MCAA Regional Report, Region C

Economic Conditions

MICHIGAN
The masonry market is bleak. The lack of large jobs has depressed pricing. While health care is doing all right, school construction is slowing and automotive is lacking. Until the future of the domestic auto industry is determined, the Michigan economy will continue to stumble.

OHIO
The Miami Valley area is experiencing a loss of manufacturing jobs and core city office jobs. Concern remains about the future plans of five Delphi plants as well as the GM Assembly Plant in Moraine. School construction remains strong and will continue for the next few years. Wright Patterson AFB, Wright State University and the University of Dayton have on going projects.

Market Expansion & Initiatives from Competitive Products

MICHIGAN
The Masonry Institute of Michigan (MIM) is still a bright and guiding light for our future. The brick people see the block people as their main competition; block people see the brick people as competition and the stone people see the brick and block people as their main competition. The metal stud industry and the pre-cast concrete industry continue to take advantage of the division this creates. The union has viewed the open shop as their main competition however we are seeing progress in this area.

With steel and energy prices staying high, masonry will make gains in market share. Working together will speed this process. The MIM has signed an alliance with MIOSHA to improve the existing wall bracing standard which is a very positive step.

OHIO
The Ohio Codes Council was recently created to protect the market from unfavorable code changes and will begin actively working on these issues in the near future. Hass Engineers and Architects has prepared a purchasing price comparison/fire design package to give an accurate cost analysis for different types of wall systems. This third party report shows masonry is cost competitive. Awards banquets, architect educational programs, and technical materials are aiding promotion efforts. The Masonry Institute of Dayton (MID) is supporting the distribution of a study on the use of masonry for fire safety to area architect, engineers and developers. The study centers on a local apartment building that experienced minimal damage due to the use of masonry walls.

A team building night was held January 26. It was designed to allow the entire construction community to come together for an evening to recognize outstanding individual and firms in the industry. The MID held its annual recognition dinner in December. Architects were recognized for the use of masonry in their designs. The MID had a display booth at the Miami Valley Construction Specification Institute Seminar and Tradeshow. Another is planned at the CSI Great Lakes Regional Conference to be held in Dayton in August.

The design community is considering AAC; while not widely used, representatives are making advances. Pre-cast is still strong especially with big box stores and making inroads into educational facilities. Their sales pitch is less labor, built in insulation, no flashing with less chance for water infiltration and faster construction. Designers with tight schedules like to hear this. They don't take into account the time needed for shop drawing and approvals and the time to construction the structure they just look at time on the job site.

Workforce Development

MICHIGAN
The union is still the best source of training but they could use much improvement. The open shop in some disciplines is making training progress. In time, they are expected to make meaningful progress in masonry training. The Hispanic community is showing interest in the masonry industry which is expected to continue.

OHIO
MCAD together with other construction associations is forming a Foreman's Club. This will help the various trades get acquainted, improve communication and offer educational opportunities. The MCAD works with the Dayton Urban League in their efforts to educate women and minorities about the construction industry.

The First Annual Dayton/Miami Valley Construction Expo will be held June 10. There will be live demonstrations and heavy equipment displayed. Dayton Public Schools will encourage students and their parents to participate.

Tom Nagy spoke at the MCAD February 7 meeting to review how IMI can assist in workforce development at the journeyman and apprentice levels. The union is actively recruiting from the field and schools for masons, mason apprentices and laborers. High School vocational programs continue to train juniors and seniors for the masonry field.

MCAD continues its Drug and Alcohol Free Workplace Consortium. Member firms use a central source for testing and database tracking. This eliminates duplication in testing and training of employees.

General Conditions

The region is being affected by automotive uncertainty and other manufacturing industry retrenchments. The price of steel and wood continues to impact the construction industry; masonry is expected to benefit over time.