Masonry Magazine October 1993 Page. 41
NEWS BRIEFS
BRICK MAGAZINE DEBUTS
The National Association of Brick Distributors has released the premier issue of Brick Magazine. The magazine, which comes out three times a year, replaces the NABD newspaper, Brick News. In addition to retaining many of the same departments, the magazine has expanded their editorial content to appeal to architects, builders and contractors. Ava Seaney is the editor of the new magazine.
MAY CONSTRUCTION DOWN
May's rate of construction contracting declined 5%, reported the F.W. Dodge Division of McGraw-Hill. The latest month's data lowered the seasonally adjusted Dodge Index to 91 (1987 100) from April's revised 96, as once again the construction industry was unable to show any significant response to this year's low mortgage rates. The industry's two largest sectors, nonresidential and residential building, wakened in May; meanwhile, the nonbuilding sector (public works and utilities) managed to show slight improvement. "The construction industry seems to be stuck in a holding pattern for now," said Dodge's vice president of economic affairs, Robert A. Murray. "Whereas a few months ago the loss of momentum could be ascribed to harsh winter, the industry's sluggishness is now becoming more deeply entrenched. This raises a question about the strength of this recovery. It's becoming increasingly doubtful that total construction in 1993, even with a second half pickup, will be able to match last year's 8% gain."
MODEST SALARY INCREASES
Contractors are anticipating an average salary increase of only 3.9 percent for their operational personnel in 1993, down from the 1992 actual increase of 4.4 percent. The 1993 fore-
FAX POLL
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• What is the percentage breakout between
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MASONRY-SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER, 1993 41