Masonry ROCKS Event in San Antonio

The Texas Masonry Council (TMC) and San Antonio Mason Contractors Association (SAMCA) recently hosted the second annual Masonry ROCKS Regional Showcase, where they introduced over 150 students from multiple high schools to masonry as a career alternative to college. With the help of contractor and supplier volunteers, the event was a great success, and TMC is now focused on placing 50 students this summer in positions with members. Check out the highlight video of the event and stay tuned for more information on this initiative, and contact TMC staff for more information on starting a career in masonry.

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Bricks Bags and Blocks for Bikes- Malta Dynamic Fall Protection Bundle Available in Online Auction

For the past couple of years, Spec Mix has hosted an auction in conjunction with the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 competition in North Texas. This year, the goal is to raise $50,000 to purchase bikes for the underprivileged children of the Dallas, Ft. Worth area. In the spirit of the holiday season the Masonry Trade and its supporters wish to take this opportunity to give back to our community in partnership with our local ABC Channel 8 – WFAA. This year we hope you’ll join us in making a difference in the life of a deserving child.

This year the auction going online to allow more exposure and Spec Rents is happy to play a small part in it by donating a Malta Dynamics Fall Protection bundle (see below pictures and description) for the auction. You can see details below and be sure to go to Spec Mix’s Bricks, Blocks & Bags for Bikes page to bid on this item and the other great products up for auction. Final results will be announced at the SPEC MIX JR BRICKLAYER 500 event.

Malta Dynamics Fall Protection Bundle - $350 value

New Way to Anchor for Fall Protection: Reusable Parapet Anchor

Yesterday I was on the MCAA (Mason Contractors Association of America) Safety Round Table virtual meeting and the topic that the group voted to talk about was Fall Protection. Of all of the challenges that we discussed, probably the most common was finding safe and adequate places to tie off to, when necessary.

Some scaffold systems, such as Hydro Mobile, have engineered anchor points on the scaffold that you can easily tie to. Sometimes you will be on a building that has an engineered anchor point overhead that’s convenient. However, we discussed that finding an adequate anchorage point is sometimes a challenge.

It was coincidence that a couple hours after our round table was over that I received an update from Malta Dynamics, which we proudly provide to our customers. They’ve created a new temporary anchor: the reusable parapet anchor. Although, this anchor might not work in all scenarios, it is one more thing to help you as a contractor when you’re faced with the challenge of where to tie off to safely.

Malta Dynamics Reusable Parapet Anchor

Malta Dynamics Reusable Parapet Anchor

Learn more about this new anchor solution that doesn’t damage roof walls, designed specifically for flat roofs surrounded by parapet walls here.

Spec Rents a the proud distributor of Hydro Mobile Mast Climbers, Malta Dynamics safety and fall protection equipment, EZG Manufacturing, Norton Clipper saws, and Husqvarna saws and equipment for Texas. Although we are technically an equipment company, we’re not just in business to sell and rent equipment. We provide our customers with equipment solutions that provide safety and increased productivity. Let us know if we can help you achieve your company’s goals.

Post by:  Elizabeth "Liz" Graves, Sales Manager at Spec Rents, LLC.  Contact Liz at lizg@specrents.com

Golden Trowel Awards at CTMCA and SAMCA

Spec Rents, LLC was proud to be a part of the following projects that won awards at recent Golden Trowel Banquets in San Antonio and Austin, TX.

At the San Antonio Mason Contractors Association (SAMCA) banquet, we were proud to be recognized as providing mast climbers for the following winning projects:

  • HEB San Antonio 41 - E Commerce Fullment Center with Ericstad, Inc. - Honorable Mention in the Block Category

  • CHRISTUS Spohn Shoreline with Shadrock & Williams Masonry- Golden Trowel in the Government/Institutional Category

At the Central Texas Masonry Contractors Association (CTMCA) banquet, we were proud to be recognized for providing mast climbers for the following winning projects:

  • UT Robert B Rowling Hall with Brazos Masonry - Honorable Mention in the Education: College Category

  • The McKenzie with C.W. Oates Masonry- Golden Trowel in the Residential: Multi-Family Category

  • St. Austin’s Catholic Church with Brazos Masonry - Golden Trowel in the Restoration Category

Thank you to Ericstad, Inc., Brazos Masonry, C.W. Oates Masonry, and Shadrock & Williams Masonry for allowing us to partner with you on these amazing projects and the many others we’ve done over the years. We appreciate you choosing to use Spec Rents and Hydro Mobile mast climbers to provide your crews with improved safety and production. Together, we’ve been able to do some amazing things!

HEB San Antonio 41 - E Commerce Fullment Center with Ericstad, Inc. - Honorable Mention in the Block Category

HEB San Antonio 41 - E Commerce Fullment Center with Ericstad, Inc. - Honorable Mention in the Block Category

CHRISTUS Spohn Shoreline with Shadrock & Williams Masonry- Golden Trowel in the Government/Institutional Category

CHRISTUS Spohn Shoreline with Shadrock & Williams Masonry- Golden Trowel in the Government/Institutional Category

UT Robert B Rowling Hall with Brazos Masonry - Honorable Mention in the Education: College Category

UT Robert B Rowling Hall with Brazos Masonry - Honorable Mention in the Education: College Category

The McKenzie with C.W. Oates Masonry- Golden Trowel in the Residential: Multi-Family Category

The McKenzie with C.W. Oates Masonry- Golden Trowel in the Residential: Multi-Family Category

St. Austin’s Catholic Church with Brazos Masonry - Golden Trowel in the Restoration Category

St. Austin’s Catholic Church with Brazos Masonry - Golden Trowel in the Restoration Category

Spec Rents is the proud distributor of Hydro Mobile, Husqvarna, EZG Manufacturing, and Malta Dynamics for Texas. Although we are technically an equipment company, we’re not just in business to sell and rent equipment. We provide our customers with equipment solutions that provide safety and increased productivity. Let us know if we can help you achieve your company’s goals.

Post by:  Elizabeth "Liz" Graves, Sales Manager at Spec Rents, LLC.  Contact Liz at lizg@specrents.com

Project Highlight: Frisco Station

Frisco Station is a 7 floor hotel project located in Frisco, Texas. The contractor, Design Construction, has years of experience in hotel projects and made the wise decision to use Hydro Mobile Mast Climbers to increase their productivity on this difficult stack-bond brick project.

Hydro Mobile M2 Mast Climber Frisco Station Corner Setup
Hydro Mobile M2 Mast Climber Frisco Station with Corner Setup

This project is a challenge with the multiple returns, in addition to it being stack-bond pattern, requiring quality workmanship from the masons. The Hydro Mobile M2 Mast Climbers are versatile enough to provide the mason with a quick setup around corners and keep the flow going all the way up.

Hydro Mobile M2 Mast Climber Frisco Station Stairwell

The above area shows a return that they were able to easily setup to cover the stairwell. The smaller length of the stairwell wall required the use of a 14’ M2 Hydro Mobile Mast Climber vs. the traditional 24’ M2 units used on other areas of the job. The 14’ M2 unit is able to provide the same large capacity of 22,000 lbs, a 7’ deep work platform, and stability of having two masts vs. using a single mast system.

Hydro Mobile M2 Mast Climber Frisco Station with Hoist

Additionally, Design Construction used the M2 Hoist for this project to keep the masons continually stocked. At a capacity of 4,000 lbs and speed of 65 ft per minute, these hoists will keep production going, even after you’ve outreached your forklift.

Being their first project with mast climbers, Spec Rents held a full installation and dismantle training course for their E&D crew. Our instructors spent multiple days assisting in their first setups and going back out to assist with dismantling and moving units to additional setups.

If you’ve got a construction project coming up that you’re considering mast climbers on but haven’t taken the leap and have questions, give us a call. We’re happy to walk you through the process to find the best solution for your specific challenges.

Hydro Mobile M2 Mast Climber_Frisco Station_MPI

Spec Rents is the proud distributor of Hydro Mobile for Texas. Although we are technically an equipment company, we’re not just in business to sell and rent equipment. We provide our customers with equipment solutions that provide safety and increased productivity. Let us know if we can help you achieve your company’s goals.

Post by:  Elizabeth "Liz" Graves, Sales Manager at Spec Rents, LLC.  Contact Liz at lizg@specrents.com

Project Highlight - Republic Square, Austin, Texas

A few months back, Spec Rents was called in to provide equipment to Camarata Masonry Systems (CMS) for the Republic Square project in downtown Austin, Texas. Using the Hydro Mobile M2 Mast Climber units with a monorail system allows CMS to set very large GFRC panels thanks to the large capacity and versatility that these units provide.  Additionally, the M2 mast climbers can fit into the tight space in the back alleyway by removing the bases and using mast base plates to maintain access for traffic.  See below for some photos of the project’s progress, using Hydro Mobile Mast Climbers.

Spec Rents is proud to be part of this beautiful masonry project with the wonderful CMS team. You can check out other Spec Rents projects on our Projects Page.  Learn more about the amazing work of Camarata Masonry Systems at http://www.camaratamasonry.com/

Hydro Mobile Mast Climbers Republic Square Austin Texas
Hydro Mobile Mast Climbers Republic Square Austin Texas
Hydro Mobile Mast Climbers Republic Square Austin Texas
Hydro Mobile Mast Climbers Republic Square Austin Texas
Hydro Mobile Mast Climbers Republic Square Austin Texas
Hydro Mobile Mast Climbers Republic Square Austin Texas
Hydro Mobile Mast Climbers Republic Square Austin Texas

Spec Rents is the proud distributor of Hydro Mobile for Texas. Although we are technically an equipment company, we’re not just in business to sell and rent equipment. We provide our customers with equipment solutions that provide safety and increased productivity. Let us know if we can help you achieve your company’s goals.

Post by:  Elizabeth "Liz" Graves, Sales Manager at Spec Rents, LLC.  Contact Liz at lizg@specrents.com

Bring back the Pride: 12 Ways to Bring Pride Back into Masonry

I hear it every day.  “We can’t find good masons.”  Or “There’s not enough labor out there.” The problem is two-fold, in my opinion.

  1. We can’t find people who want to work in masonry.

  2. We aren’t training enough people to fill the gap of those who are starting to retire.

 I’m the proud daughter of a masonry contractor.  My dad called himself an “artistic manipulator of the burnt clay product.” He started as a laborer for a company, went through an apprenticeship, was a mason, became a foreman, moved into estimating…. All with the same company.  When that company started to slow down, he and my mom started their own company.  He had pride in what he did. And I’m proud of the work he has done over the years and the work our company helps masons to do now.

I think this is something we are really missing out on.  We need to bring back the pride

What masons do is nothing less than an art.  Think about being an electrician or a plumber or a framer.  Sure, they’re also proud professions that are absolutely necessary. But what masons do is beautiful and lasting.  It’s something you can be proud of for generations to come.

Austin by Ellsworth Kelly.JPG

How can you help bring back the pride to masonry?

Here’s a 12 ideas to get you started.

  1. Make a big deal out of the projects your crews are on.  Tell them about it.  They like to know details like how many brick are on it, what it will be, etc.  Some companies have hats or shirts made for really big projects to give to their guys.  Something small like that can go a long way.  You’ll find the guys are proud to be a part of something like this.

  2. Take part in masonry competitions throughout the country.  These are a chance for the best masons to show just how great they are.  These guys (and hopefully one day gals) are beasts- the amount of brick they can lay is nothing short of amazing.  Encouraging and supporting your guys to train and then participate in these can be a great way to show that this is a great trade to be in. Check out the 2019 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® to learn more.

  3. We build cool stuff but some of them may not ever get to see the finished project.  Consider doing a company newsletter, whether paper or digitally.  Or maybe do a Facebook page where you can share pictures and they can too.  The younger generations live on this kind of stuff.  Keeping your website up to date is important too.

  4. Make new hires feel welcome by introducing them to the team they’re working with.  Your crew should be a team.  This means they know and help each other out.  They watch out for the new guy and help them, showing them the ins and outs of both the company and project they’re starting on. You’ll find their productivity will go up substantially if you’ll do this.  And, really, how hard would it be to introduce them at your weekly toolbox talk and pair them up with someone?  This will give your current employees something to be proud of doing as well.

  5. Train new hires appropriately on what expectations are, what benefits they have access to, and, most importantly, safety.  It takes time to do this, but you’ll save a lot of headaches by doing so and they’ll know your company culture and be better acclimated to it this way.  Spending time to do so shows you care about them as individuals.  Happy employees = productive employees most of the time.

  6. Have a company party yearly.  This doesn’t have to be anything fancy but it’s a way for everyone to get together and see each other.  Maybe do a slide show so their family can see the projects they’ve been on over the past year.  Think of how proud your kids are when they show you all of the projects they’ve worked on for open house at school.  It’s the same concept.

  7. Advance from within your company when you can.  Provide a career path that they can easily see.  Some of the best superintendents, project managers, and estimators were labors and masons first.  People want to be proud to grow up and advance within a company. 

  8. Recruit from high schools by creating relationships with counselors.  We know that everyone isn’t going to college and doesn’t need to.  Providing information on a career path in masonry and showing off the awesome projects they could work on, can help with recruiting. Check out the Top 10 Reasons to Join the Masonry Team booklet by MCAA. It’s available to MCAA members for free so be sure to order yourself some for your next recruiting efforts.

  9. Communicate effectively- they want to know what’s in the pipeline and where they may be going next.  Daily meetings may be time-consuming but a quick 5-10 meeting to tell the crew what their goals are might make the difference between them making production or not. Also, get some excitement going about upcoming work.  Also, communicate any changes effectively- ex: safety, change in address, policies, holidays, etc.

  10. Celebrate victories- whether it be 100,000 hours injury free, topping out a wall, landing a big project, receiving a new piece of equipment, or even personal victories. 

  11. Provide your crews with good equipment and products - If you keep giving them stuff that breaks down or doesn’t work well, it will not only slow your project down but they’ll also realize it’s not worth taking care of.  And so the cycle continues.  Providing good equipment and then training and requiring them to maintain it well is a way to instill pride (and responsibility) in some of the younger generations.

  12. Consider a yearbook- whether digital or paper- that you put pictures of all of the projects completed in the last year that you can share with your teams.  You can be sure they’ll be proud of this.

Camden Conte’ - M2 and P Series Hydro Mobile Mast Climbers

Camden Conte’ - M2 and P Series Hydro Mobile Mast Climbers

That’s a lot of ideas.  Don’t be overwhelmed. Start small.  You’re probably already doing some of these so why not just make sure everyone in the company is aware? If you’re not doing any of these, I challenge you to pick 1 or 2 that you can quickly implement for your teams.  Do your part to bring back the pride in masonry.  Whether you’re a Project Manager, a laborer, Superintendent, truck driver, or the payroll clerk, you have a lot to be proud of in your company!

Post by:  Elizabeth "Liz" Graves, Sales Manager at Spec Rents, LLC.  Contact Liz at lizg@specrents.com