About

OUR VALUES

Stewards

We will invest every
dollar as if it is our own.

Collaborative

Success in our industry
is a team sport.

Transparent

We do things openly
and honestly.

Resilient

Our products and
our people stand the
test of time.

Catalysts

We not only embrace
change, we define it.

VISION

To build exquisite, enduring
communities one block at a time.

Mission

Drive demand for locally made
concrete masonry products.

HOW THE CHECKOFF IS FUNDED

As of April 1, 2023, all concrete block producers in the United States contribute an equal rate of one penny per block sold to the Concrete Masonry Checkoff Board. These funds support the Checkoff’s coordinated and continuous program of research, promotion and education at the national and regional levels.
Contractors may have noticed that the “penny assessment” is now included on invoices for eligible CMUs, possibly as a separate line item. The invoices may also include 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.”

ADVANTAGES OF CHECKOFFS

A Checkoff is an industry-wide, coordinated and continuous program of research, promotion and education to support specific generic products.

Producers Guide

Only concrete masonry products that meet the following four criteria are eligible for assessment:

More details on products included in assessments for the Checkoff can be found here.

PRODUCER-LED DECISION MAKING

DOC PARTNERSHIP

THE ROLE OF THE DOC

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 overarching goal of the DOC is to help the U.S. economy grow, creating additional partnership opportunities for the concrete masonry industry. Focus areas of the DOC include job creation, climate-smart production and fostering innovation.

REGIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES

A minimum of half the program dollars will go towards research, education and promotional programs that directly support respective geographic regions. Recognizing each region is unique, the CMC Board established five Regional Advisory Committees (RACs) to guide decisions at the regional level. The committees are responsible for recommending local and regional programs for Board consideration.

EVALUATION AND 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 HISTORY

In December 2021, a majority vote of concrete block producers approved the establishment of a national, mandatory Checkoff program that exists solely to drive demand for concrete masonry products. The national Concrete Masonry Checkoff (CMC) was established in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), and aims to fund research, education and promotion that helps ensure we all succeed.

CHECKOFF SUCCESSES

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.

NOTEWORTHY CHECKOFF SUCCESSES:

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, 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.

The History Of Block

A Continuation Of Our Industry’s Cooperative Spirit

Our industry has a rich history of collaboration leading to success over 120+ years.

When Harmon Palmer discovered in 1900 that concrete blocks didn’t have to be solid, it launched a new industry. Early pioneers pooled resources to prove the product’s fire resistance, ensure quality, and educate the market on concrete block’s benefits.

Today, our Checkoff effort continues this tradition by pooling resources for research, education, and promotion.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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:

  • Communities are resilient – Our products are used to protect communities and reduce the suffering and cost of recovery from natural disasters.
  • CMU block is preferred – Concrete masonry is readily and regularly specified; designers, architects and engineers are supported with innovative tools and resources.
  • Demand is booming – Demand for our products meets or even exceeds capacity, allowing for increased profitability and expansion.

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:

  1. Marketing – Promote masonry to high-value audiences (through advertising, public relations, etc.) to impact perceptions and decision-making
  2. Education & Research – Create partnerships with colleges and universities to cultivate future designers and construction managers while also creating third-party CMU advocates. Fund research to support codes and standards efforts.
  3. Codes & Standards – Advance the competitive position of masonry through improvements to building codes and standards, as well as policies related to fire, energy, hygrothermal performance, structural, carbon and overall resilience.
  4. Concrete Masonry Outreach – Ensure every region has trained labor to meet increased demand for concrete block units through local partnerships with MCAA and IMI.
  5. Educate Design Pros – Directly connect with 20,000 designers and influencers through in-person and online education, building understanding of masonry’s strengths and increasing use.
  6. Support Design – Provide free services to support architects and engineers to offset their limited margins and resources, as well as code complexity, resulting in more competitive masonry designs

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.

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