Bilco Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Classic Series Steel Basement Door with Introduction of New Model
NEW HAVEN, CT/January 19, 2010 – Bilco is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its Classic Series Steel Basement Door with the introduction of the next generation of the product. The new and improved model features a patented gas spring lift assistance that provides improved operation and simplifies installation.
Bilco is celebrating the 75th anniversary of its Classic Series steel basement door by introducing a new and improved model that features a patented gas spring lift assistance design and improved primer finish.
In addition to this new design, Bilco has partnered with Sherwin-Williams to introduce a new primer finish for the product. The finish features low VOC emissions and superior adhesion to enhance the life of the product. The Classic Series Steel Basement Door will be available in the early spring of 2010.
“Bilco’s steel basement doors have enjoyed great popularity over the years in areas where below-grade basements are a prevalent home feature,” said Robert Lyons, Jr., President of The Bilco Company. “We are excited to offer this new design on the anniversary of the product’s inception and anticipate that homeowners will enjoy the added features and many years of service offered by this next generation of basement door.”
Invented by the Company’s founder George W. Lyons, Sr. 75 years ago, Bilco’s basement doors have developed a reputation among homeowners and builders for unequaled design and workmanship. Classic Series doors feature heavy-gauge steel construction and an overlapping flanged design that sheds water and prevents binding due to ice and snow, permitting all-season operation and lasting service.
Bilco basement doors offer code-compliant emergency egress in finished basement areas. They meet International Residential Code (IRC 2009) standards, which require a means of emergency escape from inhabited basements, and are available in a wide range of sizes to accommodate virtually any basement areaway.
For more information about Bilco’s basement doors, call (800) 854-9724 or visit www.bilco.com and use Bilco’s online basement door sizing guide.
For more than 80 years, The Bilco Company has been a building industry pioneer in the design and development of specialty access products. Bilco – an ISO 9001 certified company – offers a line of basement doors and egress window wells that improve the look and function of basement areas, as well as a complete line of commercial access products. With headquarters in West Haven, Connecticut, Bilco has manufacturing facilities in Trumann, Arkansas, and Zanesville, Ohio, and an international network of sales offices, dealers, distributors, and representatives.
###
Schwing Announces New S 36 SX with RZ4 Placing Boom
Schwing has announced the introduction of a new concrete pump with placing boom. The S 36 SX with RZ4 Boom combines the best features of two boom types, Roll and Fold™ and Z tip section, in a unique four-section boom. The new machine promises to set new standards for placing concrete at distances of more than 118-feet vertically and 104-feet horizontally.
Standard features of the S 36 SX include 740 degree slewing range, a pipeline diameter of 5”, unfolding height of 28’ 10”, and a unique boom design never before seen. In the travel position, the RZ4’s second section is angled -minimizing travel length. As the boom unfolds, the boom straightens itself, keeping the pipeline close to the boom, shortening pipe arm holders and resulting in the smoothest 36 meter available. An added benefit is the ability to position the boom in tighter areas. Whether it is in a window or up tight to a column, you’ll reach more of the pour area with the RZ4 “straight line” boom.
The RZ4 boom benefits from the proven Roll and Fold™ design with the added advantage of a 270-degree Z fold tip section. The new model also incorporates Schwing’s patented Super X Outriggers ® that set-up fast and maximize horizontal reach. The curved front outriggers telescope out and around obstacles while providing a compact and stable pumping platform.
The standard Generation 3 2025-5 120/80 MPS concrete pump is the low-maintenance, long-lasting, high performance unit that provides up to 178 cubic yards per hour output at only 23 strokes per minute. The all-hydraulic design utilizes the Big Rock Valve , promoting maximum filling efficiency of the material cylinders even with harsh mixes. Schwing’s open circuit design provides continuous hydraulic oil flow for better filtration and cooling while delivering the best fuel efficiency in the industry.
The Standard Schwing Vector Control system is the only system that can match the versatility of the RZ4 boom. Twin joysticks provide proportional boom control for pin-point accuracy. In addition, Vector is also the only system providing two-way communication between the pump and operator. An LED display on the remote box informs the operator of operational conditions, including: hydraulic pressure; PTO rpm; strokes per minute; hydraulic oil temperature and hopper grate status. Control functions from the remote box include: engine rpm and start/stop; pump delivery rate; pump forward/reverse and boom speed. The Vector System also records critical data that tracks yards per hour to more accurately schedule maintenance and extend machine life.
Other standard features that improve pumping productivity, include: Super 3000 boom pipe with 12 percent thicker walls; carbide wear parts for the Rock Valve™ to extend maintenance intervals; a hopper vibrator; and night light kit. For more information visit www.schwing.com or call 1-888-SCHWING.
Concrete Contractor’s Top Products of 2009 Announced
Subscribers choose best products of the year for concrete contracting industry
Concrete Contractor, the leading business information resource for concrete contractors, announced today the Concrete Contractor’s Top Products of 2009. Top winners are recognized by readers based on interest and inquiries over the past year.
“Concrete Contractor reaches 29,000 decision-makers who help build America,” says Editor Rebecca Wasieleski. “Having the right tool or product is key to meeting production deadlines, providing high quality workmanship and ensuring budgets are met. The Concrete Contractor’s Top Products of 2009 have provided those types of components for our readers.”
Concrete Contractor’s Top Products of 2009 will be featured in a special editorial section of the August/September 2009 issue and in an online photo gallery at www.concretecontractormag.com.
Concrete Contractor delivers product news, business management tips, and information on the latest industry trends and techniques to more than 29,000 concrete contractors. The magazine’s editorial coverage provides technical, business management and product information with a personal, hands-on approach to covering the industry. Each issue of Concrete Contractor covers the critical issues contractors face, such as finding ways to work smarter, providing quality workmanship and maintaining solid safety programs to help control overhead.
Concrete Contractor and ConcreteContractorMag.com are published by Cygnus Business Media, an internationally-recognized business-to-business media company. Its diverse portfolio serves 13 market categories with print and interactive products, and live events. Through its media, the company reaches more than 1.5 million print subscribers, nearly 1 million industry professionals via its Custom Marketing services group, and attracts 2 million unique visitors to its websites monthly. Cygnus Business Media provides comprehensive, integrated advertising and marketing programs for some of the world’s strongest business-to-business brands. For more information, visit www.cygnusb2b.com.
Montana Structural Concrete
EDITOR’S NOTE: We recently caught up with Janie Stephens, president of Montana Structural Concrete, Inc., MSC. after she attended one of CFA’s Certified Contractor seminars. Janie started MSC in June of 2006 after working for a large volume concrete contractor. She says that after “being inundated with requests for a quality, trustworthy, concrete contractor, she started Montana Structural Concrete, Inc.”
When Janie took the Certification Exam, she said that “one of the reasons I am setting for this exam is our company’s commitment to those contractors. The second reason is having sat for the AIC Constructor Certification exam in 2001 and graduating with a 3.2 GPA from MSU with a BS in Construction Engineering Technology, I believe in learning and continuing education. This class and test will help with the continuing education requirements needed to keep current my Associate Constructor’s status. In addition, I am hoping this will help prepare me for the Level II examination leading to the Professional Constructors Certificate.” She says that they plan to have at least one representative of the company take this exam every year. “This will help keep MSC current in the industry and add to another competitive edge in a soft market.”
Enjoy the following interview with Janie…
You started Montana Structural Concrete in 2006 — it’s been three years now. What have been your 3 biggest challenges? As with any new business, there are new challenges every day. I guess that the three biggest would be;
- Building a client base, based on a reputation of quality and performance while staying competitive price wise.
- Maintaining a crew that meets or exceeds standards under all of the conditions that we face, i.e. poor site conditions, harsh weather, last minute design changes… and
- Adapting to the economic situation by expanding our market to multiple states and still maintaining the quality and control that I insist on.
How have you promoted Montana Structural Concrete? I have made customer satisfaction my number one priority so word of mouth has been my best marketing tool. While expanding our market, I have had to “sell” MSC a bit more but, I still try to do this face to face or with phone calls directly to potential customers.
What is one way you’d like to promote your business in the future, but are not doing now? I would like to have a comprehensive website and possibly get involved in trade shows in the future.
Tell us about your educational and professional background and how you got to where you are today? I have a B.S. in Construction Engineering Technology from Montana State University as well as certifications with The American Institute of Constructors, Woman Owned Business Enterprises and, of course, the CFA Foundation Technician certificate. I served a two-year internship with Dick Anderson Construction (Helena, Mt.), was employed as a Field Engineer on a wind energy project near Scranton, Pennsylvania with Blattner Construction (Avon, Mn.) for 1 year and, before opening MSC, I worked for Hercules – Atlas Company (Gallatin Gateway, Mt.) for over two years as a Senior Field Engineer on high end residential concrete projects.
What attracted you to the CFA as a foundation contractor and inspires you to place energy into getting the most from your investment? I strongly believe that any education and accreditations that I can get help to give me an edge over my competitors and add to the marketability of my company. Involvement in trade organizations like the CFA will ultimately add to promotion also. Who could argue that a company with trained and certified leadership is more qualified than one who is not?
What did you bring home from the CFA Certification Seminar that will be helpful to you? I brought home surprise at the number of foundations going in the ground that have not been properly designed or engineered. This is one of many arguments for industry wide compliance with certification and/or licensing requirements. What was helpful? The whole seminar!
You mentioned you will use your Certification in promotion of Montana Structural Concrete. How important do you see this certification in years to come? Well, I hope that there comes a time when we see certification requirements written into bid documents and permitting requirements for both commercial and residential projects. There really needs to be a better accountability of contractors as a whole as to who is bidding and potentially performing work and their qualifications. With lending institutions struggling to regain trust and creditability, I would expect that they will demand more stringent qualifications from contractors as to who is performing work on their dollar.
You mentioned that your plans are to send at least one representative of your company to the Certification Exam yearly. Tell us more about your views on employee education. MSC is not a one man (woman!) army. Ultimately, I’d like to have all of our leadership certified to the extent that their job descriptions would warrant. This not only improves production and performance but, again, gives us an edge over competitors who haven’t invested time or resources into the growth and future of their companies. I think that there is a potential for increased morale as well. If you are willing to invest in your employees, they usually will respond with a more positive attitude in general and feel that they have a stake in their work.
What is something you’d like to learn more about — what would make a good seminar topic that would be helpful to you? Well, any specialty forming techniques/products like tank forming, shoring and, of course, always, any safety ideas.
What is your best ‘surviving the current economy’ tip? LOL… Don’t give up and keep your mind open to new ideas like different markets or scopes of work. This really could be a time to experiment a bit and maybe find a new “niche” in the market.
What is ‘next’ for the Janie and Montana Sructural Concrete? I’ll have to pass on that question. We have a couple of ideas that were working on to broaden our horizon….
Social Networking At Work For You Through the CFA
If you spend much time on the Internet, it will not take you long to see how many opportunities there are for joining online groups, be it social or business related. This is the new wave sweeping the world and drawing our large planet together into an ever-tightening world market and social environment. Whether you deem this to be a good thing or a pressure point you are trying to avoid, there are some quality decisions that you can make that will directly benefit your business.
The CFA has joined the hosts of these “social” networking groups in an attempt to provide forum activity for the general public directly related to the business of concrete foundations. Through the network site “Linkedin”, found at www.linkedin.com, the CFA has already attracted more than 100 members to the network group known as “Concrete Foundations”. See Figure 1 at top right.
As stated in the profile information for this group, it provides “an opportunity to broaden horizons, improve discussions and maintain a focus on connecting through more efficient and economical means”. We know that our business does not put us in the same place and time as so many others that serve as valuable resources and sounding boards to our ideas. Therefore, the opportunity Linkedin provides is one where you can participate and think at your own pace. This is a group that we’ve opened to the general public by request, to further encourage companies to find value in the CFA for the power of our networking. See Figure 2 at right middle.
Take, for instance, the log of discussions that has been started. As Technical Director, you will find periodic postings from me related to issues that have come to us by email or phone. You will also find thoughts on a meeting or resource information about a recent newsworthy item. This is your chance to add your thoughts in the discussion thread and see what others are saying about these topics. See Figure 3 at right bottom.
One of the benefits of being a CFA member, though goes a step further. We have also created a subgroup called “CFA Members”. Although this is a very new group, it is a chance for you to participate in a controlled environment where only approved members of active CFA companies will be allowed (or kept) in.
What is a burning question you have about employee relations? How do you develop your scope of work? What are your warranty characteristics? This is a way for you to communicate in cyberspace through regular participation and handle the time lag that exists in the complex schedules of today’s members.
In an economic crunch such as we’ve never seen, there are very economical ways for you to leverage the already known value of your CFA membership. Maybe you can’t get to a meeting. Perhaps you don’t have time to read all of our literature or pick up a phone and contact CFA headquarters for a recommendation.
However, if you have a computer, you can quickly establish a free account like Linkedin and begin using this networking vehicle to bring you results. We are committed to growing the participation and the relevance of these opportunities and thus CFA membership. You need to join us.
What does the future hold? For starters, we will soon be adding technical blog updates through twitter to bring more recognition to the technical issues and real solutions created in our industry. We will also be hosting a YouTube video site and encouraging you to participate in helping us demonstrate to the world how effective and superior concrete walls are, both as foundations and as above-grade enclosures.
Want to know more? Please contact me at any time by phone at 866-232-9255 or by email at jbaty@cfawalls.org.
CFA Annual Convention Education Value Trumps All
Many CFA members made, or were forced to make, the decision to not attend the CFA Summer Convention this year. This is not too surprising, as we know the impact this recession has had on member companies and face it, the Convention is an event that not has drawn a large percentage of CFA members in recent years. The lack of participation at the 2009 CFA Summer Convention has caused us to reevaluate the future of the summer meeting as our premier event. Because of future commitments, it will take several years before significant changes can be made but before we venture too far into the analysis we need your input.
This issue’s Letter from the Director discussed many thoughts we have on continuing to listen to the cross section of our members and begin evolving this event to fit not just the needs but the abilities. A convention is perhaps the most important venue that a member association like ours can create to provide ready access to networking; continually refresh the concepts of industry and standards; and to build value across the broad range of company types and geographies. Therefore, it is important to make this as practical and attractive as possible.
When looking at information for this event, it is quite possible that many companies overlook the educational value and the impact that these seminars can have on the evolution of thinking in a business. The 2009 Summer Convention represented what many consider the best and most complete education the CFA has ever put forth. So significant was this year’s lineup that it is worth taking one last look at the education offered.
Our education track this year can best be summarized as “quality brought back and refreshing excellence added”. Returning to our Summer Convention were the familiar and ever popular David Whitlock, Brent Anderson and Doug Staebler. The ability to rely on them for stimulating and meaningful presentations was reinforced yet again as you will read in their presentation synopses. Furthermore, the addition of Amy Miller and Bob Harris brought content that was both relevant and timely for the issues that our industry is facing. Finally, wrapping up the content was another heavy dose of what you are doing as some of our contractor members with stories to tell brought additional value to this year’s meeting as they shared individual paths that each are taking in their businesses to fight the impact of this economy.
This summer’s Convention was the second year in a row for attorney DAVID WHITLOCK to enlighten our industry on the pitfalls that exist as employers. One can certainly say he was “back by popular demand”. We know that is hard to believe when you first glance at the idea of an attorney speaking to a large audience.
However, attendees will unanimously tell you that David is as entertaining and engaging a speaker as any we’ve scheduled. After many discussions last year and follow-up work with our members throughout the past months, David selected the topic Employees vs Independent Contractors, something that many contractors see as a major difference between them and their competition.
How can we be expected to compete in a market where we know the company down the road is paying their workers as independent contractors and not carrying the burden of insurance, worker’s comp, etc.?
This is a question we’ve heard time and time again as we seek to find new avenues to pursue as your Association. David took the audience step-by-step through the legal ramifications of operating a business that engages “independent contractors”, allowing the company to react nimbly to marketplace demands through quick expansion or retraction as well as focused solutions to large problems or tasks. On the surface, David conveyed the attractiveness also from the “independent contractor’s” perspective allowing them to focus on specific areas of expertise and to have their own measure of control and professional growth. However, this equation quickly reaches an imbalance as David explained, when you recognize the fierce opposition from governmental regulatory agencies. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), and many state agencies are charged with administering the state’s unemployment program, made much more difficult with independent contractors in the work force, largely unregulated. Additionally, independent contractors themselves have begun to recognize their own power in this relationship as evidenced by many large class action lawsuits. Regardless, this is a trap that many contractors look on and fall into and David provided a clear understanding of the opportunities to mitigate and minimize risk as well as realize the strain in the decision. Ultimately, he is a great resource for our Association and is open for consultation whenever a company needs legal advice on their workforce.
BRENT ANDERSON is a name few around this industry, much less the CFA would be unfamiliar. He has been instrumental for decades in helping solve significant structural issues as well as continuing to evolve practical codes and standards for the industry. One of the items that are planned for the future of CFA promotion and code development is the presence of concrete decks in greater volume. Brent has been working for many years, both in the U.S. as well as world wide, to develop quality above-grade housing with integral, monolithic concrete decks and roofs. ! is wealth of experience was used to present the many positive benefits and economic advantages for our industry promoting an integral concrete deck for the first floor of any residence.
Fact 1: First floor concrete decks solidify the foundation walls with a much stronger connection than the state-of-the-art wood sill plates. They have the potential to significantly reduce the thickness of concrete walls as the performance from this stability introduces positive moments that counteract the applied load of the soil retained by the walls.
Fact 2: While stabilizing the walls and adding greater efficiency to the materials, the concrete deck delivers an entire storm shelter in the lower level of living.
Fact 3: Companies that are looking to maximize the potential project dollars, without adding to the learning curve or complexity of services offered, need look no further than the addition of significant forming and concrete volume that is present in a first floor deck that is normally given to the framing contractor and the wood industry.
Like David Whitlock, Brent Anderson is a resource that is open for contact on the myriad of engineering and application issues that arise in our industry.
Those that have attended a Convention in the past will easily recognize the name of DOUG STAEBLER, CFO for CFA contractor member Custom Concrete. Doug is one of the first to admit he is not an expert resource with all the answers but is one that continually looks for ways to solve the financial and business strategy issues that face their large company. He also has maintained the vision of their company’s involvement in this industry by being an accessible partner to CFA members for similar questions. He firmly believes that in each dialogue he learns as much as the company bringing the questions to him.
Doug’s focus for the 2009 Convention was ‘Building it Forward’, in other words, what will our companies look like as we come out of this recession and what can we be doing now to prepare us for the slow growth and return that must surely come. This likely means that your company will likely look different than it was and your strategies will likely be even more different.
Pricing and customer interest will have been radically changed and those foundation companies that recognize and address strategies to benefit from these altered playing fields will be the ones ready to succeed. Doug stretched out a historical view of what companies were like ten, maybe fifteen years ago. From this look back, we can likely find solutions to the problems of what companies should look like going forward.
This presentation used feedback from the attendees combined with the message Doug generated to affirm that while we struggle to stretch ourselves through this present danger, we must begin to decide what moving forward will entail if we are interested in leading.
There isn’t a single industry in the field of construction that isn’t challenged from some angle on how “green” or “sustainable” they really are. Whether the customer knows what they are asking or whether they are ready for the proper answer, they still ask the question. As an active member of your industry, it is your responsibility and your challenge to fully understand what this means for your entire business as well as your product. AMY MILLER of NRMCA joined us to start this understanding with the message of ‘The Concrete Side of Sustainability’. With specific focus to this issue from the perspective of concrete and foundations, Amy’s information was intended to add tools to your box on how to make sure your customers realize that concrete is THE solution needed most.
This really opened our eyes to the impact we all have on the condition we leave this earth for the next generation. We now realize how little natural resources are consumed in the concrete industry, understand sustainability better, and am motivated to sell this to my customers, especially the environmental conscious ones—Valerie Gore, Solid Foundations
One of the recent strategic partnerships that the CFA has made is with Concrete Contractor Magazine. This has proven effective in many ways as we grow our message of certification and quality. However, for the purposes of the Summer Convention, this also benefitted the attendees through the sponsorship of BOB HARRIS, president of the Decorative Concrete Institute.
Bob came to the event prepared to influence the attendees on the understanding that decorative concrete, and particularly stamped concrete has real potential to add to your product line and project capabilities while continuing to grow the recognition of quality concrete throughout the industry. Bob demonstrated his vast background and the history of working in this field. He conveyed the hesitations and the reservations they had getting started but how they overcame them using practical, low cost methods to obtain early results that continued to build for them.
Now, his company is on the front line of this industry pushing it further, developing new techniques and setting new standards…all stemming from a meager start with some vision. Bob’s message was one of Consider the Potential but understand how real the possibility is.
Education continued during this packed event with a lineup of CFA members including MIKE HANCOCK, DENNIS PURINTON, DAN BROMLEY and CFA Executive Director. In a forum titled ‘Why Waste A Good Recession’, this group projected some of the ways companies are expanding thinking to create opportunities.
Mike Hancock of Basement Contractors in Oklahoma brings a unique perspective to our association as he represents the foundation contractor, the builder, the engineer and the custom concrete home developer with his company. Mike delivered a message on the myriad of opportunities in each residential project for adding value to the home and volume to your project dollars with concrete.
This spring boarded from the deck seminar offered by Brent Anderson and added discussion of the above grade walls, decks, stairs, ” replaces and many other decorative concrete avenues that should be looked at to create more business on each project already in hand. Mike encourages contractors to think about the value that concrete adds to these projects and where it can and should displace other materials because of the ability to add craftsmanship to your company’s reputation.
Dennis Purinton with Purinton Builders in Connecticut has pushed the envelope in recent years spending energy on learning and leveraging systems such as mix technology, insulation systems and lately focusing on sustainability. He put forth a detailed perspective of how the foundation contractor can affect sustainability on projects and maximize the value for the builder and the homeowner from that viewpoint. The key, from Dennis’ advice, was to know as much as you can about your final product as well as the components. Understand the decisions that are made on operation, quality control and put these to work in maximizing the efficient use of raw materials and resources.
One of the strongest messages emanating from the CFA is that of certification. The year-old CFA Certified Foundation Contractor and Certified Foundation Technician programs are in full swing and companies that seek to create a difference in the marketplace should start here. This was the message from Dan Bromley of ABI Corporation in Missouri.
There are many decisions that can be made on how to market and distinguish your company from competition but taking advantage of a national program produced and maintained by the experts in this field is perhaps the best bang for your buck. However, once a company becomes certified or personnel from that company certified as technicians, the work only begins. Leveraging that certification and becoming known for that as a core value is where companies must look next.
The CFA helps in many ways but it is also up to the individual companies to maximize that recognition. Dan unveiled the ways that his company continues to seek such visibility. By no means have they fully succeeded but he offered many examples of ways they have tried to leverage this company status as well as the ways they have maximized it as an opportunity for their employees.
The discussion on marketing strategies was helpful. Everyone who is certified as a CFA-Certified Foundation Contractor needs to get the word out about the value of the certification.—John Wilson, Cornerstone Foundations
Rounding out the seminar education at Summer Convention this year was a presentation by CFA Executive Director, ED SAUTER on the real opportunity for expanding your business into other forms of concrete construction. One such is the art of Tilt-Up construction. A form of precast concrete panels, this method builds all concrete elements on the job site in horizontal position and then uses a crane to erect them to their designed location.
Already a proven method with an extensive inventory, the message Ed delivered was not one of competing against the professionals out there but rather seeing how effective it can be for smaller projects that are spread around the landscape offering considerable volume potential to the concrete industry but are harder for large, commercial contractors to identify.
Summer Convention also continued the trend of promoting certification programs as several companies sought to expand the number of CFA Certified Foundation Technicians on staff or use this as the first step toward achieving CFA Certified Foundation Company status or renewing their current certification with continuing education.
Still others submitted to become certified in the Thermomass Certified Installer program offered by Composite Technologies Corporation.
In all, attendees to this year’s Summer Convention were given the opportunity for two full days of education and business opportunities or the freedom to attend two full mornings of great seminars followed by some relaxation and networking or family time in the afternoons. This remains the number one venue focused on your business and we want to continue hearing from you to make it as effective as possible.
CFA Presents Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award to Barry Herbert
The Concrete Foundations Association recently presented its highest honor, the Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award to Barry Herbert at the CFA Annual Summer Convention held July 30-August 1. Barry was introduced by Jim Bartley of Bartley Corporation, and described as a significant example of great leadership; innovation; spirit and faith in our industry and both a person and businessman that he has tried to model his career after.
Herbert has been member of the CFA since 1992. While serving on the board from 1993 to 2002 he attended every meeting and served on multiple committees. He became a member of the ACI-332 Residential Concrete committee in 1995 when the decision was made to create the ACI Residential Standard. This standard is now incorporated into the International Residential Code. He continues to represent the CFA and the concrete foundation industry to the present on that committee. He also developed the present Nominations and Awards Committee for the CFA and served as its chair until 2007.
In 1998 he was elected to a two-year term as CFA president. During his tenure as president, he helped organize the current committee makeup and reorganized the board term schedule changing from a confusing schedule of one, two and three year terms to all three year terms.
The Robert D. Sawyer Award, named on behalf of Bob Sawyer, the first Executive Director of the CFA, is presented occasionally to a member of the concrete foundation industry whose contributions to the industry merit recognition. The award recognizes individuals who give tirelessly of their time and resources to serve the industry.
Herbert has always been at the forefront of technology. In the early 1990’s, he became the first poured wall contractor in the nation to utilize a robotic total station in footing and wall layout. Herbert shared this idea with fellow CFA members and it has now become a standard piece of layout equipment for many CFA members.
“Barry is one of those outstanding examples of the fortitude and commitment to family and industry that is evidenced throughout this association,” said Ed Sauter, Executive Director of the CFA. “Since taking over the reigns of this Association, Barry has provided energy and leadership when it was needed most and his innovative spirit and confidence has long been an example to his peers.”
Herbert and his wife, Linda, founded Herbert Construction Company in 1978 and he remains president of the company run by the two of them, their two sons Mike and Doug and their daughter Amanda Morris and son-in-law Josh Morris. Their company is located in Marietta, Georgia.
“The Robert D. Sawyer Award is the highest honor given to any CFA member and Barry Herbert is very deserving of this award,” said Sauter.
CFA Continuing to Build The Future
Welcome to the “new” CFA…at least the new online CFA from the perspective of how to interact with your Association. Over the past six months, we have been working painstakingly to transition our data systems to a new provider that offers a much more robust and intuitive system for CFA staff, CFA members and the general public.
We are now ready to unveil this new system and encourage you to begin kicking the tires with us as we work out the remaining kinks.
WHY? Your first question might very well be, why has the CFA changed Internet data systems? This is a valid question and one that we are anxious to answer. Our previous system, although powerful from the perspective of handling data, left us with many cumbersome methods of getting you into the system and using it effectively. In addition this system, although 100% customizable, carried heavy burdens the deeper we went into data management. We are all feeling the effects of the economic recession and our transition to a new system reflects not only a more efficient and effective tool for you to use, it does so with an entire nation of network accounts that make refreshing and automatic system upgrades much more cost effective.
WHAT? So what exactly has changed? Well, to many (or perhaps most) you may not even see a change as you may not have ventured beyond our general public site at www.cfawalls.org. As seen below, our website continues to provide considerable information for you marketing, technical and networking needs. It is also a highly effective tool for the residential industry to resource information about poured concrete walls. Figure 1, an image of the CFA Home Page appears at right. The current CFA website home page—a wealth of information at your fingertips.
From the current CFA home page, you should proceed to the new interactive CFA site using either Member Login as a CFA member, or one of the many links from pages such as our resources, event registrations or the new contractor location tool. Figure 2 at right is a screen shot showing the main landing page for the new member login. You will be taken to a page that introduces you to netForum, our new data system, and clicking on “follow this link” you will arrive at your login page, Figure 3 at right.
Member login is made easy with your email address on file with CFA and your selected password.
When you reach this page, enter your registered (with CFA) email address and the initial password which CFA will send each company member along with a letter including these initial instructions.
Once you have signed in with this information, you will be prompted to immediately pick your own password. Additionally, each person from your company will have their own user account based on the information we have stored. However, only the primary contact for each member company will be able to make modifications to the company information, add users and register groups for meetings.
Logging on will provide you with a variety of features.
- You will see the reduced member pricing for all events and resources. If you are not logged in, or if your membership is not current, you will see the same pricing that the general public and non-members see.
- Access to the Individual Member Directory search. Nonmembers will only have access to the Organization Member Directory search.
- Access to articles recorded by the CFA in a variety of host publications and archived for searching.
- Access to the CFA Committee structure. Committees that you are assigned to will have expanded areas for uploading and downloading documents, receiving minutes and communicating with other committee members directly.
These are only a few of the features that are available as a benefit of your CFA membership and ones we hope you will begin exploring. Future editions of this magazine as well as some special membership mailings will profile the features individually in greater detail.
Let’s get you logged in first and laying around to see what you find. Be sure to let us know what features you like and ones you would like to see. We will see if it is possible.
In the end, this is a great step forward for the CFA and the future of interacting more timely and efficiently. Our ability to serve you is of utmost importance.
Summer Meeting Recap At Amelia Island
Thank you to all that attended the CFA Summer Meeting at Amelia Island. Although our meetings and activities were scaled back to save cost for both CFA and the attendees I believe it was a successful and educational meeting, plus we had ample time for networking which is the most important aspect of CFA and the meetings.
The education was excellent and covered topics from green building to banking in these trying times. We had numerous presentations given by CFA members that I found to be relevant for all of us. Thank you to all the speakers. For those of you, who could not make the meeting, believe me we understand. Let’s hope that the housing economy improves and we can have a bigger meeting in Missouri next year.
The highlight of the summer meeting was the Bob Sawyer Award presented to Barry Herbert. This is CFA’s highest award and is only given to people who have given of themselves in extraordinary ways back to CFA, our membership and has helped to improve our industry.
Barry embodies all of these characteristics; he is the ultimate family man, entrepreneur and active CFA member. Barry is a past president and board member of CFA and has chaired various committees. Most importantly, he has always been willing to share his ideas, programs, procedures and technology with other CFA members. I consider him the “Father of the Geodimeter” used for the residential foundation industry. I believe it has been approximately 17 years ago that my father (Gary Bromley) and I traveled to Michigan to visit Barry and his company to investigate this new technology called the Geodimeter that Barry has used on a daily basis. Barry and his family spent the day showing us how the machine worked and how it saved them time and money. We left there in awe. We bought a Geodimeter the following week. That one day with Barry changed our company dramatically for the better.
Thank you Barry Herbert you truly deserve the Bob Sawyer Award and thank you to your family. You are a great friend to CFA, CFA members and myself.
Dan Bromley, CFA President, ABI Corporation
The Future of CFA Conventions
We have just completed another CFA Summer Convention. Those who attended generally agreed that the speakers and educational opportunities were among the best we have ever assembled, but we are at a crossroad. For the first year ever, we lost money on the event. Contractors attended at about the same pace as the prior year but other revenue was off over 80%. Our survey (on the next page) indicates that this event that combines networking opportunities with a little time off during a hectic summer, is the reason many members say they attend the CFA Convention.
Therein lies the quandary. Do we significantly alter the event, perhaps making it an education-only affair? Do we change the time, perhaps shifting it to the winter? Do we move to hotels without activities for the family, turning it into a business only event? Do we cancel it altogether? Is this just a response to the economy? We are in a transition to a younger generation of business owners; do they have different aspirations and goals from those of their parents? We would like your input, but before offering it, here is a little information about how these events are planned.
They are planned three years in advance to secure hotel space at the locations and during the time slot that our members have indicated works best for their schedules. From 1992 until three years ago, our events grew by approximately 10% each year. We reserve sufficient rooms to make certain everyone can stay on-site and to get the best possible rate (as best as can be secured three years in advance). We are committed to use these rooms or we pay for them – that’s part of the deal – and we have paid dearly the past three years. We began reducing room commitments three years ago but obviously not nearly enough. At Mount Hood six years ago, we used over 850 hotel room nights. This year, we used 169. Our attrition charges over the past three years have amounted to over $75,000.
We are committed for the next three years. We are working to reduce the room commitments but are at the mercy of the hotels. Canceling an event obligates us to pay on a sliding scale beginning at around 50% of the hotels expected room, food, and beverage revenue, which can be in excess of $100,000. Short of a court action, we are committed. The question is, what do we do in 2013 and beyond?
If we delay decisions and plan only one year ahead we might get a better rate (particularly in this economic climate) but the preferred locations and dates will likely not be available. If we go to education-only events, the prices may increase, depending on the type of presenters used. Standard suburban hotels can save attendees money but many do not have adequate meeting facilities and they can be far from family activities.
We conducted a survey back in 2006 following the Wisconsin Dells event (before the economy turned bad) with 45 (69% contractors/31% suppliers) respondents. Base room rates were $189/night (plus resort fee & taxes).
Survey highlights are:
88.9 % would attend another event;
82.4% said the amount of education (2 half days) was just right;
44% preferred keeping the education on ! urs-Fri (it was moved to Fri-Sat);
80% felt outdoor exhibits improved the event;
58% responded room rates were acceptable (11% responded too high);
60% responded registration rates were acceptable (13% too high);
67% of respondents plan their summer vacation around the event;
Responses to where we should hold future events were all over the map (literally) with nearly 50% asking for water; 38% preferring mountains; and 44% preferring the Midwest. (Note: We are still looking for a mountain location on a lake in the Midwest).
Many attendees felt that the evening events and meals were too expensive for what they received, in particular the events held on-site at hotels. Sta$ agrees – we try to run them as a break even event and often lose money. Hotel meals, with the possible exception of buffets, are very expensive and gratuities, taxes, etc. are approaching 30% or more on top of the cost of the meal.
Exhibitors, as a rule, did not feel that the cost justified the leads that were generated but many indicted they attended to reinforce existing relationships instead of generate new leads.
Is it simply the economy? Possibly, but we want to make certain we do the best job possible responding to your needs. This is your association and we work for you. Please contact Jim Baty or myself and let us know what you think.
Ed Sauter, Executive Director, CFA esauter@cfawalls.org
