The CFA will celebrate its 40th year of service to the residential concrete foundation industry at this year’s Summer Convention in Sandusky, Ohio. I have been with the CFA for just over half of that time. During that period, a lot has happened to the nation; the concrete industry; technology; our member businesses, and the Association. We have been through a terrorist attack; the biggest recession since the Great Depression; and a technology revolution that has no end in sight.

There have been changes in the CFA and its members during that period. Many of our family-owned member companies are in their second generation and some poised to enter their third generation. Membership has grown, retracted, and that growth has been renewed. We lost over half our members but we are now on our way back, as are the CFA members who survived (unfortunately not all did).

Residential Concrete now has its own standard (or code) within ACI as well is a CFA-developed standard. Contractors are now represented “at the table” where codes and standards are developed.

On the industry side, concrete, the material that forms the basis of our businesses, has evolved. While still comprised of the same basic constituents, superplastisizers, water reducing agents, and a host of other admixtures make concrete better, greener, and more cost effective.

Equipment utilized by CFA members has revolutionized placement of forms and concrete. “Lugging” forms into a hole has been replaced with boom trucks; concrete no longer placed with a wheel barrow, it is now conveyed or pumped.

Then there is technology. Cell phones, then smart phones, tablets, laptops, the Internet and all of the advancements made possible with these and other technologies. Ordering, scheduling, estimating, communications, drawing and visualization – all improved with technology. The total station, a device that a few pioneering members made a standard in our industry, is now common on nearly every job site.

One thing that has not changed however, is the dedication of our members and staff to make their businesses and products the best in the industry. This wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our members and their willingness to share ideas and learn from the experiences of others.

This is why we ask you to join us July 31-August 2 at the Kalahari Resort in Sandusky, Ohio. Help us celebrate 40 years of service to the industry and participate in what is still the primary value of membership – networking with your peers.