PodcastsBrand Loyalty https://vimeo.com/1103994967 On this update we talk about the dog days of summer and how to stay cool and hydrated. We also touch upon jobsite safety, and we tackle branding. Do you see what we think you see? What?! now that’s dedication. Finally, new podcasts are brewing. Podcasts MTGA and Appetite Podcasts: https://mechanical-hub.com/podcasts/ Brand Read more
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On this update we talk about the dog days of summer and how to stay cool and hydrated. We also touch upon jobsite safety, and we tackle branding. Do you see what we think you see? What?! now that’s dedication. Finally, new podcasts are brewing.
Podcasts
MTGA and Appetite Podcasts: https://mechanical-hub.com/podcasts/
Brand Loyalty
Check out more from our sponsor Viega here: https://www.viega.us/en/homepage/systems/valves.html?utm_source=mechanical+hub&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=us-en-2025-2025+national&utm_content=enewsletter&utm_term=readsix
Artificial IntelligenceAge & TenureThe Insurance Factor Recently, we caught up with Mike Prencavage Jr., owner, The Family Plumber, Los Alamitos, Calif., for a quick conversation regarding jobsite safety. Employees should be a top priority in any business, especially the trades. Safety should be top priority for every business, especially in the trades. Can you provide Read more
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Recently, we caught up with Mike Prencavage Jr., owner, The Family Plumber, Los Alamitos, Calif., for a quick conversation regarding jobsite safety. Employees should be a top priority in any business, especially the trades.
Safety should be top priority for every business, especially in the trades. Can you provide a some of your company’s protocols, which may consist of safety meetings, reporting, etc.?
Prencavage Jr.: I would encourage companies to make safety learning fun, yet impactful. Every week, we host an all-hands-on company meeting to ensure that all team members are properly trained on hazards in the workplace. Our shop foreman is responsible for providing detailed examples and often real-world situations that can occur to which protocols must be adhered. Most companies believe or expect common sense to prevail when it comes to protecting employees; however, safety on any jobsite big or small needs to be trained on and re-enforced. Random jobsite visits from project managers are a must to ensure that all team members are performing work safely as to not endanger themselves or homeowners.
Artificial Intelligence
MH: How can the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology help with safety protocols?
Prencavage Jr.: AI in different forms can help with developing, implementing or enforcing proper protocols within your business. The biggest examples of these are utilizing AI to create situational poster boards for your office or breakroom. Setting meeting reminders or technician meeting periods to review and train on safety standards. Also, companies that use passive integrated driving devices that record and score drivers’ safety behind the wheel.
Age & Tenure
MH: Does age or tenure play into increases jobsite accidents?
Prencavage Jr.: Most senior employees understand or have experienced the result of cutting corners with safety standards. Receive a cut, bruise or worse once in your life and it changes the way you think about approaching certain risky situations. Age plays a factor because more often than not; you don’t know what you don’t know. Youthfulness is great, but certainly doesn’t put a bulletproof vest around you. It’s best practice if you share the worst-case scenarios with younger employees as much as possible with the hope that if they encounter something similar, they are well prepared to the take the right steps for safety.
The Insurance Factor
MH: Finally, in terms of insurance, why should safety be prioritized?
Prencavage Jr.: Insurance is already one of the highest expenditures on a P&L for most construction trade businesses. The last thing a company would want is file claims against a policy that increases those rates, not to mention possible revocation. Insurance companies are looking for potential hazards all of the time, and in doing so, they can often perform random standard compliance checks on companies. It’s best to always have your company compliance ready as to not have a policy canceled.
Check out The Family Plumber, https://thefamilyplumber.com
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Mechanical Hub in Germany
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Visiting a German Trade School
While spending some time with his family in Germany, The Hub’s John Mesenbrink spent a day with Uber content creator and great guy Bruno Friedmann visiting the Gewerbeschule Bühl trade school, a heat pump installation at a logistic center and his shop. What a great day to see how the Germans teach and perform HVAC, plumbing, hydronics, etc.!
Check out our podcasts
Appetite for Construction—A talk with Steve “Wheels” Wieland: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1203956/episodes/17503421
MTGA—Bid Work vs. Time and Material:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1198388/episodes/17427050
Sign up for our FREE Mechanical Hub newsletter, https://mechanical-hub.com/enewsletter/
https://vimeo.com/1100343169 Table of ContentsThe lifeblood of this industry: the skilled people who build, maintain, and shape our communities every single dayMake Trades Great Again PodcastAppetite For Construction PodcastWater Heater Discussion at AHR Expo The lifeblood of this industry: the skilled people who build, maintain, and shape our communities every single day There’s been a lot Read more
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The lifeblood of this industry: the skilled people who build, maintain, and shape our communities every single day
There’s been a lot of talk about the skilled trades workforce gap—and for good reason. We know the numbers: a massive wave of retirements is hitting, and there simply aren’t enough new workers stepping in to fill those boots. But this week, we want to shine a light on some real action—proof that we are moving the needle when it comes to inspiring the next generation of trades pros.
Here’s the big takeaway: closing the skilled workforce gap isn’t someone else’s job—it’s ours. And when I see RIDGID STEM Day, SkillsUSA, the Skilled Careers Coalition, and those growing stacks of scholarships, I see a bright future—one where we’re giving the next generation the tools and support they need to build a successful career.
Make Trades Great Again Podcast
Eric and Andy discuss the Art of the Deal…no, not the Trump book…here the guys discuss the complexities of hvac projects, pricing strategies, and the importance of customer communication in the HVAC industry. The discussion also touches on financing options to help customers afford the necessary services, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding in customer interactions.
Listen Here – https://www.buzzsprout.com/1198388/episodes/17418989
Appetite For Construction Podcast
John and I catch up with Jeff Keller, owner of Bulldog Contractors in Jefferson, Texas. Jeff shares his thoughts on dealing with the heat, work/life balance and the Hacks Meeting later this summer.
Listen Here – https://www.buzzsprout.com/1203956/episodes/17452699
Water Heater Discussion at AHR Expo
Eric and Andy are in the Rinnai both at AHR Expo talking about water heater installs.
https://vimeo.com/1098321303?share=copy#t=323.973 It’s hot out there so stay safe and take the necessary precautions to prevent heat exhaustion and illness. Rachel Housman of Ally Safety gives five tips to beat the summer heat on the jobsite. We also take a sneak peek at Bradford White’s new heat pump water heater, and Happy 4th of July. Staying Read more
It’s hot out there so stay safe and take the necessary precautions to prevent heat exhaustion and illness. Rachel Housman of Ally Safety gives five tips to beat the summer heat on the jobsite. We also take a sneak peek at Bradford White’s new heat pump water heater, and Happy 4th of July. Staying on the theme of safety, stay safe over the holiday weekend!
More Ally Safety videos can be found here: https://youtu.be/RJWXfsq9zaY?si=IVzMoHf1uaK7INAU
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