• Board of Directors Announce New Management for Association and Celebration Strategies for 50th Anniversary

    Thursday, December 19, 2024

    Mount Vernon, IA (date) – The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) Board of Directors has announced a management change for the organization, which coincides with its 50th anniversary. Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, CFA will be managed by the AOE Team – an association management and marketing consulting firm with headquarters in Farmington Hills, Mich.,  after more […]

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  • Using Decorative Concrete to Refresh Outdoor Spaces

    Thursday, December 19, 2024

    In both residential and commercial construction, decorative concrete is gaining popularity as a transformative element that revitalizes outdoor spaces. No longer reduced to just a functional, utilitarian solution, decorative concrete now serves as a versatile canvas for architects and designers looking to create aesthetically pleasing, durable, and cost-effective environments. The adaptability of decorative concrete allows […]

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  • New Identity for Central Wisconsin CFA Member

    Thursday, December 19, 2024

    Dane, WI – With a 77-year history of building trust, excellence, and strong foundations, Wisconsin-based concrete contractor Hottmann Construction, Inc. announces a rebranding initiative that reflects the company’s evolving vision, values, and commitment to the future. “We are excited to re-introduce ourselves to the marketplace in mid-December as Cru Concrete,” states company president, Ken Kurszewski. […]

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  • Caught-In-Action

    Thursday, December 19, 2024

    Timing on jobsites is not always precise, yet, as quality firms recognize, good crews always find a way to be productive. This photo was captured and sent in by CFA member, Bartley Corp, showing team members, who were waiting on forms to arrive to the site, capitalizing on available time. “This job was run by […]

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  • 2024 PROJECTS OF THE YEAR

    Thursday, December 19, 2024

    The Rest of the Best The last issue of Concrete Facts presented the top-voted project and each of the respective category winners from the 25th annual competition for the Concrete Foundations Association. Two ways to revisit these project awards are available in the toolbox accompanying this article. The feature image from each project can be […]

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Feature

Oct
7

CFA Recognizes Industry Commitment

CFA 2015 Award Recipients Announced at Convention The Concrete Foundations Association(CFA) – the recognized voice and authority for the residential concrete industry, announced the 2015 award recipients at CFA Convention 2015 in Williamsburg, Va. on Friday, July 24, 2015. Awards include Contractor of the Year, Most Innovative Contractor, Associate of the Year, Most Valuable Player and the Kick-Start Membership Award. The awards signify the ultimate […]

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Oct
7

Reflections on CFA Convention 2015 From My Perspective

Why is convention so important to this industry? What do you, as a leader, take away from this event? There are few limitations within a network of people who share a common goal. Together, they push the boundaries of their industry, create a higher demand for their products and services, foster healthy relationships and fuel innovation. As we begin to prepare for another convention […]

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Aug
2

2015 Projects of the Year: Private Residence Foundation (>5000 sq.ft.)

Private Residence Foundation >5000 sq.ft. Acworth Home Herbert Construction of Marietta, GA. Acworth, Ga   The largest residential project to receive recognition this year represents the large-scale single-family residences over 5,000-square-feet category. Herbert Construction of Marietta, Ga. maintains their presence in the annual awards program with a private residence entry from Acworth, Ga. “We estimated […]

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Aug
2

2015 Projects of the Year: Private Residence Foundation 2000-5000 sq.ft.

Private Residence Foundation (2000-5000 sq.ft.) Pappas Residence Hottmann Construction Company Fox Lake, Wisconsin   Following the recognition received for their “Overall Grand Project” award in 2014, Hottmann Construction Company receives the award for a private residence foundation between 2,000 and 5,000-square-feet with the Pappas Residence in Fox Lake, Wis. “We submitted the Pappas Residence this […]

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Aug
2

2015 Projects of the Year: Private Residence Foundation<2000 sq.ft.

 Private Residence Foundation  <2000 sq.ft. Point of the Woods Purinton Builders Lyme, Connecticut   This year’s award for a private residence foundation under 2,000-square-feet goes to Purinton Builders of East Granby, Conn. for the project known as Point of the Woods in Old Lyme, Conn. This extreme challenge included concrete piers excavated into and setting […]

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Aug
2

2015 Projects of the Year: Above-Grade Concrete Home

Above-Grade Concrete Home Clifton Concrete Home Bartley Corporation     Since the start of the new millennia, the recognition of performance and aesthetic advantage for all concrete homes has been a focus for the CFA and many throughout the concrete industry. Over the years, many fine works of construction and design have been recognized in […]

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Magazine Issues

Jul
13

How Google Might be Limiting Your Employment Exposure

By Chris Nastav, KC Web Specialists – A CFA Consulting Member As an active CFA consultant, we feel an obligation at times to point out the things in our specialty area that might be of importance to you.   If you are swimming in a sea of work right now and struggling to find employees, […]

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Jul
13

Destination Employers Promote Education

CFA Signs MOU with Columbia Southern University for Member Benefits #CFACON2021 takes place next month in Charleston, South Carolina.  In many ways, this event can be seen as focusing on a primary variable, risk and need in your company–workforce development.  Keynote speakers for the event, Mack and Ria Story, will lead you along a path […]

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Jul
13

YOU’VE RECEIVED AN OSHA CITATION – NOW WHAT?

The 4-Step Process Every Company Should Know  By Julia Kunlo, MSOSH, CSP The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) usually conducts around 32,000 inspections a year. For companies who are involved in an inspection and receive fines/citations, most are surprised by the hazards discovered and unsure of next steps to take. While avenues exist to […]

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Jul
13

INTERCONNECTIONS: Leveraging relationships built by common interest

During strategic planning this winter, the CFA Board of Directors strengthened its commitment that one of the primary benefits of this association membership is the network connections and the relatability of members across a broad range of demographics.  In the coming weeks, you will be introduced to a survey for information about your company, filling […]

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Jul
13

Twenty Years! Where Does Time Go?

This spring marks the completion of twenty years serving as a staff member for the Concrete Foundations Association.  Having received an invitation in early 2000 to consider a change of career focus, I could never have imagined the diverse world that I would soon move into, one where every day is marked with a different […]

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Jul
13

Let’s Get Back Together Again

The annual CFA Convention is fast approaching. After going virtual in 2020, we are happy to announce that we’re getting back together for this year’s in-person event. The event will take place in beautiful Charleston, SC. Having been to the city on a few occasions, I can assure you that it lives up to its […]

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Apr
27

Wall Tie Shortage, and New Initiatives

As if dealing with COVID-19 and World of Concrete getting cancelled wasn’t enough, residential concrete contractors faced a severe wall tie shortage this Spring. As soon as the issue was brought to our attention by CFA member, Dan Bromley, the association mobilized and immediately began working on the problem. With terrific work by our Executive […]

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Apr
27

Turning the Page

When was the last time you read a really good book of the page-turner variety? Each page is turned more quickly than the previous one. An anticipating pace races you deeper into the plot, the action, the historical moment, or the truth you are seeking. With that picture in mind, consider the page turning taking […]

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Apr
27

Contraction Joints in Residential Slabs Using a New Method

By Harvey Haynes, Haynes & Associates LLC; Oakland, CA Introduction The cracking of concrete slabs is unsightly and has long been a frustration for concrete contractors who receive complaints and callbacks from homeowners. Concrete, by its nature, will contract due to thermal cooling and drying shrinkage. This material behavior causes concrete elements to decrease in […]

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Apr
27

The Lowdown on the Letdown:

Why Some People Drop the Ball and What To Do About It By Kate Zabriski  He didn’t get the shipments out – again! Makes me crazy. That guy never follows through. She said I’d get a promotion, so where is it? I’ve been waiting for three years. “All talk and no action” – that phrase […]

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Apr
27

Science Fair 2020: Final Report

By: Calvin Menke, 7th grade  Abstract The question being asked is “Does freezing concrete affect the long term strength?” The purpose of this experiment is to determine the long term strength of concrete after being frozen. The experiment will test concretes breaking points after being frozen. This researcher hypothesized freezing concrete will affect the long […]

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Apr
27

Oppose Increases to Motor Carriers’ Federal Insurance Requirements

Support truckers, farmers and manufacturers by rejecting unnecessary increases to their operating costs. The Concrete Foundations Association is one of more than 60 national and regional organizations actively working to prevent the legislation discussed in this article.  We believe that such a drastic increase in the minimum requirements for insurance is an overreach of the […]

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