Masonry Magazine May 2011 Page. 47
INDUSTRY NEWS
Please submit your news and events to:
jmorrel@lionhrtpub.com
News from MCAA
It's now even easier for you to save time and money with FedEx. MCAA members are eligible to receive special savings of up to 20 percent off select FedEx Office copy and print services and 10 percent off other select services.
For a limited time, double your savings on select services by using your MCAA FedEx Office discount. You can save up to 40 percent on select copy and print services through May 31, 2011. Simply present your FedEx Office discount card at FedEx Office locations, or enter your 10-digit FedEx Office account number online, to take advantage of this limited-time offer.
MCAA members also can receive discounts of up to 26 percent on select FedEx Express, FedEx Ground and FedEx international shipping services. With more than 1,800 FedEx Office locations nationwide, dropping off your packages is never a hassle. Visit www.masoncontractors.org/fedex. If you have additional questions, call your FedEx Advantage Program administrator at 800-636-2377.
The MCAA has created bulk webinar packages that allow contractors to purchase packs of five, eight or 10 Live Webinars at discounted prices. Live Webinar packages are valid for all webinars, priced $75 for MCAA members and $100 for non-members.
Package pricing is as follows:
Five Pack (Save $75)
$300 MCAA members
$425 non-members
Eight Pack (Save $160)
$440 MCAA members
$640 non-members
Ten Pack (Save $250)
$500 MCAA members
$750 non-members
Attendees will be allowed to mix and match courses they would like to take. For example, a 10-pack could be purchased for 10 individuals to take one course, or spread out over time for one individual to take 10 different courses. The options and combinations are unlimited. Visit www.masoncontractors.org/live.
Beeline Purchasing LLC is partnering with MCAA to offer a "Purchasing Program" for the association members. Currently, the program specializes in purchasing safety equipment and supplies. By partnering with the MCAA, Beeline is able to use the buying power of the association to set up cost-saving opportunities with manufacturers. The program is designed as a purchasing or broker service, so members can buy products direct from manufacturers.
Benefits include:
* 10 percent to 30 percent savings over traditional methods of purchasing
* Multiplication of the buying power of the entire group for additional discounts
* First-hand technical assistance and support from factory reps
* Independent and unbiased brokers
* Reduced middleman expenses
* Passed-on manufacturer promotions.
Lawson Named IPAF President
JLG VP and managing director for EAME Wayne Lawson was elected as president of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF). Lawson has more than 25 years of experience in the powered access industry. Since joining JLG in 2001, he has been instrumental in the development of JLG's business in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In this role, he has led the cross-functional leadership team, in addition to his responsibilities in the areas of market development, sales and product support. Lawson also has worked collaboratively with the leaders of the other functional areas in developing and strengthening the JLG brand, while also positioning the organization in the region.
Lawson outlined three goals for his term as IPAF president: extension of the global footprint of IPAF, addressing challenges of developing the training program in emerging markets, and improving communication between the IPAF board, council, members and industry.
For more information, visit www.masoncontractors.org/beeline.
BIM to be Required on Some Federal Projects
The U.S. Air Force is now requiring a Building Information Modeling-based (BIM) design approach for all vertical military construction projects in fiscal year 2011 and beyond. The Air Force signed a blanket purchase agreement with DLT Solutions, Herndon, Va., for access to the complete portfolio of Autodesk, San Rafael, Calif., products. Nearly every civil engineering squadron in the Air Force is using some combination of Autodesk products. The products also are standard for engineering design across the architectural, engineering and contractor community.
With between 100 and 150 unique projects valued at more than $250 billion, the technology helps operate and maintain the mission-critical portfolio of sustainable assets. The technology also will help connect the entire team working on the project. For example, Air Force personnel dealing with managing building construction, operations and maintenance will have access