Masonry Magazine December 1986 Page. 27
Arizona Masonry Promotional Groups Merge
The Arizona Masonry Guild, the Masonry Institute of Arizona, and the Masonry Industry Program of Arizona have merged their promotional efforts under the name of the Arizona Masonry Guild through a unanimous vote of their respective memberships during a joint industry meeting on October 9 in Phoenix.
The new board is comprised of representatives from each component of the industry. They are: president, Clare Benson, Genstar Lime Co.; vice president, Richard Stary, Empire Block, and secretary/treasurer, Paul Mason, Superlite Builders Supply. Gene C. Abbate is executive director.
Pictured are the new officers and directors (front row, from left): Doug Schlueter, Arizona Portland Cement Co.; Richard Stary; Kenneth Nessler, Sun Valley Masonry, Inc.; Clare Benson; and Wallace Smith, Block Lite.
(Back row, from left): Wayne Webb, Johnson-Stewart-Johnson Mining Co.; Max Graves, Arizona Block Manufacturing Co.; Richard Faulkner, Sucato Masonry: William Lance, Roma Masonry, Inc.; Joseph Swingle, Del Piso Brick & Tile; Ben Riggs, Builders Masonry, and Paul Mason. Not shown is Henry Slicer, Phoenix Brick yard.
The address and phone number of the Guild are: 5308 N. 12th St., Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85014, (602) 265-5999.
Construction Equipment Distributors Are Having Ups and Downs
For some of the nation's construction equipment distributors, business is just great. For others, 1986 is becoming a struggle to contend with weak market conditions.
That's the essence of the response to Associated Equipment Distributors' (AED) midyear business outlook survey by 212 member distributors throughout the United States.
On a national basis, gross sales for the year are forecast to increase a median 5% over 1985's total, according to the survey. If that prediction materializes, it will mark the industry's fourth consecutive increase in annual sales volume, dating back to 1983.
But the 5% figure masks the wide regional differences that characterize current industry conditions. For example, while it's currently a seller's market in the Northeast-where sales gains of 30% and more are being reported-distributors in areas such as Texas and Oklahoma or the Pacific Northwest are suffering with a troubled local economy.
In addition to regional variations, the types of products a company sells are also key to the outlook for the rest of 1986, AED found. Clear differences exist among distributors of heavy earthmoving machinery, those who carry compaction, paving and other general equipment, and dealers of lighter products and hand-held tools.
Light equipment distributors expect 1986 sales to top 1985 by a median 10%. Their sales for the first four months of this year were up 5% over the same period a year ago, according to another AED barometer-the Market Trends Index (MATRIX).
In the general equipment category, respondents forecast 1986 sales will top 1985 levels by a median 6%. Their performance through April in the MATRIX market trends survey was up 7% from 1985 sales in the same period.
Toughest times are reported by heavy equipment distributors, who expect 1986 sales to stay virtually level with 1985. Even that may be difficult because heavy line sales were lagging 1985 performance by 10% in the first four months of 1986, according to the AED MATRIX survey.
French Technology Office Opens in Chicago
A new French Technology Press Office has opened its doors in Chicago at 401 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 601, Chicago, IL 60611, (312) 222-1235. Its main objective will be to keep the American business and technical press informed of recent innovations in French technology, equipment and processes.
The new facility is affiliated with ACTIM, a Paris-based organization which promotes French technology worldwide.
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