Masonry Magazine June 2006 Page. 57
Bricklayer 500 Contest Winners Announced
The winners of the annual Bricklayer 500 contest were announced, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. The first-place entry, a stunning display of bricklaying artistry, featured red text with an embossed brick layout. Each entry showed great craftsmanship and careful attention to details. In addition to the limited-edition print, the first place entry also received a $1,000 prize. Second place received a check for $500, and third place received $250.
The ceremony was held at the Bricklayers Local #5 in Nashville. Participants and judges had the opportunity to show their skills in brick and blocklaying, while also enjoying barbecue and fellowship.
Industry News
# Knaack Receives New Product Innovation Award
Knaack Manufacturing Company received the 2006 New Product Innovation Award at the National Truck Equipment Association's The Work Truck Show, held in Atlanta.
The company won this year's award for its new line of WEATHER GUARD® steel truck boxes with improved features that enhance job site security and productivity. Knaack also won for its low-profile aluminum truck boxes that provide contractors with greater visibility through the rear window, especially for newer pickup truck designs that feature higher bed rails.
Voting took place during The Work Truck Show 2006, March 1-3, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The Work Truck Show was held in conjunction with the 42nd annual National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) convention, Feb. 28-March 3.
# Boral Bricks Opens Manufacturing Facility in Union City, Okla.
Boral Bricks Inc., the nation's largest manufacturer of brick and pavers, has opened its new, 165,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Union City, Okla. The opening was commemorated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception led by Boral chief executives and several of the state's highest officials. Featured speakers included Boral's chairman of directors, Dr. Kenneth Moss, and managing director/CEO Rod Pearse, as well as Amy Polonchek, interim executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Senator Ron Justice, R-Okla, and Representative Phil Richardson, R-Okla.
The new plant, an estimated $34 million investment for the company, is expected to produce 100 million king sized bricks annually, increasing Boral's overall brick manufacturing capacity in the United States by 6 percent. The facility will supply brick to customers throughout Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas, eliminating the cost of shipping to these states from the company's east coast facilities.
The Union City plant will employ approximately 50 people from the area, including two production shifts and truck drivers for transport. In addition, contract carriers will be sourced for out of-state deliveries, totaling about 50-70 trucks per day.
# 2005 VERSA-LOK Design Contest Winner Announced
If there's a feature that Scott Van Asten didn't use in his winning entry in VERSA-LOK's second annual design contest, it probably hasn't been invented yet. Curves, corners, tiered walls, stairs, freestanding walls and columns all are integrated in a stunning lakeside patio and entertainment area that brought home the $5,000 grand prize for Van Asten and his employer, Vosters Landscaping Inc. of Kaukauna, Wis.
Contest judges praised the project's "commanding, classic look."
The VERSA-LOK Mosaic product used in Van Asten's project was manufactured by Bend Industries in Appleton and West Bend, Wis.
Runner-up winners in the VERSA-LOK 2005 Design Contest were: David M. Mastropietro, Surroundings Landscape & Design, Mechanicville, N.Y., for his design of retaining walls and outdoor dining area for the historic renovation of the Light House Restaurant in Scotia, N,Y.; and Tim Wenrich, Clearwater Landscapes, Centre Hall, Pa, for his design of an elaborate series of tiered retaining walls with a waterfall and built-in outdoor kitchen at a residence in Tyrone, Pa.
Honorable Mention was awarded to Jeff Kurilla, Sticks and Stones Landscape Construction, Oakland, Md., for an extensive residential project in Oakland featuring a pool, waterfall, fireplace and patio.
# Milwaukee Introduces Five-Year Limited Warranty
Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation recently announced a new limited warranty for all of its V™ technology lithium-ion batteries, extending coverage for up to 2,000 charge cycles or five years from the date of purchase/first charge.
Milwaukee's research indicates that, under tough professional use, most 18V NiCad batteries last 450 cycles or less. With their 2,000 charges/five-year limited warranty, providing more than three times the charge cycles from a typical NiCad, Milwaukee sets a new benchmark in performance expectations for lithium-ion batteries in the power tool market.
Under the new warranty, which retroactively covers all Milwaukee V28 and V18 batteries (available in August 2006), users will receive an additional 1,000 charges or three years of warranty coverage that is pro-rated against the amount of use. If a claim is made during this extended period, the customer will be able to obtain a new battery at a discounted price based on the amount of usage beyond two years or 1,000 charges. If a battery fails during the first two years or 1,000 charges, the customer receives a replacement battery free of charge.
# Lafarge Names New President for the River Region
Lafarge North America has named Olivier Merindol president of the River Region for the Cement Division. The River Region, one of Lafarge Cement's five North American regions, comprises all or part of 15 states in the Midwestern United States.
Merindol joined Lafarge in 1996 at its global technical laboratories in Lyon, France. He later served at the company's