SepOct 2008: Letter to the Editor

Words: Bronzella Cleveland

SeptemberOctober 2008

To make comments
or suggestions, send
e-mail to
cory@lionhrtpub.com.
To make comments
or suggestions, send
e-mail to
cory@lionhrtpub.com.
To make comments
or suggestions, send
e-mail to
cory@lionhrtpub.com.

The article “As Cast Stone Prices Fall, Will Quality Suffer?” printed in the July/August magazine was a thinly disguised attack upon the success of The Cast Stone Institute. While I do not know the author personally, I respect his right to proselytize for his organization, The Architectural Precast Association, but articles about our somewhat related products would better serve the industry if postured from a mutually respectful perspective.

The Cast Stone Institute has worked tirelessly over the last several years to achieve and maintain the credibility of its Producer Members. Key to that initiative has been a focus upon the long-standing Code of Ethics as well as the mandatory Plant Certification Program. To my knowledge, The Cast Stone Institute is the only association dedicated solely to the cast stone industry, and is highly regarded by Architects, Contractors, and many of our peer organizations. We maintain a respectful, co-operative relationship with several industry associations, all of whom are dedicated to the principal of providing quality product in a professional manner. I invite and encourage Mr. McGee to embrace that posture more attentively in the future.

On one point we are of a single mind – the Plant Certification process is a worthwhile measure of a producer’s commitment to service his customers’ needs. Producers of quality product, whatever it is, need quantifiable standards by which to measure their performance. Plant Certification alone, however, will not guarantee quality product. There must be an ownership commitment and a Code of Ethics to drive the necessarily constant initiative and dedication to produce quality product.

Respectfully,

Gary D. Fry
President-Cast Stone Institute

MASONRY STRONG Podcast Episode 1 Recap: Jeff Buczkiewicz

On the first episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, MCAA President Jeff Buczkiewicz talked about his journey into the masonry industry, how he’s seen the industry change, and how he got into his position at the MCAA. Jeff’s Early Days and Entry Into the I

About: Featured
The GT30: A Block Laying Robot by Shanghai Intelligent Masonry Technology

China is the world's largest construction market and the largest producer and user of various types of building blocks (AAC blocks, hollow concrete blocks, porous clay sintered blocks, etc.). According to industry association statist

About: Featured
Brick in Architecture Awards is Now Open!

Lay the Foundation for Success: Enter the 2024 Brick Awards Today! The Brick in Architecture Awards celebrates the world’s most innovative and sustainable architectural designs, all centered around the creative use of clay

About: Featured
Concrete Masonry Checkoff Program Webinars

Join us for an insightful Program Webinar on October 29th at 12 PM ET/11 AM CT, where you will hear directly from industry leaders Jeff Buczkiewicz and Ryan Shaver. They will discuss two pivotal programs shaping the future of the masonry industry: the Nat

About: Featured