July 2012 Table of Contents

Words: Dan KamysTable of Contents

FEATURES

Mortars, Mixtures and Staining There is a science to staining, as explained by Russell Gray, president of Nawkaw.

Workforce Development The meaning of workforce development, and what it takes to keep our trade strong

New Technologies Solutions Through Software: Cost-cutting and overhead control via process automating processes is explained.

New Technologies Mortar Net is committed to the use of technology for conveying instructional information to customers.

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COLUMNS & DEPARTMENTS From the Editor President’s Message Government Affairs New Products Business Building Full Contact PM Classified Advertising News New Members MCAA Upcoming Education

Color Trends Shaping Today’s Masonry Projects
July 2026

Homeowners today are coming into projects with a lot more opinions than they used to have. Between social media, home shows and contractor sites, most customers already have a look in mind before you even quote the job. For masonry contractors, having a

The New Equation for Masonry Profit: Predictable Hardware and Proven Data
July 2026

The masonry industry is built on tradition, but modern growth requires a shift from guesswork to absolute certainty. When we talk about the philosophy that you cannot improve what you do not measure, we are looking at the literal minutes and manpower lost

Owen Heimbach
July 2026

This month, the MCAA had the pleasure of speaking with SkillsUSA First Place Winner Owen Heimbach, a young mason just starting out whose enthusiasm for bricklaying is truly contagious. His passion for the craft was evident throughout our interview.

Backfill Your Foundation
July 2026

I’ve been noticing an uptick in a very specific kind of application lately, and once you see the pattern, you can’t unsee it. The résumé usually reads like a family photo album. “Started helping my dad when I was 15.” “Worked summers, then full time.” “R