A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
Increasing Flow and Igniting Fire
Winning Advice for a Tough Economy by Mike Foti Do you sometimes feel like you are batting your head against a wall in your business? Prices are going south. Costs are going north. Margins are getting squeezed. Where is the magic “silver bullet” of success? The quick answer – it does not exist! If there […]
H and B Foundations Profile
As one of CFA’s oldest members, H and B Foundations of Elizabeth, Colorado proudly touts the benefits that membership in the CFA has provided to their company. “When I think I am the only that could have possibly experienced something,” said Bryan Herboldsheimer, Vice President of H and B Foundations, “there is always a CFA […]
B.E.P. Forming Systems Big Panel Rotator System Turns Heads at World of Concrete
Nominated for “Most Innovated Products” Contest Industry experts are praising B.E.P.™ Forming Systems’ revolutionary Big Panel Rotator System for its innovative concept and functionality. This new technology promises to reduce labor and equipment costs for contractors, while bringing a new dimension of design capabilities to poured-wall construction. Recently nominated for Hanley Wood’s “Most Innovative Products” […]
CFA Presents 2002 Contractor of the Year Award
The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA), an organization dedicated to improving the quality and acceptance of cast-in-place concrete foundations, recently presented its 2002 Contractor of the Year Award to David Martinson. Martinson, Vice President of Martinson Construction of Waterloo, Iowa, is known throughout the industry as a hard worker constantly striving for perfection. An active member […]
CFA Announces 2003 “Basement of the Year”
One person’s challenge is often another person’s dream. Such is the case with many entries in the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) 2003 Basement of the Year competition (sometimes referred to as the Basement from Hell competition). The 2003 winner, a 4,177-square-foot residential basement, comprises a unique combination of intricate details and site challenges. The winning […]
Saldana Concrete Profile
As the first poured wall contractor in the St. Cloud, Minn. area, Mark Saldana quickly realized the battle his company would face in changing perceptions and battling the region’s traditional construction methods. But, through ingenuity and persistence – as well as assistance from fellow CFA members – Saldana has quickly built a market for poured walls in Minnesota. Originally a block foundation company with roots dating back to 1987, Saldana Concrete, […]
Magazine Issues
Introducing ‘Management Moves’
Over the past year, our Management Committee has been working hard to develop the content for a new series of information products that deliver tips and tricks we all use for the management of our businesses. Attend one CFA event and the first thing you realize is how much collective business expertise exists between the […]
We Are Built of Concrete
Preparing for each issue of Concrete Facts, I have discussed with CFA Staff ideas on the Association calendar and the state of the industry.” Looking at the final issue for 2007 was no different and the message I received from them was one to perhaps offer an inspirational letter about staving off winter and the […]
Concrete Homes Council
The CFA recently went through the strategic planning process during which it mapped out its goals for the future. The Concrete Homes Council recently went through a similar, though less rigorous, self-analysis. The above grade market for concrete homes continues to expand but at a slower pace than anticipated. The consensus, however, is that there […]
Jim Niehoff Is New CHBC Chair
Since 1997, Jim Niehoff has served as the program manager for residential promotion at the Portland Cement Association. He has played an integral part PCA’s success in the growing residential market. While at PCA, Jim has served as the residential media spokesperson and as a liaison to NAHB and The New American Home. He also […]
Passing On Your Business
Look around today and your are likely to quickly see many discussions on transitioning your business to the next generation. Face it, the management minds that established the control of the residential industry by cast-in-place concrete are nearing retirement and the second or perhaps third generation of leadership now must take up the reigns. This […]
Eskers Celebrate 60 Years
CONGRATULATIONS Stay around the CFA long enough and you will meet some truly unique companies. We look no further this issue than the great town of Teutopolis, IL (some know it as Esker-ville) where the Esker family has celebrated 60 years of continual family-run business with their company, J.B. Esker & Sons, Inc. It’s hard […]
Marketing 101
It was once written, “These are the best of times, these are the worst of times…” and truly the residential industry feels that pain right now. Returning from the last two meetings we can truly say we’ve never heard such wide spread diversity to the message of the state of the industry. Places are busier […]
CFA Strategic Action Plan 2007
This past October, the CFA Board of Directors and several interested CFA members met in Salt Lake City, Utah for a daylong strategic planning workshop. This was the first such effort since 2003 when a similar workshop was conducted in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The beginning of this effort identified one primary motivator for the theme of […]
It’s All About You!
Simply put, strategic planning determines where an organization is going over the next several years, how it is going to get there, and finally determining a system to evaluate and measure the progress. At the recent Strategic Planning Session held in Salt Lake City, the Executive staff, Board of Directors, and numerous other members began […]
CFA Plans For The Future
The Concrete Foundations Association spent an entire day last month locked in a room brainstorming about the future of the CFA (actually we were free to come and go as needed). Some great ideas were put forth and we feel the initiatives will help invigorate the Association while preparing it and the members, for future […]
Crisis Communication Plan Crucial to Successfully Surviving the “What Ifs” in Today’s Marketplace
One element of a communications plan that is often overlooked is the all important crisis communication plan. While the construction industry is accustomed to having a written plan for a jobsite accident, such documents also are essential to guide your firm should the media call you and put you in a reactive position for a variety of other scenarios, ranging from layoffs to a disgruntled employee or a […]
GPS Management Tools That Work
The costs of running a business, any business, are rising. Talk with any owner and you are not likely to find any argument to that statement. So as the rising costs of operation tighten the hold on profitability—what are the options to fight back? What are proven means you can employ to improve your chance of maintaining margins or possibly […]
