MCAA Regional Report, Region H Words: Ron AdamsCalifornia - Joel Guth Hawaii - Stanley Wada Nevada - No State Chair Workforce DevelopmentCaliforniaAlthough the masonry industry has experienced significant economic decline over the past 3 years, training apprentices to become our future journeyman must remain a high priority. Most mason contractors are operating at very reduced capacity, so the likelihood of increased apprentice training is cast aside. We all know it appears reasonable to reduce training, but one day, moderate growth will return to the industry, and competent, trained mechanics will be in high demand, so now is the time to enhance hiring apprentices and keep them in training. Existing masonry training programs continue to operate statewide at this time, but with reduced participants. NevadaNo report. HawaiiNo official apprentice training classes are conducted at this time other than individual employer training programs. Economic Conditions/ForecastsCalifornia2011 continued to be economically challenging for the masonry industry and for the majority of contractors. Unemployment still averages 12% as over one million jobs have disappeared from the California economy since early 2008 as reported in 2012-2013 “California Budget Outlook”. The forecast suggest that the state continues a slow, arduous recovery with unemployment remaining above 10% through mid-2014. With the legislature’s major spending cuts enacted 7/1/2011, which were developed to bring the states large deficit somewhat under control, will have significant impacts on statewide building programs, so any masonry industry growth must come from the private sector moving into 2012. Housing prices are expected to continue dropping another 2% by mid-2012 followed by a 2% increase for the second half of the year. Sales of existing homes are expected to rise 5% while new home sales are predicted to be flat. The bright spot in housing will be growth in apartment construction which was significant in 2011 and is expected to continue through 2012. NevadaNo report. Hawaii2011 was an “okay” year as there has been several federal projects and a couple of university projects under construction, but there is concern that the Corp of Engineers is tightening up on new projects during the next physical year. The current commercial market is expected to be sluggish. Masonry Marketing ActivitiesCaliforniaThe Masonry Institute of America (MIA) continues to update code publications, participate in code development and take questions and provide responsive answers to designers and engineers. The Concrete Masonry Association of California & Nevada (CMACN) continues diligently in its effort to expand the use of masonry by interacting with the design community. NevadaNo report. HawaiiThe Masonry Institute of Hawaii (MIH) is still forging ahead calling on the design community by offering education seminars and promotions. The MIH is planning to spend more money in 2012 on masonry promotional activities. Competitors/TrendsCaliforniaAlternative and less costly building materials continue into the market place of ideas available to designers. The wood industry has launched a major campaign directed at architects in their efforts to increase market share cleverly asking the architects to “re-Think Wood” in their campaign. NevadaNo report. HawaiiOther material options are available to the design community, but masonry has traditionally been the “go to” product that local designers use mainly because they are familiar with its properties. It is the goal of the Masonry Institute of Hawaii to keep masonry at the forefront.About: Featured
