Concrete Foundations Association Responds to Pending Shortage of Form Ties:
Shortage could create a temporary shutdown in residential construction (March 11, 2021 – Mt. Vernon, Iowa) — The Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) – the leading organization serving as the voice of cast-in-place contractors – has announced an industry-wide effort to mitigate the pending shortage of steel form ties across the North American markets. According to James […]
Letter From the Director
Thoughts From My Desk… “You are simply not going to believe it.” This is the phrase I have been using regularly as I talk with many of you reading this magazine, whether you are a CFA member, or one of the many companies across this great country to whom I have the privilege of casting […]
Letter from the Director: Thoughts from my Desk…
Thoughts From My Desk… Throughout the 26th volume of Concrete Facts magazine, I will be sharing insights from the many interactions I have with members, non-member companies and the general public. My goals are first, to show you how the challenges faced are universal throughout North America, and second, to use these interactions to help […]
Remembering Ron
by Ed Sauter Those who knew Ron Colvin (RC) will never forget him. Beneath the ever-present beard, overalls, Hawaiian shirts and sandals was a kind, smart, and caring individual who would do anything to make life better for those who worked with him. Ron was a little unconventional in his appearance and approach to things, […]
UNDERSTANDING PYRRHOTITE IN CONCRETE
by James Baty, Gary Ehrlich, Jamie Farny, Don Penepent, and Dennis Purinton Concrete, the most widely used construction material in the world, is a complex matrix of materials that transforms into a reliable structural product. With so many variables—different ingredients, different performance requirements, varying exposures—specifiers are faced with many choices when designing durable concrete mixtures […]
Letter from the Director: Endings Really Are New Beginnings
Over the last few months I have been reminded time and time again of the impact companies and leaders in this Association have had on the blueprint for this industry and the legacy they have left behind. I have such vivid memories of leaders like Ron Colvin (p.17, 19), a former president of the CFA, […]
Letter from the Director: OSHA Regulations Bring Increased Relevance
Just from the title, I presume you have already slid to the edge of your seat or crossed your arms in frustration or defiance for what you might read in this letter. After all, in the marketplace there are more real cases now than ever before of contractors and projects impacted by the increased attention […]
Profoundly Impacted by Convention
This issue of the magazine introduces the newest CFA Board members. One of the common threads between them is easily found in the profound impact that Convention, meeting and networking with peers has had on them. This is not unique by any stretch of the imagination to a member of the Board. Talk with any […]
Defining Leadership
Here is the problem with being seen as a leader: leaders continue to give a lot of time, energy and often money as a way of contributing to the larger goal or to honor the position they have attained. This is increasingly hard on the organization and the individual as it regularly conflicts with the […]
March Madness
Let’s face it, I’m about this entirely and I’m guessing many of you are too. I don’t have many conversations it seems without someone having a college team that inspires them. Now, maybe you’re not a basketball fan and prefer wrestling or football, but you have to admit that there is a frenzy, a delirium, […]
