A publication of the Concrete Foundations Association
Concrete Facts
Magazine Issues
Letter from the President
For many of us the usual winter weather has generated scheduling problems, loss of work volume, and many unproductive days. On the brighter side, we have all been blessed with the ability to be profitable by the plentiful volume of work during the nicer seasons of the year, I call this “inside the box work” […]
2017 Product & Services Showcase
This feature brings you the current products & services that may be found represented by the member companies of the Concrete Foundations Association to make the work of concrete contractors more efficient and of higher quality. PRODUCT & SERVICES SHOWCASE AUTOCAR | www.autocartruck.com | 877-973-3486 At Autocar, building trucks isn’t just what we do – it’s […]
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 […]
Letter from the President: Business Does Not Change Effectiveness
It has been a very busy year for both our company and the association. We left the summer meeting with renewed enthusiasm for our business and, equally important, enthusiasm for subject areas the CFA needed to address. We live in an ever-changing world, and I have come to realize and understand the need to […]
Tricks of the Trade: Rebar Racks for Crew Trucks
This issue’s Trick of the Trade is shared by CFA member, Doug Herbert of Herbert Construction in Marietta, GA. Doug continues the challenge to you the reader to think about the ways you’ve overcome annoying details and situations to be more effective and economical in your work. If you are from an active CFA member […]
Give A Little, Learn A Lot
There is something to be said for those who take the time and energy to go out of their way to help somebody in need, even more so for those who are able to ask for help when it is needed. Oftentimes the benefits of helping others are not always tangible, and it is that […]
Seven Lessons Learned From Firing 300 People
Over the course of many years, I’ve fired more than 300 employees at our concrete construction company. The list of reasons for the dismissals is long and varied. I’ve fired people because they’ve caused problems on job sites, refused to take direction from their Foremen, stolen from the company or coworkers, been under the influence […]
Code Compliance with Insulated Concrete Form Foundations
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are increasingly being used as foundations in commercial and residential projects. Part of the reason is that ICFs naturally help comply with increasingly strict energy codes. While many are familiar with ICFs for above-grade walls, their benefits transfer to foundations as well. Energy code compliance, quicker more efficient construction, and safer […]
Planning for the Future Workforce
Understanding how to recruit, train, and motivate a younger generation is helping create successful industry leaders – and social media is helping. by Tina Grady Barbaccia, AEC Editorial Specialist, Constructive Communication, Inc. One of the common stories in concrete construction that remains today is that of the son or daughter who began working with […]
Recharging Your Leadership
CFA Board of Directors adds four new faces for 2017-2020 By James Baty Like most organizations, the Board of Directors is the governing body for the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA). It consists of leaders volunteering their time, attention and financial resources in response to their pride and passion for […]
SCHWING AMERICA ACQUIRES ASSETS OF LOOP BELT INDUSTRIES
ST. PAUL, MINN. (September 29, 2017) – Schwing America, worldwide designer, manufacturer and distributor of premium concrete production and handling equipment, announced the closing of transaction for the purchase of all the assets of Loop Belt Industries, makers of high-quality truck mounted telescopic conveyors. “We are thrilled to acquire the assets of Loop Belt Industries […]
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 […]
Success Only Comes After Work!
The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. After many years in business, I can attest to that being a “Concrete Fact.” Becoming a CFA member will never take the hard work out of success, but membership sure can lighten the load and, hopefully, help avoid the pitfalls of our industry through […]
For Sale: Large Set of Tuf-N-Lite 9-0 with Brick Texture
Looking to add to your inventory or step into the aluminum forming market? CFA member Starlite Leasing has this large set waiting for you. See the pics below for 9′-0″ aluminum panels with a brick texture. Need a good cleaning but well-seasoned and effective. Set includes all fillers and storage frames. 6-12 hole pattern. For […]
For Sale: Trimble RTS 555 – Robotic Layout Station
We have three complete sets of the Trimble RTS 555 Total Station pictured below. All three sets have been in use up until last month when we upgraded. Asking price is $6,500 each. See the photos for more details on the equipment. Each have two batteries, a Nomad and brackets for poles. For interest or […]
Acceptable Tolerances for Residential Footings
As published in Concrete Contractor Magazine, August/September 2017. This column pertains to the nature of minimum requirements or specifications for the size of concrete footings in relation to the foundation walls they support. Question: I have a foundation that was poured and I am not impressed. The footings were poured and when they set the […]
The Risk of Not Knowing: Duty to Provide Fall Protection
Originally published in Concrete Contractor magazine. Question: Yesterday, an OSHA inspector witnessed two of our crew members standing atop the formwork, while finishing a pour. The first worker was floating the wall and the second worker was installing anchor bolts. Both of these are standard procedures for us and the workers are trained and confident working […]
ASSOCIATION NEWS: CFA Health and Safety Survey Says…
CFA conducted a survey on the state of safety education in member companies. The survey was the precursor for work being undertaken to develop a learning management system (LMS) and offer online courses for access by members of the Association, to bring better education to the workforce. Such an LMS not only elevates the quality […]
GET CONNECTED
