planning guide - Mechanical Contractors Association Northwestern ...

Business StrategistsGeorge StullerStrategies for Enhancing Your Pre-Fabrication ProcessesMonday, March 18, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.Mechanical contractors began performing prefabricationwork many years ago. Back then,craft workers who conducted pre-fabricationtasks outside moved inside a building that hadsome available floor space. The new “shoppersonnel” used the same tools that they hadused in the field. And, the labor agreementwas the same as well.Over time, management and craft workersbegan doing some “unconventionalthinking” about pre-fabrication. Theycreated new ways to handle material in ashop environment. Management negotiatedmore favorable union contract provisions.Companies developed new tooling that greatly increased productivity.Plumbing contractors used “unconventional thinking” as they designedfixture assemblies, PVC fabrication, and, along with mechanicals, began themodularization of piping and equipment.Going forward, contractors have numerous opportunities to expand their useof pre-fabrication using “unconventional thinking” to become more profitable:• Pre-fabricating hangers and supports.• Increasing the amount of shop man-hours on each job by involvingupfront owners and architects.• Using advanced computerized welding tools and utilizing BuildingInformation Modeling software.George Stuller of Stuller Consulting in Curtice, OH, is a Master Steamfitter,a Master Plumber, and has an associate’s degree in mechanical engineeringfrom the University of Toledo. He has been a member of the UnitedAssociation of Plumbers and Pipefitters for the past 46 years. George spentmuch of his career as a project manager or leading the pipe pre-fabricationeffort for various companies. He is a frequent fabrication consultant andinstructs on the provisions of the UA Yellow Label Agreement and theNational Maintenance Agreement. He is the past chairman and current laborchairman and board member of the Pipe Fabrication Institute.Chip Valutis4th Quarter Planning—Create a Game Plan for Living Life FullyMonday, March 18, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.Success! By most people’s standards, youachieved it. All the years of hard work, risktaking,deal making, sacrifice and commitmenthave gotten you where you are today. Welldone!So what now? More of the same? Do youkeep working 60 hours a week, fighting fires,bidding work, slaying dragons, checking cashflow and dealing with employee issues? Doyou keep pushing personal relationships,needs and dreams to the background? Doloved ones continue making sacrifices for yourcareer?If your life feels like an empty version of Groundhog Day, then it’s time youdared to think unconventionally. Push the “refresh” button and create agame plan that ignites your spirit, a plan that propels you through the 4thQuarter of your career and life. In this session, Chip Valutis will help youexamine the 4th Quarter from a unique, unconventional perspective. You willlearn the fundamentals of 4th Quarter Planning, and Valutis will work withyou to outline a roadmap toward living a deliberate life, one characterizedby richness, depth and contentment (not demands, requirements andemptiness). Isn’t it time you started creating a game plan for living the lifeyou’ve earned?William “Chip” Valutis, Ph.D. is a principal with Valutis Consulting, Inc., amanagement consulting firm in Buffalo, NY. For the past 20 years, Chip hasworked extensively with organizations, teams and executives to diagnoseproblems, design change strategies and successfully implement action plans.As a psychologist, he appreciates the complexity of people and teams. As amanagement consultant, he develops practical tools and techniques to helporganizations succeed. His experience includes working with Fortune 500organizations and small to medium-sized companies. Currently, his primarymarket consists of successful companies trying to build the people, systemsand plans required for a greater level of growth and success.16