Masonry Magazine February 2002 Page. 20
CONTRACTOR TO CONTRACTOR
A Member's Perspective
Contractor to Contractor is submitted to bring contractors closer together. By sharing thoughts and ideas, mason contractors will find that we all have common bonds and can benefit by sharing with each other. Contractors featured in this column are all members of the MCAA and vary in size, type of masonry performed, and operations style. The purpose of the column is to bring out the common problems, concerns, and positive experiences in the industry. If you would like more information about having your company featured, please contact Jeff Buczkiewicz at 1-800-536-2225.
Your firm has a long history in the masonry industry, tell us how your firm got started.
The masonry business has been quite profitable for our family in our little part of the world. My great grandfather and his brother came here as stone masons in the early 1880's. Some of their structures are still around. In fact, a bridge they built in 1885 was scheduled for demolition last year but the neighborhood persuaded the DDH to relocate the replacement bridge and keep the old stone arch bridge as a pedestrian bridge.
In the later 1880's, he began the manufacturing of brick in what was to become one of the larger plants in the area. Since we had both an abundance of natural gas and a good supply of clay, he did quite well by upping his production to over 50,000 brick a day. I recall being in the old beehive kilns and watching the raw bricks being stacked and then watching the finished bricks being removed after they had partially cooled.
The natural gas supply came to a halt in the early 40's and the plant was closed.
My grandfather, E. L. Harris, Sr., came to the valley in 1907 as a mason contractor and met my grandmother who at the time was working in her father's brickplant. Since that time, many structures in Charleston have provided a livelihood for our family.
My father, Evan L. Harris, Jr., joined his father in 1934 to form the company as it exists today-E. L. Harris & Son, Inc., with the incorporation coming in 1954.
The industry today is a whole lot different than when I began my apprenticeship in 1952. Even though I am a registered engineer in addition to being a year away from receiving my Gold Card in BAC, I still hold masonry dearly in my heart.
What do you feel is the biggest misconception about the masonry industry?
I think the biggest misconception about masonry is that the cost is, in most cases, prohibitive when compared to other building envelopes and structural systems. Many buyers today are looking for initial cost and do not investigate the long-term benefits of a masonry structure. I have only to look at the Inca Ruins of Mochu Picchu, the Roman Coliseum, and the Pyramids of Egypt to satisfy my opinion that masonry is the most durable building product available.
What would you do to change that misconception?
In my conversations with architects, I cite the many advantages of masonry and try to promote the inclusion in any new projects. Any owner I can corner will always hear me extol the benefits of masonry construction. As a bricklayer and engineer, I usually get a good reception.
What are the three biggest concerns that affect your firm's short-term success?
I think the biggest short-term concern for our industry is manpower. As we promote masonry, we, at the same time, are experiencing a shortage of craftsmen. There is no class in the local vocational school, and the union is opposed to taking in apprentices for fear of losing work for the journeymen. They are providing continuing education for their members, but the open shop masons are basically without guidance. Our industry needs to be more proactive in the training and teaching of skills to those just entering the trade.
Our architects are coming back to masonry as their choice of material after having succumbed to other trade industry promotions that have had them sidetracked over the past two decades. I think that while this is still a concern, it is now going our way.
A shortage of materials has caused some concern, as there are so many different products on the market, suppliers cannot inventory them all. After working to get masonry specified, we
COMPANY: E.L. Harris & Son, Inc.
PRESIDENT: Richard E. Harris, PE
FOUNDED: 1934
Littlepage B
Charleston
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