Welcome back to another insightful episode of the Masonry Strong podcast! Today, we have a very special guest, Zach Everett, sharing his journey and experiences in the world of safety within the masonry industry. From humble beginnings to becoming a vital

Crisis management is a process that employers use to respond to, and recover from, unplanned events. The best time to develop a crisis management plan is before a crisis occurs. A crisis management plan can help companies maintain business continuity, pro

With masonry being a piece count trade, the more units that are laid in the field that surpass the quantity figured in the estimate, the more profit that is made. Masonry crews in the field need a good foreman that is capable of organizing the crew, posit

Tom Vacala's story is as unique as it is inspiring. Born into a large family of 11 kids, Tom's initiation into the world of masonry was practically predestined. With a family deeply rooted in construction—his father a carpenter and his uncle a mason—Tom w

Learn about how Stephen made his way into politics and how he became the lobbyist for the MCAA. Speaking on what it was like to move from Chicago up to the highest level in Washington D.C. Steven’s journey to becoming a lobbyist was somewhat unexpected. O

If you read my columns regularly, you know I enjoy employing sports analogies. It is not just that I love sports, which I do—Go Bengals. The parallels between sports and business are very relatable and evident, whether I am watching or participating. Take

My first year in high school, I went out for the water polo team. Our coach for the “B” team was also the head baseball coach who never played water polo and couldn't swim. As the season progressed, we learned the basics and began to gel as a team. I like

I hope this article finds you finally cooled down from this hot summer. Everywhere I went felt hot and sticky, well, except for Bozeman, MT. When you are in Bozeman, everything is cool. I have been working as a laborer, sawman, brick washer, and bricklaye

We are almost to the finish line. No, I am not counting down the weeks until the end of the year, or season. I am alluding to one of the most hated cycles in the entire U.S.A.: the election cycle.

This month, MASONRY Magazine sat down with Parker Lenske, a young business owner who has a passion and knack for learning everything he can about the masonry industry. From being unsure of what to do with his life to starting his own company before he cou

Welcome to the second installment of our “Vibing Masonry” series on the benefits and functionality of masonry in modern construction, with a focus on its environmental and sustainability advantages. The Environmental Case for Masonry Masonry is a sustain

In today’s construction landscape, masonry companies are facing an increasingly pressing challenge: the shortage of skilled labor. This shortage is not just a minor inconvenience but a significant hurdle that threatens the industry's growth and sustainabi

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, MCAA Chairman, Dick Dentinger, explains how he got started in the industry and how important he views networking, as well as the association as a whole. Experiencing the MCAA Mid-Year Meetings Attending the

China is the world's largest construction market and the largest producer and user of various types of building blocks (AAC blocks, hollow concrete blocks, porous clay sintered blocks, etc.). According to industry association statist

Lay the Foundation for Success: Enter the 2024 Brick Awards Today! The Brick in Architecture Awards celebrates the world’s most innovative and sustainable architectural designs, all centered around the creative use of clay

Join us for an insightful Program Webinar on October 29th at 12 PM ET/11 AM CT, where you will hear directly from industry leaders Jeff Buczkiewicz and Ryan Shaver. They will discuss two pivotal programs shaping the future of the masonry industry: the Nat

The Mason Contractors Association of America is announcing an open invitation to all industry professionals interested in joining our diverse range of committees. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to fostering a collaborative environment w

Masonry contractors in the USA must adhere to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations to maintain a safe work environment. OSHA, the federal agency responsible for worker safety, sets stringent guidelines to protect workers from t

As Halloween approaches, there’s no better time to delve into the eerie tales that haunt our historic buildings. One such story surrounds the New York State Education Building in Albany, NY—a towering structure steeped in history and mystery. Constructed

No matter your professional or personal goals, there will always be perpetual pessimists who doubt you will be successful. And it is not always your competitors or perceived enemies. Sometimes it is your best friend, trusted mentor, or even a business ido

Have you ever been the low bidder on a construction project and didn’t get the job? It doesn’t seem fair. Why did it happen? What can you do to avoid this happening again in the future? Bidding more and more jobs against too many low-priced competitors wo

We have tons of gray areas in construction. Possibly only outnumbered by the fine lines we walk. Every day you can feel yourself stepping out on that tightrope where one false move could send you plummeting 50 stories back down to reality. There is one th

The passing of Simon Verity at Carmarthenshire, Wales, the man responsible for the 31 figures at the Portal of Paradise at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in the city of New York, causes us to reflect on the creativity and the passion for ston

In Colorado and across the country, destructive wildfires have evolved from a seasonal challenge to a year-round threat. We are taking a proactive and common sense approach to prepare for, prevent, and respond to wildfires. We know that it takes all of u

Masonry was introduced to the world through the imagination, determination, and pure strength of mankind. The first masons’ unique abilities harnessed the earth around them to create the structures that provided the security that allowed us to advance. Th

Masonry conveys protection, shielding occupants from external threats. Masonry also provides strength and resistance—separation from and resistance to fire, resistance against projectiles and ballistics, robust defense against vandalizing mobs and spontan

Have you ever paid the salary of one of your competitor’s employees? I am confident your answer is a resounding no. But you may be wrong. In fact, this may be happening every day. When these incidents occur, most of them are not intentionally malicious; b

So instead of just jumping right into dollars and cents, I am going to skip it entirely. This article isn’t about appreciation in value. It is about the appreciation you show to others. Do you appreciate your employees, clients, subcontractors, or your bo

Construction business owners often ask me: "How much profit should we expect to make? - 5%, 10%, 15% or more?" Most don’t know how much money they should make and don’t have a specific profit target to aim for. Some have heard 15% is a good target, but th

Over the past few years, Lunch-N-Learns have become an invaluable platform for bridging gaps between architects and the masonry industry. These workshops have allowed block manufacturers to share knowledge, discuss challenges, and collaborate on innovativ

In the construction industry, ensuring the safety of workers should be the highest of our priorities, and head protection is a critical component of that safety protocol. With various standards governing the quality and efficacy of safety helmets, underst

As masons approach the milestone of retirement, the transition can bring a mix of excitement, anticipation, and uncertainty. For those who have spent their lives working in the physically demanding and highly skilled masonry trade, the prospect of retirem

How Do You Treat Your Best Clients? Do you bend over backward to help them succeed? Do you work tirelessly to help them achieve their goals? Do you ignore their desires and do whatever you want no matter what they think? Ok, that last one was a test. Well

Take a moment to reflect on a time when you faced something that seemed impossible. Maybe it was a dream, a task, or an expectation. What if I told you that you were the only reason it was impossible? There is a little-known quote from Matt Hill that says

The best advice I could give anyone that is starting a career in masonry is that first and foremost, you must "know" yourself. What do you like to do? What would you like in a working environment? Do you like to be outside? Do you enjoy physical activity

If your pension fund doesn’t hold NVIDIA stock, your fund manager has some questions to answer. This week, NVIDIA became the most valuable company in the world, with a market cap exceeding $3.4 trillion. They have been at the forefront of AI mania that ha

In today's evolving landscape of skilled trades, where tradition meets innovation, Sam Berryman's journey into the masonry industry is not just a career choice but a testament to heritage, passion, and the profound rewards of hard work. Influenced by his

Like many government regulations, the intent may be clear and worthwhile, but the implementation causes more harm to law-abiding citizens and business owners than it does to actually block or punish the bad actors the regulation was meant to address.

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.

“Take This Job and Shove It.” Every job has highs and lows. But if you start talking – or singing – like Johnny Paycheck, then it is time for a rebound.

How many of us have landed in this scenario? We have a crew, maybe our only crew. They have been with us for a while, and we are comfortable letting them handle projects without much supervision. You decide that you are going for broke this year.

In today's construction industry, there is a significant talent shortage, with less than 3% unemployment for critical roles such as project managers, estimators, and field supervisors.

Who among us can claim that worry has resulted in a longer life? The same thing applies to business. Who among us can claim that worry has resulted in business growth? I’m confident the answer is no one.

The BIA Research Codes and Standards (RC&S) Committee recently focused on technical research intended to support or increase the use of clay brick. Multiple research projects are being pursued.

Fatalities caused by falls from heights continue to be the leading cause of death for employees, accounting for 844 of the 5,486 fatalities recorded in 2022. Those fatalities were preventable.

The Great Wall of China is an iconic testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. Winding its way through China's rugged terrain, it is one of history's most impressive architectural feats.

On the surface, masonry cleaning may sound to some like a simple field of work with little change or progress. In reality, when it comes to masonry cleaning, some things have changed, and some have stayed the same.

When asked to write an article on creating a marketing plan and budget for mason contractors, my first thought was that I didn’t know many mason contractors do a lot of marketing.

At the recent World of Concrete convention, contractors from all over the country had a great opportunity to see old friends and make new ones. To see the best of the best masons, and to see all kinds of labor-saving devices and technology

I am rehashing an article I wrote ten years ago because the issues have not gone away, and there is no relief on the horizon. “Is the rest of the country busy?” As I travel around and visit with contractors, this seems to be a prevailing question.

Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) Welcomes Alicia Hodges to Program Director Role

HERNDON, VA (February 13, 2024)—During last week’s Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association’s Annual Meeting in Denver, CO, Sam Hoehner, Regional VP of Greater Louisville for Lee Building Products was installed as the Association’s new Board Chair.

Greg Osterhout has believed in the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program since the beginning of NSI’s involvement with the program. Under his leadership, Northern Stone Supply eagerly stepped up to support the R.I.S.E.

Do you have what it takes? We have all been mentors at one time or another. When the opportunity comes along for you to teach the trade full-time, there's more to it than you think.