MCAA Key Accomplishments 2012-2013

By Jeff Buczkiewicz

 

Membership dues paid to the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is the largest source of funding that we have. Its importance cannot be understated…it's a vital part of the association that enables us to continue to fight for our industry on behalf of all mason contractors. Our involvement on all fronts (from regulatory reform to education and training) continues to ensure the survivability and viability of our industry for generations to come. Below is a list of some our recent successes supported by MCAA Membership dollars followed by a brief outlook for the year ahead.

BIM software development

Phase One of the BIM Software Development program is complete. Phase one has given the industry a roadmap forward to implement a fully operational BIM for Masonry program. Phase Two of the process is formally going to be kicked off June 1, 2013. Phase two will see contractor education and input is a major emphasis. Phase two will have contractor education initiatives rolled out and will take up to 18 months to complete. It is during this time that the vast majority of "what contractors need from BIM" will be developed, then the tools for contractors to access those wants will begin in the form of education. This is an exciting step forward in the process and will offer huge opportunities for contractors. The entire process is projected to be about a five-year process. When complete masonry will level the playing field with competing systems and will be at the very beginning of the development process in building design.

Single wythe wall study

The MCAA has partnered with the IMI and the Canadian mason contractors to engage the University of Louisville to conduct a study, which will help make it possible to design single wythe masonry walls in climate zones 3-6 in spite of the new IECC code. We expect to receive results of this study this summer June/July and expect to begin to promote those results soon thereafter. A large component of this study will deal with thermal mass and it's impact on R-values. The results of the study are showing that thermal walls with lower R-values perform better than walls without thermal mass at higher R-values. This research will be invaluable in fighting for changes to energy codes that impacted single wythe walls and getting better designs, that are more energy efficient with thermal mass walls and lower R-values.

Learning experiences for contractors

The MCAA introduced new "Networking Sessions" at our two face-to-face meetings. These new sessions replaced our old educational programs. At our mid-year meeting we broke into five breakout sessions by employment classification. Participants discussed some pre-developed questions about best practices within their company and then had an open forum on topics the participants wanted to learn more about. It was so popular it was carried over to our convention and these sessions were conducted in a mobile classroom on the show floor. In addition to this experience, the MCAA introduced the "webinar season pass". This concept offer's programs and educational opportunities for your entire company all year long. We are looking to reach beyond a key contact and give benefits to your entire firm. New programs are offered weekly and are recorded for on demand viewing. This brings the educational experience to your doors and gives great opportunities to everyone within your company.

MasonrySystems.org

MasonrySystems.org was re-launched Feb. 7, 2013, during the MCAA Convention at the World of Concrete/World of Masonry in Las Vegas. The site allows visitors to determine which masonry wall system is right for their next building, learn why masonry structures outlast and outperform every other building system, and discover the beauty and versatility of brick, block and stone. The goal for the redesign was to create a user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and informative website that would be used as a masonry resource for architects, owners, contractors, masonry suppliers, and other decision makers. Masonry wall systems along with an updated and easily visible Details, Benefits, Gallery, Knowledge, Communication, and Resources sections are highlighted on the website. Each section includes updated graphics, links to other resources, and cross-references to other sections on the site. Since re-launching, over 400,000 visitors have viewed the new MasonrySystems.org and the site has received over 1,000,000 hits.

A Look to the Year Ahead

Silica initiatives

It is expected that OSHA will finally release a new silica rule this year. In preparation for this rule, the MCAA has reconvened and been active in the silica coalition made up of over 20 construction associations including the Home Builders, AGC, ABC, ASA, Roofers and many more. This coalition will shortly hire a law firm to develop an independent economic impact study of construction, as well as develop a response and questions about the new required PEL level. This level is believed to be half of the current PEL, which would be 50 (from the current 100) with an action level of 25. This would be economically devastating to the construction industry and very harmful to our industry in particular. In addition to the economical issues, there are great concerns about the technological feasibility of our industry to be able to meet these new PEL levels. Those arguments will be discussed in detail in the industries response to the new rule.

MQI redevelopment

Another very exciting program happening in 2013-14 is the re-development of our Masonry Quality Institute program. This program will be redeveloped and designed in consultation with eight different contractors from around the country. Their knowledge and experience will be the basis of the course. In addition to a great program, attendees will also take away from the program an outline of a company quality assurance program. As they work through the program, they will fill in the outline to make it company specific. We have had numerous requests for Quality Assurance programs and this class will now offer that opportunity. In addition the class will be more economical for attendees and will likely see webinar based learning opportunities.

Contractor-to-contractor education

The MCAA is committed to bringing more educational opportunities to contractors which give them real life experience and learning opportunities from one another. The MCAA is in the process of developing a new opportunity for contractor-to-contractor learning by visiting each other's job sites, facilities, yards, etc. Look for the first opportunity late this winter (of course in a warm climate), sometime soon after the convention. It will be a unique experience for all to enjoy.

As the year develops there will be undoubtedly more exciting opportunities for our association to participate in. We need your continued support to maximize our opportunities and serve the needs of our industry.

---

About the Author

Jeff Buczkiewicz is the President and CEO of the Mason Contractors Association of America. Jeff has worked in the masonry industry for several years as the Executive Vice President of the Building Stone Institute and the Director of Marketing and Membership for the Mason Contractors Association of America. Jeff has also served as Secretary on the Board of the Natural Stone Council and is a former Board Member of the StonExpo Federation.

Mason Contractors: Learn About Life-Cycle Assessment

SCS Global Services (SCS) is pleased to announce a one-day, intensive introductory training course in life cycle assessment (LCA). The one-day course will be held in Emeryville, Calif., at SCS’ headquarters on March 5, 2012.

LCA is an assessment tool used to evaluate the environmental and human health impacts of products and services from a cradle-to-grave perspective, taking into account each stage of raw material extraction and processing, manufacturing, transportation, use and final disposal. LCA has evolved over four decades, and has been used to guide product design, purchase preferences, and investment decisions. Increasingly, LCA is considered the new paradigm for transparency in environmental labeling, and is being widely adopted for use.

This overview course is suitable to all levels and provides an introduction to LCA principles, a review of the international LCA framework and environmental product declaration standards (ISO 14040, 14044, and 14025), and a summary of the key provisions in a new draft national LCA standard (LEO-SCS-002) being developed under the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) process.

  
The new standard provides a detailed framework for conducting comprehensive life cycle impact assessment that is sufficiently robust to support public declarations, claims and comparisons. It builds upon and complements the basic international LCA framework, providing guidance to support the calculation of results that are complete, accurate, and will stand up to stakeholder scrutiny.

  
SCS programs span a wide cross-section of sectors, recognizing exemplary performance in natural resource management, green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, retailing and more. SCS is a Certified B Corp^., reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practice.

2013: New Beginning for Mason Contractors

By John Smith Jr., Chairman, MCAA

I would like to wish you a prosperous New Year. As we move into 2013, we have many new challenges facing us. The current economic environment makes survival skills that much more critical to all of our suppliers and us. We must all look to the future for the better days that are coming. We must all continue to promote our businesses along with the masonry industry. There are many exterior wall systems and alternatives, but we all know that masonry is superior and is the system of choice after any full comparison of systems.

We also need to continue to educate ourselves in our industry and that of others. A great way to do that is to attend the MCAA convention in Las Vegas. Again, this year, we are a part of the World of Concrete. There are many opportunities Feb. 3 – 8, along with a host of educational opportunities to enhance your knowledge of business and masonry needs. The MCAA is offering three excellent programs: Masonry Quality Institute, Foreman Development Course, and a New Wall-Bracing Seminar. All of these programs will help position your company to take advantage of the coming economic recovery.

On Wednesday during World of Concrete, we are having a total Masonry day at the Convention Center – Masonry Madness Day. Outside on the Gold Lot, we will have the Masonry Skills Challenge, Toughest Tender Contest, the Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition, and the Spec Mix Bricklayer 500. During our membership drive, we are offering $1,500 in supplies to those who sign up for a two-year membership at the show. It is our quest to sign up as many mason contractors as possible into the MCAA, in order to become a larger force in the industry.

We also have four social events this year: the MAC-PAC reception, Opening Dinner, South of 40 Event, and Closing Dinner. These events will be outside of the Wynn Hotel. So, you will have the ability to see the Las Vegas Strip and all of its lights and brilliance. 

Lastly, we have set up numerous opportunities for networking with other contractors. The MCAA Committee meetings and MCAA Annual Meeting always prove to be excellent opportunities to hear what’s new in the industry and to learn what the MCAA is doing for you. On the show floor in the masonry area, we will have our enclosed classroom, where you can sit and discuss areas of our business. 

There are many different types, so please see registration information for areas that are of interest to you. We will also have Networking Round Table Discussion to focus on specific interests/needs of every individual. Topics include: CFOs/Controllers; Owners/CEOs; Estimating/Marketing; Safety/HR; Union Contractors; Field Personnel/Project Managers and Estimating.

Welcome to the show! The World of Masonry – part of The World of Concrete – has more than 40,000 square feet of products, tools and systems on display in one location! What a wonderful opportunity to gain new ideas and brainstorm with fellow contractors, suppliers and experts in the industry. Again, I hope to see all of you in Las Vegas for our 2013 convention.

Indiana Cut Stone's 2011 Masonry Contractors Event Announced

Indiana Cut Stone has opened both attendee and exhibitor registration for the 2011 Masonry Contractors Workshop, to be held on Oct. 5 and 6, 2011, on the grounds of Indiana Cut Stone.

This event has the full support of the Indiana Limestone Institute, as well as cooperation with the Indiana Limestone Co. The Masonry Contractors Workshop is a two-day event, designed specifically for masonry contractors who want to learn more about Indiana Limestone and participate in approved courses available for Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) certification credits. This training will enable mason contractors to learn more about working with Indiana Limestone.

Training for architects who want to learn more about Indiana Limestone also will be available. The Indiana Limestone Overview, "Created by Nature, Crafted by Man," is eligible for American Institute of Architects (AIA) continuing education learning units. This training will be hosted by the Indiana Limestone Co. The length of this course is 1 Hour (1 Credit) and will be held on Oct. 5, 2011, at 3 p.m. EST at the Indiana Limestone Co.'s main office.

Because of the success of the 2010 event, this year's event has been drastically expanded to include:

• Up to 10 hours of Indiana Limestone approved training courses available for MCAA certification credits
• A masonry industry trade show where exhibitors from manufacturers, suppliers and service providers can meet their core customers
• An outdoor theater where industry professionals will demonstrate their company’s new products and equipment to mason contractor attendees
• A dramatic tour of an Indiana Limestone quarry, courtesy of the Indiana Limestone Co.
• A detailed look at Indiana Cut Stones’ limestone fabrication facility.
• LEED and Indiana Limestone training for Architects and other design professionals.

The schedule for both days is identical. The event format is a “learning festival,” in that attendees will wander the grounds and attend the MCAA-approved courses, visit the trade show, see a product presentation in the theater or take part in a quarry or fabrication facility tour as they see fit. The various events will begin at scheduled times throughout the day, but attendees have complete control over what they do and what they see.

The Masonry Contractors Workshop will provide lunch on each day of event as well as buses to the Limestone Quarry Tour and the nearby event parking.

Advanced Masonry Systems Completes MCAA Certification Program

Advanced Masonry Systems Inc. has earned certification through the newly created Masonry Certification program, sponsored by the MCAA. The company’s scope of masonry is commercial, institutional, industrial and restoration projects.

The MCAA has developed the national Masonry Certification program to provide customers with a tool to select mason contractors who are committed to quality and have backed it up with a commitment to continually educate themselves and all their key employees. Quality-of-work and end-user satisfaction are the foundation of the certification program. In addition, companies must renew their certification every three years.

For more information visit www.certification.masoncontractors.org.

Wasco Names Sneed as President, CEO

Nashville, Tenn.-based Wasco Inc., a commercial masonry company, has named William A. “Andy” Sneed Jr. as president and CEO. Sneed will oversee all company operations and the senior management team.

With more than 30 years of experience in the masonry industry, Sneed joined WASCO Inc. as a laborer in 1977 and has excelled to his current position. Prior to his current appointment, Sneed had served as WASCO’s COO for almost 15 years.

In the 1950s, Robert R. Sneed (a second-generation mason and civil engineer) helped to create the MCAA. Robert Sneed’s family’s business, Bush Building Co., was a member from the 1950s through the 1980s. His son, Andy, was active in the MCAA and formed his own company, WASCO Inc., in the 1980s. Historically, WASCO’s owners and officers have remained active in the MCAA from the company’s formation through the present. WASCO Chairman Brad Procter has served as a regional VP. WASCO’s new president, Andy Sneed, is chairman of the Education Committee, and WASCO board member, Brian Procter is the Tennessee State Chairman. Other board members, Trey and Adam Sneed, are involved with the region of MCAA’s South of 40 group. Four generations of the Sneed family have been mason contractors, and the family plans to continue the legacy.

WASCO Inc. is a MCAA-certified Mason Contractor, with additional offices in Knoxville, Tenn., and Bowling Green, Ky. WASCO Inc. also owns Lovell’s Masonry Inc. in Columbia, Tenn. Divisions of WASCO include New Commercial Masonry, Restorations by WASCO, WASCO Sitescapes, Bush Building Company Inc. and Cumberland Stone Works.