Masonry Magazine August 1965 Page. 24
Job Quality Control
(continued from page 21)
The contractor is interested in the load bearing wall structure since it certainly increases his part of the construction.
The masonry contractors are ready to step in and do their part in the construction of the wall bearing building.
We have made great strides in masonry construction in the last ten years. The cost of masonry work has increased very little, and in some cases, is less than it was ten years ago. We are paying two to three times the rate for labor and almost twice what we paid for materials ten years ago.
We have been able to hold the price line in masonry because of the mechanization of the industry. Where we used to handle our materials by hand, we now package it and handle it by machine.
Also, contrary to what you may have heard, the production of the individual bricklayer is higher now than it has ever been in history. This increase in productivity is brought about by two things. One is the improved working conditions and methods on the jobs. The other is that the bricklayer realizes that he must produce to survive.
The bricklayer is proud of his trade, which is one of the oldest in the world. He knows that if the price of masonry gets too high, the architect will specify other materials and other trades will take his place.
Our company, as well as the masonry industry in general, is working continually on quality control on our jobs. The Union stresses this in their apprentice schools. We contractors have formal foremen training programs in effect to continually upgrade our foremen.
The job foreman is the man we look to for quality control on his job. He knows he cannot sell the job if the quality is not acceptable.
The wall bearing building will call for closer cooperation between the masonry contractor and the architect. He must show the architect that he merits his trust.
If this type of building becomes popular, a great many more bricklayers will be needed to build them. This is a challenge to the Union and to the masonry industry to accelerate the apprentice program to fill the need for more and better trained bricklayers.
In conclusion, I would like to give a word of assurance to the architects and engineers. We, in the masonry contracting industry, are ready and waiting for ample and well qualified craftsmen, modern material handling equipment, and the know-how to complete your building in record time and of record quality.
Show Slight Gain in Net Profit
Distributors of construction equipment showed a slight gain in net profit before taxes in 1964, according to a recently-completed "Cost-of-Doing Business" survey by Associated Equipment Distributors. Results of the study show the median profit figure for all distributors last year was 2.51%. This compares with 1.89% in 1963, 1.09% in 1962, and 91% in 1961.
Other results of the study, compiled from information provided by AED distributor members and just published, show an increase in dealers' return on net worth from 6.34% in 1963 and 9.51% last year. Distributor sales volume also jumped the average volume for all dealers in 1964 was $2,225,601, compared with $2,013,395 the previous year.
belt speed 400 ft. per minute... places materials up to 37 ft.... hydraulic raising mechanism... materials unload directly from truck
CONTRACTORS CONVEYOR
AEROIL PRODUCTS COMPANY
69 Wesley St., South Hackensack N.J.