25
NATIONAL BULLETIN | Issue 2, 2025
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Efficiency – Automated analysis with 
AI for complex tasks, maintenance 
forecasting, optimization of costs and 
schedules prior to construction and 
increased safety.
•	
Facility Management – Facility 
management including sustainability 
and environmental impacts, reducing 
construction waste and digital twins 
(real-time replicas) for ongoing 
performance monitoring.
Innovative Aspects of BIM
BIM is a collaborative tool used to a great 
degree in the construction industry for all 
aspects of a project including planning, 
designing, constructing and managing. 
BIM provides a wide range of data to all 
partners throughout the project and keeps 
them up to date on how it is progressing. 
Through BIM-generated 3D printing, 
it can make architectural designs for all 
aspects of the building including walls, 
floors and the complete structure.
Integration of drones and other  
technology can make site surveying and 
inspection quick and easy, which is a  
huge safety step from the days when 
humans accomplished these tasks.  
These technologies also reduce costs in 
addition to performing site mapping, 
tracking project progress and  
monitoring inventory.
BIM means more transparency 
about sustainable materials and other 
environmental requirements. Architects 
and others get the tools to see what  
the building will look like, how it  
will function and make decisions to 
upgrade its sustainability before  
construction commences.
Innovation at MCAC
As a part of the new strategic plan for 
MCAC, innovation is an objective, and the 
association is committed to “identifying 
and promoting innovation through the 
advancement of process improvements 
through technology and processes.” Since 
adopting this objective, MCAC has formed 
an Innovation Committee to take the lead 
in this important area. 
“The committee and board had a great 
deal of discussion at the 2025 Annual 
Conference about what services to focus 
on to assist the members with innovation,” 
says Ken Lancastle, COO of MCAC. “We 
have to identify the resources and other 
help that we provide to the membership 
to increase their productivity and business 
success.” He adds that innovation in 
mechanical contracting is already being 
used on complex construction projects by 
members. It is a matter of how this can be 
augmented by MCAC.
The Innovation Committee will be 
meeting in early 2026 to shape the 
innovation plan. The committee continues 
to explore new opportunities to bring 
members together and look at the 
challenges of innovation.
Looking to the Future
BIM allows construction companies, 
including mechanical contractors, to 
improve technologies and change the 
way planning and design of a building 
is done. It allows all project partners to 
explore innovative ideas and adds value 
to projects. According to Dodge Data 
and Analytics, “82 per cent of BIM users 
confirm that they have received a positive 
return on investment (ROI).”
In the U.K., the government has  
been a significant supporter of BIM  
use by making the software mandated 
for all centrally procured public-sector 
projects. Their rationale is to reduce costs, 
increase efficiency and improve the  
construction supply chains. 
As for MCAC, innovation support for 
members is an important part of the 
future for the industry.  
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