The DFW Brick Council Represents a Cause Shared by Many
By Beverly Smirnis
D
Photos, courtesy of Master Brick and Packer Brick uring the latter part of the 20th century, many industries witnessed a trend whereby manufacturers
began selling their products direct. In many cases, as big manufacturing companies sought to become bigger companies in order to compete with one another for market share, the manufacturers bought out distribution/retail companies that had been primary sales centers for their products. They also acquired other companies that would expand the diversity of their product lines. The brick industry was no exception; today, in fact, only the true veterans of the industry can recall the time when all brick sales were made through an independent brick distributor.
To compete with the major regional and national brick manufacturers and preserve the ability to offer their customers many brands of brick, independent brick distributors in the Dallas/Fort Worth area banded together to form the DFW Brick Council in 1993. While Independent brick distributors still remain resellers of the national brand name bricks in some cases, they serve a vital role in sustaining the availability of products produced by smaller production and specialty brick manufacturers. The companies that comprise the local Brick Council and the manufacturers that still rely on them to market and sell their products, both seek to preserve a long heritage of tradition, experience and authenticity.
Clients shopping for a particular kind or type of brick that they choose to specify or want to match, or needing assistance in creating a unique exterior look, can benefit from an independent brick distributor's local knowledge and ability to seek, find and sell the product that best meets their individual need and budget without bias toward a certain product or product line. Like their large competitors, they too offer ancillary products so that their clients can find everything they need in one location to complete their masonry job—from facebrick to fireplace materials, mortar and sand, pavers, glass block, brick shapes and natural stone.
The DFW Brick Council's mission statement reiterates its intention to promote the use of brick,
16 GREATER DFW METROPLEX BUILDING SAVVY MAGAZINE IXII
DFW Brick Council member Metro Brick and Stone worked closely with the architectural firm, assisting them in their selection of Burlington brick, manufactured by Columbus Brick for the President George W. Bush Presidential Center at SMU.
safeguard the brick industry, and foster and promote sound business and ethical standards and practices. For many of us in the residential construction industry, our primary benefit from its existence represents something far more philosophical. In a world of big box stores, chain restaurants and corporate culture, it is important to take measures so that those wishing to maintain a different and unique identity can still prosper and compete. Custom builders, remodelers, architects and designers understand and share in the movement to keep alive the small business model… to continue our quest to offer unique, custom, handmade products.
For more information about the DFW Brick Council and its members, visit its new website at
www.dfwbrickcouncil.com.
SPOTLIGHT
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