BREAKING: CMU Checkoff Passes

Words: Dan Kamys

The CMU Checkoff Program, an initiative backed and promoted by the Mason Contractors Association of America for approximately 15 years, has passed.

Among CMU Manufacturers, it was a 62% to 38% vote in support. Among CMU Cavities, it was a 53% to 47% result also in support. 

According to the Department of Commerce, a checkoff program is "an industry-supported, industry-led program designed to have industry-wide participation and funding] to advance the industry and to create a preference for a product. The purpose of the Concrete Masonry Checkoff Program is to: strengthen the position of the domestic concrete masonry products industry, maintain, develop, and expand domestic markets for concrete masonry products, and promote the use of concrete masonry products in construction and building."

The Order empowers a board made up of industry members and appointed by the Secretary, referred to as the Concrete Masonry Products Board, to "fund and establish research, education, and promotional programs in support of the Concrete Masonry Product industry, subject to the review and approval of the Secretary."

For additional updates, please visit the Department of Commerce Concrete Checkoff page. 

About: Featured
OSHA’s Top 10 Violations of the Year

In the construction and general industry fields, there are quite a number of dangers within the various work environments. This, of course, makes perfect sense when you consider the number of variables one must deal with daily. It is only logical when you

About: Featured
Lightweight Concrete Masonry Block: Building Efficient Buildings Efficiently

In the construction industry, masonry is a labor-intensive trade. Each day, masons handle thousands of concrete masonry unit (CMU) that form a building’s structure. Because normal weight (NWT) CMU weigh about 50 pounds (lbs), repetitive lifting can strain

About: Featured
Cultural Heritage Meets Modern Architectural Design: The Alain Ducasse Restaurant, AlUla

For Craft Group’s Alain Ducasse restaurant project in AlUla, we fostered a collaborative effort between the design team and local craftsmen and ensured that the masonry work reflected the area's cultural heritage while meeting modern construction standard

MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 12 Recap: Paul Cantarella Jr., President at Cantarella & Son, Inc.

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Paul Cantarella Jr. joins the show to talk about his career and passion for the masonry industry, how his journey started, the building of his family's company, and his life outside of work as well. Childhoo

About: Featured