FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction is Now Open ↗

General Shale subsidiary wins environmental award

Words: Dawn HenningGeneral Shale’s stellar record of environmental stewardship is well recognized within the manufacturing industry, and a recent award affirms the company’s efforts. Arriscraft International, a subsidiary of General Shale, has been recognized by the Cambridge (Ontario) Chamber of Commerce with its distinguished annual award for excellence in energy conservation.

General Shale is the North American subsidiary of Wienerberger AG and a leading manufacturer of brick, one of the world’s oldest green building materials. General Shale is celebrating its 85th anniversary in 2013.

In the area of conserving energy, Arriscraft — a manufacturer of stone products located in Ontario — has reduced its kilowatt hours per 1,000 kilograms of material produced by 23 percent since 1999. Andy Hall serves as plant manager for the Arriscraft facility.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, and this is a good example of our employees’ efforts at our locations throughout North America,” says Dick Green, CEO of General Shale.

“We are very proud of our environmental stewardship. Technology has improved so that production processes require 70 percent less energy than in the 1970s, and our reclamation and recycling efforts continue to be a top priority.”

Each year, the Cambridge Chamber honors individuals and businesses that have made an important contribution to the economic and social wellbeing of the city. The Cambridge Chamber’s award winners for 2012 were announced at a special presentation in March.

The Environment-Excellence in Energy Conservation award recognizes a business that embraces sustainable best practices and outstanding programs designed to maintain, protect and promote a healthy environment. Specific areas of judging include energy use reduction, energy alternatives and/or the adoption, implementation or adherence to environmentally friendly business practices on a company-wide basis. The 2012 Business Excellence Awards attracted 56 nominations in categories that included environmental, entrepreneurship, personal business achievement, lifetime achievement, business of the year and more.
 0
Is Contact with Wet Mortar or Grout Dangerous?
April 2026

In the world of masonry, few materials are as common as mortar and grout. Whether you are laying brick, concrete masonry units (CMU), or pouring grout into masonry walls, wet cement and mortar are constant companions. However, beneath their utility lies a

Zach Everett
Technical Talks
Read More
The Importance of Instructor Support
April 2026

Whether you are a new or veteran masonry instructor, we all need support throughout our careers. We can never stop learning, and keeping up with ever-changing technology, materials, and installation techniques can be overwhelming alongside the everyday pr

Curtis Hoover
Resources
Read More
Vibing Masonry #11: Innovative Concrete Masonry Technologies in Healthcare Design
April 2026

In the high-stakes environment of healthcare design, every material choice is a clinical decision. Architects, engineers, and facility administrators are tasked with creating spaces that are not only resilient and code-compliant but also conducive to heal

Steve Blye
Technical Talks
Read More
Why Termination Bars Still Matter: A Practical Look at Long‑Term Flashing Performance
April 2026

In recent discussions across the masonry industry, I have heard termination bars described as “old school.” The implication is that with modern materials, primerless peel-and-stick flashings, advanced sealants, and structural insulated sheathing, mechanic

Linda Potter
Technical Talks
Read More