• 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 […]

    Read More
  • 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 […]

    Read More
  • 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.

    Read More
  • 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.

    Read More
  • 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 […]

    Read More

Feature

Aug
31

Coming Out On Top: CFA’s Projects of the Year Elevate Craftsmanship

Mount Vernon, IA Aug 31, 2016 – The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) – the recognized voice and authority for the residential concrete industry, announced the 2016 Projects of the Year award recipients at CFA Convention 2016 in Myrtle Beach, S. Car. on Saturday, July 23, 2016. Three projects were recognized as award winners including the Grand Overall Project of […]

Read More
Aug
31

2016 Projects of the Year: Custom Concrete Company

Single Family Residence Foundation 2,000 to 5,000 sq.ft. Delp Foundation Custom Concrete Company Greenwood, Indiana     The average size home in the United States last year reached 2,600 sq.ft. according to the Census Bureau.  Receiving the popular vote for top residential foundation in this size range, however, was a project that certainly can’t be […]

Read More
Aug
31

2016 Projects of the Year: Commercial Structure

Commercial Structure Howell Mill Herbert Construction Company Atlanta, Georgia    Since 2010, companies have been submitting commercial projects to the CFA’s annual Projects of the Year competition to evidence the growth that has occurred of cast-in-place foundation technology and expertise throughout those larger or broader markets.  Often awarded are very large and deep, as well […]

Read More
Aug
31

2016 Projects of the Year: Single Family Residence Foundation (>5,000 sq.ft)

Grand Project of the Year Single Family Residence Foundation >5,000 sq.ft. The Nowak Residence SCW Footings & Foundations Salt Lake City, Utah Taking the top honors in this year’s CFA Projects of the Year competition is a large residential foundation combined with above-grade concrete features set in the Salt Lake City, Utah region.  The project […]

Read More
Aug
29

CFA ANNOUNCES 2016 TOP SAFETY AWARDS

Mount Vernon, IA Aug 29, 2016 – The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) – the recognized voice and authority for the residential concrete industry, 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 […]

Read More
Aug
19

SCHWING AMERICA NAMES NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM

St. Paul, MN (August 18, 2016) – Schwing America Inc. (SAI) (http://info.schwing.com/e/83972/2016-08-19/5l42vw/150439240) announced today its new leadership team of Bill Murray and Tom O’Malley following the resignation last week of former CEO, Brian Hazelton. Bill Murray, CFO for the past four years at SAI, has been named as CEO effective immediately. For two years prior […]

Read More

Magazine Issues

Dec
20

OSHA Videos Focus On How To Protect Construction Workers

Two- to four-minute videos (English and Spanish versions) cover falls, workers struck by vehicles, sprain and strain injuries, trenching and excavation hazards, and carbon monoxide poisoning Created: November 14, 2011 The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration released 13 educational videos http://www.osha.gov/dts/vtools/construction.html about potential hazards in the construction industry. The educational videos are easy to understand, […]

Read More
Dec
20

Why I Remain A Member!

The CFA has been a volunteer choice for our business and my family for 25 years. We’ve been involved as directors on the CFA Board, we’ve been to countless events like the Summer Convention and we put a lot of effort into being a CFA member. For years, we’ve not been shy in stating that we get far more […]

Read More
Dec
20

IT’S ABOUT THAT TIME… What are you waiting for?

We’re turning the calendar in less than a month by the time you read this and all indicators point to two things; 1) the market is turning as quickly as a super liner stuck in icefilled waters and 2) companies are trying to find new ways to resource ideas and test possibilities. It is also […]

Read More
Dec
20

A SUSTAINING VISION: YOU AND OUR ASSOCIATION

Most of us are familiar with the name Andrew Carnegie, the industrial giant and shrewd investor from over a century ago. We’ve heard he was a man who both acquired and then gave away enormous amounts of wealth and who said, “The man who dies rich thus dies disgraced.” Less known is how Carnegie was driven to pass on his secrets of success to […]

Read More
Dec
20

Insurance Captive – Yes, You Need To Know

I last wrote about the CFA Insurance Captive in this forum a little over a year ago so its time to get on the pulpit yet again. If this were a normal business climate, the captive would have been in operation for nearly a year. We need approximately $3 million premiums to meet the threshold for the underwriter and […]

Read More
Oct
24

CFA Announces Availability of Alternate Fall Protection Plan for Members

Member companies now have access to a model or draft alternate fall protection plan conforming to the requirements of OSHA 1926.502(k). This document details the recommended plan for companies delivering concrete foundations for projects identified as “residential construction” by OSHA’s recently implemented STD 03-11-002. “The Alternate Fall Protection Plan is a collaborative effort of CFA staff and key CFA member contractors with a passion for providing solutions not […]

Read More
Oct
24

CFA Summer Convention 2011 – If You Weren’t There, Boy Did You Miss It!

Okay, so it is now the end of summer and the start of the fall construction season rush to winter. Somewhere along the way, there are two types of companies in the CFA that may be looking at this transition differently. What defines the difference may very well be whether or not you were able to make it to Virginia this summer to network, learn and […]

Read More
Oct
24

Ergonomic Solutions: Small Changes Make A Big Difference

Construction work is hard work, and construction workers feel the results. In one survey, seven out of ten construction workers from 13 trades reported back pain, and nearly a third went to the doctor for it. Some of the most common injuries in construction are the result of job demands that push the human body beyond its natural limits. […]

Read More
Oct
24

WELCOME YOUR 2011 BOARD MEMBERS

Each year at Annual Meeting, according to your by-laws, the assembled membership is presented a slate of candidates to the Board of Directors. Board members serve three-year terms under the present by-laws and may be re-elected to serve until such time that they feel it is in their best interest to step away and have new energy added to the Board. This year, we are pleased […]

Read More
Oct
24

TOUGH DECISIONS TO PULL OUR BUSINESSES THROUGH

The CFA Summer Meeting has always been my favorite association event and our recent gathering inWintergreen VA was no exception. The pleasant temperatures and inviting surroundings were a perfect setting for hearing a great lineup of speakers and renewing friendships with fellow contractors and suppliers. Thanks to all of you who made this a great event to attend. My mind drifts back […]

Read More
Oct
24

Another CFA Summer Convention is in the Books

The venue was great, the food good and plentiful, and the views were tremendous. A special thank you is extended to all of you who took the time (and spent the money) to attend this year’s event. Feedback from those in attendance was that this was one of the best values and events we have […]

Read More
Oct
24

Industry Loses Leader: Charles Engelken

An extraordinary journey on this earth came to a close with the passing of Charles Orval Engelken, age 48, of Overland Park, KS on Saturday, September 3, 2011. He was born on July 14, 1963 in Kansas City, KS, the son of Verna Jean (Lewis) and Orval Charles “Skeeter” Engelken. Charles was a 1981 graduate of Center High School and earned […]

Read More