Masonry Magazine April 1980 Page. 11
"Masonry Construction Week In Dallas," and the other from Texas Governor William P. Clements. Jr., who issued a state tribute by proclaiming the same week "Masonry Week In Texas."
Brown then turned the proceedings back to President George who gave the Report of the President. Telling it like it is. George pointed out that while the North American masonry construction industry enjoyed "reasonably active" demand in 1979, "frightening increases in lending rates combined with increasing concern about energy availability and cost inhibited construction volumes clouded construction prospects" in many parts of the U.S. and Canada over the last half of 1979.
Additionally, he said, recent developments in both countries-vis-a-vis the U.S. confrontation in the Middle East and Canada's former on-again-off-again-gone-again government-"have done little to inspire economic growth and investment in which new construction is so fundamentally a part."
That was the bad news. The good news, President George said, is the "impressive mathematics" of 1979 shipments of materials peculiar to the masonry industry. He pointed out that those shipments involved approximately 7.5 billion brick and 4 billion concrete block. "We can only assume that those 11.5 billion units didn't go into a wall somewhere without a little mortar and a trowel," he said.
Must Have a Unified Industry
Addressing himself to MCAA's growing role in the masonry industry. President George sounded a warning note: "In these disturbing and complex times, it is more than ever essential that our industry speak with a single, strong, coordinated voice. Masonry labor, suppliers, management, methodology, training, design-all these and many more are representative of individual interests, which must remain united in spirit and purpose behind MCAA to ensure that common objectives are properly identified and energetically pursued.
"Moreover, this Association must continue to expand its membership, improve the masonry work-place, strive for ever greater efficiency in both its operational and administrative functions. In the absence of MCAA attention to these crucial goals, be assured that the diverse preferences of masonry manpower, the pressures of market competition, and the whims of government bureaucracy will surely establish the frequency and dictate the terms of change, possibly in ways and at intervals not always favorable to our industry or our livelihood."
In rhetoric that visibly moved the audience, President George continued: "We in the masonry industry cannot afford and should never accept complacency, in any form. please turn page
"Masonry Management for a Profit" by Jerry Pope.
Ray Lackey tells abut IMI's promotion programs.
Paul Rosensteel discusses mortar field testing.
Jam-packed room at a Saturday morning Workshop.
Canadian Masonry Contractors Association board meeting.
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