Big River conducts lightweight block survey

Words: Jeff SpeckBig River Industries, an Atlanta-based producer of expanded clay lightweight aggregate, has released the results of a survey of the members of Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA), which gained insight about industry preferences and trends regarding the usage of lightweight block.

In September 2014, Big River Industries’ VP of marketing, Jeff Speck, participated in the MCAA Midyear Meeting, which included a “speed dating” session that afforded the company one-on-one conversations with mason contractors in attendance.

According to Speck, “Our dialogs indicated that mason contractors prefer lightweight block, and that worker safety and reduced costs are the primary reasons.”

To confirm these and other findings, and to gain a broader view of mason contractors’ opinions, Speck conceptualized and strategically planned a nationwide email survey of MCAA-member mason contractors.

Speck collaborated with Tim O’Toole, director of marketing, education and information technology for the MCAA, to execute and distribute the multi-question survey to the contractors. MCAA members based in the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, South, Southwest, West, and Northwest regions of the U.S. took part in the survey, and the results are as follows.

In confirming market area:
  • 27 percent of respondents identified themselves as being from the Midwest.
  • 23 percent of respondents identified themselves as being from the Southeast.
  • 15 percent of respondents identified themselves as being from the Southwest.
  • 12 percent of respondents identified themselves as being from the South.
  • 8 percent of respondents identified themselves as being from the West.
  • 8 percent of respondents identified themselves as being from the Northwest.
  • 8 percent of respondents identified themselves as being from the Northeast.
When asked if lightweight block is commonly specified in their projects:
  • 54 percent of participants responded ‘no.’
  • 46 percent of participants responded ‘yes.’
Respondents were asked ‘by region’ if lightweight block is specified for their projects:
  • 100 percent of respondents from the South and West regions answered ‘yes.’
  • 83 percent of respondents from the Southeast region answered ‘yes.’
  • 50 percent of respondents from the Northeast region answered ‘yes.’
  • 14 percent of respondents from the Midwest region answered ‘yes.’
When asked what percentages of their projects specify lightweight blocks:
  • 100 percent of respondents said ‘greater than 50 percent.’
When asked if there are perceived cost savings with lightweight block:
  • 50 percent of participants said ‘yes.’
  • 31 percent of participants said ‘no.’
  • 19 percent of participants gave no response.
Participants said the following when asked if they would ever recommend normal weight block over lightweight block:
  • 58 percent said ‘no.’
  • 35 percent said ‘yes.’
  • 8 percent gave no response.
Participants were asked if lightweight block is readily available in their area:
  • 69 percent of participants said ‘yes.’
  • 31 percent of participants said ‘no.’
In choosing what are considered the main advantages of lightweight block:
  • 85 percent of respondents answered ‘safety.’
  • 81 percent of respondents answered ‘reduced labor cost.’
  • 65 percent of respondents said ‘mason satisfaction.’
  • 35 percent of respondents said ‘workmanship.’
  • 27 percent of respondents said ‘appearance.’
  • 15 percent of respondents said ‘material cost.’
  • 8 percent of respondents said ‘fire rating.’
  • 4 percent of respondents said ‘sound absorption’ and ‘schedule.’
*Participants were allowed to specify more than one option.

When participants were asked if lightweight block is worth a premium price compared to normal weight block:
  • 65 percent said ‘yes.’
  • 35 percent said ‘no.’
Respondents were asked why lightweight block is worth a premium:
  • 67 percent responded ‘safety, mason satisfaction, fewer injuries and claims.’
  • 56 percent responded ‘productivity, reduced labor cost.’
  • 28 percent responded ‘appearance and workmanship.’
  • 17 percent responded ‘material cost.’
  • 11 percent responded ‘schedule.’
  • 11 percent responded ‘lower freight/trucking cost.’
To see the survey’s results displayed in graphs, visit www.qliteblock.com/survey.

To learn more about Big River Industries, visit www.riverlite.com.

To learn more about the MCAA, visit www.masoncontractors.org.
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