Masonry Magazine April 2006 Page. 23
Masonry: What are some of the biggest mistakes you see design professionals making when it comes to masonry?
Jensen: I think one of the biggest mistakes is over-reinforcing masonry, making it much more costly and difficult than it needs to be. The bottom line is that I think design professionals need to have much more education than I'm seeing in the results of their work.
Masonry: Which group do you feel has a bigger impact on masonry's future: architects, engineers or general contractors?
Jensen: I believe it's certainly architects. They're the ones that we need to convince that masonry is a better, more economical, longer-lasting choice. They hold the key to our future of success. Architects that have chosen structures such as tilt-up are really the reason for the decline in our market.
Masonry: Is it the architects' fault?
Jensen: I wouldn't necessarily say so. There's been a lot more money spent on marketing tilt-up construction than there ever has been marketing masonry construction. I go back to the suppliers of masonry materials for that; they have not stepped up to the plate. You have to market to these architects or you're going to lose market share.
Masonry: What are your three biggest concerns in keeping your company successful?
Jensen: The first concern is to maintain a high degree of skilled workmen. Number two is to continue to be able to market our company's value because of the more complete scope that we bring to our projects than our competitors. And finally, we need to stay on the cutting edge by continuing to be innovative and proactive with our means and methods of construction.
Masonry: What do you like most about being a member of MCAA?
Jensen: The biggest benefit is the promotion of masonry in general. I can't say enough about its value. It provides returns on a noticeable daily basis. But overall, the promotion of masonry has provided a very good life for me and my family, and for a lot of my very close friends and co-workers as well.