• Overcoming Concrete Permeability with Multi-crystalline Technology

    Thursday, June 18, 2026

    By Mark Chew, VP Sales & Marketing US and Canada, ICC Distribution Group While many attributes of the concrete foundation industry have remained constant throughout the years, notable changes including technological advancements and the advent of Portland-limestone cement (PLC), or 1L concrete have introduced new challenges. Additionally, the inherent porosity of concrete makes it vulnerable […]

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  • 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 […]

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  • Happy Anniversary to Our Members!

    Friday, October 3, 2025

    As we close out 2025, the CFA celebrates four standout members who are marking significant anniversaries.

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  • Buck Bartley smiles at the camera while at a job site.

    CFA Charter Member Passes: Robert Taylor “Buck” Bartley, Jr. 1938-2025

    Friday, October 3, 2025

    The CFA commemorates the life of Robert “Buck” Bartley, one of the founding members of the association.

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  • Concrete Facts Magazine Spring 2025 Issue Now Available in Spanish

    Tuesday, April 29, 2025

    The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) is excited to highlight the Spanish-language edition of the latest issue of its industry magazine, Concrete Facts. Released quarterly in both English and Spanish, Concrete Facts delivers high-value insights, technical expertise and industry updates to English- and Spanish-speaking concrete professionals across North America and beyond. According to James Baty, Executive […]

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Feature

Apr
14

The Survey Says…

Reinforcement Trends Facing the Market by James Baty, Executive Director World of Concrete 2020 has come and gone. The Las Vegas Convention Center in Nevada serves as the annual home for WOC, a show that draws an average of 60,000 people each year. It continues to prove itself to be the global concrete industry’s most […]

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Apr
13

Evaluating Safety’s Return on Investment

by Julia Kunlo, CSP, Tim Neubauer, MSOSH, CSP When discussing corporate safety, it is common to hear catchy taglines such as: “Safety is #1” “Safety is our top priority” “Safety above all else” “Safety first” As an occupational safety consultant at Evolution Safety Resources, I am thrilled to hear that organizations are placing a high […]

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Apr
13

Walk-Out Foundation Frost-Free Design

Recently, a CFA contractor contacted Association headquarters for assistance in a difficult conversation taking place. A project under construction was flagged to not proceed until corrective action was made. After a series of steps from permit approval through inspections, despite having a registered engineer involved to provide the design and remediation steps, the inspections department […]

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Apr
13

New Global Campaign Aims to Raise Awareness of the Importance of Concrete

GCCA kicks off year-long outreach programme with campaign to tell ‘Concrete Stories’ ‘Concrete Stories’ a major new global communications campaign, which aims to increase awareness of the vital role concrete plays in everyday life, has been launched. The campaign, which is being directed by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) and its member companies […]

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Apr
13

PCA Launches ‘Shaped by Concrete’ Educational Campaign

The Portland Cement Association (PCA) today announced Shaped by Concrete, a new educational campaign to increase awareness of the sustainability, resiliency and durability of concrete made with cement. The campaign will feature stories based on these themes, exploring how these construction materials shape the world around us to make our communities, cities and country better. […]

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Apr
13

Mitch Mccaulley Named Nox-Crete VP of Business Development

Newest hire brings strong leadership, track record of growth to team Nox-Crete, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Mitch McCaulley to their team.  As Vice President of Business Development, Mitch will provide best in class leadership to the strong Nox-Crete sales team and will lend his considerable talents to guide the company in […]

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Magazine Issues

Jul
26

Board Adopts CFA Newsletter Sponsorship Program

The CFA decided at its board meeting on Friday, October 17, 2003, in Denver, Colorado to proceed with a newsletter sponsorship program. Management has received several requests to purchase additional copies of the popular publication for distribution to customers, builders, building code officials, and within their own companies and this program makes that possible. The […]

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Jul
7

“Build with Strength” to Provide Concrete Information and Resources for Seattle, WA Design / Build and Construction Markets

Seattle, WA – Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), will be launching new resources, training programs, and educational content in  Seattle, Washington as part of increased efforts to inform the design / build and construction communities about the advantages of concrete construction in the low- to mid-rise residential […]

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Jun
29

Schwing America’s Concrete Pumps and Truck Mixers Now Use Valspar Coating Technology

Valspar Duraspar Passes Durability Test; Surpasses Finish and Application Test MINNEAPOLIS, May 31, 2016 – Schwing America has converted its paint coating system to the new Valspar Duraspar® Industrial Performance (IP) coatings and intermix system from The Valspar Corporation, a global coatings leader. Headquartered in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, Schwing America is the first production […]

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Jun
20

Are You Sure You’re Training the Right Things?

Not long ago a training consultant got a call from a sales manager who said, “We need sales training!” The consultant answered, “Are you sure?” The caller explained that some of their customer service reps were doing four times the volume of others. It had to be because they were better salespeople … right? So, they […]

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Jun
20

Are You Ready for the URS?

Businesses big and small have vastly different goals and needs – that’s no revelation. However, nearly every company, no matter how big, where they are, or what they sell, agrees on this point: Simplifying and streamlining business practices helps everyone. Such is the intent of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Unified Registration System […]

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Jun
20

Controlling Your Risks in the Ever-Changing Insurance Marketplace

Over the last few decades, the considerations involved in managing a company’s risks have drastically changed. Business risks that used to be inherent are much different today and, as a result, mitigation techniques are vastly different than those used in the ‘80s, ‘90s or even the ‘00s. As many business owners know, when it comes […]

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Jun
20

Plan of Action for Implementing OSHA’s Final Rule on Crystalline Silica Exposure

On March 25, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, issued its final rule on exposure to crystalline silica in the workplace. The final rule is decades in the making, and has seen many stumbling blocks along the way, but Dr. David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of OSHA, saw the new standards as one of […]

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Jun
20

CFA Member Benefit: The Employee Manual

One of the most important parts of any business is establishing the boundaries between management and employees that protect both in times of discipline. The policy manual is the tool used to provide prospective employees with the picture of expectations by the employer, as well as maintaining an ongoing and effectively positive relationship. Employee manuals […]

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Jun
20

This National Association Has Your Back…

I just returned from a week in Chicago where just about every concrete and masonry industry group was represented at combined meetings for the Alliance for Concrete Codes and Standards (ACCS), the Masonry Alliance for Codes and Standards (MACS) and the Concrete And Masonry Related Associations (CAMRA) executive council. These are bodies that I interact […]

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Jun
20

Getting the Last Word…

Eight years ago I accepted the encouragement from Ed Sauter, Jim Baty and the incoming President at that time, Dan Bromley, to enter the officer track for the Board of Directors. After joining the Board in 2004, I have looked back on the past twelve years to see unbelievable transformation for both this Association and […]

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Jun
1

SCHWING SUPPORTS “BUILD WITH STRENGTH” CONCRETE INDUSTRY CAMPAIGN

ST. PAUL, MINN. (June 1, 2016) – Schwing America (http://schwing.com), an industry-leading manufacturer of ready-mix concrete pumps and truck mixers today announced support of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) “Build with Strength” campaign. The campaign champions the strength, safety and value of using concrete construction. “When it comes to building structures that must […]

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May
26

Angela Fante appointed Ballinger’s Chief Structural Engineer succeeding Ed Zinski

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                           May 23, 2016 Angela Fante appointed Ballinger’s Chief Structural Engineer succeeding Ed Zinski   PHILADELPHIA, PA — The architecture/engineering firm Ballinger is proud to announce the promotion of Angela Fante, PE, SECB, LEED AP to the position of Chief Structural Engineer.  Ms. Fante began at Ballinger in the year 2000 and is […]

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