Masonry Magazine February 2002 Page. 21
What is your company's greatest concern?
Our greatest concern is the availability of materials. We find the units selected are in short supply and sometimes we have to wait for their manufacture.
What is our industry's greatest challenge for the future?
I see the biggest challenge for the future to be the shortage of skilled masons. In the past, we have had families involved that pass their knowledge and skills down to the next generation. My personal experience has been the culmination of four generations of passing down these skills and knowledge.
Today there are fewer and fewer "mason contractors". We see more and more professional people running huge companies who basically do not know which end of the trowel to hold. We need to capture the skills of those retiring to pass on to those just beginning.
Where do you think the masonry industry will be in ten years?
I believe the masonry industry will survive the next decade and will continue to be the provider of building materials and products that owners and architects will look to for long-lasting structures.
Who do you think our industry's biggest competitor will be in ten years?
I see ourselves as the biggest competitor we will have during the next decade. If we do not train new and retain our present craftspeople, we are going to be our own destructor. If owners demand and architects design masonry buildings, but we cannot build them, I am certain other materials will find their way into the industry as we have seen in the past.
We have learned to live with OSHA and now even welcome their representatives to our jobsites. While our projects are forever changing on an hourly basis, I believe we contractors and the officials from OSHA recognize that we are operating much more safely and profitably than ever before.
In the past few years, the federal government's involvement in regulating our industry has increased, what do you feel are the most critical issues we will be faced with from future government regulations?
I see ergonomics and environmental issues as the next areas we will need to address. Although masons have been putting units in place for thousands of years, we are now faced with the term "ergonomics." Where we go with this, I do not know, but I can assure you we have members in our organization that will lead the way to a solution.
Who do you feel has a greater impact on our industry's future, architects, engineers, or general contractors?
We, as mason contractors, have the greatest impact on our industry. It is we who will sell our product to the architects, owners, and design/build contractors in our communities. The general contractors will still be governed by the wishes of the owner and the designs of the architect and engineer. The future will ultimately be directed mainly by the architects, but I see them returning to time-proven construction methods involving masonry.
The thing I like most about being a member of the Mason Contractors Association of America is?
Having been involved with the Mason Contractors Association of America since its inception in 1949, I have met so many great people and established so many friendships; it is hard to enumerate. My father was one of the first officers of the Association and served as a Board member until his retirement in 1975. I have continued to serve on the Board representing West Virginia and have had the honor of serving and chairing association committees. Family and community commitments have kept me busy recently but Jeannie and I continue to attend the annual conventions. We look forward to seeing "old" friends and meeting new ones.
Our children are all grown and have left the nest. With today's mobility, they are scattered from coast to coast. Mother, who attended more meetings and conventions than I probably ever will, just celebrated her 88th birthday in Hilton Head Island. She fondly recalls many of the early founders of our organization.
I have rattled on long enough. I am sure you have heard enough about the past and my crystal ball into the future does not project too far. It has been a fantastic trip and Jeannie and I are about ready to coast for a while.
Evan L. Harris, Sr.
Evan L. Harris, Jr.
Richard E. Harris