I spent the last week of January in Las Vegas at World of Concrete | World of Masonry | Technology for Construction.
The masonry industry had representation from all parts of the wall system (wire tie manufacturers, insulation, mortar and more) to support (mortar boards, scaffolding and estimating software). The exhibit hall was alive with new products, improved methods, renewed enthusiasm for the construction season ahead.
The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), which has its annual conference at World of Masonry, shared their achievements of 2011 and laid out plans for 2012 and beyond. Under the leadership of now Past President Mackie Bounds, the MCAA has worked at bringing the industry together for the benefit of all. Their program, Vision 20/20 arms mason contractors with tools they need to advocate for more masonry planning policies and design guidelines in municipalities, cities and counties. They have joined with NCMA and MIM to present masonry’s case to the Department of Defense for military housing facilities and are working on creating life cycle assessments and cost analysis for masonry as compared to other structural systems.
In promoting masonry systems, they also realize the importance of continuing the education and cultivating the expertise of mason contractors. Between their work force development committee, education committee and membership committee, they are working toward that goal. Currently, 49 contractors nationwide are pursuing MCAA contractor certification by taking coursed from 30 approved providers. The organization is considering national sponsorship of National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) for standardized and rigorous curricula for training programs. Additionally, a new membership category has been developed for students.
Masonry skill and craftsmanship was on display in the many live demonstrations held during the week. MCAA sponsored two events: International Masonry Skills Challenge and the Fastest Trowel on the Block Competition. The Skills Challenge had first-, second- and third-year apprentices competing to produce a brick and block “wall” appropriately designed to their experience level. The catch is they are not shown the design until the start of the competition, then they are given three hours to produce the design.
MCAA Masonry Skills Challenge First Year Contestant Justin Proch of Leidal & Hart Mason Contractors earned third place in his division. Here with Jake Broder of Leidal & Hart, BAC Local 1 Instructor Tom Ward (left) and Elmer Dixon of Dixon Masonry (right).
Fastest Trowel is a block-laying competition comprised of teams of one mason and two tenders who must complete as much of an 18-block long wall in 20 minutes as possible, using 8”x8”x16” CMU and mortar. According to the MCAA, the competition “promotes craftsmanship, speed and versatility of masonry systems and the masonry workforce.”
The crème de la crème of masonry competitions, however, is the Spec Mix Bricklayer 500, which celebrated its 10th year this year in Las Vegas. Twenty-one bricklayer/tender teams have one hour to lay as many brick as possible in a double wythe 26’8” wall. Winners are selected after intense judging, where quality and craftsmanship are factored in as well as the number of brick laid. SpecMix has secured dedicated sponsors for this event, which is really a not-to-be-missed live entertainment event in the Gold Lot outside the Convention Center. Product demonstrations, t-shirt cannons, audience participation games and activities and, this year, a special appearance by Godfather of Freestyle Motorcross, Mike Metzger, courtesy of Bosch, kept the live crowd and online viewers entertained while the brick walls grew, then were judged. Contestants for this event must qualify regionally. In 2011, 16 regional qualifying competitions were held throughout the US and Canada. This year’s event saw contestants from Australia and England as well.
Winners of the 2012 SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 National Bricklaying Championship. From left: Toughest Tender Nick Miller from Exteriors Plus in Jefferson WI; tender Aaron Cooke with third place winner Justin Jakubisin from Giambrone Masonry in Hudson OH; tender Gustavo Soriano with “World’s Best Bricklayer”, first place winner Leif Reints with Reints Masonry in Neosho, MO; Top Craftsman winner Scott Tuttle of Quik Trowel Masonry, Clearfield UT with tender Brian Tuttle; second place winner Filipe Orfao of Squire Masonry, Cookstown ON with tender Manuel Oliveira.
Jim O’Connor, executive secretary at Mason Contractors Association of Greater Chicago, provides color commentary during the SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500
Jim DiGiovanni, Spec Mix sales manager of Quikrete Companies for Southeast Michigan, participated again this year as a Mudslinger at the SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500, supplying competitors with plenty of fresh mortar.
New this year was Masonry Veneer Live, an area of the exhibit hall dedicated to cast stone, natural stone, brick and adhered veneer masonry. Versatility, artistry and craftsmanship were on display, while partnering associations, Brick Industry Association, Cast Stone Institute and Masonry Veneers Manufacturers Association provided training demonstrations. After all, it is the beauty of masonry that first attracts admirers. Fortunately, enough exhibiters were on hand to inform and educate attendees about the depth and breadth of all of masonry’s inherent attributes.
Here’s to a great 2012!
