National Concrete Masonry Association

Architectural concrete masonry — combined with innovative design and craftsmanship — has delivered in a big way on the recent expansion of Pittsburgh’s St. Clair Hospital, a vital healthcare provider with ties to the prestigious Mayo Clinic. St. Clair’s outpatient volume grew by 130 percent from 2006 to 2018, making it the fastest growing hospital in Pittsburgh and driving the need for the creation of the 280,000-square foot Dunlap Outpatient Center, which opened its doors in the spring of 2021.

The return on investment for installing manufactured stone veneer (MSV) on the exterior of a home is 91.4 percent according to the recently released 2022 Cost vs. Value report from Remodeling Magazine (published by Zonda). This puts MSV as the second highest return on investment of the projects studied, and one of only two to return more than 90 percent of the cost of the project. Manufactured stone veneer’s 92 percent cost vs. value return is the highest of all cladding projects in the study.

A high-tech, insulated concrete masonry wall system — along with a synergistic effort by the block producer, architect, engineers, contractors, industry experts, and the building’s owner — have created a state-of-the-art Vision Health and Wellness Center for The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) in Syracuse, NY. The building is a true testament to the power of simple, well-designed concrete masonry construction.

The Greater Lansing Food Bank, Bath, MI, is one of some 20 projects that the Masonry Institute of Michigan (MIM) has converted to CMU over the past two years using NCMA’s innovative Direct Design software, according to Philippe Ledent, P.E., S.E., the group’s executive director. The food bank provides between 8 and 9 million meals annually to families in the region, along with some 40,000 vegetable plant “starts,” and a wide variety of other services.

NCMA/ICPI 2021 Safety Awards Program Winners Announced 175 plants were honored for their commitment to keeping safe manufacturing environments. [HERNDON, Va. – May 25, 2022] The National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) and the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), two of the premier trade associations within the concrete products industry, are pleased to announce the winners of the 2021 NCMA/ICPI Safety Awards.

Kent Waide, former owner of Ruby Concrete Company in Madison, Kentucky, was presented with NCMA’s Hall of Fame award on March 2 at the association’s Annual Meeting held at The Westin at Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri. NCMA’s Hall of Fame award is presented to the industry’s most valued participants whose careers are highlighted by continual accomplishments on the industry’s behalf, and who have demonstrated unquestioned dedication to NCMA’s highest values.

Cost-Competitive Concrete Masonry Block gains advantage as insurers recognize the risks of wood frame buildings and new data shows the competitive nature of block construction. 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.

Nowhere is that more apparent than the beautiful, tiered segmental retaining walls that surround the Vista and The Row at Wellington Heights, just outside of Dale City, CA. The hilltop master planned community features stunning views of Lake Merced, the Pacific Ocean, and the Farallon Islands.

Patrick C. Dubbert, retired from Midwest Block & Brick, Inc., Jefferson City, Missouri, was presented with NCMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award on March 2 at the association’s Annual Meeting held at The Westin at Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri. This award is NCMA’s highest recognition for achievement or service by individuals through a member company (or companies).

Joe Bowen, retired President and current Executive Chair of Mutual Materials, Bellevue, Washington, was inducted into the NCMA Hall of Fame on March 2 at the association’s Annual Meeting held at The Westin at Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri. NCMA’s Hall of Fame award is presented to the industry’s most valued participants whose careers are highlighted by continual accomplishments on the industry’s behalf, and who have demonstrated unquestioned dedication to NCMA’s highest values.