Masonry Magazine April 2009 Page. 49
Other industries, including the avocado producers, cotton farmers, the pork industry and milk producers have experienced tremendous success through similar programs. Revenue from the check-off program will be administered and approved by the government-appointed Natural Stone Research & Promotion Board (NSRPB). This group will be representative of all industry segments, including importers, and would be responsible for allocating funds and approving business and marketing plans.
In order to move the program forward, Congress must pass special legislation to authorize a check-off program for natural stone. Cornerstone Government Affairs has been retained to work on behalf of the NSC to further the passage of this legislation in Congress. Both will work with the appropriate Federal agencies and Congress to achieve authorization of the natural stone check-off program. Ideally, the check-off program will be implemented by early-2010.
Maxwell Systems Wins
Two Awards
Maxwell Systems, Inc. won two 2009 Constructech Top Products awards. Quest Machine Control was awarded Top New Product, and Estimation Digital Takeoff was awarded Top Enhanced Product. Quest Machine Control integrates machine control systems directly with Quest Earthwork, earth-measuring software. It's ideal for contractors doing site work, grading and excavation, heavy/highway, or any contractors measuring cut and fill. Estimation Digital Takeoff allows contractors to generate takeoffs straight from digital plan files instead of paper blueprints. Users may download plans from an online plan room, scan in plans or upload them from a CD; there's no need for a digitizer board, stylus pen or paper blueprints.
Allmand Names Vinroe
Northeast Regional
Manager
Allmand Bros. Inc. named Kevin Vinroe as Northeast regional manager. Vinroe's responsibilities will include promoting Allmand products, working with manufacturer sales representatives and educating customers about equipment.
Prior to joining Allmand, Vinroe spent three years as Northeast regional sales manager at Compact Power, a compact utility loader manufacturer. He has 28 years of sales experience working in sales.
RMMI Rewarded
for Safety
Members of the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute's Workers Compensation program will share in a group dividend of $106,764. The nonprofit trade association's Workers Comp group earned the sizeable dividend by having a strong commitment to safety and an active safety committee. Members of the group attend quarterly safety meetings and receive a number of complimentary services from Pinnacol Assurance. To be eligible for the group dividend plan, companies in the masonry industry must be members in good standing of the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute, be insured with Pinnacol Assurance, attend two safety meetings annually and agree to implement steps from Pinnacol Assurance's six-step safety program. The group had an annual premium of more than $1,243,000 during the July 1, 2007, to July 1, 2008, policy period for which the dividend was issued. By combining the individual premium of group dividend members, a larger premium is established.
MCAA Certification Calendar
The following is the MCAA's education calendar for certification:
April 7
Course:
Permeable Paving Systems
Location: Franksville, Wis.
Discipline: General
Credits: 8
April 7
Course:
Flashing and Air Barriers
Location: Charlotte, N.C.
Discipline: Masonry Products
Credits: 1
April 8
Course:
MISL Seismic Overview for Masonry
Construction
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Discipline: Codes & Standards
Credits: 1
April 15
Course:
MISL IBC and Special Inspections
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Discipline: Codes & Standards
Credits: 1
April 21
Course:
How to Effectively Use Masonry
Codes & Standards in Construction
Location: Dixon, Calif.
Discipline: Codes & Standards
Credits: 6
April 28
Course:
How to Effectively Use Masonry
Codes & Standards in Construction
Location: Riverside, Calif.
Discipline: Codes & Standards
Credits: 6
May 5
Course:
Proper Installation of Masonry
Flashings
Location: Charleston, S.C.
Discipline: Masonry Products
Credits: 1
May 20
Course:
MISL Structural Design Aid:
RAM Masonry Module
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Discipline: General
Credits: 1
May 27
Course:
MISL Thomas F. Walsh Memorial
Lecture: Theodore Link, Architect
Location: St. Louis, Mo.
Discipline: General
Credits: 1
June 9
Course:
General Requirements for Masonry
Wall Construction
Location: Greenville, S.C.
Discipline: Masonry Products
Credits: 1
Note: Online classes available at www.masoncontractors.org.
For more information or to register for any of these programs, please go to
http://certification.masoncontractors.org/education/index.php