly competitive construction market? See the accompanying article from the April 4, 2007 Forum, courtesy Michigan Construction News. [View PDF] | |
| WMCA Seminar Urges New Strategies | |
| "We have to change the way we do business," says Richard Barnes as he urges January 24, 2007 seminar participants to abandon old practices and focus on customer needs in the construction industry courtesy Michigan Construction News. [View PDF] | |
| Grand Rapids Adds Responsible Contracting Regulations | |
| The following article is a summary of responsible contracting efforts with the City of Grand Rapids. (From Michigan Construction News, 11-28-06) [View PDF] | |
| Pennfield Schools Update on Responsible Contracting | |
| Pennfield Schools was one of the first schools in Michigan to adopt Responsible Contracting standards in regards to public sector construction. These standards seek to gain more information from construction bidders in the awarding of construction contracts. (From Michigan Construction News, 10-31-06) [View PDF] | |
| Russ Borst Appointment to the National Mechanical Service Contractors of America | |
| Local Businessman, Russ Borst was appointed Vice-President to the Executive Board of the Mechanical Service Contractors of America. [More...] |  |
| ICON ON BOND Progress Update [external link] | |
| Construction on the Icon On Bond in Grand Rapids is on schedule, scheduled for completion in the summer of 2007. (From Michigan Construction News, 10-06-06) [More...] | |
| Putting The Pieces Together | |
| Special Note: Permission was received from Guy Snyder, Michigan Construction News in posting the following article on our website of a grant received from the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service to the West Michigan Construction Alliance.
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| Ironworkers August National Festival Competition in Mackinaw City | |
| Special Note: Permission was received from the Muskegon Chronicle in posting the following article on the West Michigan Construction Alliance website. A special thanks goes to the Judd family for the use of their photographs.
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| Laborers Promote Health Care at ICON-on-Bond Site [external link] | |
| Construction Laborers Local 355, Michigan Laborers-Employers Cooperation & Education Trust (LECET) and Moch International LLC hosted a Health & Safety Fair on August 25, 2006 at the ICON-on-Bond construction site.
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| West MI Mechanical Contractors Receive Award | |
| Grand Rapids, August 25, 2006 – The Michigan Plumbing Mechanical Contractors Association (MPMCA) has announced that the West Michigan Mechanical Contractors Association (WMMCA) have received the 2005 Local Association of the Year Award during the MPMCA Summer Conference at Crystal Mountain August 12, 2006. [More...] | |
| Governor Granholm Visits UA Local 174 | |
| Coopersville, August 25, 2006 – Governor Jennifer Granholm spoke on her Jobs Today, Jobs Tomorrow economic plan at UA Local 174. In highlighting her plan the Governor emphasized the recent alternative energy program through the 21st Century Jobs Fund as an example of growing high-tech Michigan businesses. She also spoke on the changes in Michigan high school graduation requirements, which includes a proposal to up the Merit Award Scholarship Program to $4,000 to students who complete two years of college. She also emphasized that much of the plan is to diversify Michigan’s economy through alternative energy, life sciences and homeland security initiatives.
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| Grand Rapids Hears About Responsible Contracting [external link] | |
| Following a presentation by Ed Haynor, consultant for the West Michigan Construction Alliance, Grand Rapids City Commissioners have told the City's staff to work further with the Alliance on improving the City's responsible contracting practices and policy. For the complete article, go to the following link: [More...] | |
| WMCA Members Set Safety Record At Campbell Plant [external link] | |
| It took two of the six largest cranes ever built in the U.S. to kickoff one of the biggest power plant construction projects undertaken in Michigan in 20 years. Craft and skilled workers represented by the West Michigan Construction Alliance have played an even bigger role in the project's success. For the complete article, go to the following link: [More...] | |
| WMCA Provides Self-Overview [external link] | |
| The West Michigan Construction Alliance has published a new promotional brochure highlighting the benefits of its contractors and labor resources. For the complete article, go to the following link: [More...] | |
| West MI Mechanical Contractors Announce 2006 Leadership [external link] | |
| Tom VanderHyde, president of Rite-Way Plumbing & Heating, Inc., Grand Rapids, has been elected president of the West Michigan Mechanical Contractors Association. For the complete article, go to the following link: [More...] | |
| Post Steps Away From Muskegon Construction [external link] | |
| The president of Muskegon Construction Company, Gary Post, 57 retired on June 1, but is continuing as chairman of the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce and as a partner of Western Avenue Properties, LLC, a developer. Vice-president, Kevin Donovan has been appointed president of Muskegon Construction. For the complete article, go to the following link: [More...] | |
| WMCA Welcomes Grand Rapids City Commissioners [external link] | |
| On May 31, 2006 the West Michigan Construction Alliance welcomed Grand Rapids City Commissioners Roy Schmidt and Rick Tormala to its general membership meeting. The commissioners presented detailed information about the city's construction process for public as well as private investment. For the complete article, go to the following link: [More...] | |
| Grand Rapids Developer Imparts Business Tips to Construction Community | |
| Grand Rapids, April 26, 2006 – Jack Buchanan, a local developer, from Blue Bridge Ventures, LLC, spoke at a West Michigan Construction Alliance (WMCA) luncheon meeting at Branns Restaurant in Grand Rapids, MI. Many area construction-related businesspersons attended the meeting.
Jack Buchanan in the background is shown reinforcing his points with WMCA members at their recent luncheon. [More...] |  |
| Special News Alert Regarding School Safety Initiative | |
| The West Michigan Construction Alliance has learned that construction contractors may be required to conduct criminal history records checks with their employees who work on school projects. For further details, see below. [More...] | |
| Johan Bartels Appointed Manager of Northern Boiler Mechanical Contractors’ Bay City Division | |
| Northern Boiler, an industry leader in boiler and piping repair and installation, is pleased to announce that Mr. Johan Bartels has joined the Northern Boiler Management Team. Mr. Bartels was recently appointed the Manager of Northern Boiler’s Bay City Division, located at 1206 Columbus, Bay City, Mi 48706, Phone: 989-893-1351, Fax: 989-893-6112.
[More...] | |
| West MI Construction Alliance Studies Public Relations [external link] | |
| On January 25th the West Michigan Construction Alliance conducted a public relations writing session with Guy Snyder. The meeting was held at the M-TEC Center at Kalamazoo Community College. [More...] | |
| Grand Rapids Gets Labor Monument | |
| Operating Engineers Local 324 members turned out in force at the recent “Spirit of Solidarity” groundbreaking in Grand Rapids. The event highlighted the Furniture Workers Strike of 1911. The monument is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2006. The site plan calls for the monument to be erected at the entrance to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum and Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids. [View PDF] | |
| Ground Breaks for Icon On Bond | |
| Ground breaking ceremonies were held recently for the Icon On Bond project developed by Moch International. The project is expected to be completed using 100% of contractors from the organized construction industry. [View PDF] | |
| Bumper Stickers Available | |
| The West Michigan Construction Alliance has produced bumper stickers printed by Kennedy Graphics, Inc. The accompanying photo shows they are printed in two colors, orange and silver, on white vinyl using UV treated ink. Stickers may be obtained by contacting Ed Haynor, Consultant, West Michigan Construction Alliance at 616-837-8080 or ehaynor@chartermi.net. [More...] |  |
| Search & Rescue Training Opens [external link] | |
| Dedication of the New Homeland Security Search and Rescue Disaster Training Center at the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324 Education Center in Howell Michigan [More...] | |
| Grant Student Wins Design Award | |
| Melissa Deible, a Grant High School senior attending the commercial art program at the Newaygo County Career-Tech Center was selected as the winner of the West Michigan Construction Alliance’s website design contest. The contest was open to all commercial art students who attend area career centers in Allegan, Kent, Newaygo and Ottawa Counties. The design award was announced on April 28, 2005.
Pictured from left to right are Bruce Hawley, President of the West Michigan Construction Alliance; Melissa Deible, Grant High School student; and Doug Clink, Instructional Manager, Newaygo County Career-Tech Center. Pictured in the background on the computer screen is the winning entry. [More...] |  |
| Hotwired to Lend a Hand | |
| The attached article is used by permission from The Herald-Palladium of Southwest Michigan, a St. Joseph-Benton Harbor newspaper.
The article is about union electricians taking pride in helping out at the recent Jimmy Carter Work Project. The article is posted in its entirety from the newspapers' June 21, 2005 edition, written by staff writer, Michael Eliasohn. [More...] | |
| Helmets to Hardhats Career Expo | |
| A Helmets to Hardhats Career Expo was conducted at the West Michigan Plumbers, Fitters & Service Trades Local 174, Coopersville, on Friday, June 24, 2005. Training directors, apprenticeship coordinators and other construction craft representatives from the industry shared career information with area veterans.
Pictured is Jim Hahn (seated), Training Director for the Michigan Carpenters Apprenticeship Program. He is shown discussing construction careers with a local veteran at the Helmets to Hardhats Career Expo. [More...] |  |
