• 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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  • Interns posing in front of Custom Concrete building

    We See You: Custom Concrete Shouts Out Their Interns

    Friday, October 3, 2025

    Custom Concrete recently took time to celebrate the next generation of industry leaders by highlighting the contributions of their interns.

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Feature

Sep
14

Managing a Wage and Hours Violations Crisis

There are many possible crises that can affect your organization or the manner in which you conduct your business. This issue continues the series of articles based from Doug Staebler’s summer meeting educational lecture in which he presented a system for identifying and dealing with threats and crises. For review, crisis management is the process […]

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Jun
16

Web Lesson: Getting Registered

You’ve seen two postcards and anticipation is building for our next summer event. Yes, the CFA Annual Summer Meeting is a mere fifteen weeks away. A lot can be said about taking advantage of getting your travel plans taken care of early enough to reduce the stress on your everyday lives. A lot more can […]

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Jun
16

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 […]

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Jun
16

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 […]

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Jun
16

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” […]

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Jun
16

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 […]

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Magazine Issues

Jan
27

GRIFCOTE – GOING GREEN

“Going Green” are key words in today’s construction industry. This includes concrete form release agents. Hill & Griffith now has truly biodegradable concrete form release agents, field proven and being quickly accepted in the concrete industry. Sold under the trade names GRIFCOTE® LV-50, GRIFCOTE® LV-50 Plus and GRIFCOTE® Bio Gold, these materials meets the EPA definition of biodegradability (maximum half-life of 28 days), are non-carcinogenic, non-flammable, noncombustible, non-DOT regulated, VOC compliant […]

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Jan
27

CFA Management Exchange Network

Networking with other CFA members, in particular within small groups of non-competitors, is one of the biggest benefits of belonging to a trade association. Networking takes place at our summer meetings, at the World of Concrete, at our board meetings – just about anywhere two or three contractors can get together. This concept has been carried to a higher level by board […]

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Jan
27

NEW AND BETTER PRODUCTS FOR WATERPROOFING

Dry Dog Barriers has quickly built a reputation as the cutting-edge “go-to” manufacturer in the Below Grade Waterproofing Industry. While other manufacturers are resting on old technology and past accomplishments, we are constantly challenging the status-quo to develop new and better products for the waterproofing world. Our latest innovation involves what many consider as the most exciting change to the industry in years. THERMAL DRAIN …. […]

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Jan
27

Trimble Sets Date for International User Conference in Las Vegas

TRIMBLE DIMENSIONS 2009 FOR SURVEYING, ENGINEERING, CONSTRUCTION, GEOSPATIAL AND MOBILE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS Trimble will hold its International User Conference February 23-25, 2009 at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. The theme of Trimble Dimensions 2009—Positioning for Success Today. And Tomorrow—provides insight into how surveying, engineering, construction, mapping, GIS, geospatial and mobile resource management professionals worldwide can harness the power of today’s technology to help face […]

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Jan
27

IMPROVING YOUR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Listen To Your Customers

Ernie Jessop of Concrete Form Services wrote in to say “we listen to our customers, to take their ideas and bring them to fruition. One of our long time customers, Danny Johnson, owner of Horizon Concrete out of Syracuse UT. Is the inventor of our “DJ” Jogger. Over the years he has brought flaws in the system to our attention, and helped the concept of EZ […]

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Jan
27

FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN POURED WALL MARKET NEW K40L BY CIFA

CIFA USA is “pumped up” and excited to announce the latest addition to its line of concrete boom pumps, the K40L-meter. Taking over 80 years of experience in the production of concrete manufacturing and placing equipment CIFA has designed, built and tested an entirely new placing machine for the North American poured wall market. The K40L is a 40-meter boom based on a 36-meter chassis (and price) […]

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Jan
27

CERTAINTEED OFFERS SYSTEMS TO MAKE YOUR JOBS Easier, Greener, and More Profitable

In tough times like these, with housing starts continuing to fall, forward-looking concrete contractors are searching for ways to differentiate themselves by selling added value to their Builder customers with a more complete package of Foundation products and services. CertainTeed understands the needs of concrete contractors, and offers systems to make your jobs easier, greener and more profitable. CertainTeed’s Form-ADrain™ concrete footing form system, ThermaEZE™ foam insulation panels […]

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Jan
27

NOW– Find ‘Concrete Facts’ Online

Now you can find Concrete Facts as an e-magazine online. As part of CFA’s green and sustainable initiatives, the online version of the magazine is free. Covering important issues facing today’s concrete foundation contractors, Concrete Facts is distributed bi-monthly. The online version has the same editorial content as the printed version and even looks and reads just like the printed issue. The magazine can be read […]

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Jan
27

CFA Presents 2008 Contractor of the Year KUBICA’S EARN AWARD

The Concrete Foundation Association (CFA) recently presented its 2008 Contractor of the Year Award to Rich and Patty Kubica of K-Wall Poured Walls of Traverse City, Michigan & Asheville, North Carolina. A member of the CFA for nearly a decade, the Kubicas were selected for this award for their aggressive pursuit of excellence and business expansion. According to Ed Sauter, executive director […]

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Jan
27

LIV-SPACE — COST EFFECTIVE AND AFFORDABLE WAY TO TURN Basements Into Quality Living Space

When building a new home these days, many builders are now taking the extra time to design and build out the basement or lower level of their homes. Builders in this type of market are realizing the cost savings that can be generated by finishing a lower level rather than building a second or third floor. Many homes throughout […]

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Jan
27

TWO CFA MEMBERS DIE IN DUNE BUGGY ACCIDENT

The Denver Post reported on April 2nd, 2008 that Lester Oliver Jr. (Les) of Cast In Place of Greely, CO and Mike Brand, a salesman for White Cap died from injuries sustained in a dune buggy accident on a grassy field near Ault, CO. The two were riding in a dune buggy on Brand’s property at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night when Oliver turned the vehicle […]

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Jan
27

ELECTION RESULTS Not Likely to Change Immigration Enforcement

by David C. Whitlock Immigration enforcement is here to stay. The Bush Administration was successful in doubling the number of law enforcement personnel devoted to immigration enforcement. The statistics demonstrate that the Department of Homeland Security’s enforcement strategy is having positive results. Arrests of immigration violators are way up, as are criminal investigations and indictments. The new Administration cannot afford […]

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