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
December 2006

National Initiatives Will Build a Stronger Industry

President’s Message

By

At the recent Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Midyear Meeting, the Association conducted several strategy sessions aimed at increasing contractor involvement in marketing the use of masonry materials by construction customers.

During discussions, we heard reports on how the industry spends millions of dollars to market various masonry materials, but as an industry we have lost market share. We also heard reports on how construction as a whole has grown, while masonry's share of the construction pie has remained stagnant.

The MCAA Board is very concerned with these trends; therefore, the Board has approved the establishment of a national fund dedicated to expanding the use of masonry and educating designers on the benefits of implementing masonry systems in their designs.

Mason contractors have a unique role in the industry; we are in contact with construction customers almost on a daily basis and have an unbiased opinion regarding masonry materials. Mason contractors are also the ultimate responsible party, whose name is signed at the bottom of a masonry construction contract. For that reason, we need to be more involved in selling masonry.

The Board's first step is to ask MCAA members to help establish this new marketing fund through a dues assessment. Once contractors step up to establish this new fund, we will then reach out to our friends in the supply side of the industry who also have a vested interest in our success in selling more masonry.

For too long, we have watched as our markets have been eroded by tilt-up and precast systems. We watched as competitive systems positioned their products against masonry and made false statements against masonry. The time has come to take the initiative and fight back. We know our building systems and materials are better. It's time to take back those masonry markets that are rightfully ours.

That brings me to a second initiative that the MCAA Board approved. For years, our industry has watched less qualified mason contractors bid low on projects and then deliver a poor final product. When this happens, we all get a bad name and our customers vow to never use masonry again. Our Board believes that the solution is to offer a National Mason Contractor Certification Program to help raise masonry construction quality, while also helping quality mason contractors win more jobs.

Our Association has already met with customer groups to seek their involvement in the development and implementation of a National Mason Contractor Certification Program. Construction customers are interested in guaranteeing the delivery of a quality masonry project and ensuring that a quality contractor is selected to do the work. And they are interested in helping MCAA shape this new initiative. We believe that our industry's customers will begin to specify the use of Certified Mason Contractors and MCAA will be there to deliver.

In the February issue of Masonry, we will provide more information on our new National Mason Contractor Certification Program, with an official launch of the program at the MCAA annual convention in Orlando later that month.

I think you will agree that it's time that we get serious about raising the standard of our profession and working to expand our masonry markets. And it's the vehicle through which our mason contractors will ensure the future vitality of our profession and industry.

Chairman’s Message Archive

The American Dream

August 2019
The American Dream

Doing Our Part

May 2019
Doing Our Part

Preparing for D.C.

April 2019
Preparing for D.C.

Recent Updates

September 2018
Recent Updates

Masonry’s Future

August 2018
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Worthwhile Work

June 2018
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A New Beginning

February 2018
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Givers Gain

January 2018
Givers Gain

Things to Remember

March 2017
Things to Remember

Looking Forward

February 2017
Looking Forward

A Fresh Start

January 2017
A Fresh Start

Who Moved My Cheese?

September 2016
Who Moved My Cheese?

Giving back

December 2015
Giving back

An exciting year ahead

February 2015
An exciting year ahead

Defining success

December 2014
Defining success

Staying busy for you

August 2014
Staying busy for you

Ready for action

February 2014
Ready for action

Thanks

January 2014
Thanks

Happy holidays

December 2013
Happy holidays

MCAA Midyear update

November 2013
MCAA Midyear update

The MCAA in D.C.

August 2013
The MCAA in D.C.

A Lot Happening

July 2013
A Lot Happening

Eye opening

June 2013
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Positive movement

March 2013
Positive movement

Headed to Vegas

February 2013
Headed to Vegas

New beginning

January 2013
New beginning

It’s finally over

December 2012
It’s finally over

My trip to the Rockies

November 2012
My trip to the Rockies

The 2012 election

October 2012
The 2012 election

Stay involved

September 2012
Stay involved

Networking

August 2012
Networking

Summer time

July 2012
Summer time

Exciting time

June 2012
Exciting time

Working for you

May 2012
Working for you

New beginnings

March 2012
New beginnings

Farewell!

February 2012
Farewell!

One more to go!

January 2012
One more to go!

Join us in Vegas

November 2011
Join us in Vegas

As the world turns

August 2011
As the world turns

A Bright Future

May 2011
A Bright Future

Tidbits From MCAA

March 2011
Tidbits From MCAA

Time Flies By

February 2011
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The End of the Year

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The End of the Year

Busy Times!

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South of 40

October 2010
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What Are We Doing?

August 2010
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Moving Forward

March 2010
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A Fond Farewell

February 2010
A Fond Farewell

A New Year

January 2010
A New Year

Start the Year Strong

December 2009
Start the Year Strong

MCAA in D.C.

September 2009
MCAA in D.C.

Brick Voids

August 2009
Brick Voids

Vision 2020

February 2009
Vision 2020

State of the Association

February 2009
State of the Association

The Silver Lining

January 2009
The Silver Lining

Impact on the Hill

June 2008
Impact on the Hill

New Horizons

February 2008
New Horizons

Wrapping up Another Year

December 2007
Wrapping up Another Year

Greetings From Italy!

November 2007
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We Need Your Help!

January 2005
We Need Your Help!

The Strength of Unity

November 2003
The Strength of Unity

Changing of the Guard

February 2002
Changing of the Guard

“The MCAA is critical to forwarding our cause.”

Danks Burton
Pinnacle Masonry, Inc.
MCAA member since 1997

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