• Overcoming Concrete Permeability with Multi-crystalline Technology

    Thursday, June 18, 2026

    By Mark Chew, VP Sales & Marketing US and Canada, ICC Distribution Group While many attributes of the concrete foundation industry have remained constant throughout the years, notable changes including technological advancements and the advent of Portland-limestone cement (PLC), or 1L concrete have introduced new challenges. Additionally, the inherent porosity of concrete makes it vulnerable […]

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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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  • Happy Anniversary to Our Members!

    Friday, October 3, 2025

    As we close out 2025, the CFA celebrates four standout members who are marking significant anniversaries.

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  • Buck Bartley smiles at the camera while at a job site.

    CFA Charter Member Passes: Robert Taylor “Buck” Bartley, Jr. 1938-2025

    Friday, October 3, 2025

    The CFA commemorates the life of Robert “Buck” Bartley, one of the founding members of the association.

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  • Concrete Facts Magazine Spring 2025 Issue Now Available in Spanish

    Tuesday, April 29, 2025

    The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) is excited to highlight the Spanish-language edition of the latest issue of its industry magazine, Concrete Facts. Released quarterly in both English and Spanish, Concrete Facts delivers high-value insights, technical expertise and industry updates to English- and Spanish-speaking concrete professionals across North America and beyond. According to James Baty, Executive […]

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Feature

Jan
11

The Essentials of a Return to Work Program

Lost time is a term used by OSHA to describe the number days an injured employee is away from work, but lost money is what OSHA should really call it.  Each and every day an employee is away from work because of an injury or illness leads to greater losses to the employer and employee.  […]

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Jan
11

The 6 Basic Sales & Marketing Tools for Concrete Contractors

When it comes to sales and marketing, we need to focus our limited time and resources on the vital few things that work to bring in new customers and put money in our pocket. Below are the tactics and tools that do just that. My daughter is attending an advanced indoor soccer camp for a […]

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Nov
21

New Schwing S 38 SX Has Unique 5-Section Boom

November 10, 2016 (New Brighton, MN) – The new S 38 SX from Schwing combines a tight (22’ 10”) front outrigger spread with a lightweight (Federal Bridge Legal) design and a five-section boom with more articulation than any other boom style.  The new model is available in a three-axle configuration with cab-over truck or as a […]

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Sep
21

CFA Project Of The Year – Coming Out On Top

The 2016 Project of the Year Awards…continued excellence in the field of cast-in-place concrete. CFA’s Project of the Year Elevate Craftsmanship Each winter, the Concrete Foundations Association opens a competition to its membership for a broad spectrum of cast-in-place concrete projects. These projects evidence the skill, quality, craftsmanship and at times creativity of today’s cast-in-place […]

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Sep
21

CFA Companies Making Important Moves

Two new states are now served by concrete professionals that have achieved the status of Certified Residential Foundation Company, Indiana and Utah. Custom Concrete Company, Inc. of Westfield, Ind. and Solid Concrete Walls, Inc. of Salt Lake City, Utah. CFA Convention is appropriately positioned near the start of the next fiscal year for the CFA. […]

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Sep
21

CFA Announces 2016 Safety Achievement Awards

The CFA announced the 2016 Safety Achievement Award recipients at CFA Convention 2016 in Myrtle Beach, SC on Saturday, July 23, 2016. The Safety Achievement Awards program seeks to recognize the commitment to safety and risk management among the hundreds of professional cast-in-place contractors found in CFA membership. “Safety remains a top priority in our […]

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Magazine Issues

Jun
6

CFA Members Tour Bilco’s Manufacturing Facility

Sixteen members of the Concrete Foundation Association (CFA) from around the county recently attended an open house tour of The Bilco Company’s Zanesville, Ohio manufacturing facility. The group learned more about the company’s history, technology and residential product line. The facility houses both blow-molding and injection-molding equipment used to manufacture Bilco’s line of polyethylene products for the residential market. These products […]

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Jun
6

CFA Projects of the Year

Each year the Concrete Foundation Association of North America (CFA) calls for entries to its Project of the Year contest. The entries are voted on and chosen by CFA members through an online ballot that runs for several weeks. This year’s entries were all very large residential projects worthy of multiple awards. The winners will be recognized at […]

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Jun
6

Honoring Wendy Ward

It is with great sadness that the Constructive Communication, Inc. team shares with you that Wendy Ward, Senior Vice President, passed away Friday night, May 17 at the age of 32. She is survived by her husband Chris, daughter Caroline (6) and son Jack (3). For the last two years, Wendy has bravely fought breast cancer. During […]

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Mar
12

Summer 2012 —Way Up North

It may be the middle of winter but its time you start making your plans for the CFA Summer Meeting 2012 at the Grand Traverse Resort in Traverse City, Michigan. The dates of the event will be July 26-28. 2012. The water should be warm enough to swim in by then and the frost will be off the greens by […]

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Mar
12

CertainTeed® T-Roc™ Foundation Insulation System Achieves ICC-ES Approval

Leading North American building products manufacturer, CertainTeed Corporation, has received an evaluation report from ICC Evaluation Services, Inc. (ICC-ES), confirming that T-Roc™ Foundation Insulation System is building code compliant. T-Roc enables building professionals to bypass several costly, time-intensive tasks required to turn foundation walls into finished walls as part of a livable basement space. Through the analysis of […]

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Mar
12

Irving Equipment is the new CIFA dealer

As 2012 begins, Cifa announces its new business strategy for the North American area. The historic Italian concrete machinery company, previously represented by its subsidiary Cifa USA, has appointed Irving Equipment LLC as its new sole dealer for the US market, with the aim of meeting new requirements on a market that is starting to show signs of […]

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Mar
12

CFA ANNOUNCES PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT

We are saddened about the loss of CFA member and past-president Travis Gene Gloyd, 70, of Fort Wayne who passed away February 27, 2012. Born on December 9, 1941 in Fort Wayne, he was the son of the late Robert and Evlyn Gloyd. He graduated in 1961 from Huntertown High School. Travis worked at GE for 5 years. […]

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Mar
12

12 TIPS For Preventing Back Injuries In Construction

25% of construction injuries are back injuries, so it’s worth planning, equipping and staffing sites to preserve back health The Center for Construction Research and Training says the construction industry has the highest incident rate of back injuries of any industry except transportation. Of all the construction-related injuries that occur each year, 25% of them are back injuries. Every […]

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Mar
12

PART II: IT’S ABOUT THAT TIME… Taking the next step.

In the last edition of Concrete Facts you were given some simple instructions to some very valuable assets for connecting with your Association and peers during a time when the economy makes travel difficult. Being able to plug in to discussions is the most inexpensive decision you can make to provide tools for progress in today’s market. So, I […]

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Mar
12

Our Customers

Spring is in full bloom as you read this (and as I write it, with 65 degree temperatures in February). Hopefully, the phones are starting to ring and work is beginning to pick up for us all. If you recall my last letter, you know I will be elaborating on the second leg of our mission statement […]

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Dec
22

Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute Recommends Return to Inch-Pound

At their recent meeting on November 9, the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) Board of Directors urged all CRSI producer members to revert to an inch-pound bar marking system for all sizes and grades of deformed reinforcing steel products. CRSI members produce more than 90% of domestic reinforcing steel. The intention of this resolution is for all new rollings of reinforcing steel […]

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Dec
20

Fall Protection Systems in Residential Construction:FORMWORK SCAFFOLD BRACKETS – A Feasibility Study

Dear CFA Members- In the wake of last year’s decision by OSHA to rescind the rule allowing residential contractors to walk atop concrete walls, I know that many of you have searched for a feasible way to be OSHA compliant and most have found nothing. Could that be because walking atop formwork is the safest way to accomplish the […]

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