A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
Abfalter Brothers Concrete
“It is really quite simple,” said Gib Abfalter, president of Abfalter Brothers Concrete. “Customer satisfaction is a key priority and our goal is to ensure that our customers don’t have to make a lot of phone calls to get the job done.” A member of CFA since 1996, this business approach has allowed the Abfalter […]
Cold Weather Protection Procedures for Footings, Foundations, and Retaining Walls
Cold weather concreting is becoming a topic that has the potential to substantially affect nearly every contractor in the CFA. This past year alone, members in Ohio experienced the frustration that can develop when misinterpretation of the ACI requirements for cold weather occurs. Based on this and similar occurrences over the past few years, the […]
Concrete Homes – It’s not a Question of If – but a Question of When
As the most innovative and progressive poured wall contractors in the US and Canada, the members of the CFA have always thought in what ways they can expand and make their companies more successful. This success has normally occurred through the training and retention of personnel and acquisition of additional equipment. Now that the economy […]
World of Concrete 2001 Draws 77,225
The construction industry’s largest annual international trade show held February 26 to March 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada drew a record crowd this year. More than 77,000 construction professionals from 105 countries registered for the five-day event at the Las Vegas Convention Center In both attendance and size, this was the largest World of Concrete […]
Scott Smith Named Contractor of the Year
Scott Smith of Modern Poured Walls, LaGrange, Ohio was named contractor of the year at the CFA Annual Winter meeting held in conjunction with the World of Concrete, Las Vegas, Nevada. The contractor of the year award recognizes an individual or company that exemplifies the ideals, goals, and standards of the association. Scott Smith, with […]
CFA and PCA Cast-In-Place Concrete Homes Brochure
In an effort of cooperation to grow the traditionally formed cast-in-place concrete homes market, the Concrete Foundations Association and the Portland Cement Association have produced a new brochure promoting the benefits of above grade concrete homes using traditional forming methods. The brochure was introduced at the National Association of Home Builders annual show recently in […]
Magazine Issues
Events, Events, and More Events
Another World of Concrete is history – and what an event it was! There was record attendance (over 90,000), a record number of exhibitors (over 1,700), and a record amount of exhibit space (over 900,000 square feet). In spite of a slow housing market, people flocked to Las Vegas. CFA members also supported the event. […]
Portland Cement — The Glue in Concrete
Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. It forms at least part of nearly everything we build – foundations, roads, dams, bridges, high-rise structures, sidewalks, and homes. It is comprised of some the most readily available materials on the earth – gravel, sand, water and a special type of cement. What […]
2007… Stay Focused!
While preparing to write this issue’s message from the president, I took a few moments to reflect on the year that was 2006. As usual the CFA provided a host of opportunities for members to participate and find benefit in the dollars they contribute. I also had the opportunity to expand the companies that I […]
When Times Are Tough
The housing industry is in another slump. This is nothing new to those of you who have been around for a few years (since the last slump). The housing industry is cyclical. If it is up, down times are ahead. Fortunately, the opposite also holds true. Believe it or not the causes of these events […]
The Code Saga Continues
I attended my third International Code Council (ICC) meeting in Orlando, Florida a month ago. For those of you unfamiliar with the code development process, the ICC is the organization that oversees development of the “I” series of codes, including the International Residential Code (IRC), the International Building Code (IBC) and the other Icodes. The […]
CertainTeed to Receive Prominent Exposure
(Valley Forge, Pennsylvania) — CertainTeed Corporation, one of North America’s leading building products manufacturers, will be featured prominently on NASCAR(R) driver Jeff Green’s #66 Best Buy Chevrolet as he races in this weekend’s Bass Pro Shops 500 NEXTEL Cup race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. CertainTeed, a team sponsor of the Haas/CNC Racing #66 Best […]
Concrete Home Design: Solid As Ever
Gone are the days of over-engineered and overbuilt concrete homes that were a chore to construct and even more difficult to sell. Today’s concrete residential designs, in particular those for homes constructed with Removable Concrete Forms (RCFs), not only offer homeowners a rock-solid, weather resistant and energy efficient investment, these fresh designs yield must-have residences […]
Completing A Foundation In 10.5 HRS!
WHAT THEY DID In an unprecedented 10.5 hours, Coello & Associates constructed a full 8 foot basement and 850 square foot attached garage foundation from start to finish. THE CONCRETE WAS KEY A foundation like the one for this home would typically take a minimum of three days to complete from start to finish. On […]
ICC Code Update
Here is how it went. Those in favor of the proposal to remove the language from the 2006 IRC stated their case (a maximum of 2 minutes each was allowed). I presented facts from our survey of members among other data. Those who opposed the change stated their case (again, 2 minutes each). Each speaker […]
What’s Ahead?
Just recently I returned from the CFA Fall Regional meeting in Hartford, CT. As your president, I am pleased to see we have many exciting projects and activities identified that are sure to continue building value to the membership. As a fellow contractor, however, I share with you a subject that is not quite as […]
CIFA USA Announces Acquisition of CIFA S.p.A. by the Italian Fund Magenta
Italian private equity fund Magenta today announced the completion of the acquisition of CIFA SpA, the Italian group active in the design, manufacture and distribution of equipment for the mixing, transportation and placement of ready-mix concrete. Magenta is a new Italian private equity fund, founded by Luciano Balbo, Edoardo Lanzavecchia and Luigi Sala, that together […]
Two companies in Geronimo, Oklahoma turn ideas into concrete plans
From The Lawton Constitution, May 23, 2006 by Scott Rains, Staff Writer srains@lawton-constitution.com GERONIMO, Okla.— A progressive view of construction must be mixed into the local water supply. The community supported — by a 71 percent margin — passage of a proposition for a concrete, domed school and gymnasium during a school bond vote earlier this […]
