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

Modern thinking

Words: Jennifer MorrellYou think you know someone…

When Big River Industries and the MCAA conducted a survey in September 2014 for mason contractors, no one really knew what their attitudes would be toward lightweight block. We were a little surprised by the overall acceptance of the use of lightweight block to save on labor and physical demands.

Big River collaborated with the MCAA to execute and distribute the multi-question survey to MCAA member mason contractors based in the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, South, Southwest, West and Northwest.

Among the findings, 50 percent of participants said they perceive that there are cost savings with lightweight block, and 58 percent said they would not recommend normal-weight block over lightweight block.

Eighty-five percent of respondents named safety as an advantage of lightweight block, while 81 percent of respondents said reduced labor cost is an advantage. Sixty-five percent said lightweight block is worth a premium price, compared to normal-weight block.

You can see the full survey graphics and results at www.qliteblock.com/survey.

Below, I am including a letter from a reader who also is open to what may be new and feasible in the masonry industry. Thanks for your comments; please keep them coming.
Dear Jennifer,

Thank you for introducing us to the possibility of robots performing the task of brick laying (Masonry, January 2015). I have been teaching masonry in an introductory class to juniors and seniors for five years. I have found that most of my students find the process tedious and hard to do. I try to instill within them that the skill in masonry is a very rewarding feeling. It is instant gratification of a job well done that will be recognized for many years.

With that being said, I am like you — technology is a good thing, if you can show me the benefits over traditional ways of doing something. I feel that, in order to be competitive in the construction market, contractors will have to embrace new ways of construction. I can see a system that will be able to lay brick without a trowel — a system similar to how 3D printing is done.

Always enjoy reading Masonry Magazine,
Scot P. Thompson, J. Harley Bonds Career Center
Greer, SC 29650 | 864-355-8375
 0
Outreach Outlook: Springing into Action – The Season of Growth
March 2026

There is a distinct shift in the air when March arrives. You can feel it on the job sites, and you can certainly feel it in the classrooms. As the winter chill begins to lift and the days are a little longer, the construction industry naturally wakes up f

Robert Melgaard
Outreach Outlook
Read More
Chairman's Message: Laying the First Brick - A Fresh Start
March 2026

As we head into a new year, I’m excited and, honestly, grateful to step into the role of Chairman of the Mason Contractors Association of America. This industry has been good to my family, and I see this role as a chance to give back and help move things

Kent Huntley
Chairman’s Message
Read More
GEN NXT: 2026 Skills Challenge Winners
March 2026

After another successful year of the Skills Challenge, the MCAA had the opportunity to speak with the three 1st Place winners of each skill level. Get to know their journeys, motivations, and the mindsets they have in order to compete in a national compet

Justin Stengel
GEN NXT
Read More
2026 World of Concrete Recap
March 2026

The 2026 World of Concrete Convention marked another successful year for masonry. From the world-renowned Skills Challenge and Fastest Trowel on the Block competitions to the new innovative GEORGE AI class, we gained a lot of ground in pushing this indust

Justin Stengel
Industry News
Read More