Masonry Magazine February 1985 Page. 51
USG Holding Company
Formation Approved
Stockholders of United States Gypsum Co., Chicago, III., have approved the creation of USG Corp., a holding company that will be the parent firm of nine operating subsidiaries, effective January 1, 1985.
The nine operating units, which will operate separately in pursuing growth, are: United States Gypsum Co.; Masonite Corp.: A. P. Green Refractories Co.; L&W Supply Corp.; Hollytex Carpet Mills, Inc.; Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.; USG Acoustical Products, Inc.; USG Industries, Inc., and USG Foreign Investments, Inc.
Marble Institute Elects
Officers for 1984-85
Malcolm S. Cohen of Domestic Marble & Stone Corp., New York, N.Y., has been elected president of the Marble Institute of America.
Elected to serve with him were: Jeffrey Matthews, Marvin L. Walker & Associates, Inc., Norcross, Ga., vice president; John F. Hardtke, Jr., Hilgartner Natural Stone Co., Inc., Baltimore, Md., secretary, and Edward M. Burkhardt, Marble Craft, St. Louis, Mo., treasurer.
Monday Is Fatal
Almost nobody looks forward to returning to the office on Mondays, but the strain can be fatal for some people, reports the Journal of American Insurance.
A recent longterm study showed that 50% of executives who died at work, died on Monday. Of those who died from heart attacks at work, 75% died on Monday. USA Today
Earth Shelter Builders
Form New Association
The groundwork has been laid for the formation of a national association to promote the construction of underground and earth-bermed housing. Membership will be open to all building contractors, manufacturers and distributors of building products and services, architects and engineers as well as consumers and students.
An organizational meeting was held in Las Vegas, Nev., in January, 1985 to elect officers and committee chairpersons. The new group will be known as the National Earth Shelter Builders Association.
From fewer than a dozen buildings in the United States in 1970, the number of earth shelters has grown to an estimated 10,000 earth-covered or earth-bermed structures today.
Distributors Forecast
Good Construction Year
A healthy new year for construction projects will bring continued good business for equipment distributors as contractors upgrade older, less productive machines and replace worn-out equipment.
That's the forecast of more than 200 construction equipment distributors who participated in a 1985 business outlook survey conducted by Associated Equipment Distributors, the national trade association.
A median 10% increase in gross sales in first-half 1985 compared with the first six months of 1984 is expected. Current figures from AED's Market Trends Index (MATRIX) program showed 1984 gross sales through September were 26% ahead of 1983's performance. The up-beat pace was expected to hold during the fourth quarter and even push ahead with year-end buying spurts.
SPREADS BETTER...
COSTS LESS
Easy-Spred, the mortar additive that replaces lime.
Easy-Spred is a mortar plasticizer that performs better and costs less to use than lime. One 7 lb. bag of Easy-Spred replaces one 50 lb. bag of lime. Produces smoother, creamier, more workable mortar. Spreads like butter for easy tooling of joints and better flow to cross joints. Head joints need not be rebuttered.
Easy to mix, requires little re-tempering and is non-toxic. Will not burn skin or eyes. Use of the convenient 7 lb. bag means less bulk to transport, store, handle and mix.
Easy-Spred is made from a formulation of minerals naturally compatible with basic ingredients in mortar. Effective for use with brick, block or stucco.