Concrete Homes: The Word on the Street

In each issue of Concrete Facts you have been reading about some amazing developments in above-grade concrete housing. These articles have featured companies, they have featured solutions, they have talked about the market penetration and the future. There continues to be tremendous interest in concrete homes and what they hold for business opportunities. However, in spite of the efforts of the Concrete Homes Council, form manufacturers, and contractors in the […]

Passing of a founding father…

Herald L.R. “Jake” Smith, age 76, of Wellington, OH died Saturday, February 3, 2007 at Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph’s in Lorain, OH after a long (hard fought) illness. Mr. Smith was born April 7, 1930 to the late, Herman & Ollie (Handley) Smith. Herald grew up in Wellington where he remained the rest […]

When it comes to your education, WHAT IS CFA PROVIDING?

CFA provides a forum… One of the essential ingredients of CFA is the forum that it provides for contractors to exchange ideas and information both through meetings and newsletter articles. With a membership in excess of 300, members throughout the United States and Canada turn to each other for advice and professional assistance. CFA provides meetings… […]

THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION

Mechanization and technology have vastly improved the concrete foundation industry from the inception of the CFA only thirty years ago. Boom trucks, concrete pumps, and conveyors have reduced much of the back-breaking work accompanied with the construction of concrete foundations. Technology in the form of CAD and robotic layout instruments have greatly improved productivity and […]

Why We Focus on Education

We have all heard the old adage; “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” Unfortunately most of us have not only heard that expression but we have experienced it first hand far too often. With the theme of this issue of Concrete Facts being education, it only seemed appropriate to share with you a few […]

Contractor Certification

A year ago in this article I discussed the merits, advantages, and shortfalls of a CFA-sponsored contractor certification program. The bottom line is that certification is coming whether we like it or not. Several government and code organizations require that contractors, or individuals within the company, are certified to perform their specialty. More will do […]