MCAA Regional Report, Region H

Words: Ron AdamsCalifornia - Mason Contractors Association of California
Hawaii - No State Chair
Nevada - No State Chair

Workforce Development

California

Northern California BAC Local 3 apprentice program continues to show a slight increase in enrollment. Southern California BAC Local 4 shows a modest decrease.

Also, Southern California Local 4 is in the process of purchasing a facility for their operations and hopes to house their apprentice program this summer.

Other industry supported high school and adult apprentice programs throughout the state currently total 16.

Hawaii

No Report

Nevada

No Report

Economic Conditions / Forecast

California

California’s independent legislative analyst forecasts a projected operations surplus of approximately $10 billion dollars if current spending and revenue policies continue by 2017. Moreover, the analyst predicts $5.6 billion in reserve by July 2015. This is being met with some skepticism due to the increase in the number of state government employees being added to the state payroll.
The unemployment rate has fallen from 10.1% a year ago to 8.7% as a direct result of the state hiring more workers.

The manufacturing sector has posted the greatest loss of jobs in the state.
Construction jobs show little change since 2012, and this seems to be the trend for 2014.

Hawaii

No Report

Nevada

No Report

Masonry Marketing Activities

California

The Concrete Masonry Association of California and Nevada (CMACN) continues to reward exceptional masonry designs every other year at their Design Awards Dinner with the most recent event held September 2013 in Southern California. This event previously occurred each year but the schedule was modified in 2010 due to the recession. CMACN has also launched the “WHY MASONRY” campaign utilizing print ads and a dedicated web site marketing the use of CMU to promote the industry. “Profiles in Architecture” is distributed to some 15,000 architects showcasing award-winning masonry projects in full color brochure format and around 5,100 copies of the technical brochure “Masonry Chronicles” is distributed to engineers statewide.

The Masonry Society (TMS) has recently been recognized as the definitive authority on masonry code development. This has long been the desire of the industry and is now a reality.

The Masonry Institute of America (MIA) distributes about 7,000 promotional flyers showing a vast assortment of outstanding masonry projects to architects statewide on a regular basis as well continuing to update and upgrade its publications used by designers, contractors and educators across the US.

Hawaii

No Report

Nevada

No Report

Competitors / Trends

California

Contractors are reporting an increase in the volume of work bidding though the prices continue to be lower than we would like to see. This trend seems likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
Expect an increase of around 7.6% on workers comp insurance effective January 1, 2014.
Diesel regulations prohibiting tier 0 (pre-1996) and tier 1 (1996-2000) off-road diesel engines go into effect January 1, 2014 as does emissions compliance for small on-road fleets (3 vehicles or fewer). There has also been a strengthening of the heat illness prevention rules as well as increased enforcement of 100% fall protection.

Hawaii

No Report

Nevada

No Report
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