Back when I was running one crew, I remember driving home one day with my bricklayer and good friend while admitting I was at the end of my rope. Between lying awake, worrying about payroll, laying block all day, and spending half my night bidding on jobs

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself riding down the road in an 18-wheeler with my son. He recently got his CDL permit and is scheduled to attend a class, so he needs to get some driving time in. That day he was driving a Kenworth, and I was riding along

Along with finding potential leaders in the next generation of masonry professionals, getting to work with instructors in CTE programs throughout my region offers a great sense of hope and expectation. Add to that an environment where new technologies an

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is excited to announce that EZG Manufacturing will continue as an esteemed Cornerstone Partner in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is delighted to announce that Masonry Direct is the first Silver to renew their partnership in the 2027 Masonry Alliance Program.

Lasers have become an essential tool in modern construction. There was a time when rotary lasers were so expensive that only one person on the crew was trusted to set them up and operate them. As technology improved and prices became more affordable, rota

Brickwork is built to last, but mortar isn’t. Over time, exposure to moisture, freeze-thaw cycles, and everyday wear causes joints to crack, crumble, and even recede. What starts as a cosmetic issue can quickly turn into a structural concern if left unadd

For generations, masonry structures have been defined not only by the brick, block, or stone used in construction, but also by the mortar joints that tie everything together. Whether restoring a historic brick facade, repairing natural stone veneer, or re

Every piece of equipment tells a story about the challenges contractors face. For more than 30 years, the EZG Manufacturing team has listened to those stories—through customer relationships, job site visits, dealer feedback, a

Mason contractors must deal with chemicals on the job site. One of the main ones comes in the form of dust. Another is acid. From high-rise commercial structures to residential facades, masonry work involves handling raw materials that require careful man

The 2026 Masonry Education Day at Interstate Brick in West Jordan is bringing together members of Utah’s architecture, engineering, and construction community for a day focused on education, technical understanding, and workforce development. The event r

The Upstate New York chapter of the MCAA was established in 2014 by a dedicated group of both union and non-union masonry contractors, producers, and suppliers who shared concerns about the declining use of masonry. T

For this month, the MCAA got to sit down with aspiring mason Luis Sontay. From taking an interest in masonry as a kid to placing 1st in a postsecondary competition, Luis’ dedication and passion for the trade is clear. Luis describes his early passion fo

September brings a familiar, energetic rhythm back to our industry. Across the country, shop doors are rolling up, fresh pallets of block are being delivered to high school courtyards, and a new cohort of students is picking up a trowel for the very first

A few years back, I was walking a job site when I overheard a guy blowing off steam. He went off about the company, the schedule, the customer, his marriage; there wasn’t much he left out. The guy working next to him was a stanch company man who didn’t sa

There’s an old adage in Washington, D.C.: “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” After moving to Washington, D.C., in January of 2001 for what I thought would be a fun two years working for a Member of Congress while I figured out what I really want