September 2024

Through our strategic planning process, the MIM Board of Trustees identified three main priorities for our members:

1. Technical assistance and troubleshooting​
2. Promotion of masonry as the optimal building material​
3. Representation by MIM related to specification and code bodies

Through this process, we have identified a new mission statement: To serve as the region's leading masonry resource through education, promotion, and technical assistance. Our vision was also updated: The MIM seeks to advance the masonry industry and the communities in which we live and work by delivering our promise to provide the solution for all our partners' industry needs. To better identify our services, the Board of Trustees developed a Code of Ethics and we have been implementing this to promote masonry as the building material of choice.

From the Desk of Phil Ledent

The MIM has been actively working with design professionals to promote economical masonry solutions. Recently we have been successful at partnering with member mason contractors to provide value engineering solutions to save owners money. As Jeff Schipper, president of Integrated Exteriors put it, "Two simple phone calls with our project design team and Phil at MIM were able to save the owners over $100,000 on their project. Being able to reduce the amount of grout and spacing increases our efficiency, speeds up the project, and saved the owner a significant amount of money. A true win for all parties. The MIM has helped us with this process on many projects with similar results."

Similarly, we were successful partnering with Burggrabe Masonry to reduce over-design and promote efficient masonry. As Scott Schepers notes, "Several times over the last few years we have encountered projects with overdesigned masonry whether it be walls, piers, or columns. In most situations there is no time prior to the bid date to address all these elements with the design teams so any review takes place after award. With assistance of Phil Ledent at the MIM, Burggrabe Masonry has been able to communicate with project engineering teams to address the overdesign of the masonry. This collaboration has saved our building owners, primary schools districts or municipalities well over $150,000 dollars in 2023 & currently $12,000 in 2024. Phil's knowledge of the codes & masonry design has gained the respect of engineering & design community and has certainly built a sturdy bridge between the contractor & engineer thus making this communication possible."

Never feel alone on your projects, the MIM is here as a resource and has responded to over 400 technical inquires and has been involved in saving owners over $400,000 in 2024 alone by taking advantage of the economy that masonry offers. As budgets get tighter, it is imperative that we ensure that masonry is designed as economically as possible. Reach out any time, we're here to help!

In 2024, we have been actively meeting with design professionals to offer learning opportunities and assist them with the design of masonry projects. Thank you to our sponsors:

Albaugh Masonry

Baker Construction

Belden Architectural Elements

Best Block

Consumers Concrete

Davenport Masonry

Dixon, Inc.

Fendt Products

Leidal and Hart Mason Contractors

MASONPRO

St Marys Cement



Through the first half of 2024 we have:



• Presented at the annual Structural Engineers Association of Michigan (SEAMi) annual conference.
• Had four programs approved through the Concrete Masonry Checkoff program, developing new resources to make masonry easier for practicing design professionals.
• Taught structural masonry design at Lawrence Technological University, and been active on their architectural engineering advisory board.
• Held twenty lunch and learn presentations with architects and structural engineers on topics ranging from masonry flashing to structural software.
• Partnered with the University of Louisville to finalize their research and report on masonry lap splices during construction, working to update the MCAA Standard Practice for Bracing Masonry Walls Under Construction.
• Scheduled Masonry 101 and Grout Workshop training opportunities with member mason contractors.

MIM workshops are intended to build collaboration between the field and the design office so that masonry becomes more than lines on a piece of paper. If you would like Phil to present a workshop, a lunch and learn or provide training for your team, please reach out. 

Interested in growing your brand and reaching a wider audience? MIM is offering newsletter advertising to our members, with the opportunity to reach hundreds of users through our website and thousands through our social media accounts! If interested, please reach out to info@masonryinfo.org!

Tip of the Month

Interior masonry walls and partitions require very little reinforcement, and these walls can often be a key value engineering item to save owners money. Learn more here: Partition Guide.

Make sure you're following us on social media for upcoming projects and events!