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Gladding McBean Plant Tour |
News from the Apprentice Office
The definition of Terra Cotta is “burnt earth” which realistically encompasses all clay products ranging
from floor and roof tiles to clay pipes and bricks. When referring to Terra Cotta in the building
industry, the reference is typically to Architectural Terra Cotta such as claddings, copings, cornices,
lintels, jambs, mullions, sills, and various ornamental units.
We recently had the opportunity to visit the Gladding McBean Plant located in Lincoln.
Gladding McBean began making clay pipe in 1875, to be used in
the rapidly growing city of San Francisco. A few years later they began manufacturing Architectural Terra Cotta
for facades on some of the country’s most
significant structures. Throughout their 130 years of continuous operation, they have produced terra
cotta for more than 10,000 buildings around the world.
Our guide for the tour was Pete Pederson, the National Terra Cotta Sales Manager for Gladding, McBean. Pete
began with a brief history of the company and cautioned us on the importance of safety before entering the
plant. We came to see the manufacturing process of their product line, from raw clay to finished product.
They currently manufacture clay pipe, roof tiles, floor tiles, chimney caps, garden pottery, and architectural
terra cotta. We first entered the kiln area of the plant where we saw numerous kilns at different stages of
operation. We learned about methods used to control and maintain the intense temperatures for this process.
In other areas of the plant we saw how the various clay products are molded, sized and shaped. It was very
impressive to see some of the “works in progress” of duplicating damaged pieces of terra cotta, to be used in
the restoration of historical buildings. Pete explained the considerations that must be taken into account
such as shrinkage of the molded or sculpted piece that occurs during the drying and firing processes. Pete
seemed to know where every damaged piece came from and where every new piece was going, and had a story to go
along with it.
For twenty apprentices and instructors, this was a very impressive and enjoyable field trip. We would like
to thank Gladding McBean and Pete Pederson for showing us this exceptionally interesting operation. Thanks
also to Troy Garland for arranging the plant tour.
Beginning in January, 1999, we divided Local 3 Journeymen Bricklayers into eleven age groups. Our primary
purpose was to determine the number of Apprentices we would need to train to replace our aging workforce.
The various age groups were listed by sub local, to help us determine if the need was greater in one area more
so than another. The size of our workforce sometimes varies with the workload of our Signatory Contractors.
For them the need for Bricklayers is often immediate. What happens in this case is that they may acquire the
needed manpower for the present, but the future remains in question.
We decided that we should run these numbers at two year intervals. It was obvious from the start, that we would
need to recruit and train more Apprentices. Considering the length of our Apprenticeship Program (4 years), we
could only project the effect of our efforts. During the first year we increased our Apprenticeship class size
by slightly more than 50%.
By 2001 our Journeyman count had dropped slightly, while the average age of those Journeymen increased by ten
months over the two year period. We were however able to maintain our number of Apprentices, thanks to the
Contractors, who employ them.
We ran the numbers again in January 2003 and found that our number of Journeyman Bricklayers was growing,
but so was the average age of those Bricklayers, up another thirteen months. During the 2003—2004 school
year we certified our largest number of Apprentice Bricklayers, 17. This equates to one thirtieth of our
total Journeyman count, which is what is recommended by the Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
Our efforts have begun to pay off according to numbers for 2005. Our number of Journeyman Bricklayers has
increased by 23% since 1999 and during our most recent two year interval the average age of those Bricklayers
dropped for the first time. At present the average age of our Bricklayer Journeymen stands at 45.04 and the
Apprentices average 28.84 years of age.
It is too early to say that we have reversed the trend, but this is reason for optimism, thanks to our
Contractors and Journeymen who are doing their part to support our Apprenticeship Program. It is through
your combined efforts that we will be able to maintain our workforce and enhance our craft.
Travel Reimbursement
Travel reimbursement checks were mailed on Wednesday, 26 January for the first nine classes of the school year.
We pay travel reimbursements to those apprentices who live outside a fifty mile radius from the school they
attend. The amount of reimbursement is based on the distance you live from the school and the number of
classes you attended. You must receive full credit for a class to be eligible for reimbursement.
Recently Certified Journeypersons
Bricklayers
Marble Finisher
Marble Mason
PCC
Congratulations to each of you for choosing a respected and rewarding craft.
Foresight, by definition is the ability to judge correctly what is going to happen in the future,
and plan your actions based on this knowledge.
At first glance the accomplished craftsman may appear slow or sluggish compared to some of the other workers on
a jobsite. Upon closer scrutiny you will find that he follows a certain sequence of movements that are both
fluid and efficient, accomplishing his work with less effort. He is able to maintain a high standard of quality
as well as production.
A foreman or supervisor is responsible for this same high standard of quality and production for the entire
crew, every day for the duration of the project. With this in mind, he must be able to team up work crews and
plan the various phases of the project in a manner that suits the needs of the general contractor, allows work
to progress safely and efficiently, and is reflective of a high standard of craftsmanship.
As an apprentice, you should realize that foresight is an important skill that you can develop as you gain
experience. When assigned a specific task, you should first, think it through to determine the best approach.
When things go wrong as they sometimes do, take the time to re-examine your approach. The day will soon come
when you too will be responsible for maintaining the high standards of your craft.
Exercise and develop Foresight.
Zack Lambert
News from the Apprenticeship Office
If you did not receive a check and think you should have, contact the Apprenticeship Office and we will
research the matter and get back to you.
Luis Cammacho
Eduardo Gonzalez
Conan Moe
Jose Rodriquez
Mahmoudou Kande
Joe Uriarte
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Zack Lambert