Masonry Magazine March 2002 Page. 12
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.
What do you feel is the biggest misconception about the masonry industry?
We are an industry that never changes. The fact of the matter is we are a very progressive industry. New materials are coming out daily which add to the beauty of masonry. New equipment is being incorporated into our business to help meet schedules and produce quality projects. Even the high tech world has made a giant impact on our industry. New bids, project managing and accounting are being done through state of the art computer systems. I suppose one of the causes of this misconception is that masonry is still one of the longest lasting structural materials that a project can be built out of. From the Pyramids in Egypt, to our sports complexes today, you see masonry being used to achieve design, cost and durability. Just note the difference in material, method of construction, and the management of the project from the Pyramids until today. I believe we will all agree we are a very progressive industry.
What would you do to change that conception?
We must educate our customers. Today our customers are more than general contractors. We must educate owners, architects and engineers alike about the daily changes in our industry. So often in the past we have depended upon our suppliers to take the lead in this matter. Today you and I as mason contractors must be the leaders. We are the ones that put all the systems together and therefore we must educate all of our customers on the components involved. We must show the owner he gets the most value for his dollar using masonry. We must show the architect and engineer that masonry is not a nightmare of details and there are wall systems for all uses. We must show the general contractor that masonry is schedule-friendly and that you and I can drive any project to its completion. I'm simply calling on all mason contractors to be leaders rather than followers!!!
Mackie Bounds
What are the three biggest concerns that affect your firm's short-term success?
No doubt number one is our nation's economy. We must have a strong and vibrant economy for any business to remain successful. I'm not saying it would cause a good strong business to close, but when I think of success, I think of controlled growth. For that type of growth to take place we need a healthy economy. Second, we must lower the average age of our craftsman. If we do not address this issue in a very earnest manner, then the future becomes very dim. The success of our business depends on "our people". If we are not careful, we will become a dead industry. Third and maybe the most important, is having and maintaining a safe workplace for our employees. To accomplish that, it takes a strong safety program, a committed safety director and a dedicated workforce. After the 9-11 disaster, insurance renewals will impact our cost substantially.
What is our industry's greatest challenge for the future?
We must incorporate more high-tech training in our workforce programs. As I have mentioned, it is already in our industry. Over the next five years, it will become an even greater factor. Right now when you mention computer to you field personnel, we hear a nervous laugh many times. If we don't face this challenge now and incorporate it in our training programs, then I'm afraid the laugh is going to be on you and I!