A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
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, […]
CFA Unveils Web Site Improvements
A visit to the Internet today doesn’t take very long before you see a myriad of ways companies are reaching out to their visitors to make their websites more user friendly and efficient. The Concrete Foundations Association has initiated steps to make significant improvements to the CFA web site, www.cfawalls.org, over this past year. If you haven’t visited in a while, I encourage you to do so. Over the […]
CFA Cold Weather Testing
A Progress report At the Summer Board meeting in Mt. Hood, the Board of Directors allocated funds from the Education and Research Fund for an in-depth study of cold weather and how it affects the concrete mixes our members typically use. Following a series of physical meetings and conference calls as well as idea refining […]
Spanish Foundation Fundamentals a Huge Success
The Foundation Fundamentals seminar held in Richmond, Virginia on October 19th was a huge success. What made this seminar unique was that it is the first time it has been offered in both Spanish and English. The CFA decided to offer the popular seminar in Spanish at the suggestion of area CFA board member Tim […]
Mobile Ready Mix Among New Techniques for Today’s Contractor
Imagine finding a way to capture a bit more control in your business, while at the same time reducing costs. Impossible? Not with the advent of mobile ready mix. Learn how one CFA member has implemented such a process change and the overwhelming results. The benefit is obvious – cost savings on concrete, no lost […]
Magazine Issues
WESTERN FORMS ACQUIRES SOLID WALL SYSTEMS
Western Forms and Mercedes Homes are pleased to announce Western Forms acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Solid Wall Systems, Inc. (“SWS”) from Mercedes Homes, Inc., a Melbourne, Florida- based homebuilder, effective May 9, 2008. Since its inception in 2001, SWS, has been a leading production builder of cast-in-place concrete walls in Florida and was featured in several publications and national broadcasts, such as the Bob […]
Bilco’s Permentry Offers Direct Basement Access
Consisting of a monolithic concrete stairwell and Bilco basement door, the PermEntry Basement Entrance system is used extensively in new home construction applications. It maximizes and expands lower-level living space by adding direct, safe and convenient access from the basement to the outdoors. Precast in one piece and thoroughly vibrated for maximum density, the stairwell can be installed on poured concrete and concrete block foundations. PermEntry is secured to […]
FALL REGIONAL CONFERENCE TAKES US TO OHIO
Fall has come and gone, at least for those in the northern half of the country. As the snow flies and the election energy draws down, we can begin thinking about what happened to those golden months of autumn. This fall was a great opportunity missed by many no thanks to the economy and the need to work harder. Still, some member companies took the […]
MOVING AHEAD WITH FAITH
It seems like just the other day I was reading the farewell letter authored by Terry Lavy in Concrete Facts as his term of President of the CFA was expiring. In what seems like the blink of an eye, it is now my turn to do the same. As I step down I am both encouraged and excited about what has been accomplished and […]
FALL REGIONAL WAS FIRST CLASS!
I am writing this letter to the membership on a plane going home from the Fall Regional Convention that was held in Columbus Ohio. As I reflect on the conference, there are four topics that stand out for me, quality education, CFA certification exam, captive insurance and what a great group of people CFA members are. First, the quality of the education featured at our first […]
CFA FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY SURVEY
Just how bad is it? Many of you know – you are experiencing it on a daily basis. But how bad is it elsewhere? I recently completed a survey of foundation construction activity of members to put some actual figures on the state of the economy. The good news – I had a record number of respondents for a CFA survey. Forty-eight of […]
CERTIFICATION DEBUTS
It’s been in the planning process for over two years. Countless meetings, conference calls, consultations, dry runs – but now its for real. The Concrete Foundations Association will roll-out the CFA Certified Foundation Contractor program at this summer’s Annual Convention. The details of the program will be covered in an in-depth article in the next edition of the Concrete Facts. This introduction will cover […]
THE UN-COMFORT ZONE… What’s Pushing Your Buttons?
by Robert Wilson What motivates you? That’s the question I’d like to ask in this inaugural column on motivation. Are you motivated by fame, fortune or fear. Or is it something deeper that fans the flames inside of you. Perhaps you are like Jeanne Louise Calment whose burning desire enabled her to do something that no other human being has done before. A feat so spectacular […]
Bilco Company Offers 2008 Residential Products Catalog
The Bilco Company has announced its availability of its 2008 Residential Products Catalog. The catalog, which includes information on the company’s complete line of the IRC 2006-code compliant basement projects, is available free of charge by calling 800-854-9724 or emailing Bilco at bilco@bilco.com. The new catalog offers information on their full line of basement doors, including the Classic Series Sloped Wall and Steel Sided doors and […]
Round Three of Management Moves is Ready!
Dear CFA Member, 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 companies of this Association, […]
CFA SELF-INSURANCE PRESENTATION IN OHIO
My “From the Director” column two issues ago presented some of the details of the CFA initiative to form a CFA self-insurance “Captive”. The CFA Board of Directors is ready to move forward with the CFA Self-Insurance Captive, but we need member participation to make it happen. This has the potential to be the biggest single benefit […]
WESTERN FORMS CREATES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH B.E.P. FORMING SYSTEMS, INC.
Western Forms Inc has created a new partnership with B.E.P. Forming Systems Inc, previously headquartered in Fayetteville, Georgia. The newly formed entity, B.E.P. Forming Systems, L.L.C. will be headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Greg Peacock, Founder of B.E.P. Forming Systems will serve as Vice President/General Manager of the newly formed entity. Mr. Peacock and his […]
