January 2009: President's Message

The Silver Lining

Tom Daniel President, Mason Contractors Association of America

One of the privileges I have as the president of the MCAA is the opportunity to wish the entire masonry industry a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The holiday season is a time to reflect and be with your family and friends. The topic of many conversations will be about the uncertainty of today's economy. The upcoming year will be challenging. The success and prosperity we've experienced seems a thing of the past.

I do think there is a silver lining waiting for us in 2009 and 2010. Clearly, the way our economy will recover is through proposed massive infrastructure investments. This is excellent news for construction in general and should prove to be a stimulus for our industry as well. We are quite confident that, as we recover, masonry will see a return of its marketshare, along with improved margins for the work that exists. As an industry, we need to be prepared to take advantage of the future recovery. As business owners, the lull that we are experiencing is a great opportunity to improve the quality and ability of our companies to be better contractors when the work returns.

One of these opportunities is to take advantage of the educational programs available for your company at the upcoming World of Masonry Annual Convention, Feb. 2-6, in Las Vegas. The MCAA is offering four excellent programs, which include Foremen Development, an excellent Masonry Estimating course, a Masonry Quality Institute Program, and a four-hour program on Codes and Standards. All of these will position your company to take advantage of economic recovery. In addition, the MCAA has numerous opportunities to network and share ideas on how to improve your company with fellow contractors in a non-competitive atmosphere, including the Opening Session Lunch, The Contractor Appreciation Party, and the Closing Banquet.

You may also want to consider starting the process of becoming a National Certified Mason Contractor. We are confident that in the near future, this will give your company a competitive edge in the bidding process. Whatever your ideas may be concerning improving and making your company more competitive, you will find excellent resources available from your National Association. Check out all the opportunities at masoncontractors.org.

I wish you and yours a Happy Holiday Season and a wonderful New Year!