90 Years of Progress
Let’s see … since you last read my President’s Message we have elected a new president, had Thanksgiving, watched Major League Baseball’s 2008 World Series and witnessed many more gyrations in the world financial markets. Hopefully once the election hoopla has settled down, the stock market will follow suit. We had a great […]
Presidential To-Do’s
It is probably safe to say that fixing the economy will be a priority for the president-elect of the United States. After the economy, what one issue (immigration, war, health care, homeland security or something else) should be high on Barack Obama’s to-do list, and why? Editor’s Note: Not surprising is that the […]
A Case of Jekyll and Hyde: The Industry Faces Its Dark Side
Contractors of the wall and ceiling industry might not care to admit it, but in the heat of the moment, they sometimes define what is unacceptable by showing a dark side. But it was generally agreed that the dark side should be kept in check, so how do these AWCI members run a company in […]
The Art of Good Sleep
Somebody once said that if you have trouble running one business, instead of scaling back you should spit your problem in the eye, expand, and run two. Or three, or four. There are those who seem to have taken this to heart and now operate not only their ceiling and drywall […]
Demystifying the Millennials
Millennials are smart and have a strong sense of self. They’re team players who can fit in great on the job—if you know what makes them tick. Earlier this year, after reading “InSync with the Millennial Generation” (AWCI’s Construction Dimensions, June 2008, page 23), the superintendent at a West Coast construction firm commented: […]
The Resort at Pelican Hill™
Editor’s Note: AWCI received more nominations than ever before for its 2009 Excellence in Construction Quality Award program, but there can be only one winner. Until the winner is officially announced during AWCI’s 2009 annual convention next March and in this magazine’s May 2009 Industry Awards Issue, we will tell you about some of the […]
Construction Trends
Construction Market Will Continue to Slide in 2009 McGraw-Hill Construction released its 2009 Construction Outlook on Oct. 23, which forecasts a drop in overall U.S. construction starts for next year, as the tough funding environment continues, construction projects are deferred, and financial stress gradually eases. Against this backdrop, the level of construction starts in 2009 […]
Control Joints for Concrete Masonry Units
I received a telephone inquiry about the placement of control joints in portland cement-based plaster on concrete masonry units. The questioner specifically asked if the square footage was the same as control joints on metal lath. After reading C926, Standard specification for Application of Portland Cement-Based Plaster, and C1063, Standard Specification for Installation […]
It’s an Ill Wind
Alright, I admit it. For months now I’ve avoided the issue—but for good reason. It’s much like the first barely discernible symptoms at the onset of toothache or a cold or the flu. We have this perverse notion that talking about it will somehow validate or even invite the impending illness. So we stuff a […]