A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
By Ed Sauter, Executice Director Where does one go to learn how to run a concrete construction business? Not the nuts and bolts of building a footing or wall, those are still best taught on-the-job. I’m talking about finance, estimating, managing personnel, marketing; the things that can make or break a business even if you […]
Bob Milford, Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP Concrete Facts recently featured several articles regarding subcontractor agreements. In one of these articles, Doug Staebler of Custom Concrete Company, Inc. pointed out that both the large national builders and the smaller local builders are insisting on the use of subcontractor agreements. Builders utilize these agreements to shift as much […]
Doug Staebler, Custom Concrete Company, Inc., Westfield, IN You have just landed that big customer you’ve been working on for two years. Prices and scope of work have been agreed to and everyone is ready to begin. There is one last detail to take care of, the Subcontractor Agreement. At this point in the game, the […]
Bill Dwyer was recently promoted to the new role of National Sales Manager. He will now directly supervise all national field and office sales personnel who sell the company’s comprehensive line-up of products. The Putzmeister equipment range includes new and pre-owned concrete boom pumps, separate placing booms, belt conveyers, trailer pumps and mortar machines. In […]
It was in September 2000 the CFA kicked off this study with funds coming from the Research and Education Fund. The initial tests were done at Bowser-Morner testing Labs in Dayton Ohio, on materials graciously provided by Henry Ernst and Dick Hoying of Piqua Concrete Co., Piqua, Ohio. After this initial test, our studies sort […]
Jim Baty, CFA Technical Director “You can feel it in the air, you can feel it on the breeze…” isn’t that how the song goes? For many contractors throughout the middle to upper states, cold weather is not only on the horizon, it is approaching rapidly. What better time for the CFA to finish production […]
Carol Mulready and her company CBJ Foundations was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” during the annual Harold Webster Smith Awards presentation at the Waterbury, CT Chamber of Commerce January meeting. The RepublicanAmerican newspaper writes: “Mulready, 52, is one of the three small business owners in the region who will be honored Thursday at the 12th annual Harold Webster Smith […]
In February, the CFA Certification Program took a major step forward with the first public offering of the Foundation Technician Certification Exam. During the World of Concrete, thirty four (34) persons attended the inaugural technician seminar and twenty eight (28) sat for the exam. This very challenging exam is not for the curious of mind as evidenced by […]
CFA’s Certification program is exceeding our expectations! Since the inaugural kick off last summer at the “08”, summer meeting in New Mexico the program now boasts seven (7) fully certified companies and thirty (30) certifi ed technicians with fifty one (51) individuals having taken the exam. The momentum the program has going can be seen in the number of inquires CFA is getting by foundation […]
The CFA Summer Convention for 2009 is moving full speed ahead. We haven’t been to the ocean since Myrtle Beach and the venue for 2009, Amelia Island Plantation on the coast between Florida and Georgia, is a fantastic location. Every room has a view of the Atlantic Ocean and the pools and patios of the resort, like the photo below, overlook the readily accessible […]
WASHINGTON -The National Green Building Standard for all residential construction work including single-family homes, apartments, and condos, land development and remodeling and renovation was approved in January by the American National Standards Institute. “The National Green Building Standard is now the first and only green building rating system approved by ANSI, making it the benchmark for green homes,” said Ron Jones, who chaired the consensus committee charged with developing the […]
In each issue of Concrete Facts we bring you the companies that have most recently made the decision to join this Association with goals of improving their business and their employees. This month, this list includes: Commercial Contracting Corporation 4260 N Atlantic Blvd Auburn Hills MI 48326 248-209-0435 Silvio Amato
Continuing to feel the effects of this deepening recession? Your Association is working to bring you increased value to your membership dollars while providing ways to diversify your company and build your corporate image. One way the CFA can help you in this 2009 fi scal cycle, is a two-for-one membership in both the Concrete Foundations Association and the Concrete Homes […]
There is a bright side to what most of us are going through in this recession. I know at times it does not feel that way, but there are some positives. As we contract in size, reduce, conserve and find new opportunities for revenue we are setting our companies up for a more efficient profitable future. During the good years, […]
The CFA Certifi ed Foundation Contractor program has exceeded all expectations since it was introduced at the 2008 Summer Convention. Not only have more companies than anticipated signed up for the program; several companies have joined the CFA simply to participate. Many more are attending the preparatory seminar and sitting for the basic knowledge exam. You do not need […]
by Kevin Stirtz Despite all the bad news we hear in the media, there are good things happening in our economy. You just have to look past the popular headlines. Before I go any further, I’ll say this. I am NOT a financial or economic expert. Not even close. So, please don’t take what I’m saying as gospel. It’s not. It’s just my opinion and the opinions […]
by Kim Douglas When the economy is in a slump, most of us look for ways to reduce spending, ruthlessly slashing every expenditure that doesn’t deliver direct bottom-line benefit. But sometimes well-intended cost-cutting can fall victim to the law of unintended consequences. Take professional organization membership, for example. You might think your annual dues, event fees and other association costs are fat that can […]
The World of Concrete 2009 has come and gone. Much trepidation and cautious anticipation existed as time marched toward this event. Above all, our industry needed to know the impact that this recession would have on both the number and the attitude of the attendees as a predictor of what is to come. Face it; we’re all tired of listening to the media and the […]