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Education is not only about honing technical skills but also emphasizing the importance of quality, efficiency, and safety. A well-trained contractor and crew are more likely to deliver top-notch results, gaining satisfied clients, which leads to more referrals and more business. The construction industry is evolving rapidly with the integration of technology, new materials, stricter codes, and evaluations, all requiring more awareness and education on standards, methods and procedures.
The demand for construction laborers, either skilled or entry level, has outpaced supply, creating a major issue on developing a business plan for upcoming projects. Fox Blocks has created the Integrated Learning Center, which for the last three years has successfully offered free Primary Installer and another advanced training to hundreds of potential entry level employees and existing contractors.
To address the labor shortage Fox Blocks plans to implement and promote ‘Opportunity Training’. This will encourage Fox Blocks certified contractors searching for entry level laborers, with ICF knowledge, to host a Primary ICF Installer classroom training session with a Fox Blocks Advisor. After the class the host contractor may interview some of the successful students for possible entry level employment. The program will also ask any student taking this course, either online or in a classroom, if they are interested in the opportunity for employment in construction with an ICF contractor in your area. Fox Blocks contractors searching for entry level laborers will be able to contact Fox Blocks to find candidates in their area.
Together we can develop a quality Fox Blocks crew that has been trained by one of the most thorough training programs in the industry ensuring that the next generation of contractors is well-prepared to meet the challenge.
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Integrated Learning Center (ILC) |
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At Fox Blocks, we champion contractor and installer education through the recognized initiatives of our Integrated Learning Center, which is now celebrating its third anniversary. The ILC website also offers a comprehensive video library with links to valuable resources and tutorials by our experienced contractors and training department. Whether you’re aspiring to join the construction industry or to have you and your crew enhance their ICF skills, take advantage of our FREE Fox Blocks Training, available online or through live classroom sessions. Level up your skills to become a certified Fox Blocks ICF Installer well trained in ICF installations. Register online by clicking the button below. |
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The Importance of Jobsite Signs & Banners |
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Experience tells us that everyone is drawn Fox Blocks builds. Site signage and banners are a very important advertising tool not only for Fox Blocks, but for our contractor base. There is an inventory of signs (Fox-Sign) and banners (Fox-Banner) that can be distributed to our major contractors and used on the project sites for advertising Fox Blocks High-Performance Walls. We encourage you to ask for order signage with each Fox Blocks order and use them on your job sites. |
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Party Wall Construction: Why ICFs Are the Best Option |
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What is the Strongest Foundation for a House?
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Crafting the Perfect Self-Storage Facility: Design and Layout Tips |
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Party wall construction plays a crucial role in the development of townhouses, condominiums, and duplexes. It is an important aspect that ensures structural integrity, privacy, and sound insulation between adjoining properties. Party walls are strategically placed to separate individual units within a shared structure, to provide privacy, fire protection, and structural stability. |
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The foundation is fundamental to the longevity, strength, and structural soundness of a house. Homeowners and professionals often ask, "Which foundation is the most effective for a house?" |
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Self-storage facilities provide storage solutions for individuals and businesses in cities and suburbs, but did you know that the design and layout of these types of facilities play a crucial role in their functionality, accessibility, and appearance? Every detail, from parking spaces to construction materials, contributes to the overall efficiency and success of the storage facility. |
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CHATHAM MIXED-USE Fairhope, AL |
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Project Highlights - Total Sq. Ft.: 6,891
- Total Fox Blocks Use: 6,379
- Total Construction: 80 weeks
- ICF Installation: 1st Level 7 days & 2nd Level 8 days
- Contractor: Rick Twilley, Twilley Builders, Inc.
- ICF Installer: Rodney & Paul Hubble, Force 5 Walls Inc.
- Architect: Bob Chatham, Bob Chatham Custom Home Design
- Forms Used: 4", 6", and 8" Core
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Medical Products Manufacturer Houston, TX |
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Project Highlights - Total Sq. Ft.: 64,000
- Total TRUEGRID Use: 1,200 SF
TRUEGRID DECK an addition to the TRUEGRID PRO PLUS system, made its debut in a 64,000 SF employee parking lot for a medical products manufacturer. 1200 sf of DECK was installed for handicap parking spaces attached to the gravel filled PRO PLUS lot. Learn more by clicking the button below |
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Upcoming Trade Shows & Events |
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11/1-11/3 Expo Québec Vert 2023 Booth #TBD Beauparlant, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC 11/1-11/3 BWS Future Schools Summit Bowling Green, KY 11/2 Ottawa Home Hardware PRO Show, Booth #44 Ottawa, ON 11/2 - 11/03 TxA Design Conf. & Expo Booth #749 Dallas, TX 11/13- 11/15 PSP/Deck Expo 2023 Booth #5055, Las Vegas Convention Center 11/16-11/17 KOA Convention & Expo, Booth #1204 South Point Resort & Casino Las Vegas, NV
11/22 Winnipeg Home Hardware PRO Show Booth #8, Red River Exhibition , MB 11/27 Kelowna Home Hardware PRO Show Booth #15, Royal LePage Place, BC 11/30 - 12/2  The Buildings Show (TBS)  Booth #1837  Toronto, ON |
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Integrated Learning Center |
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Register on the ILC site for the next level of installer training - Journeyman, Master and Elite Premier. Dealers register for the Fox Blocks Product Knowledge course. This course requires a code which you can get from your Regional Advisor. |
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Registre en el sitio web CAI por la proxima nivel de entrenatamiento instalador - Journeyman, Master, e Elite Premier. Distribuidores puede registrar para el curso Conocimiento Producto de Fox Blocks. Este curso se requiere un código que puede obtener desde su Asesor Regional. |
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Revendeurs : Veuillez créer un compte GRATUIT et vous inscrire au cours de connaissance des produits Fox Blocks dès aujourd'hui ! Ce cours nécessite un code que vous pouvez obtenir auprès de votre conseiller régional. |
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Upcoming Live Primary ICF Installer Trainings |
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11/7-11/8 Hosted by Nu Tech at Barton Colorado Springs, CO Day 1: 8AM-12PM Classroom Instruction & 12PM-4Pm Hands-On Build Day 2: 8AM-4PM Hands-On Build 12/12 Hosted by Hatch Concrete at Taylor Airport, Taylor AZ 12/13 Hosted by ICF Specialist, Hampton Inn by Hilton, Queen Creek, AZ |
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Could you be our next highlighted Certified Installer?
This initiative aims to recognize and present outstanding contractors who possess up-to-date installer certifications (wallet cards and certificates) across the Journeyman, Master, and distinguished Elite Premier ICF Installer Levels. Is your Wallet Card expired? Create your FREE Integrated Learning Center Account to begin the process to updating your credentials today! Learn anywhere, anytime at your pace. |
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David McIlwain Creative Building Products in Ashland, VA |
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Pictured: David McIlwain & Michelle Boyle, Fox Blocks Customer Account Representative - Eastern Canada & U.S. Northeast |
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"In 1988, our journey with Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) began, and we knew we were onto something game-changing when combined with solar energy. With a background in architectural design, specializing in solar energy integration, I recognized the paramount importance of creating a tight thermal envelope with a high R-value for solar homes. It was evident - ICFs were the solution. My commitment led me to take a training class for Polysteel in Omaha, where I also had the privilege of touring the Airlite Plastics Co. facility.
Throughout my career, I've distributed various ICF brands such as Polysteel, Reward Wall, ECO Block, and ARXX. However, it was a serendipitous encounter with Brian Medford that steered me towards Fox Blocks. I was convinced that Fox Blocks not only offered the best form system, but also boasted the industry's finest support.
One of my remarkable abilities lies in cultivating strong relationships with custom builders who recognize the unmatched advantages of ICFs. 'Once builders experience the superior quality and efficiency of ICF projects, they become loyal clients, returning for more. While contractors are increasingly recognizing ICFs as a superior building product, a substantial segment of demand comes directly from end-users who desire the product.'
Hence, it's imperative for distributors to educate the general public about the availability of ICFs in their area. This education can take various forms, including participation in home shows and securing news stories in the local press. An exemplary instance of this proactive approach is our collaboration with Habitat for Humanity. Recently, we embarked on a collaborative project with Williamsburg Habitat for Humanity involving four houses. We extended invitations to contractors and homeowners eager to learn about ICFs, fostering a hands-on approach. Local press coverage ensued, contractors volunteered their time to gain expertise in ICF construction, and homeowners keen on building their homes joined us.
Through this initiative, we cultivated relationships with two homeowner volunteers, assisting them in designing their dream homes and connecting them with skilled installers. The results were a win-win-win situation: Habitat for Humanity constructed top-quality homes, homeowners realized their dreams, contractors gained valuable ICF knowledge, installers secured new projects, and Creative Building Products & Fox Blocks garnered significant positive publicity.
My journey is a testament to the transformative power of ICFs in the construction industry. Through unwavering commitment, community engagement, and collaboration with Habitat for Humanity, we have not only built homes but also lasting partnerships and goodwill in our community. Together, we are winning, and the future looks even brighter." |
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"If I could clone Dave McIlwain, to be the point of contact for all of my customers, I would! Dave’s a great multi-tasker, constantly on top of managing his multiple projects/Fox Blocks orders. Dave’s many years of working with ICFs means he is usually spot on, in calculating what will fit on any given load, which makes configuring trucks for him, super easy. I was pleased, this past summer, to have had the opportunity to meet Dave in person, during a vacation I took to the eastern U.S.!" Michelle Boyle, Fox Blocks Customer Account Representative |
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Thank you Dave! Keep up the excellent work! |
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Creative Building Products Projects |
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Groundbreaking ceremony for the Williamsburg Habitat for Humanity at “The Pines” in Charles City County where we are constructing four Fox Blocks homes. |
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Volunteers, Homeowners and Instructing Installers laying out the 1st course at Williamsburg’s Habitat for Humanity |
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One of Four Ready for Shingles |
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Additional Creative Building Projects |
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This is a 17,000 sq. ft. home with a full basement and a
swimming pool under the garage. The homeowner wanted
to be his own GC, so he contracted with Creative Building Products to consult with
him on building his home. "For a homeowner I thought he did a pretty good job." -Dave McIlwain |
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"The homeowner wanted to have access to the backyard
without a driveway, boy did I have the answer. Trust me,
beneath the grass is TRUEGRID." |
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The first building of a six-building office park. The Office Park will be completed by the end of this year. The Contractor: Creekmore Office Park LLC Installer: The GC own crew trained by Creative Building Products. |
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Here is a classic passive solar design. Note the 42” cornice overhang which allows for the winter sunlight to penetrate 10 to 12 feet into the rooms; and in the summertime the overhang prevents any sun from shining into the rooms. The first floor is an elevated concrete slab with dark gray slate tile. The north side of the house has minimal glass. General Contractor: ICF Homes of VA & Installer: Adam Oliff Contractors |
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Start Today, Excel Tomorrow: The journey to becoming a top ICF Installer starts here. Sign up today and excel in your construction career tomorrow. |
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