![1900-History-Photos.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/1900_History_Photos_a7e41f508e.jpg)
### How The Belden Brick Company’s approach to manufacturing excellence continues to solve modern brick masonry challenges 

Ask masonry contractor Jason Hauer what separates good brick from great brick, and he’ll tell you about head joints that stay consistent, colors that match from pallet to pallet, and a manufacturer who answers the phone when problems arise.  

Hauer has laid brick for 35 years and says he’s worked with every major brick manufacturer. When clients ask for the best construction materials, he calls The Belden Brick Company. 

![JessHaur-Quote.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Jess_Haur_Quote_6df0c6a4ce.jpg)

"Among many reasons to work with Belden Brick, a top one is knowing their products are consistently true to size," says Hauer, president of Cincinnati-based Jess Hauer Masonry Inc. "This keeps head joints the correct width and ultimately creates stronger, more uniform masonry walls. Superior bricks lead to increased productivity for masonry workers, lower costs, and a finished building project that looks exceptional." 

That's the kind of reliability that has made Belden Brick the standard of comparison in brick manufacturing since 1885. One hundred and forty years later, we still set the standard in durability, consistency, through-body color, and brick design innovation.

**Family legacy, competitive advantage**

"I am proud and grateful to have worked with my father and cousins to carry on our great family tradition," says Robert T. Belden, CEO and fifth-generation family leader. "Innovation has always been essential to our success in the brick industry. We never want to become complacent or take our hard-earned reputation for quality and customer satisfaction for granted. It’s why we’ve lasted 140 years." 

Being family-owned for so long isn't just history—it's a competitive advantage. While many manufacturers outsource components or compromise on raw materials, Belden Brick, the first architectural brick manufacturer in the US to receive ISO 9001 certification, maintains complete control over its supply chain. We own our clay mines, control our manufacturing processes, and maintain stringent quality management systems. 

By combining robotic systems for standardized production runs with traditional hand-crafting capabilities for special shapes, we ensure that whether masonry workers need 10,000 standard bricks or 100 custom pieces, quality remains consistent, guaranteeing the standard that masonry contractors have come to depend on. 

![Automation.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Automation_4892c091ce.jpg)

Paul Oldham, president of Ollier Masonry Inc. in Batesville, Ind., says the trust is real. He adds, "At the end of the day, the consistency of Belden Brick products—from sizes and styles to colors and textures—helps us sell a job and, at its conclusion, build something to be proud of."

**Solving problems that other brick makers can't** 

When challenging brickwork masonry projects arise, contractors know where to turn. Hauer recalls a school addition where the original brick manufacturer was averse to making the necessary shapes.  

"The design team was ready to change the look because they were told a match could not be done,” Hauer says. “Belden Brick went above and beyond to match all the shapes and colors, giving the design team exactly what they originally wanted. This made the entire project a success and put a feather in our cap." 

Willingness to tackle what others won't attempt stems from Belden Brick's unique manufacturing flexibility. Robert Belden describes the recent reverse engineering of a unique brick tile used in the pulp and paper industry.  

“A domestic manufacturer went out of business, and the only option was a European imported product,” says Belden. “We were able to recreate the tile through a collaboration between three facilities—extruding at Plant 6; saw-cutting at Plant 5; and then grinding, glazing, and re-firing at Plant 8. That extensive teamwork, processes, and equipment give Belden Brick more capabilities than many other manufacturers." 

**Innovation meeting real-world needs** 

Modern masonry work demands both traditional quality and cutting-edge solutions. Just two of Belden Brick's recent innovations include [Luminescent face brick](https://www.beldenbrick.com/brick/types/luminescent?utm_source=masonry-magazine&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=140-year-anniversary&utm_term=brick-masonry) with an iridescent finish that changes in different lighting conditions and a [custom sawtooth brick design](https://www.beldenbrick.com/galleries/project-briefs/one-park-point-brick-design?utm_source=masonry-magazine&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=140-year-anniversary&utm_term=brick-masonry) like those featured in Brooklyn's One Park Point project—a 13-story residential building constructed from more than 57,000 custom bricks. 

"We're continually pushing the boundaries of what's possible with brick designs," says Tabitha Alleshouse, manager of architectural shapes at Belden Brick. "While we've previously explored projections in brickwork, the sawtooth design—especially executed in multiple colors—marked an exciting first for us." 

![WhatsPossible.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Whats_Possible_33823c4008.jpg)

**Supporting long-term partnerships** 

Belden Brick's reliability extends beyond individual projects. Architect Nestor Melnyk of MSA Design in Cincinnati has worked with a single institutional client for almost 25 years and developed a portfolio of campus standard blends from Belden Brick, as he knows those colors and textures will be available and consistent for projects well into the future. 

![Nestor-Melnyk-Quote.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Nestor_Melnyk_Quote_4e62e3d1f7.jpg)

Melnyk says, “This long-term consistency is crucial for masonry services that span decades. Institutions that have been around for generations and plan to be around for many more years want a product that not only performs well but will also remain available for future projects.” 

**Built for what's next** 

Looking ahead, Robert Belden sees continued opportunity. He says, "Brick has proven its longevity as a building material since the dawn of civilization. We are not going away anytime soon. Brick consistently ranks first in surveys of the most desired cladding material." 

After 140 years of proven performance, The Belden Brick Company remains what masonry contractors, suppliers, and distributors need most: a reliable, responsive partner who delivers on promises and never says no to a challenge. Still family-owned and still innovating, Belden Brick continues to help build North America's future, one brick at a time. [Read more about the history of Belden Brick.](https://www.beldenbrick.com/company/history)

medium_News_140thAboutFtStory800.jpg

small_News_140thAboutFtStory800.jpg

thumbnail_News_140thAboutFtStory800.jpg

News_140thAboutFtStory800.jpg

Why Belden Brick Has Lasted 140 Years | The Belden Brick Company

Why The Belden Brick Company Has Lasted 140 Years

### Dusty Gray and Rustic Gray embody the serene neutrality of nature, offering unmatched texture and timeless elegance for modern spaces
The Belden Brick Company again expands its sought-after Sanded Rustic style by introducing two proprietary colors, Dusty Gray and Rustic Gray. Created to meet the growing demand for natural, neutral tones in architectural design, these additions to the Sanded Rustic collection—which sets the standard for organic luxury and textured materiality in commercial and residential applications—effortlessly unite classic and contemporary styles.

[![Sanded-Rustic-Main-Image.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Sanded_Rustic_Main_Image_d7624d05e8.jpg)](https://www.beldenbrick.com/brick/brick-colors/color/sanded_rustic/mm/size/series/finish/dusty_gray_sanded_rustic)

These two new hues join Winter Mist Sanded Rustic, introduced in 2022, with a characteristic white sand coating over a gray-bodied brick, Winter Mist’s sophisticated hue varies from brick to brick. Together, Winter Mist, Dusty Gray, and Rustic Gray bring fresh perspective and design possibilities to the celebrated Sanded Rustic line. Crafted with the renowned precision and quality The Belden Brick Company is known for, all three colors underscore our company’s dedication to meeting current design trends and anticipating new ones, complementing modern and traditional designs alike.
[![Rustic-Gray-Sanded-Rustic.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Rustic_Gray_Sanded_Rustic_f4538e80bb.jpg)](https://www.beldenbrick.com/brick/brick-colors/color/sanded_rustic/mm/size/series/finish/rustic_gray_sanded_rustic)
With hundreds of other original colors and many textures without equality in the industry, The Belden Brick Company is the go-to source for durable, sustainable, and low-maintenance building materials that bridge the gap between aesthetic appeal and architectural integrity. Engineered to stand the test of time and maintain their beauty for generations, Sanded Rustic brick are ideal for projects that call for minimalism or a warm, earthy depth. [Find a distributor near you.](https://www.beldenbrick.com/locator)
[![Winter-Mist-Sanded-Rustic.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Winter_Mist_Sanded_Rustic_cdd75d284c.jpg)](https://www.beldenbrick.com/brick/brick-colors/color/sanded_rustic/mm/size/series/finish/winter_mist_sanded_rustic)
[![SandedRusticProductLine.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Sanded_Rustic_Product_Line_e7a4204f3c.jpg)](https://www.beldenbrick.com/brick/color/sanded_rustic)


medium_News_AboutFtStory800-Whites.jpg

small_News_AboutFtStory800-Whites.jpg

thumbnail_News_AboutFtStory800-Whites.jpg

News_AboutFtStory800-Whites.jpg

The Belden Brick Company again expands its sought-after Sanded Rustic style with the introduction of two proprietary colors, Dusty Gray and Rustic Gray.

Product Spotlight: Exclusive Sanded Rustic Colors

Product Spotlight: New Sanded Rustic Colors

![News_HeaderPhoto-PremierBrkIlli2.jpg](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/News_Header_Photo_Premier_Brk_Illi2_52ae6d31bc.jpg)

#### We’re proud to announce the opening of Premier Brick Sales of Florida
**[Tampa, FL]** — [Premier Brick Sales, LLC,](https://www.premierbricksales.com/) is thrilled to announce its expansion into the Florida market with the launch of Premier Brick Sales of Florida, LLC.

This is a significant step forward for the company, building on its success with local partners in Indiana and Illinois. Headquartered in Tampa, Premier Brick Sales of Florida will represent and distribute premium clay building products and other cladding materials from northern Florida to the southern shoreline. Co-owned and led by long-time Florida experts, Doug McCall and Craig Akers, the leadership team is perfectly positioned to serve the state’s architects, builders, and masons.

"We couldn't be more excited to partner with Doug and Craig. Their expertise, combined with our strong backing, will allow us to bring the highest-quality brick solutions and exceptional service to our Florida customers," said Brad Belden, President of The Belden Brick Company.

Ryan Parker, President of Endicott Clay Products Company, added, "Our business is still about personal relationships, customer service, and adding value. With Doug and Craig leading the charge, we're confident that Premier Brick Sales of Florida will quickly become the go-to resource for anyone seeking top-tier architectural brick, thin brick, pavers, and other building materials."

Premier Brick Sales of Florida, LLC will offer a full range of high-quality clay and related products, providing solutions for a variety of projects. The company is committed to building strong, long-lasting relationships and delivering reliable support to all its clients.

**Premier Brick Sales of Florida, LLC leadership:**\
**Doug McCall,** President & CEO, 727-420-1020, doug.mccall@premierbrick.com\
**Craig Akers,** Vice President, 813-763-8015, craig.akers@premierbrick.com

[Official News Release](https://content.beldenbrick.com/uploads/Release_Premier_Brick_Sales_of_Florida0825_be072ebd14.pdf)

medium_NewsAboutFtStory_PremierBrkIlli.jpg

small_NewsAboutFtStory_PremierBrkIlli.jpg

thumbnail_NewsAboutFtStory_PremierBrkIlli.jpg

NewsAboutFtStory-PremierBrkIlli

Premier Brick Sales, LLC, a strategic joint venture between The Belden Brick Company and Endicott Clay Products Company, is proud to announce the establishment of Premier Brick Sales of Florida, LLC.

Be the First to Know

Subscribe to our newsletter, and we'll send you updates on trends, product, and industry news every month.

Belden News

Why The Belden Brick Company Has Lasted 140 Years

Product Spotlight: New Sanded Rustic Colors

Premier Brick Sales is expanding — now in Florida!

BELDEN BRICK BULLETIN