A company’s greatest asset is its people. While technology, systems, and capital drive operations, it is the human element that fuels innovation, collaboration, and growth. Building a strong work environment and fostering a resilient company culture are n

As we step into October, one thing is clear: the future of our trade depends on the instructors who dedicate themselves to teaching the next generation. Across the country, masonry programs are in need of qualified teachers who can share not only technica

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary of Las Lajas, located in the Guáitara River canyon near Ipiales, Colombia, could be considered one of the most technically demanding masonry projects of the 20th century. Constructed against sheer canyon walls

I hope that the fall is upon you and that things are beginning to cool off. I truly feel blessed to be part of this trade; it has taught me discipline, work ethic, and pride. This may sound a bit funny, but here is why those lessons are important. Here in

Construction is a high-stakes business filled with endless problems and moving parts, including schedules, changes, labor problems, weather, deliveries, and tight budgets. With so many factors outside your control, the last place you can afford to be slop

Imagine a wooden ship easing away from a safe harbor. Canvas snaps, ropes groan, and every sailor aboard knows the heading: a speck on an uncharted map rumored to hold gold. In construction, the chart is a project schedule and the treasure is profit, but

The Standard Beyond Profit and Growth A successful leader can drive profit margins and growth that look strong on paper, but numbers alone do not define leadership. The true measure lies in the principles you refuse to compromise when the pressure is gre

A common need in any venture is the importance of staying open to new strategies, ideas, or risks, as there is a tendency to get too comfortable with the status quo. We witness how an industry or entity is most successful if it makes efforts to keep ope

Living near Chicago, one of my family’s favorite day trips is to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a one-hour drive north. Among our other activities, including visiting the Calatrava-designed Milwaukee Art Museum, kayaking the river, and enjoying traditional German

Registration for the 2026 World of Concrete Convention is now Open! Don't miss your opportunity to attend the industry biggest event of the year. Multiple classes, competitions, and exhibits will be taking place. All in an effort to push the industry for

You sat through hours of apprentice school, and probably spent more time on a wall than you’d like to admit. While laying foundations or finishing that masonry basement, did you ever consider how the masonry trade developed? What about the tools you use e

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, we're joined by Buddie Barnes, who is extremely well-known in the masonry industry. Listen to some of Buddie's favorite industry and project stories, and his urge to pass the torch to the next generation.

For centuries, masonry restoration has been a meticulous, ground-up process, part science, part art. Craftsmen have scaled scaffolding and suspended themselves from rigging to inspect centuries-old facades, chimneys, and arches. Today, a new tool is soari

The answer to this question is: “Absolutely!” Let’s get into it. Controlling Documents (A bit of history) The first edition of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) P-361, released in 2000, set forth comprehensive design and construction criteria f

The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is pleased to share that the Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) has announced the appointment of Irene Li, a distinguished structural engineer, to its innovative Block Design Collective (BDC). This virtual

The Industry Story The Masonry Foundation is in the running for a major grant, and we need your help to win it. We’ve been named a finalist in the Truist Foundation Inspire Awards for our ReCastED program. This i