Masonry Magazine November 2003 Page. 18
Product Showcase
Concrete & Masonry Handsaw
InstaCrete®
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This handsaw will cut a brick in no time! It's special carbide teeth makes it second to none when cutting in bricks and concrete blocks. It works fast for a l-o-o-o-ong time. It's special teeth are strong and self-sharpening. It will cut in a wider range of bricks and blocks than any other masonry handsave. The hardwood handle is designed to improve control, user comfort and ergonomic work experience.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Danish Tool Shop
www.danishtoolshop.com
info@danishtoolshop.com
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Repair, rebuild, restore, anchor, attach, seal and patch with InstaCrete epoxy putty stick. InstaCrete is a high strength polymer compound that, when mixed together, bonds to most clean surfaces. It cures in minutes for fast and easy repairs to concrete and masonry. It's ideal for patching, anchoring, re-pointing small areas and re-building or re-attaching missing items. Within minutes, it can be painted, drilled or filed. Polymeric Systems, Inc. the epoxy putty stick originators.
Polymeric Systems, Inc.
723 Wheatland Street
Phoenxiville, PA 19460
Phone: 610-935-1180
Fax: 610-935-7123
info@polymericsystems.com
www.polymericsystems.com
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Keeping Your People Healthy
MASONRY NEWS CONTRACTOR TIP
I envy contractors that get to work people year-round in warmer climates. For those of us who work in the colder climates, the masonry business becomes even tougher during the winter. In actuality, we must make enough in eight months to carry us through the remaining four. If we don't figure out ways of increasing productivity to earn this extra money, we would probably go out of business. That's why it's important to keep your people healthy.
By the time you read this article it will be winter, and us Northern contractors we'll be waiting for the spring to start making money again. Think about last winter's work, how many days did you have where you thought, "Finally we have a break in the weather so we can get some work done today"? Then, the first thing in the morning several employees call off because they have the flu. Now, you're missing your best forklift operator and the day you waited for still doesn't constitute any profitability.
At Lang Masonry, we had a terrible attendance problem in past winters. Some days three or four men on the same crew would not show up due to sickness. It seemed as though if one got the flu, the rest would catch it sooner or later. So, what do you do about that? Eight years ago we decided to offer our employees flu shots at no cost to them. We even bring the doctor to our headquarters so it is convenient for our people to get them. We schedule this to be done at our monthly all employee safety, quality, and production meeting. This year we had about 60 employees who chose to take the shots. The doctor gave all the shots in about 40 minutes. This has dropped our absenteeism by over 70 percent on the average winter's day. I'm sure you know what a difference it makes when people are there and healthy when you need them.
The best time to give flu shots is the beginning of November. (Once you start this, make sure you put it on your calendar to call your local doctor next August and reserve enough flu vaccine for the size of your company). If your company is large enough, have the doctor come right to your place of business and give the shots. They are about $12 each and well worth it. You will be surprised at how many employees will take them and the difference it will make in your absentee rate next winter. After all, you need healthy crews to have a healthy profit!
And for you contractors who work in the warmer climates. This summer when it's 100 degrees in your area it will be 80 degrees in ours. That's when us Northern contractors will catch back up financially...so I guess I shouldn't complain after all. This business is at the mercy of the weather and just tough for all of us.
Provided by Damian Lang, President of Lang Masonry Contractors, Inc. and EZ Great Corp.
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