A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
Building Back Better: Reinforcement for Concrete Homes
By Joe Nasvik People who love concrete tend to believe that it’s magic because it performs well under a wide variety of conditions: fires, earthquakes, high winds, hurricanes and tornados. It can do all this and more, but it requires a special ingredient: reinforcement. Reinforcement added to concrete, designed by structural engineers, provides concrete structures […]
CFA Celebrates Excellence with the 2025 Professional Awards
The most compelling evidence of an individual’s influence lies in their dedication and service to advancing the industry. This sentiment strongly resonates with the Concrete Foundations Association as it reflects on this year’s nominations and professional awards. Set against the historic backdrop of Deadwood, S.D., CFACON25 provided a one-of-a-kind setting for attendees to connect, learn […]
2025 Projects of the Year: The Category Winners
The 26th annual Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) competition invited members to showcase their most outstanding projects, competing for recognition as some of the most celebrated achievements in the industry’s history. The entries, a collection of 24 unique and intricate submissions, spanned 11 categories, ultimately resulting in 14 projects being honored this year. While the projects […]
On the Ground in Utah — CFA Executive Retreat
By Trenton Baty, Membership & Marketing Director Spring has been full speed ahead for the CFA and our members. From project backlogs to planning major events like CFACON25, the pace has been nonstop. That’s why the CFA Executive Retreat in Salt Lake City came at the perfect time—it was a chance to step away from […]
A Human Writer versus ChatGPT: A Live Debate
By Danny Judge, Tier 3 Technology Solutions A guy can only write so many articles about how fast AI is improving and why organizations should take precautions, so I decided to show you instead. I staged a live debate—a content writer versus ChatGPT, duking it out over who is the better writer. The Preparation: I […]
Design and Construction of GFRP Reinforced Residential Concrete
By Danielle Kleinhaus, Mateenbar Composite Reinforcements Greetings fellow CFA members! Is your crew tired of hauling steel rebar around your job sites? Are you sick of looking at rusty rebar and rust stains on your concrete? With this article, I want to introduce you to a construction innovation that you can apply to your business […]
Magazine Issues
Lessons to be Learned from a Sad Story
By Wayne Schooling On March 22, 2024, a concrete pumper truck veered into oncoming traffic on State Highway 21 in Texas, striking a school bus full of children and ultimately killing a 5-year-old and an adult. At the time of the crash, the bus was transporting 44 children and 11 adults’ home from a field […]
Press Release: Euclid Chemical Introduces Innovative Fast-Setting Concrete Repair Mortar
Euclid Chemical Introduces Innovative Fast-Setting Concrete Repair Mortar CLEVELAND, Ohio (June 11, 2024) – Euclid Chemical, a leading manufacturer of concrete and masonry construction products, announced the launch of VERSASPEED RMC, a fast-setting, one-component, cementitious repair mortar that is shrinkage compensated, pozzolan and microfiber modified, and contains an integral corrosion inhibitor. The new product is designed […]
Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award: Bruce Neale, Modern Foundations
The Robert D. Sawyer Award, named on behalf of Bob Sawyer, the first executive director of the CFA, is the most prestigious recognition that can be offered to a member of the concrete foundation industry. The award recognizes individuals who give tirelessly of their time and resources to serve the industry. “Bob Sawyer took the […]
Contractor of the Year: Doggett Concrete Construction
The most frequently awarded recognition from the CFA historically has been the Contractor of the Year award. This recognizes the industry contributions of a poured wall contractor and often shows the great efforts the contractor makes to benefit more than just their company’s location and position—how they work toward the greater goals of the association […]
Innovative Contractor of the Year: Bulletproof Walls Inc., dba TCB Walls Inc.
An industry with as much history as cast-in-place concrete may appear as if practices and systems are no longer evolving. While new technologies using computers and advanced mechanics or logic are often brought to light, many times the most innovative solutions are initiated by the contractors themselves, tapping their experience and creativity to find a […]
National Associate of the Year: Owens Corning Infrastructure Solutions
National Associate members are the primary supplier and manufacturing members of the association, which can be found in the CFA’s active Products and Services Directory. The Associate of the Year award honors one of the many National Associate members (a company or an individual) for their commitment to supporting and growing the association. Their efforts […]
Kick-Start Member of the Year: Curtis Cowgill, Nies Foundations
The most valuable part of joining an organization is diving in and finding the networking, interaction, support, and resources beneficial to your company’s goals. In honor of the value of jumping in, the CFA Board of Directors developed a new award in 2015 that honors the intentional exploration of the professional network found in the […]
Golden Tie Membership Development Award: Western Forms
The award luncheon began with a new award recognition as Jason Ells, who is the CFA president and the executive vice president for Custom Concrete of Westfield, Indiana, stepped up to the microphone. “The Golden Tie Award is something we’ve been developing for a while within the Board of Directors,” he said. “We recognize that […]
Press Release: Coello & Associates Welcomes Youth Apprentice Jonathan Ray to their Team
WAUKESHA, Wisc. (June 3rd, 2024) Coello & Associates Welcomes Youth Apprentice Jonathan Ray to their Team Coello and Associates is excited to welcome Jonathan Ray to their team after his successful participation in the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development’s Youth Apprenticeship program. Ray, a 2024 graduate of St. Francis High School, is the first apprentice […]
Hot Summer Deals with MAX USA Corp.’s Exciting Tool Promo
Plainview, NY (May 1, 2024) – As summer approaches, MAX USA Corp. is excited to introduce an exciting promotion designed to elevate your toolkit. From May 1st to June 30th, 2024, elevate your work with MAX’s acclaimed SuperFramer®, SuperSider®, and SuperDecking® – all at discounted prices. Explore unparalleled deals on our premium selection, including the […]
For Sale: Used 8-foot Aluminum Forms
A CFA member is offering the a set of 8′-0″ aluminum forms as featured in the attached images and inventory list. The forms have a 6-12 hole pattern with a smooth form surface. The grade quality of the forms are rated B+. The forms are located in Belleville, PA. Interested buyers should contact Rufus Peachey […]
Lighthouse After School
Stephens and Smith Concrete Construction participates with a Trades/Industry Program Attracting tomorrow’s workforce to the concrete industry involves fostering early engagement and understanding of the field. Introducing high school students to construction trades through a structured workshop approach holds immense potential in shaping their perception of and interest in concrete careers. “Our TIP program is […]
