ASSOCIATION NEWS
Building services and electrical contractors unite: M&ECA hosts joint meeting IRELAND’S M&ECA HOSTS INAUGURAL EVENT, PROMOTING COLLABORATION IN THE BUILDING SERVICES AND ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING SECTORS….
T he inaugural joint General Secretary and Board Meetings of GCP Europe and EuropeOn was hosted by Ireland’s Mechanical & Electrical Contractors Association (M&ECA) in May, taking place at the Grand Hotel in Malahide. Eamon McGrattan, Chair of M&ECA and the current President of GCP Europe, played a significant role in the event. Interestingly, McGrattan’s father, Eamon, had previously hosted the annual convention of GCP Europe (then known as Génie
Climatique International) in Dublin during the 1980s, alongside Ted Bourke and Dick McElligott. GCP Europe serves as the representative voice for the building services engineering sector, encompassing mechanical contractors, plumbers and HVAC installers. The association advocates for their interests at European Union level, thereby contributing to the EU’s climate, energy and prosperity goals. With 14 members across 12 European countries, GCP Europe engages in various activities, including the installation, planning and maintenance of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and plumbing systems. They provide guidance on system integration, innovative smart controls, regular inspections, energy auditing, energy efficiency advice and renewable energy systems such as solar thermal, heat pumps, biomass heating, fuel cells, power-heat coupling and photovoltaic systems. Additionally, GCP Europe is involved in performance contracting. On the other hand, EuropeOn represents the electrical contracting industry at the European level. Since its establishment in 1954, it has served as the sole forum for electrical contractors and their
General Secretary and Board members of the M&ECA, GCP Europe and EuropeOn enjoyed a group dinner at the Old Street Restaurant Malahide during the joint assembly.
representatives from across Europe to collaborate and form shared positions on sector-related issues. During the Dublin assembly, participants discussed various topics, including environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting. ESG concerns have gained prominence in the corporate world, with increasing consideration under EU law. The EU’s adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, in December 2022, mandates large and listed companies to regularly publish reports on social and environmental risks, as well as their impact on people and the environment. While electrical contracting companies are mostly SMEs, they have a direct interest in ESG principles as suppliers to larger companies. Also, electrical contractors can contribute to reducing the environmental impact of larger companies through electrification, energy management and the use of
recycled products. However, effective implementation of any requirements imposed on electrical contractors relies on improved access to energy, building and product data. GCP Europe and EuropeOn will jointly organise the Installers’ Summit this year, which will take place in Brussels on 9-10 November. Members of the joint General Secretary and Board Meetings approved the dual theme of “Skills and Artificial Intelligence” for the event. Against the backdrop of the European Year of Skills, the summit provides a crucial platform to emphasise the importance of promoting technical education and careers, particularly in the electrical and mechanical sectors, which are essential for the success of the green and digital transition. For further information about the Installers’ Summit, contact: info@europe-on.org.
To discover more about M&ECA membership, call Denise Tuffy: +353 (0)87 286 2367 or email: dtuffy@cif.ie
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