Amerimix
CrewTracks
EZ Scaffold Corp.
EZG Manufacturing
Hydro Mobile, Inc.
Loot
Non-Stop Scaffolding
PROSOCO, Inc.
SOLA/Keson
SPEC MIX LLC
Stabila
Westlake Royal Stone Solutions
Find-a-Contractor Masonry Buyer's Guide
November 2003

The Strength of Unity

President’s Message

By

This year has been a tough year for the mason industry. Now, more than ever, is the time for everyone in the industry – from masons and mason contractors, to associations and suppliers – to join together in an effort to solve the industry’s problems and contribute to the overall success of masonry.

Some of you will read this and say, "But I have been committed to helping the masonry industry!" I understand that masons have gone the extra mile to take classes and further their education on their own. Likewise, mason contractors have trained apprentices and supported local programs, and associations have promoted masonry in their various locations and specialties. Finally, suppliers have advertised their products and sponsored events.

That's all fine and good, but what I'm talking about is a cohesive, collective effort in one direction from an entire, united industry.

The masonry industry, in good times and in bad, is made up of all of these groups. It is up to us, as a whole, to make this industry as strong as the walls we build. It is no longer an option for each of us, individually, to try to further the industry. A collective coalition of mason contractors and their employees, associations and suppliers needs to step up to the plate.

Since its creation in 1950, the Mason Contractors Association of America has set-off on a course to build a stronger industry. With limited resources, we established a quality recruiting effort. We created contests, such as the Masonry Skills Challenge, that highlight the quality skills of our industry's labor force. We have recently begun a high school masonry career initiative to place career information and hands-on vocational training in more than 17,000 high schools throughout the nation. We have played an extensive role in assisting mason contractors in succeeding in their businesses.

Likewise, many other groups have done their part as well ? sometimes not to the extent of the MCAA, but they do try to accomplish their own self-serving goals.

It's time to establish a coalition that will achieve bigger goals for the good of the industry. These goals include: developing and maintaining a quality workforce; creating better and more cost-effective ways of installing masonry; and promoting masonry in a world where alternative methods of construction are threatening our survival.

Can any one group in the industry claim to be able to overcome these obstacles alone? Can any group afford to lose out on any one of these things?

If mason contractors lose market share in small, rural towns, does that not hurt large masonry suppliers in the biggest U.S. cities? Of course it does. Yet every individual group still promotes masonry as if they were trapped in a vacuum, where nothing else affects their own overall outcome. It's time for every group ? masons, mason contractors, associations and suppliers ? to realize that we are connected and our own prosperity relies on the prosperity of other groups in the industry.

Imagine the strength of our unity. Picture all of these groups joining together to sponsor, create and distribute kits throughout U.S. high schools. All of us pulling together to create a well-educated workforce. Everyone working together to educate the public on the advantages of choosing masonry over other forms of construction.

All of us have something to gain by working together as a cohesive, well-organized coalition. On the flip side, we all have a lot to lose if we don't.

Chairman’s Message Archive

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August 2019
The American Dream

Doing Our Part

May 2019
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Preparing for D.C.

April 2019
Preparing for D.C.

Recent Updates

September 2018
Recent Updates

Masonry’s Future

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Worthwhile Work

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A New Beginning

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Givers Gain

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March 2017
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Looking Forward

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A Fresh Start

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Who Moved My Cheese?

September 2016
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Giving back

December 2015
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An exciting year ahead

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Defining success

December 2014
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Staying busy for you

August 2014
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Ready for action

February 2014
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Happy holidays

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New beginning

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October 2012
The 2012 election

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Networking

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Networking

Summer time

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Exciting time

June 2012
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Working for you

May 2012
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New beginnings

March 2012
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Farewell!

February 2012
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One more to go!

January 2012
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Join us in Vegas

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As the world turns

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March 2011
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A Fond Farewell

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A New Year

January 2010
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Start the Year Strong

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Start the Year Strong

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September 2009
MCAA in D.C.

Brick Voids

August 2009
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Vision 2020

February 2009
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February 2009
State of the Association

The Silver Lining

January 2009
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Impact on the Hill

June 2008
Impact on the Hill

New Horizons

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Wrapping up Another Year

December 2007
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We Need Your Help!

January 2005
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Changing of the Guard

February 2002
Changing of the Guard

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Forrest & Associate, Inc.
MCAA member since 1963

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