A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts Magazine Online
Feature
The Social Age Evolutionary Workplace
…VERY LITTLE HAS CHANGED IN HOW WE HIRE AND MANAGE STAFF – WHICH HAS LED TO LOW EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY AND HIGH EMPLOYEE TURNOVER….WE MUST EVOLVE OUR BUSINESS PRACTICES… by Kim Seeling Smith The war for talent is over and talent has won. Technology and globalization have dramatically changed the way we work over the last 20 […]
Management Corner: 10 Steps to Reduce Employment Related Risk
ATTEND CFA CONVENTION IN SANDUSKY, OHIO FOR MORE FROM DAVID WHITLOCK ABOUT EMPLOYER ISSUES As we are now about halfway through 2014, it is a perfect time to take the temperature of your employment compliance. There are a number of important changes in the law as well as compliance matters that you need to stay on […]
MOVING UP, MOVING FORWARD
NEW MEMBERS | NEW BENEFITS | STRONG FOUNDATIONS This is an exciting time for the Concrete Foundations Association. Many of you are part of that energy and excitement and many of you are benefitting from it. At no time in the last decade has membership been growing as fast as it is right now and […]
40 Years of Evolution Another Milestone
The CFA will celebrate its 40th year of service to the residential concrete foundation industry at this year’s Summer Convention in Sandusky, Ohio. I have been with the CFA for just over half of that time. During that period, a lot has happened to the nation; the concrete industry; technology; our member businesses, and the […]
This Experience Has Served Me
Isn’t it enjoyable to see good people do good work? We are blessed to have a strong team of impressive individuals at our foundation company. Our team has a nice blend of people in different stages of their lives, and their careers. To be successful, we need a mix of new learners, skilled workers, coordinators, […]
Visible Pour Lines – Are They A Problem?
This article was originally written for and published in Concrete Contractor magazine by ForConstructionPros.com on May 16, 2014. What to do when customers worry the pour line is a crack in their new concrete. Question: A recent project we were completing was held up when our homeowner ventured to the site to see the […]
Magazine Issues
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 […]
INTERVIEWS WITH CFA MEMBERS WOMEN IN CONCRETE
Hot on the heals of a sold out, first-ever, ‘Women In Concrete Forum’ at the World of Concrete, we’re featuring some of the women in the foundation industry. We’ve selected eight CFA members that have solid industry experience and make a difference to the corporations they either own or work for. Once thing is for […]
CFA PRESENTS ROBERT D. SAWYER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD TO John Skotzke
The Concrete Foundations Association recently presented its highest honor, the Robert D. Sawyer Distinguished Service Award to John Skotzke at the CFA annual award luncheon held July 21. John was not in attendance at the event due to his continued battle back from a stroke suffered in the summer of 2005. His daughters, Chris Skotzke […]
BASF Completes Acquisition of Degussa’s Construction Chemicals Business
On July 1, 2006, BASF completed its acquisition of the Degussa AG global Construction Chemicals business. This strategic initiative positions the company to tap into the growth potential of the construction chemicals market on a sustainable basis. With headquarters in Germany, the global BASF Construction Chemicals division consists of Admixture Systems and Construction Systems businesses, […]
Program Manager, Concrete Home Builders Council
The National Association of Home Builders is seeking a manager to lead department promoting concrete housing products for builders. Develop and market new member services including education events, e-newsletters and networking opportunities, promote revenue programs and memberships, manage human and budget resources. Work closely with volunteer members in the industry in a consensus building environment. […]
