b'INNOVATION CONFERENCE TAKES SHAPEInnovation a necessity for mechanical contractingMATTHEW BRADFORDI nnovation is an oft-repeatedMore and more, were embedding 3Dformed Innovation Committees first acts, buzzword, but for Canadasscanning and BIM modelling into ourCarpenter and the team are planning mechanical contracting industry,fabrication process to identify potentialan Innovation Conference for 2025. its a necessity. Amid evolving projects,issues, perform precise measurements,Essentially, what we want to do is help heightened demands and skilled workeridentify the interferences and streamlineconnect every mechanical contractor, challenges, embracing new and advancedproduction. Innovation is also taking thesmall and big, on the path to innovation, ways of working is central to staying inform of advanced shop tools, automatedCarpenter explains.the game. machinery, artificially intelligent systems,Conference planning is in its early stages. You have to stay competitive, and you enhanced prefabrication methodologiesHowever, says Carpenter, the committee do that by keeping up with theand other game-changing technologies. is working on an event that will serve as a technologies and new ideas around you,The opportunities are rife, but it canvital platform for networking, education says Adam Carpenter, president at RFbe difficult to find the time, talentand idea sharing: No matter how big or Contracting Inc. and MCACs Innovationand funds to pursue these innovativehow small you are, it will be a chance to Committee chair. approaches equally. Here is where industrysee where we as an industry are going in Its about more than keeping pace withcollaboration can bridge the gap. the future, and how contractors can apply competition. For mechanical contractingIts great to talk about all thesethe new ideas and approaches they see to employers, its about adopting thetechnologies and new ideas, and its goodtheir individual market.innovative tools, practices and workforceto see a lot of the big dogs leading theOne of the conferences primary goals is strategies that make them a market leaderway. But its not as easy for small or mid- to spotlight and address different regions and employer of choice. sized contractors with fewer resources,and sectors unique needs within the says Carpenter. Thats where it pays tomechanical contracting industry. From The value of innovation is no newfoundscan the industry and find someone elsehigh-rise buildings in urban centres to secret. For years, industry players havewho can, for instance, do some modellingheavy industry in Canadas northern been exploring new and evolving ways tofor you and feed it right back into yourregions, the event will explore challenges boost productivity, enhance efficiency andfabrication shop. and opportunities across each segment of do more with fewer people and resources.the trade.Their efforts and investments have led toYou dont have to come up withWere trying to bring speakers andtechnological transformations in both theeverything on your own, he adds. Someguests from different industries in to field and the office. of the best ideas are just shared. share what theyre doing and see how it For example, says Carpenter, one ofThe New MCAC fits with what professionals are doing in the most transformative trends inInnovation Conference another part of the industry, Carpenter mechanical contracting is the integrationMCAC is a longtime champion forexplains, adding that this cross-pollination of technology into traditional workflows.innovation. And as one of the recently- of ideas is key to sparking groundbreaking 22 www.mcac.ca'