CIFA USA, Inc. Appoints New Senior Vice President
CIFA SpA of Milan, Italy, a worldwide leader in concrete management equipment is proud to announce the appointment of Mr. Matteo Rolla to Senior Vice President of CIFA USA, Inc., headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Matteo Rolla has been in this position since October 2004 and is relocating to the United States in September 2005. Mr. Rolla has been employed by CIFA SpA since 2002 and has held the positions of Far East Area Manager, India, South America and most recently Executive Vice President, responsible for North and South America operations.
CIFA USA, Inc. has manufacturing, parts inventory, service and sales facilities in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and is a full-service subsidiary of the 77-year old, worldwide manufacturer and distributor of concrete management products. For over 35 years, CIFA has been in the forefront of design and technology of truckmounted concrete boom pumps which are distributed in the United States and Canada through CIFA USA, Inc.
CIFA USA, INC. — INVESTING IN THE FUTURE
CIFA SpA, headquartered in Milan, Italy, one of the world’s leading suppliers of truck-mounted concrete boom pumps announces future plans for its subsidiary, CIFA USA, Inc., located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Mr. Matteo Rolla, Senior Vice President of CIFA USA, Inc. reports tremendous growth in sales of CIFA equipment in the U.S. market. “Our philosophy of ‘Quality First’ has paid off in the marketplace and resulted in CIFA’s construction of a new, larger manufacturing facility to service this growth market”.
The groundbreaking ceremony for Phase I was held on July 18, 2005 at the 8-acre site of the new headquarters located in Yorkville, Wisconsin, just south of Milwaukee. “The initial construction project will include a state-of-the-art, 35,000 square feet facility for manufacturing, parts inventory, service and sales offices,” reports Matteo Rolla. “This initial $4 million investment will assure CIFA customers of our continued commitment to the highest level of service and quality equipment in the US and Canada.”
Scheduled completion of Phase I of the facility during the first quarter of 2006 will allow CIFA USA to accommodate the 25% growth in sales and increased personnel required to sustain this success. Future plans include expansion to quadruple the size of the Wisconsin facility.
CFA Awards Gary Bromley of ABI Corporation
Gary Bromley of ABI Corporation was awarded the Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award at the CFA annual awards luncheon July 8, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco in San Francisco, CA.
Bromley, founder of ABI Corporation, is recognized for his dedication to the industry for over three decades. Founded in 1968, ABI was originally operated out of Bromley’s own basement. In 1988, ABI moved to its current location and has grown into a leading concrete foundation contractor in Kansas City. Their company now employs 50 dedicated employees with diverse experience in residential and commercial construction.
Bromley’s attitude about the industry goes hand in hand with how ABI Corporation is run.
“We constantly strive for and are driven by the highest customer satisfaction with a dedication to quality and service.” states Dan Bromley, president of ABI and son of Gary.
The ABI Corporation began sharing ideas and innovations with others in the CFA in 1988, and have been an active member ever since. Gary Bromley was CFA president in 1995 and 1996, and his son, Dan, currently sits on the board of directors. Over the years, Bromley has helped the CFA set higher industry standards by setting many fine examples of quality, several which were entries in the “Basement from Hell” contest.
Bromley accepted the award stating, “I am not only honored to be acknowledged on the same level as Bob Sawyer, but with all the men who have received this award before me.”
The Robert D. Sawyer Award is named on behalf of Bob Sawyer, the first CFA executive director, and it is presented to a contractor member whose contributions to the industry merit recognition. The award recognizes individuals who commit countless time and resources to serve the industry, as Bob Sawyer did for the CFA. Bob Sawyer passed away last year after a brief illness. His inspiration and leadership brought together a group of minds that are focused on improving the technology and practices in the poured wall industry.
CFA Board of Directors Elected at 2005 Summer Meeting
The Concrete Foundations Association elected five new members to the Board of Directors, and re-elected three current directors, at the annual meeting held in conjunction with the Summer Meeting in San Francisco, July 6, 2005.
New directors are Lance Jordan, Stephens & Smith Construction Company, Inc.; Kirby Justesen, Formco Foundations; and Jim Rowe, Fastrac Foundations. Phil Marone of Marone Contractors, Inc. was elected to fill a one-year term for Greg Peacock of Peacock Construction, who resigned from the Board to focus on developing the Georgia Local Chapter. Current members reelected were Dan Bromley, ABI Corporation; Bill Esker, J.B. Esker & Sons, Inc.; and Amanda Morris, Herbert Construction Company.
The Board of Directors met following the election of directors to determine the officers for the coming year. President Terry Lavy of Lavy Concrete Construction presided as he continues his two year term; Brad Schrock, Custom Concrete Company, Inc., was installed as vice president; Mark Markovich, Dependant Foundations, as secretary and Dan Bromley, ABI Corporation as treasurer. Bruce Neale, Modern Foundations, Inc. continues his role as past president coinciding with President Lavy’s term.
Directors are usually selected from those who are active in CFA committees and who express a desire to serve. To learn more about the current directors, visit www.cfawalls.org for their member profiles. If you are interested in learning what board and committee services entail, contact Executive Director Ed Sauter at esauter@cfawalls.org or call CFA national headquarters at 866-CFA-WALL (232-9255). A complete list of committees can be found in the CFA membership directory.
Alaskans Learn About Cold From the CFA
Until April, Anchorage, Alaska’s building department required a contractor to tent and heat foundations for 72 hours after placement when night time temperatures were below 35 degrees. This usually meant between October 15th through April 15th. For an average 2,000 square-feet two story house, this would cost $2,500 – $3,500 for sheet plastic, heat, and labor. It almost always means heating through the weekend, taking it down for the boom pump several times, resetting it numerous times when the wind blows it down on Sunday night or digging it out when a 12-inch snow storm buries it.
Many of us contractors did not grow up in Anchorage. I grew up in Lansing, Michigan and Paul Michelsohn grew up in New York. We both knew not all cities had such extreme requirements as Anchorage. About four years ago I called the building department in Lansing to find out that their policy is “if it is 20 degrees at 8:00 a.m., and it is scheduled to get to 21 degrees that day, you can do anything you want with no heat.” My friends say they pour when it’s even colder. That year, we put a request in the National Association of Home Builders magazine, asking people to email their local policy to us. That’s when Terry Lavy of Lavy Concrete Construction called, and we have been in contact ever since.
Our goal was to adopt a policy similar to Lansing’s, and also reduce the required tenting time when we are pouring below 21 degrees. From the beginning, we knew that guys from the CFA were pros on this subject and we should piggy back on CFA’s efforts. While waiting for the cold weather study results, Michelsohn started pumping the code review committee of the National Home Builders Association in 2002 to address this issue. Immediately after CFA’s final results were completed, Michelsohn invited CFA member Brad Barnes, of North Central Engineering LTD, to give a two hour continued education course, with the Anchorage building officials present, on December 5, 2004. Barnes kept everyone on the edge of their seats while he talked about concrete curing. Sounds impossible doesn’t it? Even the building officials were convinced. Then on January 10, 2005, Barnes attended the International Builders Show to speak to the code review committee.
“Finally, everybody’s lights went on,” stated Michelsohn.
People came up to Michelsohn and said they finally understood what he had been talking about for the past three years and they have the same problem in their area.
In February, when we finally received our CFA Cold Weather Concrete Reports, we immediately went to our building officials. We chose to pursue mixes that were in the study’s field test, since they were exposed to temperatures in the teens and lower. It was quite easy to convince the officials to allow the builders to “place Mix #29 or Mix #34 at a slump of six or less, without tenting, when the temperature at the jobsite is 20 degrees or warmer. Calcium is to be replaced with NCA.”
One hurdle we see as an issue is the resistance to pouring against cold rebar. Future studies need to address what is acceptable when rebar is used. As for now, we are thankful for the CFA’s hard work (Terry Lavy, Jim Baty, Brad Barnes, and the rest of the cold weather committee) and for keeping us informed along the way. Finally, we can pour concrete foundations in Anchorage like probably half the country always has – with cold hands.
By Evan Rowland, Alaska Homes Inc.Technology: The Key To Successful Growth
I have the dubious task of authoring a substitute for the inspirational letters you have grown accustom to this past year from our current CFA President, Terry Lavy. I know you will look forward to his next letter in issue five, as he makes his way back from some health issues we are glad to say he has overcome.
To those of you who attended the Summer Meeting this last month in San Francisco, you likely found some humor and great relief in my latest gadget aimed at streamlining our registration process…my barcode scanners. You see, I have heard so many stories from CFA contractors that have embraced improved technologies in their daily businesses such as robotics, job time equipment and of course the many concrete pumps, conveyors and knuckleboom truck cranes that have become the staple of the foundation contractor’s fleet. It was high time that we too embraced available technology to improve our ability to move you quickly into our many events and what a success it was.
Over the next few issues, you will find articles that discuss with greater detail, the other new technology that we have instituted on your behalf. Many of you have read and hopefully kicked the tires on the online engineering software that has been developed exclusively for the CFA featuring an interface designed for regular use by the foundation contractor. Through our partnership with CECSoft, both the basement wall design program and the newly added retaining wall design program have become great additions to the technology available at your fingertips. We are committed to helping you become intimately comfortable with these packages so together we can plan the future modifications and additions to these products.
One way we intend to do this is with another addition of technology to our efforts. Through the online collaboration system provided by WebEx, we offer monthly opportunities for you to register for one-hour online training sessions. These will be hosted by your CFA staff and will allow you to watch the design programs in action while helping you understand the ease of use, and the process that can follow, to leave you with engineering support for these designs. Although tailored more for the foundation contractor, these products are also proving effective for our professional engineer members of the Association by facilitating quicker code checks and conservative design estimates.
You’ve probably figured out that I’m a bit over the top when it comes to the computer and the role it can play in your business. I know that many of you already realize this and together we can continue to shape efficiency in the poured wall market. Give me a call if you are interested in one of these online education opportunities and we’ll get you plugged in. Until next time…and thanks for the space, Terry…
Jim Baty,Technical Director jbaty@cfawalls.orgGuide Publications Improving
Barring any unforeseen challenges or last minute glitches, the walls chapter of the ACI 332 Standard will be incorporated, by reference, into the 2006 version of the International Building Code. The final step will occur at the ICC meeting this fall in Detroit. This is a milestone for ACI and the residential concrete business. Prior to the incorporation of the 332 Standard, foundation contractors typically had to abide by the ACI 318 provisions of the code for items not covered in the IRC. This doesn’t solve the problem that some of you have when the building official doesn’t care what the code says – this is what I want – but it is a step in the right direction for the rest of you.
The publishing and adoption of the ACI 332 Standard, however, is just the beginning. First, only the walls section of the standard will be referenced in the 2006 IRC. Proponents, including the ACI, CFA, NRMCA and others, must now go back to the ICC and ask them to reference the entire document in future versions of the IRC.
Second, while the ACI 332 Standard is a substantial improvement over the existing provisions in the IRC, there were many compromises made to get the document out of committee and through the ACI Technical Activities Committee reviews. Specifically, when you go from unreinforced walls to reinforced walls the provisions of the ACI 332 Standard are much more stringent than current IRC provisions. Also, there were no above grade walls included in the Standard, either ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms) or RCF (Removable Concrete Forms). Empirical tables for walls have been developed by PCA that can apply to both systems but ACI would not allow the committee to proceed with those provisions in this version of the Standard.
Overall, however, the ACI 332 Standard is an improvement from existing concrete provisions of the IRC. The formula for calculating the load capacity of a foundation wall was made less conservative. The empirical tables section for walls was greatly expanded and now includes concrete strengths from 2500 psi, through 4500 psi. Provisions for brick ledges were incorporated into the 332 Standard as were discontinuous footings, using the concrete to displace small volumes of water from the footing excavation, and allowing dowel rods to be inserted into the ground for support. None of these issues would have been included without the support of the CFA and the contractors on the committee. A thank you to “Buck” Bartley, Ron Colvin, Barry Herbert, and Brent Anderson is in order.
When the committee convenes again in New Orleans this fall, it will clean up business relating to the ACI 332 Guide. The Guide differs from the Standard in that it is not intended to be a legal document but rather a publication where current and new practices are discussed and presented. Once that document is complete, it will be back to the drawing board for the 332 Standard. You can purchase a copy of the Standard from the CFA or ACI. Look it over, be critical (but realistic) and let us know what you would like to see in the next edition of the Standard.
Ed Sauter, Executive Director, CFA esauter@cfawalls.orgCFA Releases Lower Level Living Brochure
Turning a basement into lower level living holds tremendous potential for any home. It makes space below the house functional and liveable. It is cost effective, economical, safe, durable, and environmentally friendly. With lower level living space homeowners get more space for less, which can be used as a safe haven from nature or just room to grow. The extra space provides a warm, dry area for storage, as well as easy access for heating, plumbing, electrical, gas and other services.
The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) has released Lower Level Living, a brochure that provides builders and homeowners with important information needed to consider building below. It is a great addition to any poured wall contractor’s resources.
Lower Level Living can be purchased for $1.50 per brochure by CFA members and $4.00 by nonmembers. To order your supply, call 319-895-6940 or order online at www.cfawalls.org.
Most Valuable Technology In Concrete
Concrete Construction Magazine polled the top 100 concrete contractors: “What is the most valuable new technology?” (in concrete) Here are the results:
1. New admixtures; highperformance concrete 2. New flooring and shoring systems 3. Maturity Testing 4. Riding trowels—bigger, better, faster 5. New layout equipment; GPS systems 6. Computerized payroll and management systems’ 7. Membership in ASCC 8. Internet use for the relaying plans and specs 9. Uniform-thickness, posttensioned slabs on grade 10. Steel fiber in floors 11. 4-D CAD models 12. Adjustable radius formwork 13. Somero’s new Copperhead laser screed 14. Polished concrete 15. Stringless paving technology 16. Variety of stains, dyes, other coloring agents 17. Pervious concrete 18. New containment systems for washout and slurry
Source: ‘Concrete Construction
Magazine’, July 2004
CFA Introduces Safety Materials
Does your company have a current safety program? Even if it does, are you constantly looking for new, updated and fresh material to present – in English and Spanish? Look no longer! The CFA Board of Directors approved a partnership with Safety Services Company (SCC) at its March board meeting in Minneapolis, which will provide members special pricing for the SCC series of Tailgate/Toolbox Safety Meeting topics. In addition, SCC agreed to develop additional topics specific to the poured wall industry.
This is the newest of several existing or planned relationships that will bring a variety of services to CFA members at discounted prices. The price of one year’s worth of toolbox topics will be $125 per year plus $6.96 shipping and handling. The regular price for this service it $156 per year.
Subscribers can select their topics from over 350 prewritten safety meetings geared toward the construction industry. Most companies hold (or at least should hold) safety meetings on a weekly basis. Members may pick and choose the 52 meetings for the year that work best for their company. SSC mails the material on a monthly basis. The program will alleviate the burden on safety managers to constantly develop new materials. This safety program has proven effective at educating employees in safety and OSHA related issues and reducing work related injury and illness. A partial listing of the 350 plus topics and a sample of one is shown on the following pages.
Each training topic has the material logically arranged with graphics, where necessary, to illustrate the concept. There is also an area for employees to sign indicating that the concepts and information were presented. The safety meetings are printed on 2-ply NCR (carbonless) paper making them invaluable tools for recordkeeping in the event of an OSHA citation, workers comp claim, or fraudulent law suit. The materials are also available in Spanish at no extra cost.
SCC also maintains a toll-free safety HOTLINE for inquiries involving OSHA or safety alleviating the need to call a government agency when a problem is suspected, which can raise a red flag. SCC also provides a variety of other safety related services including certification training for CPR, First Aid, Confined Spaces, Injury and Illness Prevention Programs, and OSHA grade jobsite and facility inspection/evaluation with photos and documented summary reviews. Contact the CFA at 866-CFA-WALL for more information.
Tunnelform Construction = Increased Productivity & Better Quality
SOUTHEAST CAPITAL PARTNERS’ CONDOS IN METRO ATLANTA UTILIZE INNOVATIVE CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE
Tunnelform Construction Increases Productivity and Results in Better Quality Homes at The Manhattan
Southeast Capital Partners, developers of the only high-rise luxury condominium in Dunwoody, Georgia, The Manhattan, are utilizing the Outinord tunnelforming system in the construction of these highly anticipated condominium homes. Touted for its cost effectiveness, productivity and quality benefits, the tunnelform construction process is producing these condominium homes with eight inches of solid concrete between the home’s walls, floors and ceiling, and increases the productivity of the construction process, therefore resulting in a sturdier, more cost effective final product.
Popularized in Europe, tunnelforming is a fast-track method of construction that is well suited to a high-rise, as well as mid-rise and low-rise, construction because it simplifies the entire construction process resulting in higher quality and tighter tolerances. During the tunnelform construction process, a structural tunnel is created by pouring concrete into the tunnelform, which looks like a large “L-shaped” and upside down “L-shaped” form facing each other to form a steel form box that create the floors, walls and ceilings. Every day the formwork is moved so that another tunnel can be formed.
When a story is completed, the process is repeated on the next floor. The method is fast and cost efficient, which eventually saves weeks from the overall project schedule. The pace of construction on The Manhattan will approach seven floors a month. Tunnelforms also deliver an extremely high-quality finish, and provide excellent owner satisfaction, by providing solid concrete walls between units, which are both sound and fire resistant and very energy efficient.
Southeast Capital Partners is working with Total Concrete Structures, the leading builder of mid-and high-rise residential towers in the Southeast using the Outinord tunnelform system, and they have gained that reputation by delivering a simple-to-build, high-quality and ahead-of-schedule structural concrete shell.
