Griffin Masonry truly is a one-stop shop for homebuilders. Customers can consolidate five calls into one. Griffin Masonry provides masonry (brick and block), concrete basement walls, concrete finishing, brick cleaning, and stone masonry. They also have other divisions that provide concrete pumping (Griffin Concrete Placement), concrete mixer trucks (Blue Dot readi-mix) and commercial masonry (Old North State).

With basement foundations not as common in Charlotte, North Carolina, it is not surprising Griffin Masonry began as a brick masonry company in 1990. But owners Scott and Tony Griffin have worked hard to “make the right decisions, and do right by their employees”. As a result, their company has grown to approximately 411 employees. In 1996 they bought their first set of form panels and by 2004 they purchased their fifth set, pouring 7-8 basements a week.

Griffin Masonry has found that education and experience are invaluable in the foundation business. “Estimates on basements are the most common to fluctuate,” states Rob Merrell, Foundation Division Manager of Griffin Masonry. “We make sure there is someone on site for the initial contact who will submit a complete estimate along with setting clear expectations.

Most of their employees in the Foundations Division have a background in masonry, so if there are changes they know how it will affect the brick mason, the framer, and the slab crew, Merrell explains. A trained crewmember is always available in the field to provide a clear line of communication. This is beneficial throughout the project. “When the customer gets the invoice, there are no-surprises”.

Educating employees on safety is just as important as field experience. Griffin Masonry has worked hard to establish a safety program. A former OSHA inspector oversees the program, which includes training sessions for new hires and also foreman. On rainy days, their employees often watch safety videos along with hands on demonstrations.

“Our core objectives are production and quality,” explains Merrell. “A safe jobsite ensures both”

Griffin Masonry uses CFA to provide educational literature for their employees, as well as concrete facts to present to other professionals in the industry. Members since 1999, Griffin Masonry uses the Association’s publication to help achieve their core objectives and thus provide their customers with the best product possible, while “setting them at ease”.