Masonry Magazine December 2017 Page. 94
he climate of American
business is ever changing.
The construction sector,
whether residential or commercial, is no exception. Whether it's a builder, a developer, a dealer, or a homeowner, the selection of exterior cladding should be based upon appropriate product knowledge and hiring competent installation contractors with tomorrow's skills. Doing so will positively impact overall industry economic growth.
When it comes to the masonry in�dustry, "There are a lot of lost skills," stated Bryan Lloyd, Lead Mason Instructor at Arriscraft. "Stonework has evolved into somewhat of a lost art. Modern bricklayers aren't trained in some of the older methods... pro�cedures that still work and exemplify why we still have buildings standing, which are many centuries old.
"It's also important to introduce new techniques to older, highly experienced tradespeople, too," continued Bryan. "Especially when it comes to thin stone and bricks. For example, thin material right now is doubling its market share, getting bigger and bigger. As a result, installation processes for this type of mate�rial are constantly refining and improv�ing. Professionals in the field should be teaching old dogs new tricks. And conversely, they should teach new dogs old tricks, as well!"
The big questions:
�
Are industry professionals up-to�date on the myriad of benefits offered by the latest and greatest manufactured stone and materi�als?
�
Are they just as knowledgeable about how to install and maintain these products?
�
Are architects and designers be�ing taught nearly as much about product performance as they are about their aesthetics?
Clearly, education is key within the exterior cladding arena. It's no question that the more one learns, ultimately the more he or she earns.
WORDS & PHOTOS: ARRISCRAFT
The next questions:
�
Whose responsibility is it to conduct cogent training sessions to ensure that, for example, what the buyer has purchased, once installed, will perform correctly?
�
Who has to make sure their contractors are using tomorrow's installation techniques and not yesterday's?
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Who has the very big responsibil�ity to do whatever it takes in let�ting anyone and everyone know the score about newer products they're bringing to market?
Arriscraft, a company that specializes in the production of manmade stone cladding materials, doesn't just want to dabble in offering educational programs. "We want to take a lead�ership role relative to education," declared Bryan Lloyd.
"There are new developments and new products launching all the time," he stated. The average mason is in their SOs. He/she doesn't want to go back to school to learn new techniques, so companies such as ours must bring these to them. A professional sales force has its knowledge and training capabilities to use as marketing tools. Personnel
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