A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
RISK MANAGEMENT: Cyber Crime: An Evolving Threat
NOW IS THE TIME TO REVISIT THE TOPIC OF CYBERCRIME AS CRIMINALS HAVE ELEVATED THEIR GAME AND CONTINUE TO CARRY OUT MALICIOUS ATTACKS ON AMERICAN BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS By Kristen Long, Senior Vice President, Arthur J. Gallagher In September 2014 I wrote an article titled “The Threat Posed by Cyber Criminals.” In the article, I […]
The Salesperson’s Handbook: FIVE COMMON OBSTACLES AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM
Lucy was a brand new salesperson who wanted to make a big impression. She did everything she could think of to establish relationships with prospects and wow them with her proposals. While she was not failing as a salesperson, Lucy was certainly not leading her team in sales either. After nine months of below average […]
CFA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: What Comes Around Goes Around
ASK MOST ANY CONCRETE CONTRACTOR FOUND IN TODAY’S CAST- IN-PLACE CONCRETE INDUSTRY AND HE/SHE WILL TELL YOU THAT THEIR BUSINESS IS A GENERATIONAL AFFAIR…AFTER ALL, CONCRETE DOES GET IN YOUR BLOOD AND ONCE THERE, IT NEVER LEAVES. Ask most any concrete contractor found in today’s cast-in-place concrete industry and he/she will tell you that their […]
Concrete Reinforcement Changing
THIS ARTICLE RECOUNTS THE PROCESS CONDUCTED BY ABI CORPORATION, STARTING IN SEPTEMBER 2103, TO INTERNALLY VALIDATE THE MERITS OF USING HELIX MICRO REBAR IN PLACE OF REBAR IN BASEMENT FOUNDATIONS WITH THE GOAL OF REDUCING LABOR. The requirements to pass the test were simple: the process must save labor and the quality of the finished […]
“Damp Rising”
As published in Concrete Contractor Magazine. Question: I have a homeowner that wants me to put a poly sheet over the footing before I begin forming the foundation wall. He has read that water can migrate up through the footing into the wall and create mold problems for his home. Is this accurate? I’m concerned […]
Monarch Materials Group Names New President
January 19, 2015 ADEL, IOWA – Monarch Materials Group names new president. Monarch Materials Group, Inc. (Monarch) named Dan Higgins as its new president today. Monarch manufactures residential, basement window egress systems in Adel, IA and Englewood, CO and distributes them throughout the United States. Dan joins Monarch having extensive experience in the concrete construction […]
Magazine Issues
NOW– Find ‘Concrete Facts’ Online
Now you can find Concrete Facts as an e-magazine online. As part of CFA’s green and sustainable initiatives, the online version of the magazine is free. Covering important issues facing today’s concrete foundation contractors, Concrete Facts is distributed bi-monthly. The online version has the same editorial content as the printed version and even looks and reads just like the printed issue. The magazine can be read […]
CFA Presents 2008 Contractor of the Year KUBICA’S EARN AWARD
The Concrete Foundation Association (CFA) recently presented its 2008 Contractor of the Year Award to Rich and Patty Kubica of K-Wall Poured Walls of Traverse City, Michigan & Asheville, North Carolina. A member of the CFA for nearly a decade, the Kubicas were selected for this award for their aggressive pursuit of excellence and business expansion. According to Ed Sauter, executive director […]
LIV-SPACE — COST EFFECTIVE AND AFFORDABLE WAY TO TURN Basements Into Quality Living Space
When building a new home these days, many builders are now taking the extra time to design and build out the basement or lower level of their homes. Builders in this type of market are realizing the cost savings that can be generated by finishing a lower level rather than building a second or third floor. Many homes throughout […]
TWO CFA MEMBERS DIE IN DUNE BUGGY ACCIDENT
The Denver Post reported on April 2nd, 2008 that Lester Oliver Jr. (Les) of Cast In Place of Greely, CO and Mike Brand, a salesman for White Cap died from injuries sustained in a dune buggy accident on a grassy field near Ault, CO. The two were riding in a dune buggy on Brand’s property at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday night when Oliver turned the vehicle […]
ELECTION RESULTS Not Likely to Change Immigration Enforcement
by David C. Whitlock Immigration enforcement is here to stay. The Bush Administration was successful in doubling the number of law enforcement personnel devoted to immigration enforcement. The statistics demonstrate that the Department of Homeland Security’s enforcement strategy is having positive results. Arrests of immigration violators are way up, as are criminal investigations and indictments. The new Administration cannot afford […]
WESTERN FORMS ACQUIRES SOLID WALL SYSTEMS
Western Forms and Mercedes Homes are pleased to announce Western Forms acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Solid Wall Systems, Inc. (“SWS”) from Mercedes Homes, Inc., a Melbourne, Florida- based homebuilder, effective May 9, 2008. Since its inception in 2001, SWS, has been a leading production builder of cast-in-place concrete walls in Florida and was featured in several publications and national broadcasts, such as the Bob […]
Bilco’s Permentry Offers Direct Basement Access
Consisting of a monolithic concrete stairwell and Bilco basement door, the PermEntry Basement Entrance system is used extensively in new home construction applications. It maximizes and expands lower-level living space by adding direct, safe and convenient access from the basement to the outdoors. Precast in one piece and thoroughly vibrated for maximum density, the stairwell can be installed on poured concrete and concrete block foundations. PermEntry is secured to […]
FALL REGIONAL CONFERENCE TAKES US TO OHIO
Fall has come and gone, at least for those in the northern half of the country. As the snow flies and the election energy draws down, we can begin thinking about what happened to those golden months of autumn. This fall was a great opportunity missed by many no thanks to the economy and the need to work harder. Still, some member companies took the […]
MOVING AHEAD WITH FAITH
It seems like just the other day I was reading the farewell letter authored by Terry Lavy in Concrete Facts as his term of President of the CFA was expiring. In what seems like the blink of an eye, it is now my turn to do the same. As I step down I am both encouraged and excited about what has been accomplished and […]
FALL REGIONAL WAS FIRST CLASS!
I am writing this letter to the membership on a plane going home from the Fall Regional Convention that was held in Columbus Ohio. As I reflect on the conference, there are four topics that stand out for me, quality education, CFA certification exam, captive insurance and what a great group of people CFA members are. First, the quality of the education featured at our first […]
CFA FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY SURVEY
Just how bad is it? Many of you know – you are experiencing it on a daily basis. But how bad is it elsewhere? I recently completed a survey of foundation construction activity of members to put some actual figures on the state of the economy. The good news – I had a record number of respondents for a CFA survey. Forty-eight of […]
CERTIFICATION DEBUTS
It’s been in the planning process for over two years. Countless meetings, conference calls, consultations, dry runs – but now its for real. The Concrete Foundations Association will roll-out the CFA Certified Foundation Contractor program at this summer’s Annual Convention. The details of the program will be covered in an in-depth article in the next edition of the Concrete Facts. This introduction will cover […]
