Bricklaying might not change simply because you cross a state line. It does change when you travel 24 hours to the other side of the world and lay bricks under lights, cameras, and a stopwatch. The fundamentals of the trade are universal. Brick, mortar,

The Masonry Foundation is dedicated to advancing the masonry industry and is accepting grant applications for 2026. Proposals should have national reach and aim to generate substantial progress within the masonry industry. To explore examples of past gra

Many compound words are self-explanatory "descriptive names." Sunglasses are glasses that block the sun. A fireplace is a place to build a fire. A cavity wall is exactly that: a wall assembly that contains a cavity. Previously, this concept was used prim

Before I was fortunate enough to lead Malta Dynamics, I spent a couple of years as a traveling salesman for the company. My territory covered the entire country (and some beyond), and in a typical year, I visited more than 100 jobsites across nearly every

As a business owner and leader, taking the mental health of your employees seriously and understanding how it can impact their work is essential. In fact, one in five adults experiences a mental health condition annually. Addressing mental health is more

For more than four decades, all the basics of building with brick have come in a guide small enough to fit into a pocket. Acme Brick has just released a 2026 version of its Pocket Guide to Brick Construction. And yes, it’s still printed on paper just like

Not every day in this business goes the way we planned. Some days, everything lines up. The crew is moving well. Materials are on time. The job is flowing the way you hoped it would. And then there are the other days. The ones where something breaks. T

Ask any seasoned leader what sets thriving companies apart, and you'll hear one answer echoed time and again: culture. Culture is the lifeblood of any company, a living, breathing force that shapes attitudes, drives performance, and guides every interacti

We work hard to make them proud to be with us. We buy the anniversary ring. The earrings. The necklace. Maybe even the oversized purse that somehow holds snacks for the kids and still has room for that gigantic Stanley cup. We don’t bu

Perfection has a sneaky way of dressing up like professionalism. It sounds responsible. It feels mature. It gives you a clean excuse to wait. “We’re not ready yet.” “It’s not dialed.” “We need to work out the bugs.” And before you know it, six months have

Have you ever had the day from hell? One of my construction company coaching clients recently told me a long and winding tale of employee theft and deception, too horrible to believe. He had recently hired a new controller, and as he began to take over th

Every leader eventually reaches a point where they’re wrestling with a big decision. It follows you everywhere, on the job, at home, even when you are trying to step away. The issue usually isn’t a lack of information or resources. More often, it’s hesita

After more than 40 years in this trade, I’ve seen masonry education evolve in ways I never could have imagined when I first picked up a trowel. One thing has remained steadfast: this craft is built on people. Today, in my role with the Mason Contractors A

When I was working for a large masonry contractor, we typically performed masonry work with our own employees. When we would construct large Segmental Retaining Walls, often we would require a subcontractor who had larger equipment for different portions

For masonry contractors and suppliers, few structures offer as much practical insight as Borobudur. Built in the 9th century in Central Java, this massive stone monument remains as one of the most advanced examples of large-scale masonry construction ever

In the masonry industry, equipment is rarely developed in isolation. The most effective tools are shaped by real jobsite challenges and refined through contractor feedback. At EZG Manufacturing, research and development is a hands-on, iterative process th