Last updated: October 8, 2026
2026 Guide Compares Leading Masonry Contractors in Stockton, California
September 3, 2026 · Bismarck News Updates
A 2026 selection guide published by USA Wire on September 3 compared 10 masonry contractors serving Stockton and surrounding California regions on a 100-point framework: local relevance, credential transparency, masonry breadth, market coverage and buyer information. Cen Cal Masonry Inc. placed first with 93 points. The guide is sponsored editorial research — not a licensing-board rating — but gives property owners a structured way to compare masonry contractors.
CMHA Releases Reinforced Masonry Storm Shelter Design Manual
August 26, 2026 · CMHA
The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association released 'Tornado Storm Shelter Prototypes Using Reinforced Concrete Masonry' on August 26, 2026 — a practical manual for designing ICC 500-compliant tornado shelters. Funded by the NCMA Foundation and developed with the Masonry Institute of St. Louis, the guide gives architects, engineers and contractors buildable shelter designs as severe storms drive demand for wind-rated structures.
Brick Works Series Heads to Belfast for 2026 Design Showcase
August 26, 2026 · IG Masonry Support
IG Masonry Support partnered with the Brick Development Association for the Belfast edition of the 2026 Brick Works Series on August 26, continuing the nationwide programme on modern brick architecture and masonry support systems. The evening events give architects, specifiers and contractors project-led presentations, networking and CPD credits. The series celebrates inventive brick design and expert craftsmanship across the UK.
Master Brick & Blocklayers Crowns Fastest Trowel in Invercargill
August 20, 2026 · Firth
New Zealand's Master Brick & Blocklayers Conference in Invercargill hosted the Silver Trowel and Fastest Trowel awards in August 2026, with Firth sponsoring both for the 30th-plus year. Tom Abbott of The Bricklaying Company in Christchurch won the Fastest Trowel, laying 56 concrete blocks in 20 minutes to take the $10,000 first prize. The competition celebrates the skill and craftsmanship shaping the masonry trade.
Florida Masonry Council Reports Workforce Gains in Q2
July 31, 2026 · Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council
The Florida Concrete Masonry Education Council submitted its second-quarter 2026 report on July 31, covering workforce development from April through June. Its justice-involved training program served 200 participants with an 89% completion rate, 51% unsubsidized employment and just 6% recidivism. The council continues its 2026-2029 strategic plan to build Florida's masonry workforce and promote resilient concrete masonry construction.
Curatola Masonry Expands into Engineering-Led Historic Preservation
July 28, 2026 · Spoke via FinancialContent
Three days after its growth milestone, Curatola Masonry announced an expanded focus on engineering-informed restoration, historic preservation, structural masonry and complex building rehabilitation across Ohio. The move targets commercial properties, government facilities, institutions and historic structures needing investigation-led repair strategies. Founder Justin Curatola brings 25-plus years across construction, facility engineering and masonry.
Curatola Masonry: From $50 Startup to Multi-Million-Dollar Company
July 25, 2026 · MarketersMedia via FinancialContent
Curatola Masonry announced July 25, 2026, that the Ohio operation founder Justin Curatola started with $50 has grown into a multi-million-dollar company — without venture capital, private equity, investors or loans. Growth came from reinvesting revenue into equipment, personnel, training and systems, with trucks and specialized equipment owned outright. The firm provides structural masonry, historic restoration and building envelope repair across Ohio.
Martin Marietta Poised to Become Top US Limestone and Lime Operator
June 29, 2026 · Concrete Products
Martin Marietta Materials agreed to combine with Texas-based Lhoist North America in a deal carrying a $7 billion cash payment, set to close in the second half of 2026. The transaction would make Martin Marietta the top US operator in limestone and lime products — core inputs for cement, mortar and masonry. The move continues the consolidation reshaping construction materials supply.
Brick Works Series Brings Modern Brick Design Showcase to Birmingham
June 25, 2026 · IG Masonry Support
IG Masonry Support partnered with the Brick Development Association for the 2026 Brick Works Series, with the Birmingham edition held June 25 at the EH Smith Design Centre. The evening event featured leading UK architects presenting innovative brick applications, plus networking and CPD credits for professionals. IG Masonry Support and Howell's Architects presented the Pershore Junction project and its masonry solutions.
EZ Scaffold Rejoins MCAA Masonry Alliance as Cornerstone Partner
June 10, 2026 · MCAA
EZ Scaffold resumed its Cornerstone partnership in the 2026 Masonry Alliance Program, the Mason Contractors Association of America's flagship industry support network. The alliance connects suppliers and contractors to advance the masonry trade nationally. Continued corporate backing keeps MCAA's training, advocacy and workforce programs funded through the year.
Construction Input Prices Jump 2.6% in May, Up Nearly 10% Year Over Year
May 11, 2026 · Floor Daily / ABC
Construction input prices rose 2.6% in May 2026 and are up 9.6% from a year ago, per ABC's analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Tariff-affected inputs like iron, steel and copper drove much of the increase alongside energy costs. For masonry contractors, the escalation pressures bid margins — though ABC's confidence index shows contractors still expect profit margins to expand over the next six months.
Construction Safety Week 2026 Launches with New OSHA Alliance
May 4, 2026 · USA Newshour
Construction Safety Week ran May 4-8, 2026, under the theme 'All in Together' — recognize, respond, respect — with a newly announced alliance with OSHA aimed at preventing serious injuries and fatalities. The partnership strengthens shared education and resources across the full project life cycle. The week also joined the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls, the industry's largest safety stand-down.
Masonry Institute of America Merges into California Masonry Council
May 1, 2026 · California Masonry Council
As of May 1, 2026, the Masonry Institute of America officially merged into the California Masonry Council, consolidating technical assistance, publications and resources into a unified platform. The move is part of CMC's long-term plan to strengthen service to the trade and the AEC community while carrying on MIA's legacy as a trusted technical resource. Technical services remain fully operational through the transition.
Australia Hosts First WorldSkills Stonemasonry Competition in 30 Years
April 22, 2026 · SA Skills Commission
Adelaide hosted Australia's first WorldSkills regional competition in architectural stonemasonry in 30 years on April 22, 2026, debuting an entirely new national competition package. The trade faces an acute skills shortage, and the South Australian Skills Commission is pushing to have stonemasonry included in the 2027 National Championships. Entrants competed at the historic Adelaide Gaol under the new training package.
Guild of Bricklayers Midlands Heat Showcases Apprentice Talent
April 16, 2026 · IG Masonry Support
Eight colleges competed in the Midlands regional heat of the Guild of Bricklayers Competition at Burton and South Derbyshire College on April 16, 2026, with students reproducing detailed brickwork models from technical drawings against the clock. IG Masonry Support and Keystone Lintels provided prizes through the Keystone Group's Keyskills initiative. The competition keeps traditional masonry craftsmanship standards alive for the next generation.
Global Masonry Cement Market Valued at $6.86B in 2026, Headed to $11.71B
April 14, 2026 · Future Market Insights via MyMotherLode
The global masonry cement market is valued at USD 6.86 billion in 2026 and projected to reach USD 11.71 billion by 2036 at a 5.5% CAGR, according to Future Market Insights. Urbanization, affordable housing programs and sustainable cement innovations are driving expansion. Residential construction holds a 54.3% share of demand, with China, India and Germany leading growth.
CMHA Names Starling Johnson as Chair
March 20, 2026 · CMHA
The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association named Starling Johnson, vice president of sales at Johnson Concrete Products, as its new chair. The appointment signals continuity in the industry's push for masonry standards and education. CMHA continues to be the central trade voice for concrete masonry and hardscape contractors nationwide.
'From the Mound to the Mortar': MLB Giant Jon Rauch Joins the Masonry Industry
March 15, 2026 · Mason Contractors Association of America
Jon Rauch — at 6'11" the tallest player in Major League Baseball history and an Olympic gold medalist — is the subject of a March 2026 Mason Contractors Association of America feature on his new career in the masonry industry. After 11 MLB seasons, Rauch has traded the pitcher's mound for the mortar board. His story highlights the trade's pull for second-career craftsmen.
Super Trowel 2026 Regional Bricklaying Contest Draws Talent to Newry
February 27, 2026 · IG Masonry Support
IG Masonry Support, Keyfix and Keystone Lintels jointly sponsored the Super Trowel 2026 regional event at Southern Regional College in Newry — the UK's premier bricklaying competition. Apprentices, trainees and experienced bricklayers competed on technical skill, speed and precision for a shot at the July final. The sponsorship backs the Keystone Group's push for quality workmanship and next-generation masonry talent.
Trice Contracting Hosts NYC Masonry Showcase on Durable Building Craft
February 5, 2026 · PR Newswire via Morningstar
Trice Contracting Inc. hosted an exclusive masonry showcase in New York City bringing together property owners, architects and builders for hands-on demonstrations of bricklaying, stone cutting and historic restoration. The event highlighted how proper masonry work — precise mortar application and facade repair — cuts long-term maintenance costs. For Queens and NYC property owners, the takeaway was that quality masonry pays for itself in building life.
World of Concrete 2026 Draws 47,400+ to Las Vegas
January 27, 2026 · GlobeNewswire via CentralCharts
World of Concrete, the largest annual event for the concrete construction and masonry industries, closed its 2026 edition at the Las Vegas Convention Center with more than 47,400 registered professionals. Over 1,300 exhibitors spanned concrete masonry, cement production, demolition and repair, with 284 first-time exhibitors. Organizers pointed to a cement and concrete products market projected to reach $508 billion by 2030.
Brick Industry Association Publishes Technical Note on Sustainable Brick Design
January 9, 2026 · Brick Industry Association (gobrick.com)
The Brick Industry Association's January 2026 technical note index added 'Using Brick in Sustainable and Resilient Designs,' its newest guidance for architects and masons on low-carbon, durable brick construction. The note joins decades of BIA technical guidance covering wall ties, anchor bolts, and maintenance of brick masonry. For contractors, it's a ready reference for selling brick's resilience story to clients.
'Beyond the Kiln': Construction Canada on Reinventing Brick
January 9, 2026 · Construction Canada
Construction Canada published a January 2026 feature on how brick is being reinvented for modern builds — celebrating its durability, character, and timeless appeal while fitting new performance demands. The piece reflects a broader industry push to position clay brick as both heritage craft and contemporary material. For masonry contractors, the renewed design interest signals steady demand for skilled brickwork.
Dayco General Rebrands as Dvorak Masonry & Concrete in Minneapolis
December 29, 2025 · EIN Presswire
Minneapolis-area contractor Dayco General officially became Dvorak Masonry & Concrete in December 2025, honoring the Dvorak family's multi-generational legacy in the trade. Same crews, new name — still focused on commercial and residential masonry repair and concrete replacement across the Twin Cities.
Concrete Masonry Checkoff Launches Block Design Collective for Contractors
December 15, 2025 · Masonry Magazine
The Concrete Masonry Checkoff rolled out the Block Design Collective in December 2025, a free national resource giving contractors and designers fast guidance on building with concrete masonry. For working masons, it means fewer guesswork calls on detailing and specification.
Capstone Closes Canadian Stone Industries Deal, Adds $15M in Revenue
December 2, 2025 · ACCESS Newswire via guardonline.com
Capstone Holding Corp. closed its acquisition of Canadian Stone Industries in December 2025, a multi-location stone distributor doing $15 million a year. The deal pushes Capstone closer to its $100 million run-rate target and keeps the consolidation wave in building-products distribution rolling.
Escajeda Masonry & Concrete Lands on Pittsburgh Fast 50 With 40% Growth
November 24, 2025 · Pennsylvania Industry Brief
Pittsburgh's Escajeda Masonry & Concrete was named to the 2025 Fast 50 list of the region's fastest-growing private companies after posting 40% revenue growth. The restoration specialist credits sustained residential demand, repeat business, and standout reviews — a playbook any masonry contractor would recognize.
Manufactured Stone Veneer Tops Remodeling ROI at 206%, Says Industry Data
November 13, 2025 · Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association
The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association highlighted November 2025 data showing manufactured stone veneer delivering a 206% return on investment — among the highest of any remodeling project for resale value. For homeowners weighing exterior upgrades, masonry veneer keeps proving itself as the value leader.
Trice Contracting Hosts NYC Masonry Showcase With Live Stone-Cutting Demos
November 4, 2025 · PR Newswire via Morningstar
New York contractor Trice Contracting hosted an industry event in November 2025 bringing architects, builders, and property owners together for live demonstrations of stone cutting, facade restoration, and custom bricklaying. The gathering spotlighted how traditional masonry craft is blending with modern materials on historic restorations.
TNT Tuckpointing Recaps October 2025 Industry Conferences: SWRI, The Masonry Society, ICRI
October 20, 2025 · TNT Tuckpointing
Commercial masonry restoration firm TNT Tuckpointing shared takeaways from October 2025's industry circuit, including Sealant Waterproofing & Restoration Institute, The Masonry Society, and ICRI gatherings. The recap underscores how the restoration trade is leaning on cross-country knowledge sharing to stay ahead of building-envelope failures.
IG Masonry Support Earns BBA Certification for Welded Masonry Support System
October 15, 2025 · IG Masonry Support via pmarketresearch.com
IG Masonry Support achieved British Board of Agrément certification for its Welded Masonry Support system in October 2025, adding to its Code for Construction Product Information mark earned earlier in the year. Third-party certifications like these are becoming the price of admission for getting masonry support systems specified on engineered projects.
Capstone Building Products Pushes Toward $100M Run Rate on Masonry Acquisitions
October 9, 2025 · International Business Times via ACCESS Newswire
Capstone Holding Corp. published an October 2025 growth update crediting disciplined acquisitions — including Northeast Masonry and Carolina Stone — for expanding its building-products distribution footprint to 31 states. The company says owned brands like Toro Stone and Pangaea now drive more than half its sales, a sign of how consolidation is reshaping the masonry supply chain.
