• Superar la permeabilidad del concreto con tecnología multicristalina

    Thursday, June 25, 2026

    Por Mark Chew, vicepresidente de Ventas y Marketing para EE. UU. y Canadá, ICC Distribution Group Si bien muchas características del sector de los cimientos de concreto se han mantenido constantes a lo largo de los años, algunos cambios notables —como los avances tecnológicos y la llegada del cemento Portland-caliza (PLC), o concreto 1L— han […]

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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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  • 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 […]

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  • 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 […]

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  • 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 […]

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Feature

Jun
12

Tunnelform Construction = Increased Productivity & Better Quality

SOUTHEAST CAPITAL PARTNERS’ CONDOS IN METRO ATLANTA UTILIZE INNOVATIVE CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE Tunnelform Construction Increases Productivity and Results in Better Quality Homes at The Manhattan Southeast Capital Partners, developers of the only high-rise luxury condominium in Dunwoody, Georgia, The Manhattan, are utilizing the Outinord tunnelforming system in the construction of these highly anticipated condominium homes. Touted for its […]

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Jun
12

Getting Customers Stuck On YOU

Voice mail, email, snail-mail, direct mail, in person calls – there’s never been more possible ways to reach and grow customers. Then why all the sad faces? You know – unreturned calls, emails, direct mailers flushed down the circular file. Are your methods not working like they used to? Buyers are too busy to win […]

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Jun
12

Martinson Construction Provides T-MASS System Basement Demo

Energy performance is becoming increasingly important in residential construction. A critical component in this effort is insulation of the basement or foundation. Several systems exist to accomplish this including interior furring with insulation and exterior insulation. The Thermomass Sandwich wall system has been used for nearly twenty years with traditional modular forming systems but this […]

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Jun
12

Saving the Environment

CFA MEMBERS NETWORK AS THEY DO THEIR PART TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT Snow Geese have multiplied to a point they are destroying the Arctic breeding grounds for other wildlife. So four CFA members felt it was their obligation to help control the snow goose population by going on a Spring Snow Goose Hunt. Maybe they […]

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Apr
22

Building Concrete Homes With Removable Forms

Building homes with removable forms is just one of several concrete wall building systems. But there are advantages to building homes this way. For home builders, removable form construction is fast, saving as much as 30 days on the construction of an average home. In Mexico, which is increasingly using removable form construction, houses can […]

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Apr
22

Balmer Brothers Win CFA Basement of the Year Again

Jerry Balmer, President of Balmer Brothers Concrete Works, Inc. in Akron, Pennsylvania, knows what it’s like to build a basement from hell – he’s done it before. In 2000, Balmer Brothers was voted the winner of the Basement of the Year for their 29,000 square foot basement, which was complex as well as mammoth. This […]

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Magazine Issues

Dec
12

CPMA WARNING LABELS AVAILABLE

The Concrete Pump Manufacturers Association (CPMA) has standardized two warning labels dealing with the hazard to the placing crew of the release of trapped air from the concrete hose during pumping (commonly referred to as ‘hose whipping’). The labels are intended to educate the drivers of ready&mixed concrete trucks about the severity of the hazard of air in the concrete system, how to avoid the hazard, […]

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Dec
12

HOSE HAZARD!

There are two types of hoses commonly used in concrete pumping: Concrete Delivery Hoses (usually referred to as Double-Ended Hoses), and End Hoses. A concrete delivery hose has a connector on both ends of the hose, while an end hose has a connector on only one end, as shown below. Concrete hoses hanging from a boom can be […]

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Dec
12

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

CFA membership is now more important than ever and we are bringing you this information to begin solidifying your decision and setting the course for your participation to come. Membership in an association like the Concrete Foundations Association, CFA, should be made based on its ability to inspire and contribute to the growth of your company. It is understandable […]

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Dec
12

Schwing America, Inc., Successfully Exits Chapter 11

Schwing America,Inc. a leading manufacturer of concrete equipment successfully emerged from Chapter 11. The company’s plan of reorganization was approved by the Federal Bankruptcy Court after nine months of protection. Schwing completed the payoff to existing lenders from funds obtained from a pool of European banks. CEO Brian Hazelton thanked customers, the Schwing family and suppliers for their support. In an unusual display of support, 100- percent of the unsecured […]

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Jan
24

THE BILCO COMPANY LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

The Bilco Company has launched a new website at www.bilco.com. The enhanced website features a new look and design and grants easier access to product information, including CAD details, specifications and submittal drawings. The website also efficiently addresses the needs of Bilco’s international clients in more than 90 countries. The site contains detailed information about the company’s residential and commercial products, a trade show calendar, and […]

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Jan
24

FORMING PIONEER AND PAST CFA MEMBER PASSES

H. GORDON GATES (Feb. 20, 1923 – Dec. 20, 2009), owner of former CFA member company Gates & Sons, Inc. now known as Gates Concrete Forms, passed away on December 20th. Funeral Services were held on Sunday, Dec. 27, at the LifeSource Adventist Fellowship Church in Denver, CO followed by interment at Crown Hill Cemetery. Condolences can be sent to the family and company at their address […]

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Jan
24

SCHWING GOES ONLINE WITH PARTS

In an effort to better service the needs of its growing customer base, Schwing America has announced the launch of their new on line parts system, SCHWINGPARTS.COM. “In today’s economy, the need for brick and mortar facilities has become less essential,” says Brian Hazelton, CEO of Schwing America. “We have adjusted our approach to aftermarket parts sales to reflect the desires of our customers.” In conjunction […]

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Jan
24

MIT’S NEW CONCRETE SUSTAINABILITY HUB (CSH)

Concrete is the most widely used building material on the planet; however, the production of some of its component materials account for up to five percent of global carbon dioxide emissions annually. To address the sustainability and environmental implications of the use of concrete as the backbone of our housing, schools, hospitals and other built infrastructure, including highways, tunnels, airports and rail systems, MIT announced the creation […]

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Jan
24

WHEN WILL IT END?

We are still suffering through the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. While there is some good news trickling in there is also plenty of bad news to go around. A small increase in housing starts sound great until you realize that the small increase is on a figure that already off well over 50% over the past two […]

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Jan
23

A ‘ FIXED’ FIGHT: A PEEK INSIDE ONE CONSRUCTION

Expert’s Campaign to Make Fixed-Price Contracts and Cost Containment the Industry’s New Normal Huge cost overruns and missed deadlines have long been the accepted norm for construction project operations. But as the economy struggles to fully recover, construction expert Barry LePatner stresses that these precepts can no longer define the nation’s most inefficient industry. He provides a proposal for hardwiring construction […]

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Jan
23

WE NEED CFA

As we start the New Year I would like to make the case of how important your membership in the Concrete Foundation Association is. CFA is the only organization that represents our interest in the poured wall business and has for 34 years. Throughout CFA’s long history it has seen growth in membership and became a nationally recognized trade association. […]

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Jan
23

THE UN-COMFORT ZONE

This month we feature another article by the talented author, Robert Wilson. Writer of The Un-comfort Zone, Mr. Wilson is always able to convey a message of focus, growth and sensibility that can be applied to each of our businesses. We are beginning to start a new year. What moves did your company make to […]

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