Masonry Magazine February 1972 Page. 11
NEW AUTOMATIC MORTAR SPREADER
A new masonry tool was introduced at the '72 MCAA Educational Trade Show held in Miami last month. The mason is now provided with the first improvement in his trade that substantially affects his ability to lay brick or block.
The man responsible for the development of the mortar Spreader is William H. Vetovitz, President of Vetovitz Masonry Systems, Brunswick, Ohio. Vetovitz is one of the leading Mason Contractors in his area and is known to be aggressive and innovative in his work.
(Top) Mortar is placed into the spreader hopper. This is the only mortar handling the mason has to do. (Right) When the hopper is full the mason pushes the button and pulls the spreader along the course. (Below) Vibration moves mortar out of the hopper through the adjustable gates on both sides of the masonry course.
Speaking before the Miami Convention, he warned the group, "Gentlemen, we are slowly losing our trade. Other trades are progressing by means of new and automated equipment, while we still lay brick and block with a trowel that hasn't changed in thousands of years. In the last ten years pre-cast, poured-in-place and tilt-up construction have eroded our volume of construction, and unless we are cost conscious and progressive our businesses will not be successful."
Vetovitz's firm deals mainly in high-rise, wall-bearing buildings. His success can be attributed in part to his ability to deal with architects and engineers. "Accurate cost figures are basic in our company," he explains.
Ever-rising labor and material costs led Vetovitz to develop the (Please turn page)