For Construction Pros

Badgers Win Concrete Canoe Competition

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Monday June 18, 2007

Go Badgers! This past weekend, my alma mater won its fifth consecutive title at the National Concrete Canoe Competition in Seattle, Wash. Team members from theÂ University of Wisconsin-Madison paddled their 179-lb. concrete canoeÂ past 17 other competing teams from across the nation to become the 2007 ASCEÂ National Concrete Canoe Competition. The Badgers will competeÂ internationally this fallÂ at theÂ Dutch Concrete Canoe Challenge in the Netherlands. The contest is sposored by the American Society of Civil Engineers. You can read more about theÂ University of Wisconsin-Madison Concrete Canoe Team at their website. Learn more about concrete conoeing at www.ConcreteCanoe.org. What a peculiar use for concrete!

Upcoming concrete industry events

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Wednesday June 6, 2007

You might be busy in the field this summer, but don't forget to think ahead and plan to take advantage of some learning opportunities to further your business. Consider these upcoming events: Concrete Foundations Association Summer Meeting, Aug. 9-11 American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC)Â Annual Conference, Sept. 13-16 Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF) Annual Meeting & Expo, Sept. 24-26 Concrete Countertop Industry Conference, Oct. 25-27

Immigration in Congress

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Friday May 25, 2007

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) recently issued a statementÂ against the current immigration bill now in the Senate. The NAHB is particularly concerned about employment verification provisions currently included in the bill. The bill is attracting a lot of attention among voters and political officials. You can read more about the immigration debate at Yahoo! News.

The critical issues

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Thursday May 17, 2007

You've probably recently received in the mail yourÂ April/May issue of Concrete Contractor.Â Â WhenÂ I sat down for my interview with the subjects of my cover story, Dennis and Gayle Purinton of Purinton Builders in East Granby, Conn., weÂ talked aboutÂ a lot of issues that didn't make it into the article. Dennis told me the three biggest challenges he faces as theÂ owner of a concrete firm are: 1.Â finding good employees 2. dealing with government regulations 3. risingÂ insurance costs In order to meet those challenges, Dennis offers full benefits for his employees to stay competitve in the market, is an activeÂ member in the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA) as a way to stay on top of government regulations...

Rising materials costs in your area?

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Tuesday May 15, 2007

AÂ recent article in The August Chronicle looks at how rising construction materials costs are increasing the overall costs of public sector jobs in Columbia County, Georgia. The article reports that according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Producer Price Index, concrete prices increased 0.8 percent in March and 5.3 percent over the past year. How are rising construction materials costs in your area affecting your business? Have you done anything to soften the blow from rising costs?

National 811 "call before you dig" number launched

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Tuesday May 8, 2007

Nationwide, there is more than one unintentional hit per minute every day of an underground utility line. On May 1, calling your local "digger's hotline" got a lot easier with the launch of the national 811 number. By calling 811 from anywhere in the United States, your call will be routed to the nearest "digger's hotline." The number is up and running from land lines, and most cell phone companies are currently in compliance or working on being in compliance shortly.

Workers are representatives of your company

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Monday April 30, 2007

A lot of contractors use their trucks as advertisements for their companies, making sure they are clean, neatly painted, and have the company name and phone number clearly visible toÂ potential customers driving downÂ the road. But what about your workers in the trucks? Workers' attitudes and behaviors can affect the way potential customers perceive your company. If a worker in one of your company's trucks is driving erratically down the road or is seen yelling profanities at other drivers, it will leaveÂ potentialÂ customers who witness these acts a negative association with your company and could lead to you loosing business. Click on the comment button below to tell me about the different rules you ask your employees to follow...

Help Promote Building Trades in Your Community

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Thursday April 5, 2007

If you're interested in helping to promote concrete and construction careers to young people in your area, talk with your local home building or concrete association to become a member of, or help create, a speakers bureau for area schools. And don't think an industrial arts class is your only audience - if you're a decorative concrete contractor, an art class is a great place to reach out to creative students. Your local or national associations may also offer scholarships to students who choose to pursue a career in the construction industry - help promote these scholarships with a simple call or e-mail to instructors in your community. Two websites designed for young people considering careers in any construction field can be found...

Young Employees Increasingly Hard to Find

By Rebecca Wasieleski - Wednesday April 4, 2007

I talk to contractors on the phone or in the field almost every day, whether it be for article interviews, training sessions I attend, or someone just calling up to say "hi" and offer an opinion or idea. One topic that often comes up in my conversations is a contractor's difficultly in finding young workers who want to enter the concrete business. Some business owners say today's Gen Yers and Gen Xers don't have the work ethic of previous generations. Others say that Baby Boomers have pushed their children to attend 4-year universities resulting in many young people overlooking a career in the trades. These are just some of the factors that have made it more difficult for you to find employees. A shortage of workers is taking its toll on...