Concrete Masonry Checkoff

This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for all the hard workers who flat out refuse to cut corners. Your daily decision to put safety and enduring quality above all else is what sets us apart from the others. From our extended family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!

Proud to support this year’s Mid-Atlantic Masonry Skills Challenge! The Pennsylvania Concrete Masonry Association and Mid-Atlantic Masonry Association welcomed the region’s best young masons to see whose CMU wall assembly skills reign supreme. Contestants were judged on their speed, craftsmanship, and use of standard masonry tools and practices.? Congratulations to this year's winners who will be headed to Vegas in January at World of Concrete! Moses Giron, from Karon Masonry of MD, Inc; Sam Berryman, from Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology; Robert Fugel, from Blade Contracting LLC – Bac Local 4.

The final assessment deadline for the year is coming up quick! For dates July-September 2024, all assessments must be submitted by November 29. Have questions or just need a refresher on the remittance process? Check out the Producer’s Guide on the CMC website. https://bit.ly/3COctmz

Our very own Kim Spahn has been out and about in the field connecting with producers! Recently, she visited ORCO Block & Hardscape and spent the day with Rick Muth and Delany Salmon, learning about their operations and hearing firsthand stories that shape our industry—including how Rick once helped prevent the U.S. from switching to the metric system. Talk about impact! These visits are a great reminder of the importance of staying connected and gaining insights directly from the heart of our industry.

Code compliance is table stakes, but true resilience means going the extra mile. Riley Dvorak, P.E.'s article with ARCHITECT Magazine highlights how CMU inherently exceeds base-level safety without additional steps. Working smarter, not harder … that’s the Beauty of Block! https://lnkd.in/ge9VEzbP

Building Enclosure highlights the importance of considering all stages of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) when calculating embodied carbon. Many LCAs fail to account for biogenic carbon, which can distort the true environmental impact of a chosen material. This is a subtle, yet significant point, especially when evaluating the structure’s projected service life. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dPXSjxE *The article requires registration to read, but it’s worth the read. Plus, it's free!*

It was great reconnecting with everyone in Orlando last week, especially those who are still feeling the effects of last month’s hurricanes. We reviewed the next wave of national and regional funding proposals and got to see how our Beauty of Block campaign continues to move the needle for CMU. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter to hear more about the latest round of proposed funding! https://bit.ly/491PYX6

International Masonry Institute did CMU proud at this year’s Greenbuild International Conference & Expo in Philadelphia. Given its longevity, local origin and low embodied carbon compared to other systems, concrete masonry is the model of efficiency.

Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) has named?Robert Melgaard as its first Director of Youth Outreach and Education. Robert boasts 19 years of masonry education experience, including leadership roles with Florida’s well-established educational programs. Robert’s?appointment couldn’t have come at a better time as our industry doubles down on bridging the divide between education and industry. Looking forward to working together soon, Robert! https://lnkd.in/g3ZrMcC3

And that’s a wrap on The Masonry Society (TMS) annual meeting in Portland, Maine – such a great event! The “Student Experience” segment was a unique opportunity for attendees to tour sculptor Aaron Stephan's studio. Stephan, known for his concrete craftsmanship, demonstrated how this material can be transformed into stunning works of art. Proof that CMU’s only limitation is your own imagination.