Brick Distributors of Wisconsin
Building Strength in the State of Wisconsin

Brick Distributors of Wisconsin (BDW) is a trade association of brick manufacturers, brick distributors and suppliers to the brick industry – all in the state of Wisconsin. Promotion, marketing, education and support of using masonry and quality masonry training are key components of the association. BDW encourages and promotes teamwork throughout the state.

Promotion for the association is achieved by various sources of media – print, radio, television and trade shows in the state of Wisconsin. The BDW Promotion and Marketing Committee continually look for ways for various regions throughout the state to promote the use of brick. Distributorships are the backbone of the organization, working with individuals and companies to promote the use of brick masonry on homes, offices, churches, schools and other buildings in the state of Wisconsin. BDW promotes to the architectural community with direct mailings and by exhibiting at the Wisconsin AIA Convention. Another area of promotion is to promote the use of brick to builders, by educating them on the benefits of using brick. Efforts also promote the use of brick masonry to consumers with statewide and regional advertising. Consumers are encouraged to brick their entire home (or part of it) with brick – for patios, decorative gardens, interior walls or with fireplaces. Brick masonry offers unique choices for archways, sculpture and detailing throughout the consumer’s home.

Marketing is achieved by working together as an association to identify the best results-orientated marketing plan, on a regional and statewide level. BDW’s Promotion and Marketing Committee continually look for new and unique ways to market brick to the architect, builder and consumer. The Promotion and Marketing Committee is made up of a committee chair, manufacturing member and associate member, along with five members representing different regions throughout the state of Wisconsin.

Education programs are developed by the association to better inform builders and architects the many advantages of using brick. BDW also provides technical knowledge on the aspects of design. The University of Wisconsin-Stout hosts the ConstructionAcademy program, which is sponsored by BDW and the Wisconsin Concrete Masonry Association. The ConstructionAcademy program has been in place for over 13 years and includes three days of intense training to Technical Education High School Teachers. By attending the program, it allows teachers to conduct an introductory masonry education program for students throughout the state. The hands-on experience provides teachers make their classes not only instructive, but experimental as well. The goal of the ConstructionAcademy program is to educate other teachers and students about masonry as a career.

Support in the industry is a priority for the association. Maintaining a workforce of qualified masons throughout the state of Wisconsin is critical to the livelihood of the industry. BDW provides materials and supplies necessary to the high school masonry tech ed programs. Once the students graduate, BDW helps with a choice of masonry as a career with the support of one-year masonry training programs at three Wisconsin Technical Colleges – located in Rice lake, Fennimore or Pewaukee, Wisconsin. The Masonry Technology Foundation of Wisconsin, Inc. was developed to raise funds to support scholarships for these programs. BDW contributes annually to this effort.

BDW has established a cooperative working relationship with related industries including, the Wisconsin Concrete Masonry Association, the Great Lakes Cement Shippers Association, the International Masonry Institute and the University of Wisconsin-Stout, the Brick Industry Association and Wisconsin Builders Association to sponsor promotion and educational activities.