A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
IMPROVING YOUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Listen To Your Customers
Ernie Jessop of Concrete Form Services wrote in to say “we listen to our customers, to take their ideas and bring them to fruition. One of our long time customers, Danny Johnson, owner of Horizon Concrete out of Syracuse UT. Is the inventor of our “DJ” Jogger. Over the years he has brought flaws in the system to our attention, and helped the concept of EZ […]
FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN POURED WALL MARKET NEW K40L BY CIFA
CIFA USA is “pumped up” and excited to announce the latest addition to its line of concrete boom pumps, the K40L-meter. Taking over 80 years of experience in the production of concrete manufacturing and placing equipment CIFA has designed, built and tested an entirely new placing machine for the North American poured wall market. The K40L is a 40-meter boom based on a 36-meter chassis (and price) […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Magazine Issues
The Power of Following Up
You can get many of the things you want in life simply by following up. Follow up with that prospect that hasn’t returned your call. Follow up with your customer to let them know your men are on the jobsite. Follow up to ensure the concrete is on the way. Follow up with your employee/coworker […]
Around The Association
It’s been a busy start to 2017 in this industry and certainly throughout CFA membership. After a very productive and energy-packed World of Concrete, there have been some great developments and challenging progress made that we are proud to report on. New Members Everyone is encouraged by the growth of the Association. When a new […]
Trick of the Trade: The Step-Down Flow-Stop
This ‘Trick of the Trade’ is shared by Mary Wilson of Michel Concrete Inc. in Springfield, IL. Mary offers this solution in response to the challenge by CFA President, Dennis Purinton. Mary’s company is rewarded with 50 points to her member account to be redeemed for an upcoming registration, event or purchase. The tip comes […]
Concrete Contractors Should Use the New (and Better) I-9 Form
Effective January 22, all US employers must be using the new version of Form I-9. Although in its simplest format, the form is relatively unchanged, contractors can and should download the form from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services webpage and use the new form on a computer. Use this link: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9 There are […]
Opiates and Workers’ Compensation Injuries: Dangers and Solutions
In combating the epidemic of addiction, the U.S. Surgeon General has just announced plans to tackle alcohol and drug abuse, nationally—especially opioid addiction—urging doctors, policymakers and the public to ramp up efforts to combat the growing U.S. healthcare crisis. The numbers are real! Since 2000, the rate of overdose deaths involving opioids—Fentanyl, Percocet, Vicodin, […]
Trick of the Trade Corner: Labor Savings & Quality Improvement
This issue’s Trick of the Trade is shared by Andy Stachler of Stachler Concrete Inc. in St. Henry, Ohio. Andy responded to last quarter’s column featuring the inside corner stripping tool offered by Dennis Purinton and answering the challenge by our President. Andy’s tip has rewarded his member account with 50 points he can redeem […]
Marijuana At Work
On November 8, four states approved the use of recreational marijuana bringing the total to eight states and the District of Columbia. Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, and the District of Columbia had already approved recreational use. California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Nevada joined the recreation use states on November 8. In addition, Arkansas, Florida, and North […]
What’s In Your Wallet?
Another round of Capital One commercials are streaming across every form of my media these days. While I enjoy seeing the newest way to get (or prevent) a point across, it did give me a reason this week to pause and contemplate what it means for our industry. Seriously, what’s in your wallet (if I […]
Association Board Adds New Leader
Beginning a new, three-year term on the CFA Board of Directors is Chris Ward, Vice President for the Americas with Western Forms of Kansas City, Missouri. Each year during the Annual Meeting for the Concrete Foundations Association, held in conjunction with the summer’s big event, transition takes place as Board members end their time in […]
CFA Adds First Certified Contractor in North Carolina
The state of North Carolina is the latest state to lay claim to residential concrete foundations constructed by a concrete professional that has achieved the status of Certified Residential Foundation Company, Doggett Concrete Construction of Charlotte, North Carolina has been approved this fall having met all program requirements and has been elevated to certified status. […]
Passing of CFA Member Lynn Berggren
Obituary: Lynn Roland Berggren Lynn Berggren was born Sept. 4, 1950, in Grand Island, to Myron and Margaret (Williams) Berggren. He grew up with his two sisters and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1968. Lynn attended Kearney State College, where he met wife Jeanne. They graduated in May 1973, married in June, […]
The Essentials of a Return to Work Program
Lost time is a term used by OSHA to describe the number days an injured employee is away from work, but lost money is what OSHA should really call it. Each and every day an employee is away from work because of an injury or illness leads to greater losses to the employer and employee. […]
