Masonry Magazine June 1979 Page. 19
Mason Contractor News
Masonry Trades Combine
for $3.8 Billion in Work
The nation's masonry, stone setting, and other stonework special trade contractors had business receipts of $3.8 billion during 1977, according to a 1977 Census of Construction Industries Preliminary Report issued by the Bureau of Census, U.S. Department of Commerce.
Of this amount, $3.7 billion represented receipts for construction work, an increase of 22% compared with 1972 and an increase of 93% compared with 1967.
Total average employment in 1977 in this industry showed a decrease of 8% from 1972, but an increase of 5% from 1967 to a total of 152.1 thousand employees, according to the report. Payroll for 1977 totaled $1.5 billion.
People &
Events
Gregg Borchelt, P.E., executive director, Masonry Institute of Houston/Galveston, has been elected vice president of the Construction Industry Council, Houston, Texas... Reynold Nebel, formerly vice president of the Insulation Division of Guardian Industries, has been appointed president, CEO, and a member of the board of Marion Brick Corp., Marion, Ohio Heartiest congratulations to the Masonry Institute of Michigan, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Jean McArthur Davis of Miami. Fla.. has been elected to the board of General Portland, Inc., Dallas, Texas Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., Toledo, Ohio, has appointed Charles R. Witherspoon as special projects manager, systems building organization, building materials field sales.
MCAA Holds Masonry Estimating Seminar
The Mason Contractors Association of America, in cooperation with the Mason Contractors Association of Greater Chicago and DuPage County, will sponsor a seminar on "Masonry Estimating For a Profit" at the Sheraton-Oak Brook Motor Hotel. Oak Brook. III., July 20-21.
This will be the 17th seminar on estimating in a new series of courses, being conducted in various regions of the nation and Canada by the MCAA Management Institute.
The instructor for the courses is Jerry G. Pope of Greeley, Colo. Pope is vice president and manager of special projects for Hensel Phelps Construction Co. of Greeley, one of the nation's largest construction firms. Pope has been responsible for the estimating and bidding of more than $2 billion worth of construction over the past 19 years.
Pope also is serving as president of the Colorado Mason Contractors Association, marking the first time the Colorado group has been represented by a top elected official affiliated with a general contractor.
The seminar topics will revolve around Pope's widely acclaimed manual, Masonry Estimating for a Profit, now in its second edition (revised, 1979). Pope received his education in architectural engineering at the University of Illinois.
MCAA's estimating seminars are open to all management and other key personnel of mason contracting and construction firms. The registration fee is $90 per person for MCAA members and $125 per person for non-members. The fee includes attendance, luncheon, coffee breaks, necessary supplies and reference materials, including a copy of the Masonry Estimating For a Profit manual selling for $85.
Registration forms and additional details may be secured from the MCAA Executive Office, 17W601-14th St., Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181, (312) 620-6767.
Pittsburgh Corning
To End Production
Of Glass Block
Pittsburgh Corning Corporation will discontinue production of Glass Block at the end of this year, according to John L.. Baldwin, president. The company has manufactured the product since its formation by PPG Industries and Corning Glass Works in 1937.
In announcing the decision at a press conference and meeting of civic leaders in Port Allegany, Pa., location of the glass block manufacturing facility, Baldwin noted, "The fact is, the glass block portion of our business has not been profitable for the past five years. We have operated the plant on the average of less than 50 percent capacity.
"For the future, we will concentrate on our insulation business," Baldwin said. "It is a growth market and FOAMGLAS insulation provides a quality product to meet both industrial and commercial insulation requirements."
Baldwin emphasized that the manufacturing of glass block will continue until December 31 of this year and that Pittsburgh Corning is negotiating with several firms who indicate an interest in acquiring the glass block product line.
Earnings Growth Seen
For Building Industry
Although the building industry probably will report just a modest 6 percent earnings gain in 1979, it should enjoy a profit surge in the next three to five years, according to Value Line, a leading investment advisory service.
It credits the increasing demand for single-family homes and the attractiveness of real estate as an investment for the bright outlook.