With technology advancing and manufacturing methods improving, many construction tools have been redesigned or revamped. But in masonry, one tool has remained constant, not because it hasn’t evolved, but because its purpose and performance have always wor

When the final school bell rings and students head out for summer break, the classrooms and masonry shops may go quiet, but the work of workforce development kicks into high gear. Last month, MCAA Regional Director Jason McCoy wrote about the undeniable p

When Everyone Says Quit, But Your Gut Says Push I have been in business long enough to know it humbles even the most confident entrepreneur. It can test your nerves and make you question every decision, especially when you’re surrounded by mentors and a

As masons, we spend our careers building walls. We build them with brick, block, stone, and mortar, and we take pride in making them straight, strong, and built to last. But over the years, I’ve learned there is another kind of wall we build—the walls we

This month, the MCAA had the pleasure of speaking with SkillsUSA First Place Winner Owen Heimbach, a young mason just starting out whose enthusiasm for bricklaying is truly contagious. His passion for the craft was evident throughout our interview.

More often than not, you can walk up to a wall, observe its condition, and get an entire timeline story. How it was built, how footers were set, and where water is routed. After years in the field, I’ve come to understand that brick repair isn’t maintenan

Anyone who’s spending time around CMU jobs today can see the shift. Concrete masonry isn’t just the backup wall; it is the finish on more projects. Thanks in part to the CMU check-off program and a broader focus on design and education, architects and own

Bricklaying might not change simply because you cross a state line. It does change when you travel 24 hours to the other side of the world and lay bricks under lights, cameras, and a stopwatch. The fundamentals of the trade are universal. Brick, mortar,

The Masonry Foundation is dedicated to advancing the masonry industry and is accepting grant applications for 2026. Proposals should have national reach and aim to generate substantial progress within the masonry industry. To explore examples of past gra

Before I was fortunate enough to lead Malta Dynamics, I spent a couple of years as a traveling salesman for the company. My territory covered the entire country (and some beyond), and in a typical year, I visited more than 100 jobsites across nearly every

As a business owner and leader, taking the mental health of your employees seriously and understanding how it can impact their work is essential. In fact, one in five adults experiences a mental health condition annually. Addressing mental health is more

For more than four decades, all the basics of building with brick have come in a guide small enough to fit into a pocket. Acme Brick has just released a 2026 version of its Pocket Guide to Brick Construction. And yes, it’s still printed on paper just like

Not every day in this business goes the way we planned. Some days, everything lines up. The crew is moving well. Materials are on time. The job is flowing the way you hoped it would. And then there are the other days. The ones where something breaks. T

Ask any seasoned leader what sets thriving companies apart, and you'll hear one answer echoed time and again: culture. Culture is the lifeblood of any company, a living, breathing force that shapes attitudes, drives performance, and guides every interacti

We work hard to make them proud to be with us. We buy the anniversary ring. The earrings. The necklace. Maybe even the oversized purse that somehow holds snacks for the kids and still has room for that gigantic Stanley cup. We don’t bu

Every leader eventually reaches a point where they’re wrestling with a big decision. It follows you everywhere, on the job, at home, even when you are trying to step away. The issue usually isn’t a lack of information or resources. More often, it’s hesita