• 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

Jan
27

CERTAINTEED OFFERS SYSTEMS TO MAKE YOUR JOBS Easier, Greener, and More Profitable

In tough times like these, with housing starts continuing to fall, forward-looking concrete contractors are searching for ways to differentiate themselves by selling added value to their Builder customers with a more complete package of Foundation products and services. CertainTeed understands the needs of concrete contractors, and offers systems to make your jobs easier, greener and more profitable. CertainTeed’s Form-ADrain™ concrete footing form system, ThermaEZE™ foam insulation panels […]

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Jan
27

CFA Presents 2008 Contractor of the Year KUBICA’S EARN AWARD

The Concrete Foundation Association (CFA) recently presented its 2008 Contractor of the Year Award to Rich and Patty Kubica of K-Wall Poured Walls of Traverse City, Michigan & Asheville, North Carolina. A member of the CFA for nearly a decade, the Kubicas were selected for this award for their aggressive pursuit of excellence and business expansion. According to Ed Sauter, executive director […]

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Jan
27

LIV-SPACE — COST EFFECTIVE AND AFFORDABLE WAY TO TURN Basements Into Quality Living Space

When building a new home these days, many builders are now taking the extra time to design and build out the basement or lower level of their homes. Builders in this type of market are realizing the cost savings that can be generated by finishing a lower level rather than building a second or third floor. Many homes throughout […]

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Jan
27

Bilco’s Permentry Offers Direct Basement Access

Consisting of a monolithic concrete stairwell and Bilco basement door, the PermEntry Basement Entrance system is used extensively in new home construction applications. It maximizes and expands lower-level living space by adding direct, safe and convenient access from the basement to the outdoors. Precast in one piece and thoroughly vibrated for maximum density, the stairwell can be installed on poured concrete and concrete block foundations. PermEntry is secured to […]

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Aug
19

CFA Announces Call for Entries for 2009 Projects of the Year Awards

Mt. Vernon, Iowa (August 18, 2008) — The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) – an influential organization within the construction industry that serves as an informational and networking tool for its members and carries out a multitude of educational and promotional efforts for the advancement of concrete foundation technology – has announced the call for entries for […]

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Aug
18

CFA Presents 2008 Contractor of the Year Award

Mt. Vernon, Iowa (August 18, 2008) — The Concrete Foundation Association (CFA) –  an organization dedicated to improving the quality and acceptance of cast-in-place concrete foundations – recently presented its 2008 Contractor of the Year Award to Rich and Patty Kubica of K-Wall Poured Walls of Traverse City, Michigan & Asheville, North Carolina. A member of […]

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Magazine Issues

Oct
15

Letter from the President: Learning from One Another…Being Friends

This month’s letter from the CFA Board President: Learning From One Another…Being Friends David Martinson Martinson Construction davem@martinsonconstruction.com   It gives me great pleasure to write to you as your president. As a third generation concrete contractor and a member since 1993, I have experienced first-hand what the Concrete Foundation Association has to offer. It was […]

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Oct
15

CFA Continues Popular Hotline for Members

CFA Continues Popular Hotline for Members Email hotline offers active CFA members convenient access to a wealth of information resources and experience. Access to technical information and solutions has never been easier. CFA members continue to have access to three levels of support for project, material and system questions. A technical staff member is available […]

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Jun
30

A New American National Standard For Material Placement Safety

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ALL PERSONNEL ON A CONCRETE POUR ARE NOW SPECIFIED IN ASME B30-2014 The American National Standard for material placement system safety is ASME B30.27. (Material placement systems are concrete pumps and concrete conveyors.) ASME has released B30.27-2014. It is currently available as an electronic download and as a printed booklet. The date of issuance […]

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Jun
30

Management Corner: Drug and Alcohol Testing Clearinghouse Comments

CFA MEMBER, FOLEY CARRIER SERVICES HAS SUBMITTED COMMENTS TO THE FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION REGARDING THE PROPOSED DRUG AND ALCOHOL TESTING CLEARINGHOUSE. While there was a lot to like about the rules, they feel that FMCSA needs to make some practical changes before they are ready. This update is republished from their Fast-FaxTM to keep you better […]

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Jun
30

The Social Age Evolutionary Workplace

…VERY LITTLE HAS CHANGED IN HOW WE HIRE AND MANAGE STAFF – WHICH HAS LED TO LOW EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY AND HIGH EMPLOYEE TURNOVER….WE MUST EVOLVE OUR BUSINESS PRACTICES… by Kim Seeling Smith The war for talent is over and talent has won. Technology and globalization have dramatically changed the way we work over the last 20 […]

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Jun
30

Management Corner: 10 Steps to Reduce Employment Related Risk

ATTEND CFA CONVENTION IN SANDUSKY, OHIO FOR MORE FROM DAVID WHITLOCK ABOUT EMPLOYER ISSUES As we are now about halfway through 2014, it is a perfect time to take the temperature of your employment compliance. There are a number of important changes in the law as well as compliance matters that you need to stay on […]

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Jun
30

MOVING UP, MOVING FORWARD

NEW MEMBERS | NEW BENEFITS | STRONG FOUNDATIONS This is an exciting time for the Concrete Foundations Association. Many of you are part of that energy and excitement and many of you are benefitting from it. At no time in the last decade has membership been growing as fast as it is right now and […]

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Jun
30

40 Years of Evolution Another Milestone

The CFA will celebrate its 40th year of service to the residential concrete foundation industry at this year’s Summer Convention in Sandusky, Ohio. I have been with the CFA for just over half of that time. During that period, a lot has happened to the nation; the concrete industry; technology; our member businesses, and the […]

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Jun
30

This Experience Has Served Me

Isn’t it enjoyable to see good people do good work? We are blessed to have a strong team of impressive individuals at our foundation company. Our team has a nice blend of people in different stages of their lives, and their careers. To be successful, we need a mix of new learners, skilled workers, coordinators, […]

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Jun
6

CFA Foundation Fundamentals

Positive Drainage…Curing Compound…Fluid Pressure? What were those words the foundation contractor used during our meeting yesterday? Construction projects, like so many other business endeavors, are not without communication problems between parties. Many are associated with terminology that is common to the contractor, yet distinctly foreign to the customer or owner. Although the following list of […]

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Mar
30

Marketing Corner: Building Your New Marketing Program

Q&A WITH NORTHERN CONCRETE Leveraging digital media and relationships may be about as far from your mindset as a concrete contractor as is venturing into new market such as high-rise core construction. The complex world of Google, Yahoo, facebook, LinkedIn, twitter, instagram, Pinterest and a host of others has for many turned competent and savvy […]

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Mar
30

OSHA Whistleblower Investigations

Employers need to make sure their policies and practices do not violate the law by Jim Rogers, jimrogers@asu.edu   As contractors, we are all aware of OSHA and its role in protecting the health and safety of our workforce. Many contractors send their personnel to receive training related to record keeping requirements and job site regulations; however, one area that is often […]

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