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 2018

The Opportunities are Endless

Chairman’s Message

By

As I write this, the leaves are falling, and cooler weather has finally come to Texas and I’m starting to see production pick up with the break from the heat. These are the days that I love to be out on a job.

Speaking of laying more, I had the pleasure of attending the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® in Dallas. The speed and skill of those masons never ceases to amaze me. Every time I go, I wish the same thing, as I’m sure a lot of other contractors do... that we could somehow clone those masons to put on all of our projects. The great thing is... I’m seeing and hearing a lot of development happening around the nation related to workforce development for the masonry industry.

We are training more and more masons and skilled tenders every month. Events like the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500®, SPEC MIX Toughest Tender, the MCAA’s Fastest Trowel on the Block, and the MCAA’s Masonry Skills Challenge at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas, help to encourage pride and the tradition of competitiveness that we know and love about masonry. Bringing in new technologies such as those that can be seen in the Innovation Zone at MASONRY MADNESS helps bring young people into our industry.

While we are building our workforce up to where we need it, we also must continue to push for more wall share. Recently, NCMA, along with the masonry industry got a big win in October, as the concrete block checkoff program was signed into law.

You may wonder: What does this really mean? This means that concrete block manufacturers now have the opportunity to create a commodity check-off program that would support industry research, education, and promotion, which will result in better and more cost-effective buildings, and better and more cost-effective buildings will result in more jobs.

Now, you may have noticed above that I italicized “opportunity.” Why? Because the passed legislation creates legal authority for the program. However, the producers in the concrete block industry, through a referendum, must approve the program. Concrete block manufacturers and mason contractors - both big and small, all over the country, will benefit from this program. This funding is necessary to implement, develop, and manage programs desperately needed to reclaim and grow market share in today’s competitive environment.

Almost daily, it seems, we see damaged structures left behind due to fire, tornados, and hurricanes. It is in everyones best interest that we continue to push the check-off program through so our communities can have safe and strong structures for many years to come. You can learn more about the check-off program at www.cmucheckoff.com.

Here’s how you can help this check-off program become a reality.

  • Mason Contractors, please let your block suppliers know you are in favor of regaining our wall share through the programs that this check-off program will provide. I challenge you to reach out to your block manufacturers.
  • Concrete Masonry Manufacturers, please vote to approve the check-off program, knowing you have the support of the MCAA. I challenge you to gain commitment from other producers to vote yes on the check-off program.
  • Local and Regional Masonry Associations, please encourage your members to support this check-off process. Please understand that you will play a critical role in recommending necessary programs and that you can apply to manage specific check-off funds. I challenge you to make this a point in your meetings, events, and newsletters to get the word out to manufacturers and contractors alike.

As you can see, I’ve left you with some homework before the next issue of MASONRY. Your other homework assignment is to sign up for the World of Masonry/World of Concrete. I look forward to shaking your hand and seeing us collectively cheer on all the masons and tenders at MASONRY MADNESS 2019!

Until next month...

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
Masonry’s Future

Worthwhile Work

June 2018
Worthwhile Work

A New Beginning

February 2018
A New Beginning

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
Eye opening

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
Time Flies By

The End of the Year

December 2010
The End of the Year

Busy Times!

November 2010
Busy Times!

South of 40

October 2010
South of 40

What Are We Doing?

August 2010
What Are We Doing?

Moving Forward

March 2010
Moving Forward

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
Greetings From Italy!

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 valuable in every aspect of the masonry industry today.”

John Ambach
Ambach Masonry Construction, Inc.
MCAA member since 1999

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