Briefings

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Manufacturer news

Firestone makes donation

Firestone Building Products Co., Indianapolis, donated $5,000 to the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) Foundation during the 2004 MRCA Convention and Trade Show Oct. 13-15. The donation will be used toward the foundation's scholarship fund for individuals pursuing careers in the construction industry.

Since 1995, Firestone Building Products Co. has donated more than $50,000 to the MRCA Foundation.

Bilco opens new office

The Bilco Co., New Haven, Conn., has announced the opening of Bilco Far East, its new sales office. Bilco Far East is located in Wanchai, Hong Kong, and will serve customers in Hong Kong, China and other Asian countries. Greg Kennedy, international sales manager for Bilco, says Asia is "an important and fast-growing market" for the company.

DECRA sponsors demo home

Corona, Calif.-based DECRA Roofing Systems has announced it will be the 2005 official roofing sponsor of the NextGen Demonstration Home at the International Builders' Show this month in Orlando, Fla., and the company's roof system will be displayed on the home. The theme of the home is "Safe & Sound," and it will be built to resist natural disasters such as Florida's hurricanes and wildfires.

The demonstration home will be built using the Institute of Business and Home Safety's "Fortified ... for safer living" program, which includes specifications designed to protect homes from natural disasters.

Up the ladder

Performance Roof Systems Inc. has named Deanna Deloney chief operating officer.

Alfonso Gonzalez has been appointed chief financial officer of Steelscape Inc.

Berger Brothers. Co. has appointed David Stewart general manager.

Jason P. Tunney has been named field operations negotiator of Duro-Last® Roofing Inc.

The Bilco Co. has appointed Lawrence Wong regional sales and marketing manager for Bilco Far East.

Distributor news

ASI opens corporate office

ASI Building Products, Tampa, Fla., has opened a corporate headquarters office as a result of growth in local business and within ASI Building Products. The new facility is 68,000 square feet (6317 m²)—almost three times bigger than the old facility—and includes a showroom, warehouse, training center and office. The facility will function as the corporate headquarters for ASI Building Products' 15 locations in the Southeast, as well as a training facility for ASI Building Products' customers and corporate training program.

Other news

SPRI features new logo

SPRI's board of directors has adopted a new logo and tagline for the organization. For more effective identification, the new black and white logo now includes the words "Single Ply Roofing Industry." The tagline "Your source for Standards, Performance, Research and Information" has been added.

API issues a call for papers

The Alliance for the Polyurethanes Industry (API) has issued a call for papers and posters for its Polyurethanes Technical Conference and Trade Fair 2005 in Houston Oct. 19-22. Papers and posters submitted should address topics such as thermoplastic polyurethanes, flexible slabstock, equipment/machinery, adhesives and sealants. For more information, visit API's Web site, www.polyurethane.org.

TRI launches campaign

The Tile Roofing Institute (TRI) has launched a nationwide membership recruitment campaign to increase membership, raise awareness of tile roofing and draw new members to its annual membership conference in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 11-12. For the campaign, TRI has included associate membership categories for occupations such as importers, suppliers and distributors, as well as offered a charter membership program for roofing contractors and discounts for associate members. Member services include technical advice, market research, educational seminars and conferences.

Industry online

• Tremco Inc. has enhanced its Web site, www.tremcoroofing.com. Individual Web pages that highlight market segments such as education, government and health care, as well as the place of Tremco products in these markets, have been created. A list of Tremco products and descriptions are available by product category, and a Find a Representative page allows access to the locations of Tremco sales representatives. Tremco's updated Web site also includes a Quality Assurance page that allows customers to peruse information about Tremco's certification, fire testing, research and more.
  
  
• Bosch Power Tools and Accessories has redesigned its Web site, www.BoschTools.com. The Web site now features more product images, with 360-degree views of products, as well as video demonstrations. Users can download parts diagrams, warranty information and owners manuals, and a calendar of events and trade shows is available. The Web site's Product Services area is more detailed with information about Bosch programs such as Rapid Repair.™ The Bosch Web site also offers a "Buy It Now" feature that gives buyers an expanded list of online retailers.