Resilience is a word that can be used to describe many things, from masonry construction to businesses. Congratulations to Grand Blanc Cement Products on 100 years of supplying materials to build our local communities!

Albaugh Masonry Stone & Tile Inc. invested in a tower crane and training two young operators to efficiently complete projects such as Clarkston Jr. High School. Scotty Albaugh Jr. personally managed the phasing, with the construction manager praising their performance!

Happy Professional Engineers Day! Whatever the project, the MIM supports our structural engineer partners by providing design assistance, drawing and specification review, and help with technical masonry questions. Reach out to learn more!

Please help us share and also Register for the Concrete Masonry Checkoff, Live Webinar - August 10, 2026 - Registration Link: ow.ly/fWVl50Zvmvx We hope you’ll join us and take part in the conversation.

Celebrate International Flashing Awareness Day with York Flashings & the Masonry Institute of Michigan! August 25, 2026 - 12:00PM EST Program Credits: 1 AIA HSW 1 GBCI CE Hr REGISTER HERE: ow.ly/oPe150Zuq8W

While the new Grewcock Student Union at Hillsdale College presented some unique challenges, the team at Bracy and Jahr was able to use their experience and expertise to get the work done! Other MIM members involved included Belden Brick, MASONPRO, and Custom Stone Works.

Does your project include the design of concrete masonry elevator and stair shaft walls? The Concrete Masonry Checkoff recently published a guide for the design of these elements which includes simple design tables available here: beautyofblock.com/resource-t….

Thank you to everyone that made the 49th Annual Scholarship Foundation Golf Outing a success! Started in 1977, the MIMSF has awarded 234 scholarships to Michigan university students pursuing degrees in the A/E/C industry.

The first day of the Structural Engineers Association of Michigan annual conference featured a lineup of masonry topics ranging from veneer design to masonry wall bracing presented by MIM staff and members, Todd Dailey, Philippe Ledent, and Scott Walkowicz!

For most cases, masonry directly above chases or recesses wider than 12 in. shall be supported on lintels. Masonry lintels are typically the most economical and efficient solution, and the MIM supports members by providing assistance with the design of these structural elements.

Welcome to our newest member, O-A-K! Their director of field operations expanded on their vision, "Our purpose is to build the best experience, and that shows up in how we work with our clients, partners, and each other every day." Learn more here: owen-ames-kimball.com/.

The Michigan Building Code has an exemption for interior, season spaces unoccupied during cold weather months, including restrooms, shower buildings, day-use restrooms, concession stands, press boxes, ticket booths, and locker rooms related to heating requirements.

Congratulations to the students and faculty at LTU for earning multiple top honors at the 2026 National AEI Structural Design Competition! The project this year included a masonry storm shelter in compliance with ICC 500. Read more here: ltu.edu/ltu-students-earn-mu….

Interested in learning more about delegated design? MCAA is hosting a webinar tomorrow on Normalizing Delegated Design of Concrete Masonry, and MIM is co-presenting and highlighting the process and application for mason contractors. Register here: masoncontractors.org/Product….

LARA recently released draft rules for adopting the 2024 IBC, and the MIM supports the inclusion of IBC Section 423, which requires storm shelters for school construction. With 33 tornadoes recorded in Michigan in 2025, these protections are more important than ever!

Do you design a great masonry project? The MIM is partnering with AIA Michigan and we are now soliciting submissions for 2026 MIM M-Awards. Learn more here: aiami.com/Honor-Awards-Submi….

The MIM worked with member Colliers Engineering and Design by providing a conceptual design, along with construction budget by Burggrabe Masonry, which was ultimately the driver in selecting concrete masonry as the material of choice for a new MacAllister wash bay in Michigan.

Happy National Engineer's Week! The MIM supports our industry partners by educating both students and professionals, offering conceptual design options, and reviewing drawings and specifications. Check out our website for helpful tools and resources: masonryinfo.org/tools-resour….

Sample panels and mock-ups are great tools to coordinate all of the different components of masonry wall assemblies. This project, designed by HED, included brick veneer supported on FERO fast thermal brackets and is currently under construction by Davenport Masonry.

Has your project been impacted by improper testing procedures? Looking ahead to 2026, we will be developing resources for testing agencies, special inspectors, construction managers, and mason contractors to educate on grout and mortar testing.