With workforce development a primary focus for the masonry industry, many of its key suppliers and organizations united on June 25th in Louisville, Kentucky to support the 2015 SkillsUSA National Masonry Contest. The event was held during the 51st annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference where well over 6,100 students representing over 100 different professions flocked to the Bluegrass state to claim the championship title in their respective field. To qualify for the Nationals, the students had been winners of their own state run contests in either the secondary or post-secondary education categories. In Louisville the masonry trade was strongly represented by 43 young bricklayers from 32 states, however North Carolina delivered the only two gold medal winning masons. The National Champion of the secondary/high school division of the competition was Luke Dutton from West Rowan High School in Mount Ulla, North Carolina. The 18-year old Dutton was trained by Rodney Harrington who said months before Nationals, “I personally think we have a national champ on our hands. It takes a student that is willing to put in the work.” Obviously, Harrington can call a winner when he sees one.

Native Trails introduces copper trough sinks for the bath, building on the momentum created by their recent NativeStone™ concrete trough sink introduction. Available in 30”, 36” and 48” widths, these new products are now available. The Copper Trough Collection is hand made by world-renowned coppersmiths residing in rural central Mexico. Hand hammered thousands of times over several days, the sinks retain the hallmarks of their artisan craftsmanship in a modern aesthetic. The 48” width double sink is particularly suitable to larger master baths or commercial spaces. All sizes are available in an Antique or Brushed Nickel finish and they are forged to be used as either a drop-in or undermount basin. “Native Trails is known for our hand-hammered copper sinks that marry centuries-old artisan tradition with contemporary design. Customers have been asking for larger sizes that are practical and also deliver that ‘wow’ factor,” said Naomi Neilson Howard, founder and CEO of Native Trails. “The combination of the hammered texture with the clean lines of a trough shape create a focal point for any bathroom and are on-trend to meet today’s demand for understated elegance in the bathroom.” The artisans who create the sinks are known globally as leaders in artisanal coppersmithing. These families have passed their talents down from generation to generation, and Native Trails often works with multiple generations of artisans from the same family. All Copper Trough sinks are made from recycled copper, underscoring Native Trails’ stance on sustainable living and manufacturing. A video on the coppersmithing process is available below.