History of MCA-KC
The roots of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City trace back to two early trade groups.
The first was Plumbers Local 8, established in 1889 as the Association of Journeyman Plumbers, Gas Fitters, Steam Fitters, and Steam Fitter Helpers of the United States of America and Canada. The second was Pipe fitters Local 533, founded in 1911 to represent the interests of highly skilled workers in the Pipefitting, Refrigeration and Heating and Air Conditioning industries in the Kansas City Area.
At their founding, both already were contributing their expertise to the city’s building activities.
The earliest reference to the organization of an industry contractor group came in 1926 when the Association of Master Plumbers, Kansas City, Missouri, was formed. It stated purpose was to provide for the following:
Advancement of sanitation, encouragement of sanitary laws, and better enforcement; better improvement of plumbing appliances and plumbing work; education of the members of the craft in sanitation and all that pertains to the betterment of plumbing as well as the best method of conducting such business; education of apprentices in plumbing and the establishment of an apprenticeship system; promotion of standardization of plumbing materials; education of the public through favorable publicity; and carrying on any trade association activities deemed advisable, not in conflict with the laws of the land.
In 1953, the Association of Master Plumbers of Kansas City became the Associated Plumbing Contractors of Kansas City. The following year the Association entered into an agreement with Plumbers Local Union No. 8 to establish a Health and Welfare Fund. Earlier, in 1952, a collective bargaining agreement with the Association was established.
The strengths of Plumbers Local No. 8 and Pipe Fitters Local No. 533 were brought under the Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City in 1956. The Association’s founding director, Frank Babcock, skillfully laid the groundwork for servicing the needs of both unions.
The PFAC Industry Fund was negotiated as part of the wage contract, effective in 1958, but collection of five cents per hour did not start until the following year. The money was allowed to accumulate until 1960.
In 1959, an agreement was reached between MCA-KC and Local Union No. 533 to establish an Industry Development Fund.
Then in 1975, the Plumbing Industry Fund was created by agreement between Plumbers Local Union No. 8 and the Mid-America Association of Mechanical and Plumbing Contractors, previously known as the Associated Plumbing Contractors Association of Kansas City.
The following year this group merged with the Mechanical Contractors Association of Kansas City.
In 1988, MCA-KC began a new phase of development with the appointment of Herbert C. Millard as its second Executive Director. Following 18 years of continued growth, the Association appointed its third Executive Director, Robert A. Looman, in 2006.
The history of the Association is marked by the role it has played in the building of Kansas city. From across the City’s stunning skyline and giant Sprint Nextel’s world head-quarters to surrounding landmarks – including Union Station, Worlds of Fun, Kansas International Speedway, Bartle Hall, and Kansas City’s Downtown renovation-one major fact stand out.
They all reflect quality construction by the member firms of the MCA-KC and the highly skilled union employees they hire among Plumbers Local No. 8 and Pipe fitters Local No. 533.
Whether you’re looking at a biomedical facility, a research center, an office tower, or an industrial complex, you can be sure that every mechanical system has been installed and made to function properly long before the project was completed.
This initial installation quality is important because, the mechanical work is tucked away within walls, floors, and ceilings – much of it never to be seen again, unless it fails to function properly.
That’s why the fully qualified, dedicated union craftsmen employed to install the mechanical systems give assurance that MCA’s reputation for quality construction in Kansas City continues at the highest standards.
In the history of MCA-KC, the Association has distinguished itself by having five of its members serve as national president of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. They were Henry Nottberg (1968), Don C. Huxtable (1976), Herbert R. Jacobsen (1985), Smitty Belcher (2001), and Michael Gossman (2004).
The high regard MCAA officials accord local MCA chapter members is further reflected in the many appointments made to key national committees. Serving on them in past years from Kansas City have been Dan Axtell, Steve Patrick, Tim Moormeier, Robert Rimel Jr., Bill Heck, Mike Belcher, Bob Rimel, Michael Gossman, Dan Oxler, Ryck Sander, Joe Bret, Charles Brandon, Bruce Belcher, and Steve Hancock.
Throughout the Association’s history, users of MCA-KC’s services with Plumbers Local 8 and Pipe Fitters 533 have been quick to praise the strong safety record achieved by the contractors and their union workers. Users also have commended MCA-KC’s substance abuse program, which ranks among the highest in the country.
An important chapter in the history of MCA-KC has been its excellent training program. The knowledge gained during the rigorous preparation has led to the quality construction in building this city.
Pivotal to this effort is the 4,000 square foot expansion of Pipe Fitters Local 533 at 9876 Hickman Mills Drive, Kansas City. The recent addition to the exiting 8,500-square-foot service facility provides space for 200 apprentices to apply recently acquired knowledge to hands-on skills.
The original Construction Training Center Building, established in 1974, also allows 100 apprentices of Plumbers Local 8 to master knowledge of the growing body of building codes, changing materials requirements, and evolving new equipment.
Phil Rellihan, retired Local 533 training director, said technology changes keep growing.
“Fifteen years ago, the pipe fitters never had computers,” he said. “Now we’re fully into CAD. Also, when I became training director 19 years ago, the pipe fitters’ HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) program had only one service director. Today, of the 27 total instructors, 14 are service instructors.”
Bill Tarplay, retired Local 8 training director, said plumbing apprentices and journeyman who complete their training could use their craft anywhere in the U.S. as long as they are licensed in their states.
“When they are finished with their training, they are complete professionals,” he said. “One of the big changes since I began to direct the training program, also 19 years ago, is that 25 percent of the apprentice training today is devoted to building and plumbing codes because of the increased attention to many public corcerns.”
The educational training program for the aspiring pipe fitter and plumber includes instruction in mathematics, drafting, blueprint, reading, mechanics, and welding. Everyone enrolled goes through a demanding five-year apprenticeship program totaling almost 1,100 hours annually in the classroom and on-the-job training.
All through their history, the 60 contractor members and associate members of MCA-KC have been proud of the union Plumbers who protect the health of the nation and union Pipe Fitters who power the engines of industry that keep business thriving in America.
With the cooperation of many other individuals and organizations, the MCA-KC has been able to move further ahead to forge a professionalism in the construction trades that allows it to continue its rich heritage of playing a significant role in shaping the landscape of this city.
For MCA-KC it’s a source of great pride to witness how the Association, together with Plumbers Local 8 and Pipe Fitters Local 533, teams with the specialty contractors, union crafts, architects, engineers, building owners, facilities managers, and city officials in providing the diversity of talent and skilled manpower to make Kansas City a better and stronger community.
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