Masonry Magazine April 1985 Page. 10
An attentive crowd observes the material handling demonstration staged in the Hilton parking area. Tony Luczynski (facing page, top). MCAA Material Handling Committee chairman, m.c.d this popular annual event and is shown holding a copy of MCAA's new booklet on material handling.
MCAA CONFERENCE
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A jam-packed affair staged in a special area of the Hilton parking lot. In balmy, 70-degree weather, six of the nation's leading manufacturers of rough terrain forklift equipment gave live demonstrations of their machines' versatility under job-site conditions. The special seating set up for spectators overflowed to a standing-room-only crowd that included a sizable number of ladies.
Participating companies in the demonstration included CareLift Equipment Limited, The Gradall Co., Mark Industries, Lull Engineering Co., Inc., Sellick Equipment Limited, and TCI Power Products, Inc.
Conference Opening Session
MCAA's 35th International Masonry Conference was officially called to order by MCAA president dent W. C. Dentinger. Jr. on Monday, March 11th. Following the presentation of colors by a Color Guard from Nellis Air Force Base and the Pledge of Allegiance, the Rev. Edward Heitgan of St. Viator's Church in Las Vegas delivered the invocation. President Dentinger then followed with the Report of the President (see elsewhere in this issue for the complete text of his address).
The next speaker, Ray Lackey, executive director of the International Masonry Institute, recounted the advances made by IMI since its founding in 1970 as well as those of the "new" IMI since its restructuring in 1981.
Two of those accomplishments include the introduction of the Masonry Engineering Syllabus, which has been presented to 110 of the 194 schools of engineering in North America, and the introduction of SOLPAS, the masonry industry's approach to passive solar design.
Lackey reported that the Masonry Research Foundation is presently conducting surveys on: 1) the bonding qualities of mortar: 2) corrosion of metal in masonry walls: 3) water permeance: 4) mobility of masonry craftsmen, and 5) masonry panel markets.
He said that apprenticeship and training programs are being expanded and the National/Regional Trowel Trades Training System is being implemented to keep instructor education abreast of changing technology.
One of IMI's most significant accomplishments, Lackey said, has been the creation of the Disputes Settlement Plan as a joint effort of labor and management to prevent work stoppages. This program has received much favorable publicity both here and abroad as an example of labor/management cooperation.
Following Lackey's presentation. Don Thoren, president of The Thoren Group. Tempe, Ariz., discussed leadership in a changing world. He stressed the acceptance of change as well as emphasizing the benefits of change in today's society.
A presentation on "Thin Wall Masonry Construction" by James E. Amrhein, executive director of the Masonry Institute of America, opened the Second Session of the Conference on Tuesday, March 12th.
Other speakers that morning included Bill Dorrigan. attorney, Stacker & Ravich, Minneapolis, Minn.; George L. Plumb, MCAA legal counsel, Pedersen & Houpt, Inc., Chicago, III., and Walter T. Derk. MCAA insurance consultant. James Group Service, Inc., Chicago.
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