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MUDSLINGERS | BEHIND THE SCENES

out; we were close to securing the job. My wife years in masonry. When he talks about those “Over the course of my time in the mason-
goes into labor at 1 am in the morning with his time with his most recent employer he says, ry industry I had the honor of meeting and
our first child. At 7 am she was still in labor. “Man did I get lucky with this group.” He feels knowing Sam McGee. Sam McGee, a gentle-
My phone rang. It was my manager. He said blessed traveling and working hard with his man whose name encompasses masonry in
the customer could not get a hold of me and fellow Mudslingers.” North Carolina and reaches well past its’ bor-
began asking about pricing. I said my wife is in “There are people out there I would not know ders once said masonry was his sport. McGee
labor and he was like, ‘oh of course.’ My wife is if the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 did not said skills contests get the kids involved and
number one, but that job was important to me, happen. That includes many sponsors. The excited about that sport and lets them know
so I stayed on the phone for 20 minutes. Sure national sponsors are given a nod at every re- there is a prize out there.” Bell added “Through
enough we got the purchase order for it that gional bricklayer leading up to the national. SPEC MIX I get to be a part of the sport.”
morning and my wife and I had a daughter.” Banners with sponsors’ names like Ford and MUDSLINGERS:

CANADIAN REGION

In the cement business close to 40 years, under
the umbrella of QUIKRETE 20 years, Dean
Garbutt has 11 regionals and world cham-
pionships under his belt. His wife can attest
to what it takes to be part of the SPEC MIX
BRICKLAYER 500 team. It was after Garbutt
had worn a fit bit during a national event, she
said, “You walked 28,000 steps today!” He had
just gotten back to hotel only to head back out.
“It takes a lot of movement to put on masonry’s
largest event.” Dean replied.
Steve Bell referenced the marines when he ex- Prism are displayed on every stage erected. After the each national event Garbutt im-
plained working as a bricklayer. “The marines Joe Regner with Prism Pigment is an honor- mediately begins prepping for his areas next
call it ‘esprit de corps.’” The phrase indicates ary mudslinger. He is at SMBL500 events’ days regional. His is the largest in North America
a common spirit of comradeship, enthusiasm, prior. At every event I have been at he’s been with 19 teams participating. “We raise a lot of
and devotion to a cause among the members there working shoulder-to-shoulder. Other money through associations and the unions.
of a group. “We count on each other to get it sponsors like John Deere and Hohmann & SPEC MIX’s belief in giving back and net-
done and there is a lot to get done. There is the Barnard never let the contest down. Raleigh working creates bonds within the industry that
stage to set up, the competition sites for Fast- Cox of Multi Quip is there every time.” helps when it comes to securing sponsors like
est Trowel on the Block and the World’s Best It isn’t just the bricklayers that forge bonds. In Belden Brick, IQ Power Tools, Stihl and Blak-
Bricklayer, and displays for SPEC MIX and North Carolina the North Carolina Masonry lader (the company that provide the coolest
their many partners. You are going to see com- Contractors Association helps with the Skill- work pants on the planet).”
petitions as well as innovative products like the sUSA education event. There, high school
new mule by Hydro Mobile or the dust control masonry hopefuls compete and mingle with “There still is a shortage of masons out there.
shroud for SPEC MIX silos, just tons of new masonry industry professionals. Bell has been These events showcase the abilities of masons
and exciting innovations for masonry. Specta- involved in it for 20 years. “Now as a represen- and the labor it takes as a team. The future is
tors are never board.” tative for SPEC MIX, we donate mortar but going to go premix and to things like the mule
robot that lifts the block. Yet the industry will
“The fun really begins once it is all set up. With SPEC MIX believes you can’t just donate. You still need the same amount of people.”
the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 contestants have to get out there and help. It is important
averaging over 500 brick an hour we don’t stop to spread a positive view of the masonry in- “Quality is the key with training. Through the
making mortar. Tub after tub we run it out to dustry and SPEC MIX to students, architect unions there is a great 4-year apprenticeship
the competing masons and they put it in the and contractors. If you just donate they don’t program. There are five schools in Ontario
wall.” know you. Getting out there, getting to know now operating with a masonry program. With
people helps to get people to the events.” funding from CCMPA Canadian Concrete
Bell has been with SPEC MIX three of his 30 Masonry Producers Associations, five cents of

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