We will invest every
dollar as if it is our own.
Success in our industry
is a team sport.
We do things openly
and honestly.
Our products and
our people stand the
test of time.
We not only embrace
change, we define it.
To build exquisite, enduring
communities one block at a time.
Drive demand for locally made
concrete masonry products.
More details on products included in assessments for the Checkoff can be found here.
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All Checkoff funding decisions are made by the Board of Directors on behalf of all producers with oversight from the DOC. The Board comprises block producers nominated by their peers. In total, there are 15 voting Directors and six non-voting alternate Directors. To ensure fair and equitable representation of the industry, Directors of the Board reflect diverse geographies, manufacturer size and product focus.
While the CMC Board handles the majority of functions related to the Checkoff, the Department of Commerce (DOC) remains involved to ensure fair, equitable and legal implementation of the checkoff. This includes the appointment of Board members who are nominated by their peers, as well as ensuring budget and project compliance.
The Act & Order requires the Board to provide “independent evaluation of all research, education and promotion programs or projects undertaken under the order.” This means the CMC Board must share the results of its efforts to determine if the Checkoff programs are successful in increasing market share. In addition, the Board is required to conduct a third-party return on investment study every five years.
Checkoff programs have been a cornerstone in the U.S. for decades, with more than 20 currently in operation. These programs have a proven track record of increasing consumer awareness, creating new markets, and driving sales growth for industry producers.
Checkoff programs are industry-wide, coordinated, and continuous efforts designed to support specific products. They raise funds through self-imposed mandatory assessments to develop, implement, and manage programs aimed at increasing sales and expanding markets. These well-funded and carefully monitored programs enhance product awareness, create business opportunities, and boost sales for all producers.
National Honey Board: Through targeted marketing and promotion efforts, U.S. honey consumption saw a significant rise. The price per pound of honey increased from $1.60 in 2010 to $2.16 in 2018, a 35% increase. By 2020, honey became the #1 preferred sweetener in America, surpassing sugar for the first time.
Almond Board of California: Supporting nearly 700 research projects, the Almond Board’s efforts in human health research led to an FDA heart-health claim for almonds. This boosted their media presence and made almonds a top snack choice, tripling demand over 20 years.
United Soybean Board (USB): Faced with a surplus of soybeans, the USB partnered with companies like Goodyear Tires, Skechers, and Ford Motor Co. to find new industrial applications. These collaborations opened new markets and fueled growth for soybean farmers.
From the ads you see, to the meals you eat, to the fuel in your vehicles, marketing orders and checkoff programs are integral to daily life. Iconic campaigns like “Got Milk?,” “Cotton, the Fabric of our Lives,” “The Incredible, Edible Egg,” and “Beef, It’s What’s for Dinner” are just a few examples of their impact.
Standard Units Adoption
Industry-Funded Load Tests
Development of New Products
A Checkoff is an industry-wide, coordinated and continuous program of research, promotion and education to support specific generic products. Checkoff programs allow commodity producers to raise funds through self-imposed mandatory assessments.
Fund programs that will be held to a fundamental criterion: does this work increase awareness and/or demand for concrete masonry?
With the Concrete Masonry Checkoff Board, we envision a future where:
Checkoff board sets the strategic priorities, budget and high-level programs
No more than 50 percent of the program dollars go to fund projects at the national level that can be implemented by states, by regions or by third parties.
At least half go to the RACs to fund projects that can be implemented by states or by third parties.
Funding through assessments will go towards important programs:
The start date of assessments is April 1, 2023. Initial assessments on product sold April 1, 2023-June 30, 2023 will be due 60 days following that quarter (August 29, 2023)
The checkoff rate is a penny per block sold and only at the first point of sale.
Assessments will be remitted to a blind trust to ensure absolute confidentiality in all sales information and remittance amounts. As a reminder, this is a mandatory checkoff, ensuring all producers contribute at an equal rate working together as an industry to drive preference and demand for concrete masonry products.
Legislation requires that each invoice, bill of sale and/or receipt for eligible block identify the total amount of the checkoff assessment for that purchase.
Yes, the DOC has provided the following language:
“1 cent per masonry unit goes to the Concrete Masonry Checkoff Board pursuant to the Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education and Promotion Act of 2018”
You may use other language in addition to or in lieu of the safe harbor language, if you choose, but the approved language will assure that you comply with the statute.
It is up to each producer to decide how they will handle the checkoff on product sales. You may elect to build it into the price or reflect it as a line-item fee on invoices. But it is imperative you do not discuss your plan with any other company.
The CMPB functions similarly to other industry promotion Boards at other Federal agencies, and therefore, is an instrumentality of the Department of Commerce for Internal Revenue Service purposes.
Instrumentalities are generally exempt from all forms of taxation.
There are two ways in which the industry can trigger subsequent referenda.
1. The first is at the request of the Board, this would require a majority of the voting members to so vote. This method of petition is not subject to a due date but remains an open-ended method.
2. The second method is subject to a due date that begins on the five-year anniversary of the effective date of the Order and at five-year intervals thereafter. The petition would have to be signed within 180 days prior to the deadline during the given five-year period by 25% of the total number of manufacturers in Good Standing with the CMCB and therefore eligible to vote.
The effective date of the Order is December 18, 2021. Therefore, a petition signed by 25% of the eligible manufactures in Good Standing would need to contain signatures after June 21, 2026 and reach the The Concrete Masonry Checkoff Board by the end of the day of December 18, 2026. The petition should be sent to the CEO as the representative of the Board. Failure to submit by the due date requires a new petition with current signatures to be filed at the next five anniversary of the Order.
For signatures to be valid, signers must be those persons eligible to participate in a referendum. To be eligible to participate in a referendum the company the person represents must have manufactured concrete masonry products within 180 days of the deadline for petition submission. In addition, the signer must be the individual authorized to cast a vote on behalf of the company in a referendum—typically the highest-ranking officer or designated voting representative of the company. Signatory companies must also be in full compliance with Board policies, including Good Standing.
A valid petition must include sufficient information for the Board to verify both the eligibility of the signers and compliance with all timing and participation requirements. At a minimum, the petition should include:
A clear statement of intent requesting that a referendum be conducted under the Order.
Company information for each signatory, including their printed name, the legal company name and primary business address.
Name and title of the authorized representative signing on behalf of the company. The signer must be the individual authorized to cast the company’s vote in a referendum. Signature and date for each authorized representative, confirming the petition was signed within the required 180-day window.
Confirmation of eligibility, including that the company has manufactured concrete masonry products within 180 days of the petition deadline and is in Good Standing with the Board.
The Board is responsible for reviewing the petition and verifying that all signers meet eligibility requirements, including Good Standing status and proper authorization. Petitions that are incomplete, submitted outside the required timeframe, or include ineligible signers may be rejected.
For a Producer to be in “Good Standing,” they must meet the following criteria:
The Producer has produced Concrete Masonry Products, as defined in the Order, within the preceding 180 days.
The Producer is not more than one calendar quarters in arrears in the Producer’s obligation to report and pay assessments and penalties owed to the Board.
The Producer has fully complied with policies and requests from the Board or the Department of Commerce for information as required pursuant to the Order.
