MCAA Gateway: October 2019

Words: Todd Fredrick

Registration Open for 2020 MCAA Convention at World of Concrete 

Registration is now available for the 2020 MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas.  The MCAA Convention is the perfect opportunity for you and your company to learn and participate in many new and exciting happenings taking place at the MCAA and in our industry today, including a number of great education programs focused on helping your company maintain a competitive advantage.  Visit www.masoncontractors.org/convention to learn more and to register online. We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!   

Compete in the 2020 MCAA Fastest Trowel on the Block 

Wednesday, February 5, 2020 during MASONRY MADNESS® 

Do you think you’re fast? Sign up for the MCAA's Fastest Trowel on the Block competition during MASONRY MADNESS® at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas where you’ll have a chance to win your share of thousands in cash and prizes!  Select a tender that can keep up with you and join top masons from around the world for twenty minutes of all-out non-stop blocklaying action. Only those journeymen masons who have the skill, confidence and courage to face-off with the industry’s best are invited to compete. If you think your trowel is worthy, go to www.fastesttrowel.com and download an application or call 800-536-2225. Come join these select blocklayers building excitement with what they do best! 

2019 MCAA SAFETY ADVANTAGE AWARD WINNERS 

COMPANIES AWARDED FOR SAFETY AT MCAA MIDYEAR MEETING 

(Algonquin, Ill.) Sept. 17, 2019 – The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) presented the MCAA Safety Advantage Awards, sponsored by Federated Insurance, on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, during the MCAA Midyear Meeting in New Hampshire.  The MCAA Safety Advantage Awards are based on a mason contractor’s incident rate. Awards were presented to the top companies with greater than 100,000 hours worked by all employees, and the top companies with less than 100,000 hours worked by all employees.  The winners were:   GREATER THAN 100,000 HOURS  FIRST PLACE (3-Way Tie)  Gates Construction Company, Inc.  Mooresville, N.C.  John J. Smith Masonry Company   St. Louis  Schiffer Mason Contractors, Inc.  Holt, Mich.  LESS THAN 100,000 HOURS  FIRST PLACE (6-Way Tie)  Cantarella & Son, Inc.  Pittsfield, Mass.  Grant Contracting Co., Inc.   Fenton, Mo.  Minahan Construction, Inc.   Uwchland, Pa.  Pinnacle Masonry, Inc.  Cary, N.C.   Stonelake Masonry, Inc.   Elk Grove, Calif.  Troianiello Masonry, Inc.  Scranton, Pa.   The goal of the MCAA Safety Advantage Awards is to help draw attention to the need and benefits of performing safely. Visit www.masoncontractors.org/safety/awards for more information. 

2019 MCAA MAC PEC Golf Tournament Results 

Adams, Cantarella, Slattery and Smith win in putt-off 

The MCAA’s MAC PEC Golf Tournament was held Monday, September 9, 2019, at the Mount Washington Course during the MCAA Midyear Meeting in New Hampshire. The 18-hole Mount Washington Course was designed by legendary Scottish Architect Donald Ross and was completed in 1915. Its backdrop features New Hampshire's spectacular Presidential Mountain Range. This Par 72, 7,004-yard-course has hosted four New Hampshire Opens and the prestigious New England Open Championship in September 2010.  The top two teams ended in a tie, which resulted in a “putt-off” during the MCAA Midyear Meeting Closing Dinner.  The team closest to the hole was awarded as the tournament winner. The results are as follows: 

First Place Team (-9) 

Ron Adams, Paul Cantarella, Adam Slattery, Robert Smith 

Second Place Team (-9) 

Danks Burton, Shawn Nelson, Paul Oldham, Kaleb Shumway 

Most Honest Team (+1) 

Buddie Barnes, Gary Joyner, Freddy Koontz, Terry Ward 

Longest Drive 

Kent Bounds (Hole 6) Rachelle Lang/Steve Wheeler (Hole 17)  

Closest to the Pin 

Kent Bounds (Hole 5)  Thad Skinner (Hole 16) All proceeds support the MCAA’s MAC PEC. The next MCAA MAC PEC Golf Tournament will be held during the 2020 MCAA Midyear Meeting. Please visit www.masoncontractors.org/midyear for more information when available. 

Upcoming MCAA Webinars for October 2019

The MCAA Webinar Series features live and on-demand webinars on topics such as job site safety new construction technology increasing profits and more.  Visit www.masoncontractors.org/live to view a full schedule of upcoming programs and to register. ------------------- How to Prepare a Professional Masonry Submittal Package Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at 10:00 AM CDT -------------------- New Developments in Lightweight Concrete Masonry And How they Benefit the Mason Contractor Wednesday, October 9, 2019 at 10:00 AM CDT Presented by: Expanded Shale, Clay and Slate Institute (ESCSI) -------------------- Masonry Wall Bracing Seminar Tuesday, October 15, 2019 at 9:00 AM CDT Members: $225.00 Non-Members: $275.00 -------------------- Developing the Next Generation using Performance Discussions Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at 10:00 AM CDT -------------------- Designing a Sustainable Masonry Cavity Wall Building Envelope Friday, October 18, 2019 at 10:00 AM CDT Presented by: Mortar Net Solutions -------------------- Reinforcement Placement and Masonry Grouting Wednesday, October 23, 2019 at 10:00 AM CDT Members: $75.00 Non-Members: $75.00 -------------------- How to Develop and Implement an Effective Quality Control Program Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 10:00 AM CDT -------------------- OSHA Investigations Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at 10:00 AM CDT -------------------- Understanding Masonry Codes and Standards Friday, November 8, 2019 at 9:00 AM CDT Members: $225.00 Non-Members: $275.00 -------------------- How to Become an Equal Partner with the General Contractor Wednesday, November 20, 2019 at 10:00 AM CDT Presented by: J. Construction Company -------------------- Management Essentials for the First Time or Recently Promoted Wednesday, December 4, 2019 at 10:00 AM CDT -------------------- Silica Train-the-Trainer Course Tuesday, December 10, 2019 at 9:00 AM CDT Members: $350.00 Non-Members: $700.00 -------------------- Mastering Millennial Mindset and Beyond: How to Attract and Retain Emerging Leaders Wednesday, December 11, 2019 at 10:00 AM CDT -------------------- Seismic Requirements of the Building Code Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at 10:00 AM CDT   New MCAA Members for October 2019 A&K Rentals, LLC Marissa, IL 618-295-7030 Supplier Member Mas-Con Corporation Laconia, NH 603-528-4880 Contractor Member Pro Structural, Inc. Menifee, CA 951-303-3835 Contractor Member RVM Construction Inc. Lancaster, OH 740-681-1294 Contractor Member Texas Lath & Masonry, Inc. New Braun, TX 830-632-5512 Contractor Member Triangle Brick Company Durham, NC 919-226-5604 Supplier Member
Stone Veneer Mortar: More Than Meets The Eye

One of the greatest pleasures of being in the masonry industry is that we are the privileged few who never have to give up our Legos.

OSHA Releases Proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Rule

On July 2, OSHA released its “Proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Programs Rule” as a new, proposed standard to prevent heat illnesses and injury in indoor and outdoor settings.

Masonry In The Media - Bradbury Building, Palace of Fine Arts, The White House, and More

Completed in 1893 in downtown Los Angeles, the Bradbury Building showcases meticulous masonry work throughout its structure, blending various materials to create a stunning visual and tactile experience.

Marvelous Masonry - Soldier Field

Soldier Field, a Chicago landmark and one of the most iconic sports venues in the United States, demonstrates masonry's enduring strength and beauty. Opened in 1924, Soldier Field has undergone several renovations, but its original masonry work remains a