A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
Five Critical Mistakes That Blunt Leadership Effectiveness
SINCE 2000, ACCORDING TO NUMEROUS NATIONAL SURVEYS, LESS THAN ONE-THIRD OF WORKERS IN THE UNITED STATES ARE ENGAGED IN THEIR WORK AS MEASURED BY THEIR INVOLVEMENT, ENTHUSIASM, AND COMMITMENT TO THEIR WORK. IF YOU SIMPLY REFLECT ON YOUR MOST RECENT ENCOUNTER AS A CONSUMER AT YOUR LOCAL RETAIL STORE, RESTAURANT OR GOVERNMENT AGENCY, YOUR OWN […]
OSHA New Confined Space Rule
OSHA CLAIMS NEW CONFINED SPACE RULE WILL PREVENT 780 INJURIES A YEAR The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a final rule to increase protections for construction workers in confined spaces. Confined spaces are described by OSHA as spaces not designed for people yet large enough for workers to enter and perform certain jobs. They […]
MARKETING SPOTLIGHT: E-Marketing To Your Market
AN INTERVIEW WITH JASON ELLS ABOUT CUSTOM CONCRETE’S “THE CONCRETE POST” By James Baty CFA Executive Director Perhaps one of the biggest challenges today is finding the right combination of message and vehicles to reach your customers and elevate your company above the competition. There is no doubt you’ve thought of Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, […]
CFA PROJECTS OF THE YEAR
THE CFA PROJECTS OF THE YEAR AS DETERMINED BY YOU…. What work is your company proud of most when completed? How many foundations have you scrutinized during estimating, fought during construction and perfected through closeout? When the project is completed, does your crew and your company for that matter get a chance to pause a […]
A Year In The Life Of A Concrete Contractor
What is perhaps the most unique part of your company, your business, your professional life? While this question begs you to think of the accomplishments you have made or the challenges you have faced, what I believe it to really be is the isolation you have as a company. The practice of concrete construction at […]
You Have A Very Important Decision To Make!
I’m composing this letter in my head during a recent relaxation trip to South Dakota. While in the midst of the great setting and the many casts mixed with the every attempt to stay out of business, I did find my mind fixated on CFA Convention 2015. You’ll read a lot about this event in […]
Magazine Issues
Trimble Introduces New Rugged Green Beam Laser System for Interior Construction
High Visibility, Proven Durability, Easy-to-Operate Rotating Laser Nashville, Tennessee (March 27, 2009) — Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) today introduced the new Spectra Precision® Laser HV301G Horizontal and Vertical Laser. The automatic, self-leveling HV301G laser offers exceptional versatility and superior green beam visibility for increased productivity in a wide variety of horizontal, vertical and plumb applications. The announcement was […]
American Concrete Institute Announces New Oficers for 2009
Farmington Hills, Michigan (March 24, 2009) — The American Concrete Institute (ACI) introduced its new president, vice president, and four board members last week during the ACI Spring 2009 Convention in San Antonio, Texas. New ACI President Florian G. Barth officially assumed his one-year term, and new Vice President Kenneth C. Hover began his two-year term, […]
The Bilco Company Appoints New International Sales and Marketing Manager
West Haven, Connecticut (March 12, 2009) — The Bilco Company, manufacturer of specialty access products for commercial and residential markets, named Kent Nichols to the position of International Sales and Marketing Manager. In his new role, Nichols will be responsible for developing and executing strategic plans and initiatives in support of Bilco’s global sales efforts. He […]
American Concrete Institute Releases 2009 Edition of Manual of Concrete Practice
Farmington Hills, Michigan (March 9, 2009) — The American Concrete Institute (ACI) is pleased to announce the release of the 2009 edition of one of its best-selling publications, the Manual of Concrete Practice (MCP). Containing more than 190 documents, the MCP is the most comprehensive and largest single source of concrete practice information available in one […]
Trimble Introduces Economical Laser System for General Construction
Durable, Easy-to-Operate Spectra Precision Horizontal Rotating Laser Las Vegas, Nevada (February 3, 2009) — Trimble (NASDAQ:TRMB) today announced the new Spectra Precision® Laser LL100 Laser Level. The laser is a rugged, cost-effective horizontal laser used for a variety of general construction elevation control applications. The laser mounts on a tripod and sends a 360 degree […]
EPA Proposes Rule Imposing Stricter Stormwater Standards on Construction and Development Activities
On November 28, 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a rule under the Clean Water Act entitled “Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for the Construction and Development Point Source Category.” The proposed non-numeric effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs) would require contractors, developers, and others conducting land-disturbing activities to implement specific minimum best management practices (BMPs) for erosion control, sediment control, and pollution prevention. Certain sites could be required to implement stormwater treatment […]
You Need To Be A Member — Let’s Help Each Other!
I would like to make a case for CFA membership. Whether you are a current member and thinking about dropping your membership, a past member or thinking about becoming a member; if you are a poured wall contractor CFA is a valuable resource. With the worst economy that most of us will likely ever face, CFA is a resource that can help us survive in […]
WE MADE IT THROUGH 2008… NOW ON TO 2009
We made it through 2008. Not unscathed by any means – membership and dues are both off by nearly 30% from 2007 – but we are here to begin 2009. Survival is the good news. The bad news is that 2009 promises more of the same, at least if you believe practically every economist and analyst in the business. At CFA, we are […]
CFA INAUGURAL CERTIFICATION EVENT SHOWS STRONG FUTURE
The first qualification exam for the CFA Cast-In-Place Concrete Foundation Contractor Certification Program was recently completed by CFA at the Summer Convention in Arizona. Exams were administered on Wednesday, August 2, 2008 and Saturday, August 5, 2008. They were preceded by a review seminar. Interested companies sent 21 persons to sit for the 2-hour exam. “The response to this initial […]
BASEMENT OF THE YEAR
For the last few years we have asked our members to enter a basement project that offered challenges of any kind in the ‘Basement of the Year’ award competition. (A reminder to all CFA members — you can submit ANY basement you have done regardless of the level of difficulty you experienced). We want to thank the CFA […]
Ready For Round Two!
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, […]
Basement of the Year WINNERS
The home for the new millennium—it continues to astound in complexity and size. Even more impressive is the increasing requirements for concrete work generating complex foundation support for these homes as well as becoming integral to the finished appearance. The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) – a North American network dedicated to improving the residential concrete industry by building better businesses and improving codes and standards – […]
