MCAA Regional Report, Region I

Words: Jed OlafsonAlaska - No State Chairman
Idaho - No State Chairman
Montana - Zack Anderson
Oregon - No State Chairman
Washington - Jed Olafson

Workforce


Washington

Manpower shortages is the story of the year throughout Washington State. Started a new recruitment/retention campaign to identify a solid, long term workforce. Predictions indicate manpower will be a challenge through 2025. www.levelupnw.org is the theme for the new campaign.

Eastern Washington
Bricklayer hours year-to-date are almost exactly where they were in 2017. With several school bonds passing 2019 looks to be another solid year.

Oregon

Manpower shortages is the story of the year throughout Oregon. Will be following the lead of Washington State for identifying a younger demographic and additional bricklayers.

Idaho

Meeting the current demand needs.

Montana

Getting manpower from a number of different resources. Need to continue to raise the bar of quality bricklayers.

Alaska

Definite manpower shortages. Need bricklayers.

Economic Development

Washington

We have a very strong, new construction market. Indicators are that it will continue through 2019 with a slow down in early 2020. New building code regulations allowing for high rise timber construction threatens both the concrete and masonry industries.

Oregon

New construction is going well. However, the market is constrained by borders and restrictive land use regulations. Portland University failure with CLT provided good reports that challenges the utilization of CLT in Oregon.

Idaho

Limited and short-term sustainable growth throughout Idaho. Wood industry creeping in.

Montana

No report

Alaska

No report

Marketing

Washington

Continuing to spend time with the A/E/C industries through monthly lunch and learns; educational symposiums and technical assistance. New relationship between IMI/MIW/WSCMC as well training opportunities continue to improve the relationships and make for a solid demand for masonry. Working on construction management and school facilities for 2019. Introduction of the 2018 National Masonry Systems Guide, NW Edition assisting with the new discussions from the sheathing out.

Eastern Washington
Working on getting a new masonry design class in architecture at Washington State University in the fall as well as getting concrete masonry sound walls on the new North/South freeway in Spokane.

We are making calls on the architects designing the schools with mason contractors to go over details and get more masonry on the projects.

Washington State University received a grant from the National Concrete Masonry Association to determine if headed rebar could be used in lieu of rebar hooks. If successful, headed rebar would help reduce congestion is some of the cells allowing for the possibility of faster construction.

Oregon

Multiple focuses on new construction and unreinforced masonry (Full-day programs scheduled for 2019). National Masonry Systems Guide, NW Edition introduced to Portland market in 2018.

Sponsored engineering classes at Oregon State University and Oregon Institute of Technology.

Maintained the current exception for mass walls using masonry that are partially filled with insulation with the Oregon Building Codes Division.

We offered assistance and answered technical questions from local design firms, mason contractors and suppliers. Some of the more frequents questions were about fire ratings, control and expansion joints as well as prism strengths.

Idaho

No report

Montana

IMI has started marketing efforts in Montana. New A/E/C databases developed and educational programs planned for 2019.

Alaska

No report
About: Featured
Who Knows Most About Keeping Masonry Workers Safe?

As a safety professional who has specialized largely in masonry safety since the late 1980s, I’ve grown to think that I know a great deal about keeping masonry workers safe. That being said, I must admit that my colleagues and I know more about complianc

Read More
Recognizing Women in the Industry

Masonry was introduced to the world through the imagination, determination, and pure strength of mankind. The first masons’ unique abilities harnessed the earth around them to create the structures that provided the security that allowed us to advance. Th

By: Cassie Mejia
Read More
Understanding Different Types of Trowels Originating Through Government Specifications

Trowels are essential tools in masonry, each one designed with specific functions and specifications to aid in various tasks. Knowing the right type of trowel to use can greatly impact the quality and efficiency of your work. This article dives into the f

By: Paul Bender
About: MAP Partner
Read More
Natural Stone Institute Holds Utah Study Tour

Oberlin, OH, September 17, 2024—157 attendees from 48 member companies and 5 architectural firms attended the annual NSI Study Tour, which took place in Salt Lake City August 25-28, with an optional extension to Idaho on August 29. Highlights included an

By: Amy Oakley
Read More
Interested in working with us? Learn about and join the Masonry Alliance Program →