Masonry Magazine December 2012 Page. 40
INDUSTRY NEWS
Dold Campaign Goes Through Northfield Block
By Jeff Buczkiewicz
Congressmen Dold and Roskam and Lake County State's Attorney candidate Michael Nerheim visited Northfield Block Plant while campaigning. The Congressmen were there to learn more about the masonry industry and to discuss their plans for getting the construction industry working again. Each of the representatives spoke of the need to get government out of the way and let business excel and do what it does best. They discussed the uncertainty of the markets we work in and that our government needs to give a solid look to the future, so business people will be willing to begin investing the dollars that have been sitting on the sidelines throughout the last few years.
Steve Hunt, the host for the event, thanked Congressman Dold for his recent support and co-sponsorship of the industry's Check-Off Program. Jim O'Connor of the MCA of Greater Chicago asked Congressman Roskam to consider his support as well. O'Connor followed up with some information regarding union pensions, since the union pension law will be sun setting shortly. He pointed them to the work of the NOCMP a coalition of both management and labor looking to come to consensus on how to deal with the current pension plan and future retirement options.
The day ended with a block plant tour. The masonry community thanks both Congressmen for attending the tour and wishes them both well. Both Congressmen have been friends of the industry and their path forward is one our industry embraces.
Northfield Block is a member of the MCAA through its parent company, Oldcastle. Oldcastle is a member and Strategic Partner of the MCAA. IMAS
neering Handbook is still the best masonry engineering book on the market, since I used the 3rd Edition in college back in 1979. It's a 'must have' book for practicing civil and structural engineers and engineering students. It's the most illustrated engineering book I know of."
The book, which sells for $99.95, includes detailed discussions of masonry components and materials, strength properties of masonry assemblies, gravity and lateral loads, and numerous illustrated design examples for the various masonry members.
BASF West Memphis Facility Earns LEED Silver Certification
BASF's West Memphis, Ark., administration building has achieved Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, a score denoting exceptional environmental performance.
BASF's West Memphis administration building achieved LEED points for Sustainable Sites; Water Efficiency; Energy & Atmosphere; Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality; and Innovation & Design Process.
BASF's West Memphis site features a variety of BASF-enabled construction products that lower energy consumption and increase building life expectancy. Among other benefits, these products enable the facility to eliminate the need to use potable water for landscape irrigation and reduce domestic water use by 40 percent.
During construction, 37 percent of the building materials used contain recycled content, including Green Sense concrete mixture, which allows greater levels of recycled content and minimizes carbon footprint. Additionally, 59 percent were sourced regionally, which means they were extracted, harvested and manufactured within 500 miles.
Other BASF products used in the construction of the facility include spray-applied polyurethane foam wall insulation and roofing system and Senergy impact-resistant exterior insulating finishing systems (EIFS); and Therma CORE National Gypsum drywall with BASF Micronal Change Phase technology used in the meeting room moderates room temperature.
MCAA
# New Members
The Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) is proud to welcome the following new members to the Association. The MCAA would like to thank them for joining their fellow mason contractors nationwide in helping to build a strong and successful masonry industry.
H&R Masonry, LLC
Independence, IA
319-334-4437
www.hrmasons.com
Contractor Member
Ray's Masonry
Modesto, CA
209-522-8729
Contractor Member
Tober & Agnew Construction, Inc.
Newark, DE
302-218-2054
Contractor Member
Discover the many benefits your company is missing by not becoming a member of the MCAA. Call 800-536-2225 or visit www.masoncontractors.org/join to join the MCAA today. Together, we are stronger.
2012 Excellence in Construction Award Winners
Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter (ABC-FEC) announced the winners of its 2012 Excellence in Construction Awards in