Concrete Industry Pioneer Passes
CFA Staff has been notified that the founder of Precise Forms, Inc., Jim Trimmer passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2022.
Jim was known by many CFA members and poured wall contractors across this country. He built one of the leading manufacturers of U.S. based, aluminum concrete forms, and established the company firmly within the Association with one of the longest tenures at more than 43 consecutive years and one of original manufacturing members.
Trimmer, James E.
September 7, 1931 — January 9, 2022
James E. Trimmer, 90, of Kansas City, MO passed away on January 9th, 2022 to go to his Heavenly home. James was born September 7, 1931 to Berkley and Lorean (Madison) Trimmer in Sweet Hall, Virginia and was the sixth of eight siblings. He graduated from West Point High School in West Point, VA and enlisted in the US Navy in 1949 then married Earline (Walker) Penfold in 1951 and together they had five children. In the Navy, Jim served on the aircraft carrier USS Kearsarge during the Korean War. Jim founded Precise Forms Inc. in 1967 and retired in 1995. He continued to stay active as a board member to several companies and served as a deacon for Red Bridge Baptist Church and an elder for South K.C. Baptist Church. Jim and Earline loved to travel together with friends and spent their summers in Story, Wyoming and winters on Mustang Island in Port Aransas, Texas where Jim was able to enjoy both trout and deep-sea fishing.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, 2 brothers, and his eldest son, Mike.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Earline; and children, Lindy and Jim Carty, Doug and Debbie Trimmer, Cheri and David Wilkes and Craig and Ruth Trimmer; a sister, Ellen Borinski; 14 Grandchildren; Jeff and Harini Trimmer, Heidi West, Jared and Pam Carty, Brett and Mary Carty, Christy and Stefan Polfliet, Amanda and Matthew Gordon, Ryan and Megan Griffey, Samantha Trimmer, Derek and Lisa Wilkes, Brad and Jackie Wilkes, Cara and Ben Bell, Hailey Trimmer, Levi Trimmer and Katelin Trimmer; 8 Great Grandchildren with 2 more expected soon; and many nephews and nieces.
Due to Covid, the immediate Service will be for family only, but they will hold a Celebration of Jim’s Life at a later and safer date.
In lieu of flowers the family recommends donations to Brookdale Hospice 5401 College Blvd #112 Overland Park, KS 66211
Visit the obituary page for the family here.
For Sale: Used Concrete Pump
A CFA member has issued this used concrete pump for sale. Two photos provide information on the number of hours in operation (1,961 on the pump and 4,029 on the engine).
For more information, contact Matt or call +1 (920) 564-2578.
For Sale: Used Tuf-N-Lite Brick Pattern
A CFA member is trying to move a set of fillers for 8-0 & 9-0, used aluminum concrete forms manufactured by Tuf-N-Lite. They have a brick texture and a 6-12 pattern.
For more information, prices and an inventory list, please call John at (317) 201-8229.
Rebooting Member Networking
jbaty@cfaconcretepros.org
We can all agree that in 2021 (well, even looking back to this time in 2019), this Association has made an enormous amount of lemonade from the bushel baskets of lemons we were given. Were I to enumerate our accomplishments, this article would be far greater than a letter calling you into this quarter’s magazine. This is nothing, however, to dismiss quickly or quietly. The Concrete Foundations Association is making major waves, waves that many of our member companies are now just beginning to ride.
Coinciding with the incredible list of accomplishments during this two-year pandemic season, each of your businesses has been faced with high volumes of work, which is the greatest challenge for workforce resources, with the added challenge of experiencing some of the steepest supply chain shortages of all time. Stop and reflect on that for just a moment. 2021 is just about in the books and your books should be showing nothing but success. Congratulations.
Companies maintaining membership with this Association experience the greatest value when giving individual leaders access to networking resources and thought leadership that can impact the company’s culture, systems, and bottom line. Therefore, beginning this month, we are renewing a commitment to fostering networking that delivers those values in bold new ways. We are opening the doors to our Best Practice Groups (BPGs for those you who like acronyms), which are noncompetitive collections of individual leaders from across our many North American members. BPGs will connect once a month through video conferencing (which we have perfected) and up to twice per year in person (as available) at Convention and World of Concrete. While we will set this in motion and maintain the framework, the discussion will come from participants and the sharing will be up to you. Giving and taking is what membership really is.
I challenge you to make your business better in 2022, to make your culture more engaged and vibrant, to identify the next level you personally or professionally want to reach, and become part of membership. Your growth begins with accepting the invitation to join and advances with accepting the challenge to participate. Are you ready?
Las Vegas, Here We Come!
Herbert Construction Company
doug@herbertconstruction.com
If you are like most concrete contractors, you have not been to a World of Concrete convention in two years.
For many of us, attending World of Concrete is a yearly pilgrimage. Like most events, however, it did not take place at the beginning of this year due to the coronavirus. A World of Concrete convention did take place this summer, and I did attend, but it was a fraction of its usual size and lacked the energy normally felt during the show.
In January 2022, the normal World of Concrete convention that we have come to know and love will resume. The exhibitors are back. The attendees are back. Vegas is back. And the CFA is back to World of Concrete in a big way!
Our winter meeting will be held on Wednesday evening on the 108th floor of the Stratosphere Tower at The STRAT Hotel Resort and Casino. This promises to be one of the best locations the CFA has ever held a winter meeting.
Join us for dinner, drinks, and conversation with fellow foundation contractors and our terrific suppliers and associates. We will hang out on the observation deck for incredible views of Las Vegas. Your event ticket even includes thrill rides, such as the roller coaster atop the Stratosphere!
Our booth at the World of Concrete will be in the newly constructed West Hall. We will be just inside the entrance doors on the show floor, booth W2719. It is the perfect location for you to stop in, see old friends, meet new ones, and strategize how best to see all that the convention has to offer.
For many of us, the exhibitors are familiar from one year to the next. Nevertheless, many contractors choose to scour the show to find that new or different item that can give them a slight edge in their business.
All you need is one idea, one thing you can take home and implement in your company. It could be new equipment, a tool, software—or it could be an idea you heard while talking with a fellow contractor. It does not take much to discover something that will improve your business for years to come. Even the simplest idea can change your business. Remember, little hinges swing big doors.
I look forward to seeing YOU in Las Vegas.
To Your Success,
Doug Herbert, CFA President
P.S. Registration for World of Concrete must be done online. Walk-up registration is not allowed this year. When you register, use the CFA’s code, A30, to get a discount. Be sure to sign up to attend the CFA’s Winter Meeting. It is going to be a great event! You will not want to miss out.
Celebrating Milestone Anniversaries For CFA Members
Every year as the calendar flips, companies that have become part of the fabric of this Association reach milestone anniversaries. The Concrete Foundations Association recognizes one company each year that, within the first three years of membership, evidences the exciting results of increasing participation in the network. Likewise, year after year it is important to take a moment to say thank you — and, at times, WOW — to those companies arriving at membership anniversaries for 5 years to as many as 45 years here in 2021. It is also worth noting that, formed in 1974, a few founding members of the Association remain and lead the way with 47 years of membership.
Each celebrated anniversary represents the total number of years an organization has been a member. There are instances, naturally, where there is a gap year or two from membership. Rather than restarting the overall tenure, the CFA staff keeps track of the cumulative total to recognize the legacy of support and participation. Without further ado, here are the effective anniversaries reported to the Annual Meeting in July 2021 and updated for those anniversaries reached in the last few months.
5-Year Members
- Midwest Poured Walls, Gretna, NE
- Basement Replacement Experts, New Virginia, IA
- Expert Construction, Norwood Young America, MN
- MJ Lorenz Concrete, Stacy, MN
- Trans-Colorado Excavation LLC, Greeley, CO
- Autocar Industries LLC, Hagerstown, IN
10-Year Members
- Barrett Masonry Contracting Inc., Springfield, NE
- Irving Equipment LLC, Tiffin, OH
- Thompson Concrete Foundations Ltd., Carroll, OH
- Progressive Poured Walls, Hinckley, OH
- Gravel Conveyors Inc., Zionsville, IN
- Stone Shooters Inc., Woodbine, MD
15-Year Members
- I-State Truck Center of Marshfield WI (formerly V&H Trucks), Marshfield, WI
- Kelder LLC, Scottville, MI
- North Star Foundations Inc., Frederick, MD
- Peifer Construction Inc., Harrisburg, PA
- T & J Concrete Foundations Inc., Cadott, WI
20-Year Members
- PALFINGER North America, Niagara Falls, ONT Canada
- Nox-Crete Products Group, Omaha, NE
- Atkins Brothers Concrete Walls Inc, Beavercreek, OH
- K-Wall Poured Walls LLC, Fletcher, NC
25-Year Members
- Putzmeister America Inc., Sturtevant, WI
- Latorre Concrete Construction Inc., Columbus, OH
- J M Pereira & Sons Inc., Langhorne, PA
- Schwing America, St. Paul, MN
- Saldana Concrete Inc., Rice, MN
- Central Ohio Poured Walls Inc, Dublin, OH
- Eller Construction Company Inc, Eldridge, IA
- Hibbard Foundations, Akron, OH
- R F Woehrmyer Concrete Construction Inc., Minster, OH
30-Year Members
- MPW Construction Services, Wellington, OH
- Isaacson Concrete & Excavating LLC, Normal, IL
35-Year Members
- Custom Concrete, Westfield, IN
40-Year Members
- Menke Brothers Construction Company, Fort Jennings, OH
- Groffdale Concrete Walls Inc., New Holland, PA
The board of directors, Association staff, the founding members, the Legacy Committee, and the National Suppliers Council congratulate each of your companies. Thank you for your commitment to the advancement of this industry voice and membership network with your persistence and your participation through thought leadership. It is in no small part to your continued contribution that we are able to achieve such great impacts as the Residential Foundation Technician Certification Program, the Cold Weather Research Project, the Residential Foundation Company Certification Program, and many more programs that are part of the rich heritage of the Concrete Foundations Association.
Portland Cement Association Issues Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality
In 2015, industrialized nations signed the Paris Accord, committing to a goal of keeping the maximum average global temperature at no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2060. This directed attention to the primary systems and industries that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and, correspondingly, led to plans for participating in or influencing this goal. Many such plans, like that of the Portland Cement Association, project achieving this goal even sooner, even as soon as 2050.
On October 15, 2021, the PCA released its “Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality,” which is designed to be one of the primary guiding documents for the construction industry, specifically for all segments working with concrete. An executive summary of the document, as well as the detailed roadmap, are available at the links found at the end of this brief.
Executive Summary Statement
PCA member companies are committed to achieving carbon neutrality across the value chain by 2050. The PCA Roadmap involves the entire value chain, starting at the cement plant and extending through the built environment’s entire life cycle to incorporate the circular economy approach. This approach to carbon neutrality leverages relationships at each step of the value chain, providing a viable way for this industry to participate and take responsibility for its part in climate change.
The cement and concrete industry cannot do this alone. To bring down CO2 emissions from
all sources, including the building sector, people from various industries must recognize that our world is interconnected. Stakeholders must work together to ensure that the building sector creates a sustainable built environment – this is why PCA member companies are embarking on a journey to carbon neutrality as an industry and inviting others across the value chain to join the effort. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions all have a role, and the industry looks forward to collaborating on this mission to achieve carbon neutrality.
The five links in the value chain include the production of clinker, the manufacture and shipment of cement, the manufacture of concrete, the construction of the built environment, and the capture of carbon dioxide using concrete as a carbon sink.
Each link has specific targets, timelines, technologies, and policies for reaching the goal of carbon neutrality. The approach in this roadmap leverages each step of the value chain from the farthest upstream to the final reuse and recycling phase.
What This Means for Industry
While there is much to learn and even more to innovate, develop, and apply, the concrete construction industry can prepare and begin considering ways to impact portions of this roadmap sooner rather than later. Residential contractors can:
Encourage the use of the lowest possible concrete strength. Usually, the higher the concrete design strength the higher the amount of Portland cement used.
- More accurately determine and control concrete volume. Limit waste and excessive use on project sites by controlling excavations and formed installation sizes with greater accuracy.
- Investigate supplementary cementitious materials. These are often described as “waste products” from other industries. With similar hydrating reactions to water as Portland cement, SCMs like fly ash alter both mechanical and curing properties. Find ways to balance schedules and performance while lowering your carbon footprint.
- Implement planning strategies to control fuel consumption and mileage. Often overlooked in project planning is consolidating travel for crews and supply chain movement, as well as seeking other strategies that can lower the carbon footprint through traffic reductions.
Read More
- PCA Press Release for Roadmap: https://www.cement.org/newsroom/2021/10/12/portland-cement-association-releases-roadmap-to-carbon-neutrality-by-2050
- PCA Road Map to Carbon Neutrality: https://www.cement.org/sustainability/roadmap-to-carbon-neutrality
- Shaped By Concrete website: http://www.shapedbyconcrete.com/
- Global Cement and Concrete Association Roadmap: https://gccassociation.org/
The largest factor in participating in the PCA effort to reach carbon neutrality and the responsibility to limit global temperature rise is self-awareness and knowledge. We are committed to maintaining a collaborative environment with our industry colleagues to bring the latest innovations, opportunities, and encouragements. What ways are you already seeing possibilities to be a leader? Tell us more by emailing Skye Kelley, the CFA’s member engagement specialist, at skelley@cfaconcretepros.org.
OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) For Covid – 19 Vaccinations Stayed
Perhaps you caught wind of the emergency temporary standard developed by the Occupational Safety and Health Association that became effective on November 5, 2021. There have been many presentations about the ETS in various settings and with information from various sources. Of primary importance to each company represented by our readers is that on Friday, November 12, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an order staying enforcement and implementation.
What this means: A CFA Consulting and Legacy Committee member, David Whitlock Esq., says that, given the language of the Fifth Circuit’s stay order, significant constitutional issues are presented by the ETS. It is unlikely that OSHA will be able to resolve the issues to a degree that will allow them to resume implementation. A fact sheet made available by OSHA can be downloaded at https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/OSHA4161.pdf.
What you should know: Contractors found throughout the residential concrete industry are very likely unaffected by the original ETS. Companies with fewer than 100 employees within their corporate structure (employees who work exclusively outdoors are removed from that count) comprise most of this industry. However, both federal contractors and medical contractors will be required to comply with the ETS.
Selecting Relevant Education During World of Concrete – Baty’s Top – 10 List
The Concrete Foundations Association has played a significant role in what education opportunities are offered at the World of Concrete for many years. The CFA has consistently brought engaging educational content, with thought leadership by former executive director, Ed Sauter; current executive director, James Baty; such influential thought leaders as engineer, Brent Anderson; and contractors like Mary Wilson and Mike Hancock. Additionally, Baty has been part of the WOC Education Committee for eight years as a representative for the residential concrete industry to ensure there is annual content that is applicable and interesting.
In 2022, there will be many great tracks to consider. Several of these tracks are new to the event and will be delivered by trusted thought leaders. Are you hoping for recommendations on which tracks to take? Consider the following top-10 list from the CFA’s executive director:
Get the complete list of education tracks from https://www.flipsnack.com/BCEB9C99E8C/world-of-concrete-education-2022-program-at-a-glance/full-view.html or dive into the detail as you start the registration process at https://bit.ly/WOC2022A30, using our co-sponsor discount.
- #10 MO101 Motivating Today’s Construction Worker – Brad Humphrey
- #9 MO111 Innovations in Concrete Technology – Michelle Wilson
- #8 TU113 Compressive Strength Failures – Jacob Borgerson
- #7 MO121 Curing Concrete and Why Do We Care – Tyler Ley
- #6 TH110 Steps to a Successful Change Order – Rocky Gean/ Tommy Ruttura
- #5 WE124 Cold Weather: Managing Concrete in Winter – Kim Basham
- #4 TU123 Mix Design Fundamentals – Richard Szecsy
- #3 TH127 Identifying Basic Concrete Surface Problems – Brent Anderson
- #2 MO119 What Is Wrong with My Concrete – Tyler Ley
- #1 TH409 Residential Foundation Technician – James Baty
A Major Win—Motor Carrier Insurance Increase Not Carried in Federal Legislation Proposal
Previously, the Concrete Foundations Association served notice of transportation and infrastructure legislation being developed that would have resulted in a federally mandated increase in minimum liability coverage for all commercial motor vehicles from $750,000 per truck to a proposed $2,000,000. Executive director, James Baty, participated in over two dozen virtual conferences with staff members of key legislators during the first half of this year. The coalition itself tallied more than 150 meetings with staff members from an increasing roster of critical stakeholders and key legislative opponents. Each meeting, on average, had seven to eight coalition representatives who maintained a much broader perspective regarding the actual impact of such an unwarranted increase.
“We became convinced through our research that such an increase would be yet another layer of unrecoverable expenses for an industry already strapped with unparalleled challenges, including workforce and material shortages, increased competition, and pricing pressure from the escalating costs of construction,” stated Baty. “As a coalition, we were continually reinforcing the simple fact that this was an effort brought about by trial lawyers seeking deeper pockets for revenue and leveraging falsified data to key members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.”
During the week of September 27, 2021, the coalition was informed that their efforts were worthwhile. The proposed insurance increase never got beyond the House, as only the Senate-drafted highway bill was incorporated in the infrastructure package. This means the coalition can officially claim victory. Renewed efforts to pass this legislation in 2022 are very unlikely, due to the supply chain crisis looming amid the midterm elections. Should control of either chamber change thereafter, it is even less likely that Republican leadership would consider such legislation.
Organizations signing on to participate, support and contribute to the Truck Insurance Coalition led by OOIDA and NRMCA included:
- Agricultural Retailers Association
- American Beekeeping Federation
- American Concrete Pavement Association
- American Concrete Pipe Association
- American Concrete Pumping Association
- American Dairy Coalition
- American Farm Bureau Federation
- American Forest and Paper Association
- American Pipeline Contractors Association
- American Sheep Industry Association
- Associated Equipment Distributors
- Colorado Motor Carriers Association
- Concrete Foundations Association
- Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute
- Consumer Brands Association
- Customized Logistics and Delivery Association
- Distribution Contractors Association
- Energy Marketers of America
- Georgia Motor Trucking Association
- Hawaii Transportation Association
- Kansas Motor Carriers Association
- Livestock Marketing Association
- Maine Motor Transport Association
- Mid-West Truckers Association
- Minnesota Trucking Association
- Missouri Trucking Association
- Motor Carriers of Montana
- Motor Transport Association of Connecticut
- National Aquaculture Association
- National Asphalt Pavement Association
- National Association of Small Trucking Companies
- National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
- National Grain and Feed Association
- National Precast Concrete Association
- National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
- National Stone Sand and Gravel Association
- National Utility Contractors Association
- North American Punjabi Trucking Association
- Nevada Trucking Association
- New Hampshire Motor Transport Association
- New Jersey Motor Truck Association
- New Mexico Trucking Association
- NFIB
- North American Miller’s Association
- North American Punjabi Trucking Association
- North American Renderers Association
- Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
- Pet Food Institute
- Port Drivers Association
- Power and Communication Contractors Association
- Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute
- Rhode Island Trucking Association, Inc.
- South Carolina Trucking Association
- South Dakota Trucking Association
- Southwest Movers Association
- Tennessee Trucking Association
- Texas Trucking Association
- Tilt-Up Concrete Association
- Towing and Recovery Association of America, Inc
- Truck Renting and Leasing Association
- United Dairymen of Arizona
- United Fresh Produce Association
- United States Cattlemen’s Association
- Vermont Truck & Bus Association
- Western States Trucking Association
- Wyoming Trucking Association, Inc
