Masonry Magazine November 2006 Page. 6
From the Editor
Economics, Trends
Fuel Fakery
Jennie Farnsworth, editor
jen@lionhrtpub.com
MASONRY
The Voice of the Mason Contractor
MASONRY Magazine
Official Publication of the
Mason Contractors Association of America and the
Canadian Masonry Contractors Association
MASON CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
President Frank Campitelli
Vice President Tom Daniel
Secretary Mackie Bounds
Treasurer Smith
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Roe Bennett, T. Spiker
Edwin Davenport, Sutter
Mark Kemp, Rey Swindal
Executive Director Michael Adelizzi
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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Robert L. Nelson (Robert L. Nelson & Associates, Inc.), David John (David John Masonry Contractors), John Chrysler (MBA), Melander (PCA), Puttin Construction Co., John J. Smith (Job Smith Masonry Co.), B. Grant (Grant/Jack's Masonry), Jerry Painter (Painter Masonry, Inc.), Doug Nichols (Nichols Enterprise Contracting Inc.), GBC Concrete and Masonry Construction, Inc.)
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MASONRY is the official publication of the Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and the Canadian Masonry Contractors Association. 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 does not constitute an endorsement by MCAA or CMCA of products featured.
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Editor Jennie Farnsworth
Contributing Editor Inglesby (Beer.com)
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Reprints Kelly Modely (kelly@lionhrtpub.com)
Masonry November 2006
Since the beginning of architectural time, there have been efforts by designers and builders to make one material mimic another. When the Egyptians began building with natural stone rather than papyrus, masons chiseled the stone facing to resemble bundles of reeds to ease the transition in the minds of the local people. By the Middle Ages, plaster was used to mimic stone, and in the mid-1800s Italians invented scagliola - gypsum mixed with glue - as imitation marble.
These days, in our discount-driven world, fake materials are propelled more by economics rather than any other reason; sadly, to the point where they're almost as prevalent in the construction industry as their real counterparts. From polyurethane siding formed to look like stacked stone and modern day's cast stone, to panel systems with embedded or locking thin "bricks" and artistic, interior paintings that resemble Old World brick walls, designers and builders push the envelope to give their clients the look of quality with a discount price tag.
Unfortunately, this philosophy has been taken a step further - twisted to a certain degree. Materials that mimic another material are no longer just replicas, but are actually assumed to have the same advantageous characteristics. Consumers truly begin to believe that the fakes are, for instance, just as strong and durable as the real thing. This paradigm shift has been devastating for the masonry industry, as well as for many others.
Even more devastating is when an end user purchases a fake product and assumes it carries the same safety benefits as the real thing. This month, Mike Gilleran of McCausey Lumber Co. and Jared Kennison of Kennison Forest Products join us to discuss the potential hazards of using uncertified scaffold planking that does not meet industry standards (see page 24). Many contractors purchase these uncertified planks with the assumption that they are getting the same safety benefits; however, these imitations carry many risks, including the increased chance for injury and accidents.
Yet another form of fakery is the unscrupulous contractor with little integrity or expertise, undercutting experienced mason contractors and giving heartache to the entire industry. To combat this problem, MCAA is starting to integrate a multi-pronged approach to help increase members' position in the eyes of other construction professionals (see pages 6, 44 and 56). This effort will include a stronger Masonry Showcase; the re-introduction of the Masonry Quality Institute; the rise of the MV-Tech online, continuing education portal; and the birth of a nationally recognized masonry industry certification.
For more information about any of these events or initiatives, or to increase your strength in the industry by becoming a member of the MCAA, please visit www.masoncontractors.org.