CFA PRESENTS ROBERT D. SAWYER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD TO John Skotzke
The Concrete Foundations Association recently presented its highest honor, the Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award to John Skotzke at the CFA annual award luncheon held July 21. John was not in attendance at the event due to his continued battle back from a stroke suffered in the summer of 2005. His daughters, Chris Skotzke and Maria Skotzke-Schmidt as well as his sons-in-law, Dave Schmidt and Mike Klingert (company President) were on hand to accept this distinguished recognition on John’s behalf.
Skotzke is founder of John Skotzke Concrete Construction, Inc. in Neenah, Wis. He founded the company over 50 years ago and has led the company to be a multi-million dollar organization. An active member and supporter of the CFA for nearly two decades, John has served on multiple committees for the organization as well as the Board of Directors.
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.
“John Skotzke has always been an avid supporter of the foundations industry,” said Ed Sauter, Executive Director of the CFA. “He is always looking to advance the industry and is typically one of the first contractors to explore new technologies that would improve his business.”
Consistently on the forefront of industry advancements, Skotzke’s firm was the first poured wall contractor in Wisconsin to use aluminum foundation forms as well as purchase a conveyor for the placement of concrete and aggregate. This commitment to technology has enabled his firm to experience continued growth. With more than 60 employees, the firm pours more than 600 foundations a year.
Skotzke credits the CFA with aiding the success of his company. After joining the Association, he saw an increase in sales and was able to implement changes in his company based on lessons learned from other members. Further, he cites the networking opportunities provided by the Association as an excellent way to learn more about the latest offering and advancements in the industry. Sauter credits John Skotzke Concrete Construction with the dedication to implement new technologies that increase efficiency, as well as the willingness to share these innovations with others.
“The Robert D. Sawyer Award is the highest honor given to any CFA member and John Skotzke is very deserving of this award,” said Sauter.
BASF Completes Acquisition of Degussa’s Construction Chemicals Business
On July 1, 2006, BASF completed its acquisition of the Degussa AG global Construction Chemicals business. This strategic initiative positions the company to tap into the growth potential of the construction chemicals market on a sustainable basis. With headquarters in Germany, the global BASF Construction Chemicals division consists of Admixture Systems and Construction Systems businesses, and is the largest manufacturer of construction chemicals worldwide.
In North America, the BASF Admixtures business unit will continue to market the respected Master Builders brand of products and solutions to the ready mix, precast, manufactured concrete products, paving and underground construction markets.
Program Manager, Concrete Home Builders Council
The National Association of Home Builders is seeking a manager to lead department promoting concrete housing products for builders. Develop and market new member services including education events, e-newsletters and networking opportunities, promote revenue programs and memberships, manage human and budget resources. Work closely with volunteer members in the industry in a consensus building environment. Requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experience working with volunteer or non-profit boards, and demonstrated ability to market programs and/or memberships. Must be very organized and have strong reporting skills. Travel required. Knowledge of the construction industry and/or concrete products helpful. Minimum 4 years relevant professional experience. For more information, contact Jeremy Bertrand at 202-266-8353 or jbertrand@nahb.com.
Board and Annual Meeting Highlights
MEMBERSHIP
The CFA Board met prior to the CFA Summer Meeting and addressed a very aggressive agenda. Membership in the Association continues to grow. CFA finished fiscal year 2006 with 401 members – a new high. The figure includes 278 contractor firms, 20 professionals, 51 national associates and 52 local associates. CFA finished FY 05 with 390 members.
Distribution of the CFA newsletter, Concrete Facts, continues to grow. It is currently sent to over 3000 companies. The goal is 5000 subscribers or recipients by the end of next year.
CODES AND STANDARDS
CFA is still active in the Codes and Standards arena. The 2007 version of the ACI 332 document is in the early draft stages and members of the CFA will play an important role in its development. Jim Baty, CFA Technical Directory, was appointed secretary of the committee which puts him in a position to monitor all activities.
CFA Executive Director Ed Sauter will also be making an appearance at the IRC hearings this fall to argue the rescinding of the new anchor bolt requirements that were passed during the midnight hours of the 2006 public comment phase. The new code stipulations will require that anchor bolts be placed much closer in many applications. CFA joins NAHB, NRMCA, and PCA in opposing this inclusion.
REGIONAL MEETINGS
Plans are progressing for the fall regional meeting in Hartford Connecticut on Saturday, October 28th. Raleigh, North Carolina was selected for the site of the spring 2007 regional meeting. The tentative date is May 3rd. Contact CFA or visit the web site for more information.
COMPANY CERTIFICATION
Company certification is moving forward. Several areas of expertise or knowledge for certified companies were agreed upon including safety and safety programs, quality assurance, outside certification for pump and crane operation, continuing education requirements in codes and related topics, minimum insurance coverage, business experience, and service to the industry. The committee hopes to have the program better defined by the fall board meeting.
CONCRETE MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE
The Concrete Management Initiative is also moving forward. This program, which will aid member companies improve their businesses from the management side, will be based on member supplied information which will be assimilated into modular components for education and delivery.
IMMIGRATION
The current administration’s position on immigrants was discussed but no position or action items were proposed. The board and staff will continue to monitor new laws and guidelines and how they are administered for problems and how members can deal with them.
Announcing the 2006-2008 CFA Officers
With the closing of the 2006 Annual Meeting, a new CFA Board of Directors have started their two-year term. The Board oversees the creation and development of programs geared toward advancing the use of poured concrete foundation construction.
Congratulations to member Brad Schrock who is President. Brad is from Custom Concrete Company Inc. He is shown below, right, with now current Past President, Terry Lavy, who received an award of service at the Annual Meeting.
Dan Bromley from ABI Corporation is now Vice President, Tim Parrish from Cornerstone Foundations, is Secretary, and Jim Bartley from Bartley Corp is Treasurer. We look forward to their leadership in the CFA.
We greatly appreciate the time and energy that these individuals and the entire board give to help grow our industry.
Association is a Resource For YOU
It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to lead the Concrete Foundation Association during this next two-year period. It has been my privilege to be a part of this organization for the past twenty years. My affiliation with this group has given me the opportunity to grow from a business standpoint for sure, but more importantly it has afforded me the opportunity to meet some of the finest people in the world and even develop life long friendships with many of them.
I would like to recognize and thank our out-going President, Terry Lavy. We would be hard pressed to find a person who has been more energetic, active, and genuinely committed to moving the Association forward. His direct involvement on many specific issues and initiatives will have a permanent impact on our industry. One of the reasons that Terry has been so appreciated throughout the CFA is because of his humble, hard working approach that is so representative of the membership of the CFA. Thank you, Terry, for your leadership and your friendship.
This is an exciting time to be a part of the CFA. I believe that the Association has more to provide to the membership than ever before. Your Board of Directors is hard at work with an agenda that is focused not only on historical issues such as how to properly pour a wall and how to construct the best foundation possible; but also on how to operate and manage an efficient, profitable, and successful contracting business. The vision is for each member to look to the CFA as the primary resource to provide assistance and guidance in finding real business solutions.
I would like to encourage each of you to evaluate your own personal involvement with the Association. Not only are there worthy opportunities for you to “serve”, but there are real opportunities available for you to improve your business. Forging relationships with other contractors and associates has a proven track record of success!
Take advantage of your opportunity!
Brad Schrock, CFA President, Custom Concrete Company Inc. bschrock@customconcrete.comWomen In Construction
This issue of Concrete Facts focuses on a growing trend in the building industry – the increasing role of women in the operation and management of construction businesses. While the trend may be on the increase in other construction businesses, no where is it as prevalent as it is in the residential foundation contractor business.
Women are not just involved in the stereotypical roles of secretary and receptionist, they have key positions in nearly all levels of management and operations. There are many areas in which women are excelling in the construction world, areas such as accounting, human relations, scheduling, marketing, design, and purchasing, to mention a few.
While “outsiders” may be on the payroll, in many instances, the key women are another cog in the family run business, taking on roles that they may be better suited for than their spouses. More women attend college than did 30 years ago, bringing valuable skills to the company and family. Even without college education, many skills possessed by women, either learned or inherent, can be adapted to the construction world.
The male may decide which new pump or conveyor he wants to buy, but it could be the female (or spouse) who has the yea or nay decision. To make this type of decision, the person in the chief financial officer role must have sound economic reasoning and understand the affect their decisions have on the business.
Because many of the females involved in CFA businesses are family members (or extended family members including in-laws), family dynamics can also come into play. While business problems may be discussed at home, family problems must be kept out of the business environment. Sounds simple, but try it sometime. The relationships in home life are often quite different than those in business. Traditional roles in the home might be reversed in the business world. It can be much harder saying no to your spouse, son, or sometimes father, than an unrelated employee.
Working as a female in a male world presents special challenges. Females are more likely to be “put to the test” than males in a similar role by those outside the company. Because of this they must be, and typically are, well-prepared to answer detailed questions and solve complex problems relating to the business. An unfortunate reality is that females must typically be more qualified than a male to fill a position in a traditionally male environment.
In spite of the potential pitfalls and problems, the number and importance of females in the Association is on the increase. This issue of Concrete Facts profiles eight women in the CFA. All of these females occupy key roles in the company. The next time you need a motivated and qualified employee, consider the females in your family and company for the position.
Ed Sauter, Executive Director, CFA esauter@cfawalls.orgBilco’s ScapeVIEW™ Series 6000 Completes the ScapeWEL Window Well System
The Bilco Company, manufacturers of specialty access products for the residential and architectural building markets, is completing its ScapeWEL® Window Well System by introducing the ScapeVIEW™ Series 6000 Foundation Window System. Constructed of vinyl for durability and corrosion resistance, the window assembly is a two-piece system consisting of a pour-in-place buck and a snap-in window unit.
The window buck features a structurally designed multi-wall extrusion and full reinforcing for superior strength and support during the foundation pouring process. For ease of installation, the buck is equipped with tie-slots for hanging in forms, back-out screws for window well installation, and a full perimeter seal to ensure weathertight and secure installation of the window unit. The buck is available in four widths to accommodate most standard foundations and extensions are available for custom applications.
The window unit features superior energy efficiency and sleek, fully welded vinyl construction for durability and low maintenance. Utilizing Intercept® Warm-Edge technology, the window is constructed with insulated glass and “Warm edge” spacers to reduce condensation and minimize heat loss. It is also equipped with weather-stripping to withstand air, dust and moisture infiltration, a fiberglass mesh insect screen, and a heavy-duty locking mechanism that has received the highest level of forced-entry resistance. Series 6000 foundation windows are available in three standard sizes that meet code requirements for emergency egress.
An International Residential Code (IRC2003)-compliant basement egress solution, the ScapeWEL Window Well System consists of the ScapeVIEW Series 6000 Foundation Window and a ScapeWEL Window Well. The window well features UV-stabilized high-density polyethylene construction that will not rust, rot or change color upon exposure to the elements. The component system simply snaps together on site and the terraced step design aids emergency egress. For added visual enhancement, the steps can landscaped with the homeowners choice of favorite plants or flowers. When installed, the ScapeWEL® Window Well System provides natural daylight and ventilation to lower level living areas, making them as warm and comfortable as any room in the home.
Builders can purchase the entire ScapeWEL Window Well System, now including the ScapeVIEW Series 6000 Foundation Window System, from Bilco’s national network of dealers and distributors. For more information about the Bilco Company and ScapeVIEW, visit their website at www.bilco.com or call 203-934-6363.
New 10” Size for Form-A-Drain®
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania – CertainTeed Corporation is expanding its popular Form-A-Drain® foundation product line into the light commercial construction market via a new, larger 10” x 12’ lineal. Form-A-Drain, which until now was used mostly for residential foundations, can now be used in the construction of office buildings, apartment complexes, stores and more.
Form-A-Drain is a patented three-in-one concrete footing form system, foundation drainage system and sub-slab perimeter radon reduction system. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) lineal sections are used in place of wood or aluminum to form the footing, and remain in place after the concrete is poured. This saves time and money, as there is no need to return to the job site to strip, clean and transport footing forms for reuse.
Because Form-A-Drain forms a complete loop around a building’s foundation, it also serves as an effective groundwater drainage and radon reduction system. After installation, Form-A-Drain collects groundwater through multiple side vents and transports it to a sump pit or a drainage pipe going to the outside. Harmful radon gas is also collected and safely evacuated through a separate vent pipe.
Says Steve Gross, Director of Marketing for CertainTeed Foundations, “Form-ADrain has saved foundation contractors and homeowners a lot of time and headaches over the years. We’re happy to now offer this superior three-in-one product to light commercial construction customers. The new 10-inch Form-A-Drain is also ideal for construction of larger homes that are becoming more common these days.”
For more information visit their website at www.certainteed.com.
Thermally Efficient Walls
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania – CertainTeed Corporation is pleased to enter the insulated concrete wall market with the patented ThermaEZE® Thermal Insulation System. ThermaEZE is an innovative technology that provides a cost-effective means for building thermally efficient above-and below-grade poured concrete walls.
ThermaEZE insulation panels, which consist of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam, are set within the wall forms prior to pouring, and are held in place by a patented web structure that becomes embedded in the concrete. Once the concrete sets, the forms are removed, creating a wall surface that is fully insulated on the interior and/or exterior faces of the structure. The webs also provide a fastening surface for subsequent application of finish board and cladding materials. With ThermaEZE, hardly any prep work is required; the panels are simply slid into the cavity as the forms are set.
According to Steve Gross, Director of Marketing for CertainTeed Foundations, foundation heat transfer is a major factor affecting thermal interaction of buildings with their environment. “Below-grade space can represent up to 50 percent of the heat loss in a home that is heavily insulated above grade, but is poorly insulated below grade. ThermaEZE allows builders to provide in one simple step insulated walls that are increasingly required by building codes, creating long-term energy savings for the owner,” he says. When used on the interior, the ThermaEZE system replaces wood and steel studs, eliminating the need to frame. Drywall is attached directly to the ThermaEZE panels, which provide a minimum R-value of 11.5
With this entry CertainTeed now offers both wall and footing form systems. The introduction of ThermaEZE comes on the heels of the company’s highly successful launch of Form-A-Drain®, a patented three-in-one concrete footing form, foundation drainage and radon reduction system.
For more information visit their website at www.certainteed.com.
