• CFA Tech Note 014: Interpreting Nominal Concrete Wall Thickness

    Wednesday, April 1, 2026

    Introduction  A frequent point of discussion between contractors, designers and code authorities involves the interpretation of “nominal” versus “actual” concrete wall thickness. This technical note provides clarification on this topic by examining relevant building codes and industry standards. Understanding the code-defined relationship between nominal and actual dimensions is essential for ensuring compliance and project continuity.  Analysis of Code Requirements  The International Residential […]

    Read More
  • Volver a construir mejor: Resiliencia

    Friday, March 13, 2026

    Cuarto artículo de la serie  De Joe Nasvik  Una vez que se toma la decisión de construir una casa, la siguiente cuestión que hay que resolver es cómo se debe construir. El mejor sistema de construcción es aquel que sea más adecuado para los ocupantes actuales y futuros. El uso de pautas de sostenibilidad y resiliencia […]

    Read More
  • Building Back Better Resiliency

    Friday, March 13, 2026

    BY JOE NASVIK  This is the fourth and final article of the Building Back Better series.  After the decision is made to build a house, the next issue to resolve is how it should be built. The best building system is one that will be best for the current and future occupants. Using sustainability and resilience guidelines is […]

    Read More
  • 2025 CFA Consulting Members Directory

    Friday, March 6, 2026

    CFA works with many great consultants. If you are looking for consulting services, visit one of the companies below: BIC bicauctions.com BIC is a used concrete equipment specialist serving contrac­tors, manufacturers and lenders nationwide. The company helps industry professionals unlock value from idle or un­derutilized assets—whether it’s a single unit or an entire fleet. Their […]

    Read More
  • Interns posing in front of Custom Concrete building

    We See You: Custom Concrete Shouts Out Their Interns

    Friday, October 3, 2025

    Custom Concrete recently took time to celebrate the next generation of industry leaders by highlighting the contributions of their interns.

    Read More

Feature

Jun
27

CERTAINTEED CORPORATION NOW OFFERING V-Buck® Vinyl Blocking System

To offer our foundations customers an increasingly broader range of products, CertainTeed Corporation now offers the VBuck(R) vinyl blocking system, a product manufactured by Vinyl Technologies Inc., (VTI) that helps building professionals simplify the process of creating window cut-outs in poured concrete basement walls. The V-Buck vinyl blocking system consists of vinyl window blockouts that […]

Read More
Jun
27

Putzmeister America, Inc. Introduces Boom Pump QuickStart Series

NEW DVD SERIES MAKES IT EASIER FOR CUSTOMERS TO START SOMETHING BIG Putzmeister America announces the May 2007 release of its new Boom Pump QuickStart DVD series. Designed as a convenient reference for new and experienced boom pump operators, the QuickStart DVD series is a guide to operational procedures, general maintenance and advanced special features of […]

Read More
Jun
27

EPA 2007 Fuel Regulations Now in Effect

A prototype of the new Mack TerraPro Series arrived at Schwing America recently. Since this model will also usher in the 2007 EPA certified engines there is considerable interest in the replacement for the venerable MR Macks that have been the standard for concrete pump applications. The 2007 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations regarding the […]

Read More
Jun
27

CIFA’S K31 BOOM PUMP

Designed with the operator in mind, the unique characteristics of the K31 XZ boom pump make this machine flexible yet simple to operate. The NEW K31 XZ boom configuration allows operators maximum maneuverability in restricted areas through its amazingly low unfolding height of 18’-8” and the outstanding 360° bidirectional continuous rotary actuator located on the […]

Read More
Jun
27

CATCH THE WAVE — SWITCH TO WATER

Concrete contractors have willingly used a variety of water based products for years. However, when it comes to form release agents, acceptance has been slower. While this was understandable a few years ago when the cost savings between water and petroleum based versions was minimal and the enticements to switch were fewer, times have changed. […]

Read More
Jun
18

Concrete Homes: The Word on the Street

In each issue of Concrete Facts you have been reading about some amazing developments in above-grade concrete housing. These articles have featured companies, they have featured solutions, they have talked about the market penetration and the future. There continues to be tremendous interest in concrete homes and what they hold for business opportunities. However, in spite of the efforts of the Concrete Homes Council, form manufacturers, and contractors in the […]

Read More

Magazine Issues

Jan
9

OSHA UPDATE: NEW REPORTING REQUIREMENTS STARTED JANUARY 1ST

As of January 1, 2015, there is a change to what covered employers are required to report to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Employers are now required to report all work related fatalities within 8 hours and all in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, and losses of an eye within 24 hours of finding about the incident. […]

Read More
Jan
9

Beating the Boomer Bust

YOU CAN’T CHANGE THE FACTORS THAT CREATE THE MOST COMPETITIVE SELLING ENVIRONMENT IN HISTORY. UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE FUTURE LOOKS LIKE IS A CRITICAL FIRST STEP IN THE PROCESS. By John F. Dini More than 60% of US business owners are over 50 years old, and many of them are looking toward retirement and the process […]

Read More
Jan
9

Setting A New Standard for Leadership

CFA Professional Awards CFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS BESTOWS THEIR HIGHEST HONOR ON DOUG STAEBLER OF CUSTOM CONCRETE, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA. The Robert D. Sawyer Award is named for the CFA’s first Executive Director, whose commitment and diligence wove together a vital network of information, experience and togetherness that has perpetuated to shape the future of this industry. […]

Read More
Jan
9

Perseverance in the Face of Adversity

CFA Professional Awards CFA RECOGNIZES TIM PARRISH, FORMERLY OF CORNERSTONE FOUNDATIONS AND NOW CFI ENTERPRISES, AS CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR The most frequently awarded recognition for individuals from the CFA is the Contractor of the Year award. This recognizes the contributions of a poured wall contractor to the industry and often evidences the excessive efforts […]

Read More
Oct
19

Thank You for an Energized 2014 CFA Convention!

THANK YOU FOR AN ENERGIZED 2014 CFA CONVENTION! The Largest Gathering of Foundation Contractors   Enjoy this recap of the 2014 CFA Summer Convention held July 31 – August 2 in Sandusky, Ohio What Our Attendees Had To Say…We wanted to say thank you for the well organized, fun and educational summer meeting.  Our family […]

Read More
Oct
19

Introducing Your New Leaders

TAKE A MOMENT TO TALK WITH ANY CFA BOARD MEMBER AND YOU WILL QUICKLY FIND OUT THAT WHILE THE INVESTMENT OF TIME AND MONEY CAN BE SIGNIFICANT THE THREE-YEAR TERM, THE VALUE THEY RECEIVE IS FAR GREATER THAN ANYTHING THEY COULD POSSIBLY INVEST. MIKE REED of Reed Concrete in Ephrata, PA; MARY WILSON of Michel Concrete in Springfield, IL […]

Read More
Oct
19

CFA Honors Founding Members During Convention

Thank You for Four Decades of Vision and Leadership! FOUNDING MEMBERS HONORED AT THE 2014 SUMMER CONVENTION Founding Members who attended the 2014 CFA Summer Convention were honored for their longstanding commitment to the Association and our industry. Pictured above from upper left, the six founding members who were present or represented at the event are […]

Read More
Oct
18

OSHA Extends Compliance Date for Crane Operator Certification Requirements

Industry News OSHA Extends Compliance Date for Crane Operator Certification Requirements WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today issued a final rule extending the deadline for crane operator certification requirements in the Cranes and Derricks in Construction final rule* published Aug. 9, 2010 by three years to Nov. 10, 2017. The rule also […]

Read More
Oct
18

Identify Your Employees by the Theory of 21

“FOR EVERY PERSON WHO WILL SAY YES, THERE ARE TWENTY WHO WILL SAY NO. FOR A POSITIVE RESPONSE YOU MUST FIND THE TWENTY-FIRST PERSON.” – THE THEORY OF 21 by Chuck Reaves The CEO of an electronics company had an idea. He was a solid business person but was not as well-versed in electronics as […]

Read More
Oct
17

40 Is The New 30!

So what does it look like for an association to turn the calendar to its 41st year? This is a particularly poignant question one might ask in an industry that is as pressing and full of hard work as that of the concrete industry.  But what of the people, the places and the technologies found […]

Read More
Oct
17

Sauter to be Honored During World of Concrete

Ed Sauter will retire as Executive Director of the CFA at the end of 2014.  World of Concrete will officially celebrate his legacy after 22 years of service. 1993 – ED SAUTER BECAME THE FIFTH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE CONCRETE FOUNDATION ASSOCIATION and began expanding the benefits of membership as well as increasing the Association’s […]

Read More
Oct
15

Letter from the Director: We’ve Learned Our Lessons – and Now We Are Stronger

This month’s letter from the CFA Executive Director: We’ve Learned Our Lessons – and Now We are Stronger Another winter is on its way but otherwise things are heating up in the residential concrete industry. Growth is slower than we would like to see but the trend is there. Credit is tighter (as it should […]

Read More