A hardening up of the property and casualty insurance market and new data showing the true economy of concrete masonry construction are boosting block’s advantage against competitive building systems.

That was the takeaway from a webinar – “Resilient Community Risk Reduction, an Economic Approach to Multi-Residential Structures” sponsored Sept. 16, 2021 by the Pennsylvania Concrete Masonry Association (PCMA).  The webinar featured a detailed presentation from Walter G. M. Schneider III, Ph.D., P.E., CBO, MCP, CFO, MIFireE, FACSE – The Pennsylvania State University.  Schneider, who serves as an adjunct professor in the Architectural Engineering and Agricultural & Biological Engineering Departments, reviewed data from a multi-city comparison of construction system costs that confirms block’s economic competitiveness with other building systems.

Also presenting was Patrick Riley, CPCU, ARM, CRIS, vice president, property and casualty, USI Insurance Services LLC.  Riley told attendees that environmental factors are causing insurers to take a harder look at building materials and construction systems when writing policies and setting insurance rates.

To read the entire article: 
https://ncma.org/updates/cost-competitive-cmu/

To review the Building Sciences Report:
www.buildingstudies.org/initial_cost_construction_multi-residential_structures_reports.html​ 

FMAEF's Al Herndon presented  Michael Griffin, graduating masonry student from Camden County High School in Kingsland, Georgia his Mortar Net Solutions Award with the assistance of the Camden County School Board.  Instructor, Carlos Jones Jr. assisted Mr. Herndon with the presentation.  Everyone who attended was so proud of Michael's success and Carlos spoke on Michael outstanding accomplishments as a  student.

Thank you to Steve Fechino and Mortar Net Solutions for all you do for the masonry industry and for helping us to recognize America's masonry students with scholarships, awards and support.

For more information, contact Al Herndon:
Al Herndon
Florida Masonry Apprentice and Educational Foundation
904 838 6531
[email protected]

​Your voice and vote are needed as we are in the final push toward the CMU Checkoff. This vote is our one chance to change the trajectory of our industry and take back the markets and customers we’ve lost.
From the Department of Commerce:

"On May 3, 2021, The Office of the Federal Register published the final rule, FR-2021-05-03, on the procedures the Department of Commerce will follow in conducting a referendum for the Concrete Masonry Checkoff.

The referendum allows the industry to vote on whether to establish a national Concrete Masonry Products Board under the Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act of 2018. The publication of this notice allows the Department of Commerce to begin to register eligible voters to participate in the referendum."

The registration period began Tuesday, May 4th 2021
and will last for a MINIMUM OF 30 days.