A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
Routine Versus Rocket Science: Thirteen Rock-Solid Ways to Keep Your Customers Coming Back
By Kate Zabriskie You know that friend who’s always there when you are in need? The one who shows up on time, follows through on promises and genuinely cares about what’s going on in your life? That’s exactly what your business needs to be for your customers. Sure, those splashy marketing campaigns and point-collecting apps might turn some heads. But keeping customers? That’s more like maintaining a good friendship—it’s about consistency, trust and showing up […]
From Builder to CEO: Why Most Construction Companies Never Break $50 Million
BY GERARD ALIBERTI, OWNER OF PRO-ACCEL You started your construction company because you love building things. You were good at it. Maybe great at it. You could see a project through from concept to completion, and you took pride in every detail. Fast forward to today, and you’re running a $10 million, $15 million, maybe even $25 million company. You’re still operating like you’re running a $5 million business. You’re the bottleneck. Every critical decision flows through […]
Capturing Field Knowledge and Preserving Your Legacy with AI
Learn how AI can capture and organize field knowledge from notes and photos into a searchable data asset, improving efficiency and preserving expertise for your firm. The construction industry is experiencing a significant operational shift. Recent data indicates that a substantial number of construction businesses are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency and accuracy. In fact, the […]
Building More than Just Concrete…Building Futures!
BY JENN OTT, MODERN POURED WALLS CONSTRUCTION SERVICES Bringing classrooms and careers together at the 2025 Lorain County Career Pathways Expo, Modern Poured Walls (MPW) Construction Services proudly represented the concrete construction industry demonstrating that we build more than concrete structures- we build futures. Held in late October at the Lorain County Fairgrounds Ross Expo Center in Wellington, Ohio, which transformed into an array of […]
Building Back Better Resiliency
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 […]
2025 CFA Consulting Members Directory
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 […]
Magazine Issues
In Memoriam, Karl Schlecht
The Concrete Foundation Association and the entire concrete industry regrets to inform you of the passing of Putzmeister founder and visionary, Karl Schlecht. Putzmeister has asked us to share this tribute and obituary. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Schlecht family and Karl’s worldwide network of friends and co-workers. With deep sorrow and great […]
CFACON24 – The Risks Worth Taking
As your executive director now for the past decade and having participated in your journey since 2001, I have experienced some wonderful examples of this Association taking calculated risks that pay great dividends. In this rich history, planning a summer convention in the remote parts of northwest Oregon was quite challenging. Committing to an extensive […]
Taking the Reins
Sean Smith is Vice President for Modern Poured Walls located in Wellington, Ohio. He became a board member in 2012, beginning his officer track in his second term. A second-generation president of the Concrete Foundations Association, Sean brings his passion for the Association, the relationships he has made, and the powerful influence on his business […]
50th Anniversary Celebration Begins
The Concrete Foundations Association will reach its 50th year of supporting the cast-in-place concrete contractor in the Spring of 2025. A yearlong effort will celebrate the significance of fifty years of enduring challenging economic cycles, an evolving marketplace, and a host of labor, legal, code, safety, and technology influences. The year of celebration was kicked […]
CFA Establishes Preferred Supplier Program
Membership networks generally have a variety of participation and recognition levels based on the interests of individuals and organizations and the services and resources provided. Tiered membership levels, labeled as “sustaining” or given common titles (i.e., gold, silver, diamond, and platinum) typically follow a pay-to-be-recognized system. Instead, during the fiscal year 2023–24, CFA’s Board of […]
Best Practice Groups Continue Making A Difference
One of the significant considerations for members of the Association is how the CFA impacts their business. Keeping in mind that first and foremost the CFA is a network of organizations run by like-minded and passionate leaders, networking remains the most valuable benefit. With this in mind, Best Practice Groups (BPGs) were initiated a couple […]
Caught-In-Action
Attention to detail This is a trait every employer hopes to inculcate in the workforce they send outward to jobs. It is the mark that often establishes the strata in the marketplace, elevating the most professional teams. Although never surprised when this is identified, the leadership at Beaver Concrete Construction is proud of the individual […]
Evaluating the Performance of Portland Limestone Cement (Type 1L) and the Mitigating Effects of Liquid Floor Hardeners/Densifiers
By Lee Nabb – Nox-Crete Flooring Division Manager Abstract: Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) or Type 1L cement, a blended cement containing limestone, has gained significant market share due to its reduced environmental impact compared to traditional Type 1 Portland Cement. However, recent field experience has highlighted potential challenges when using Type 1L cement such as […]
I Did It My Way!
As the Olympic closing ceremony draws to a close, one of the most iconic songs of all time, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” resonated through the air. It was a poignant moment that evoked emotion, bringing tears to athletes and viewers worldwide—perhaps even to you (but don’t worry, your secret is safe with me!). Every leader […]
RockWell Announces the Launch of “The New Denali” Window Well, Coming Mid-2024
RockWell Window Wells is thrilled to unveil The New Denali. This next-generation product promises to redefine window wells, designed to meet modern construction needs while maintaining a budget-friendly approach. Vaughn Cook, RockWell’s President, shared his excitement about the product: “We are so excited to introduce the arrival of The New Denali. We’ve completely reimagined this […]
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS CONCRETE FOUNDATIONS ASSOCIATION
Professionalism Recognized by Peers CFA Announces 2024 Professional Awards Among the truest statements of any career is the adage, “It is not about what you know but rather who you know.” While this phrase is profound, one of its limiting factors is that it only covers knowledge. True, knowledge is power; yet in the Concrete […]
MEMBERSHIP MILESTONES:
The Awards Gala at CFACON24 began with a tribute to the milestone anniversaries across the membership. One of the exciting moments in this segment was the identification of historic membership growth, with many new members as well as a robust list of members completing their first-year anniversary. NEW CONTRACTOR MEMBERS IN 2024 Cotton’s Concrete Construction […]
