Masonry Magazine March 2010 Page. 10
FOR THE RECORD
Jennifer Morrell
Editor
jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com
Stability
What is your definition of stability? The word can easily describe many facets of your lives, from the healthy state of your families to the strength of the buildings you construct as mason contractors. We all want stability in life.
Even in the midst of such an unstable economic climate, many businesses in our industry have stabilized. This was evident during the World of Concrete/World of Masonry show in Las Vegas last month. I was expecting low-spirited people and a sparsely populated show floor. But what I found was just the opposite: energized, upbeat crowds and vendors who want to continue to take care of business. Has it been easy? No. But people are doing what they need to survive, and to maintain some sense of stability.
The same can be said for Masonry Magazine. Times have been tough for everyone, but we have remained committed to bringing you a quality magazine every month, complete with editorial content that will teach you about industry trends and methods as well as the products available to you.
As we all strive for stability, I applaud your efforts to remain strong and relevant. We can all find a way to succeed, if we work together. IMAS
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Jennifer,
A recent article by Mark Fowler entitled "Stupid Prices" (January 2010) hits the nail on the head. I've been involved with the manufacturing and marketing of masonry construction products for over 40 years. I can say from personal experience that I have seen these down times before and the results that came from a substandard reaction to them. Low prices lead to inferior construction practices. Lower quality or no quality products are substituted for specified products, often times without authorization.
We are in challenging times, and how we react to these conditions will set the course for our industry in the future. Substandard building products and building practices brought about by low-ball pricing will become a cancer in our industry if we allow it.
Richard Lolley
President, CEO
Advanced Building Products, Inc.
CORRECTION
In the January 2010 issue of Masonry, an incorrect image appeared with the article, "Mason Finds Win-Win Solution for CVS Store" (p. 20). The following image is the correct image of an installation of Blok-Flash. We regret the error.
The Blok-Flash system: Sturdy, lightweight polyethylene "pans" capture falling moisture and expel it to the exterior through built-in weep-spouts. Feather-light, poly mesh Drainage Mattes are inserted into cores of next course of block to protect weeps from mortar droppings. Contractor Montalvo argued the system would save time and labor, while avoiding the expense of half-sized architectural block. CVS's architect agreed.
MASONRY Magazine
Official Publication of the
Mason Contractors Association of America and the
Canadian Masonry Contractors Association
MASON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
President Mackie Bounds
Vice President John Smith, Jr.
Secretary Mark Kemp
Treasurer Mike Sutter
Regional Vice Presidents
Robert V. Barnes, Jr. Richard Porter
Ron Bennett Tim Spiker
Edwin Davenport Mike Sutter
Douglas Nichols Ray Swindal
Executive Director Jeff Buczkiewicz
EXECUTIVE STAFT
Government Affairs Representatives The Keelen Group
Director of Certification and Education Sharyt Toynton
Director of Membership Bob Bedsel
Director of Marketing and Timothy W. O'Toole
Information Technology
Administrative Assistant Ann Townsell
Consultant Rashod Johnson
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
David Jolly (Jolly Masonry Contractors), John Chrysler (MIA), John Melancon (PCAL), David Hill (Hill Construction Co.), John J. Smith (John J. Smith Masonry Co.), Brian Grant (Grant/Jack's Masonry), Jerry Painter (Painter Masonry, Inc.), Doug Nichols (Doug Nichols Enterprises), G. Alan Griffin (Griffin Contracting Inc.), Tom Daniel (GBC Concrete and Masonry Construction, Inc.).
Executive Office
33 South Roselle Road
Schaumburg, IL 60193
Phone: 847.301.0001 or 800.506.2225
Fax: 847.301.1110
MASONRY is the official publication of the Mason Contractors Association America (MCAA) and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association (CMCA). The magazine acts as a sounding board without approving, disapproving or guaranteeing the validity or accuracy of any data, claim or opinion appearing under a byline or obtained or quoted from an acknowledged source. Opinions expressed by officers do not necessarily reflect the official views of MCAA or CMCA. The appearance of advertising or new product information doesn't constitute an endorsement by MCAA or CMCA of product featured.
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Publisher John Llewellyn jllewellyn@lionhrtpub.com
Editor Jennifer Morrell jmorrell@lionhrtpub.com
Senior Editor Cory Sekine-Pettite corypettite@lionhrtpub.com
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