Briefings

Manufacturer news

CertainTeed product featured on TV show

Valley Forge, Pa.-based CertainTeed Corp.'s Apollo® Solar Roofing System was featured on an episode of "Designing Spaces," a home improvement TV show on Lifetime® Television network. The episode was part of the TV show's "Think Green" series.

Katy Collardson, technical supervisor for CertainTeed Solar, discussed economical residential solar power and demonstrated how Apollo Solar Roofing System's photovoltaic panels can be integrated into existing asphalt or tile roof systems.

The home featured on the TV show is located in a community built by Vintage Residential Builders in Shreveport, La. Ranger Development LLC, Monroe, La., installed the 2.6-kilowatt, 60-panel Apollo Solar Roofing System along with CertainTeed's Landmark™ asphalt shingles in weathered wood, a gray-brown color that replicates the look of aged cedar shake. The shingles were manufactured and supplied by CertainTeed's Shreveport plant.

The episode aired March 1 and is available to view at www.designingspaces.tv/greenspaces.

Also, CertainTeed has published its second Corporate Sustainability Report available for download at www.certainteed.com/buildingresponsibly/literature.

The 32-page report outlines the company's environmental performance and future goals for energy conservation, water and waste reductions, and carbon emissions. It also highlights CertainTeed's initiatives for implementing a Sustainable Product Development program; investing in solar roofing solutions and training programs; forging meaningful partnerships to recycle products at the end of their useful lives; fostering an environmentally responsible and safe work environment; and more.

Drexel Metals redesigns logo

Drexel Metals Inc., Louisville, Ky., has redesigned its logo to reflect its commitment to delivering a cleaner, more contemporary and modern brand.

The logo demonstrates Drexel Metals' commitment to customers and highlights its ability to create custom-fabricated accessories, such as trim, domes, historical cornice and other custom components.

The new logo is the first step in Drexel Metals' multistep rebranding process, which will involve a minimum six-month transition and include new color cards, invoices, product guides, sales tools, website updates and more.

Firestone Building Products presents awards

Firestone Building Products Co. LLC, Indianapolis, has presented 2013 Master Contractor Awards to 260 firms from its network of more than 3,000 Firestone Red Shield® licensed roofing contractors throughout Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

The Master Contractor Award recognizes top Firestone Building Products-licensed contractors for the total square footage of quality roof systems installed and Quality Points accumulated for receiving outstanding inspection ratings on Firestone Red Shield warranted RubberGard™ EPDM, UltraPly™ TPO, UNA-CLAD™ metal and asphalt-based roof system installations.

The award winners collectively installed more than 240 million square feet of Firestone Building Products roof systems on new construction and reroofing applications during 2012.

The company also presented its Inner Circle of Quality Award, President's Club Award and Platinum Council Award during its awards ceremony held Feb. 17-20 in Miami.

The Inner Circle of Quality Award was presented to 173 firms. The award recognizes installers that have achieved 2013 Master Contractor status and installed a minimum of four Firestone Building Products roof systems during the past five years, maintained at least 2 million square feet of Firestone Building Products roof systems under warranty, and achieved an annual Quality Incidence Rating of 2.0 or less.

The President's Club Award was presented to 33 firms. The award distinguishes Master Contractors that have accrued the highest number of Quality Points for superior inspection ratings and total square footage of Firestone Red Shield-warranted roof system installations completed during the past year.

The Platinum Council Award was presented to 32 firms. The award recognizes Firestone Building Products licensed contractors that have surpassed the criteria needed to qualify as a Master Contractor and earned the highest quality points during 2011 and 2012.

The Bilco® Co. announces new representative

The Bilco Co., New Haven, Conn., has announced Blue Sky Sales Inc., Mesquite, Texas, has joined the company's representative network and will serve the Dallas territory.

Blue Sky Sales is a stocking distributor of various specialty building products that offers comprehensive sales, service and installation options to the construction market.

Contractor news

F.J.A. Christiansen Roofing receives award

F.J.A. Christiansen Roofing Co., Milwaukee, a Tecta America company, has received the 2012 Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin's Gold Safety Award of Honor.

The Gold Safety Award of Honor recognizes companies that have proved their safety records for lost workday cases and shown their total Occupational Safety and Health Administration recordables are 10 percent higher than the industry average. This year, the award was presented to 11 companies that have consistently gone above and beyond the minimum safety requirements.

FBI Contracting receives award

FBI Contracting LLC, Concord, N.H., has received the Shining Star Award from Kassel & Irons, Piqua, Ohio, for its performance in 2012.

The Shining Star Award is presented to roofing contractors in North America that exemplify superior customer service and quality resulting in high-volume sales.

Distributor news

SRS Distribution opens facilities

SRS Distribution Inc., McKinney, Texas, has opened three facilities: one in Fort Collins, Colo., under the Shake & Shingle Supply name; one in Salt Lake City under the Roofline Supply name; and one in Tacoma, Wash., under the Stoneway Roofing Supply name. The facilities will carry full lines of residential and commercial roofing products and focus on servicing each area's premier roofing and remodeling contractors and home builders.

Shake & Shingle Supply will complement SRS Distribution's Colorado Front Range team and will allow for complete distribution along Interstate 25 in Colorado and southern Wyoming; David Swayne will serve as branch manager. Roofline Supply will service Utah's Wasatch Front, including Ogden, Park Cities and Utah County, as well as the metropolitan Salt Lake City market; Russ Burton will serve as branch manager. And Stoneway Roofing Supply will service metropolitan Seattle and Tacoma's southern markets; Aaron Johnson will serve as branch manager.

Additionally, Berkshire Partners LLC, Boston, has acquired a majority interest in SRS Distribution from AEA Investors LP, New York. Members of SRS Distribution's management team will remain significant investors in the business.

ABC Supply Holding redeems shares

ABC Supply Holding Corp., Beloit, Wis., the parent company of ABC Supply Co. Inc., has entered a definitive agreement to redeem all shares held by its minority shareholders, an investor group led by Advent International, Boston. Upon closing the transaction, 100 percent of ABC Supply's shares will be controlled by the company's co-founder, Diane M. Hendricks.

Deutsche Bank, UBS Investment Bank and Bank of America Merrill Lynch provided committed financing for the transaction, which closed in April. UBS Investment Bank advised the majority shareholder, and Barclays Capital advised Advent International.

Affiliate news

Texas group announces 2013 officers and directors

The North Texas Roofing Contractors Association (NTRCA) announced its 2013 officers and board of directors during its Gala and Awards Banquet held Feb. 16.

Dave Custable, principal at TriVAN Roofing, Southlake, Texas, is president; Mike Huddleston, owner of Mike Huddleston Roofing Systems, Manfield, Texas, is past president; Craig Rainey, service manager for Supreme Roofing Systems, Dallas, is president-elect; and Chris Hickey, sales manager for PCH Sales, Frisco, Texas, is treasurer.

Also, the following were elected directors: Rhian Cooper, territory manager for Shelter Distribution, Dallas/Fort Worth; Kyle Davis, owner of Davis General Contractors, Euless, Texas; Tim Doyle, commercial territory manager for GAF, Wayne, N.J.; Greg Fawcett, owner of City Roofing Co., Fort Worth, Texas; Joe Henderson, partner at TICE Enterprises Ltd., Dallas; Jason Horton, account manager for Wholesale Roofing Supply, Grand Prairie, Texas; AJ Huckaby, owner of Springtree Roofing & Restoration, Allen, Texas; Chris Meyer, co-owner of Crosby Roofing, Halton City, Texas; Luciano Perez, safety coordinator for KPostCompany, Dallas; Tim Walker, managing partner for ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis.; and Gregg Walther, construction risk and insurance specialist at Independent Safety Services Inc., Dallas.

Additionally, NTRCA announced the winners of the Associate of the Year and Industry Leader awards. Kelly Lea, vice president of KPostCompany, received the Industry Leader award, and Susan Kittrell, outside sales representative for C-CAP, Lewisville, Texas, received the Associate of the Year award.

Other news

ASTM International proposes standard

ASTM International's proposed standard ASTM WK40056, "Specification for Adhesive Used with Modified Bituminous Sheet Materials," will reflect recent technological advances for asphalt adhesives. The standard is being developed by Subcommittee D08.20 on Roofing Membrane Systems, part of ASTM International's Committee D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing.

The standard will provide a way to describe the changes that have been made in the formulation and performance of asphalt adhesives currently available in the marketplace. Once approved, ASTM WK40056 will be used by government and private specifying agencies as well as by laboratories testing adhesive products for conformity, quality and reliability.

RCI Foundation establishes fund

The RCI Foundation has established the Lewis W. Newlan Educational Fund to assist students with scholarships, tuition and internships. The initial fundraising goal for the fund is $25,000.

Newlan, who passed away in August 2012, was a long-standing RCI Inc. member and a strong supporter of the RCI Foundation's work. He generously supported the foundation for more than a decade with an annual personal contribution.

Mike Blanchette, vice chairman for the RCI Foundation, and Newlan's former employer, Thompson Engineering, Mobile, Ala., initiated the fundraising effort with a $1,000 donation.

ARMA announces award winners

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) has announced the winners of its Quality Asphalt Roofing Case-Study (QARC) awards program.

Protech Roofing Service, San Diego, received gold for its work on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration building in La Jolla, Calif.; Chris Howard Roofing LLC, Mill Creek, Wash., received silver for its work on Mill Creek Community Association Residence, Mill Creek, Wash.; and NRCA member American Roofing & Metal Co. Inc., Louisville, Ky., received bronze for its work on American Life & Insurance Co., Louisville.

Each winner received a check from ARMA in the amounts of $2,000, $1,000 and $500 for gold, silver and bronze, respectively. The winning projects are featured on the QARC website, www.qualityasphaltroofingcasestudy.com. The QARC program recognizes architects, contractors and specifiers that use asphalt roofing materials on low- and steep-slope roof projects.

The center releases RoofPoint™ calculator

The Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing has released its RoofPoint Energy and Carbon Calculator. The calculator is designed to assist roofing professionals with measuring energy and environmental benefits of modern roof system technologies. It can be applied to a wide variety of roofing projects in different climates and locations.

More information is available at www.roofpoint.org and www.roofingcenter.org.

The Alliance adds new members

The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress has added two new member companies: USG SECUROCK® Roofing Solutions, Chicago, and KARNAK Corp., Clark, N.J.

Both companies have joined the Alliance at the Regent level. The companies' commitments entitle them to participate in the project task forces established to guide the Alliance's agenda and to attend the semi-annual meetings of the full Alliance.

For more information or to join the Alliance, visit www.roofingindustryalliance.net or contact Bennett Judson, the Alliance's executive director, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7513 or bjudson@roofingindustryalliance.net.

MRA introduces quality contractor program

The Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) has introduced the Investment Grade Roofing® Quality Contractor Program, an information resource that will highlight MRA member contractors that have agreed to meet specific standards and requirements regarding products, installation and business practices.

Metal roofing contractors may qualify for the program by certifying to MRA that they meet all program requirements and by providing supporting documentation, such as proof of insurance. Participating contractors must agree to train their employees, provide consumers with written contracts and promptly respond to consumer complaints. Contractors who complete the online application process at www.metalroofing.com and qualify for the program will be entitled to use the program logo and the Investment Grade Roofing Quality Contractor designation in their sales and marketing materials.

Rebuilding Together® and PrimeSource® enter partnership

PrimeSource has entered into a year-long partnership with Rebuilding Together, NRCA's national charitable organization, to provide PrimeSource Grip-Rite® products to Rebuilding Together's disaster recovery efforts for families and communities throughout the U.S.

After a disaster occurs and damages and needs are assessed, PrimeSource will work to support Rebuilding Together affiliates in affected areas with Grip-Rite tools and building materials, allowing Rebuilding Together to focus its efforts on recovery coordination and skilled volunteer recruitment.

The partnership kicked off during an Oct. 25, 2012, rebuild event in Orlando, Fla., where PrimeSource contributed resources and Grip-Rite tools and materials to Orlando resident Linda Lipofsky. Lipofsky's home was damaged by Hurricanes Frances and Charley in 2004. After becoming a victim of contractor insurance fraud, she was unable to complete the repairs necessary to move back into her damaged home.

RCMA offers VOC map subscriptions

The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) has made annual subscriptions to interactive Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Regulation Maps available for purchase to nonmembers; access to the maps is included with RCMA annual membership. The maps track the rules governing architectural and industrial maintenance coatings, as well as adhesives and sealants in U.S. states and California air districts.

The VOC Regulation Maps allow users to click on a state or region to view select portions of the rule, including VOC limits for several product categories, labeling and record-keeping requirements, volume exemptions, and active links to the full text of the applicable rule.

Specific maps for California track architectural and industrial maintenance and adhesives and sealants in each air district and include links to each district's rule, California Air Resources Board (CARB) district page and proprietary district page. Links also are provided to the model rules and suggested control measures from CARB, the Ozone Transport Commission and Environmental Protection Agency.

Access to VOC Regulation Maps will be sublicensed for $750 per use per year. More information is available at www.roofcoatings.org.

RISE™ announces new CSRPs™

Roof Integrated Solar Energy™ (RISE) Inc. has announced its newest Certified Solar Roofing Professionals™ (CSRPs). RISE's board of directors has conferred the CSRP designation on the following individuals for meeting established eligibility criteria, passing a challenging examination and agreeing to develop themselves professionally to remain current with changes in the field. The CSRP designation applies only to the individuals named. Companies are not certified. The following CSRPs successfully passed a rigorous exam Feb. 7 to obtain certification:

Jay Adler, vice president and project manager for Adler Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Joliet, Ill.
Tim Caldwell, P.E., general manager of Ruff Roofers Inc., Baltimore
Casey Colvin, project manager for Dow Solar, a division of The Dow Chemical Co., Denver
Chris L. Cooper, president of Mandal's Inc., Gulfport, Miss.
Arthur F. Dias, P.E., president of Eagle Rivet Roof Service Corp., Bloomfield, Conn.
Ryan Dill, project manager for NorthStar Construction Services Corp., Shirley, Mass.
Robert Fritz, AIA, RRC, vice president of Hatch Mott MacDonald, Jersey City, N.J.
Christopher Huntington, estimator for AAA Roofing Co. Inc., Indianapolis
Stephen Iwanicki, project engineer for SouthPoint LLC, Leominster, Mass.
Corey M. Strimer, P.E., president of Tri-State Roofing and Sheet Metal Co., Morgantown, W.Va.
Jeff Stuhlman, technical specialist for DERBIGUM Americas Inc., Kansas City, Mo.
Steven Toddie, president of JNS Builders LLC, St. Paul, Minn.
Zack Walters, sustainable roofing solutions manager for CentiMark Corp., Canonsburg, Pa.

RISE is accepting applications for its next CSRP exam Sept. 12. The deadline for submitting applications is Aug. 12, and applications are available at www.riseprofessional.org.

For more information about RISE and the CSRP designation, visit www.riseprofessional.org or contact John Schehl, RISE's executive director, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7503 or jschehl@riseprofessional.org.

The industry online

IKO Manufacturing Inc. has introduced a new app based on the company's RoofViewer™ software tool. The app is available for download on the Apple® iPad® from the Utilities section of Apple's app store at itunes.apple.com. It is designed to help homeowners and roofing professionals select shingles for any style of home. Users can upload a photo of a home and map its roof.

Atlas® Roofing Corp. has introduced its ProApp™ for the Apple® iPad® and iPad mini available for download from itunes.apple.com. The app, which operates on iCloud, allows contractors to input and access complete wall-to-wall project management and send the information to the app's estimates feature to generate accurate on-site estimates. ProApp also can generate a list of leads in a specific area. The app includes such sections as Testimonials, Presentation Builders, Shingle Visualizers and Storm Trackers, and it allows users to locate distributors and submit warranties.

CertainTeed Corp. has made available its Need an Estimate—Find a Pro tool available on any roofing, siding, fence, railing, decking and insulation product page at CertainTeed's website www.certainteed.com. The tool provides homeowners with a quick, simple way to find local contractors and secure estimates for exterior home renovation projects and provides contractors with inquiries from potential customers by leveraging homeowner traffic on CertainTeed's website.

GAF has introduced its Cool Roof Energy and Sustainability Tool (CREST) available at cool.gaf.com. CREST is designed to help contractors, consultants and building owners compare energy cost savings of different roof system options. The tool, which is enabled for mobile devices, preloads utility cost information, searches rebates by ZIP code and allows building professionals to print customized reports that include building-site images from publicly available, Internet-based mapping services.

Quest Specialty Chemicals has launched a new website for its wholly-owned subsidiary, Quest Construction Products, at www.quest-cp.com. The site features project profiles, detailed product information and highlights the company's history, recognition for manufacturing excellence and brands, including Hydro-Stop, United Coatings and StreetBond.

TAMKO® Building Products Inc. has introduced its Decking Styles and Shingle Styles apps for the iPad® available in Apple's app store, www.itunes.com/appstore. The Decking Styles app is a specialized, interactive tool that allows users to learn about TAMKO's composite decking and railing products. It features the Deck Viewer, which shows TAMKO's decking and railing products' styles and colors, and Sketch-a-deck, which allows contractors to provide custom drawings to customers on-site. Additionally, TAMKO Building Products has introduced the StyleSelect™ Roof Viewer on its website, www.tamko.com. The online tool is designed to allow homeowners to view different shingle colors and styles, exteriors and trim colors.

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) has redesigned its website, www.asphaltroofing.org. The website includes breaking news and product information categorized by market sectors: residential, commercial and roofing professional. The website now features a bookstore, and visitors will have direct access to ARMA's Fast Facts, MAT Releases, videos and cool roofing content through the website's home page.

Duro-Last® Roofing Inc. has introduced its Reference App for Android and iOS operating systems. The application is designed to be an information source for various market segments, including roofing contractors, commercial building owners, facility managers, architects, consultants and specifiers. It also provides an overview of the commercial roofing products and systems Duro-Last Roofing offers. Reference App is available for download from Google Play at play.google.com or from the Business section of Apple's app store at itunes.apple.com.

Up the ladder

CertainTeed Corp. has named Minas Apelian vice president of research and development.

SFS intec Inc. has named John Neil general manager of its Fastening Systems division.

New Tech Machinery has named Tom Laird national sales manager.


NRCA news

Mark Graham wins industry award

Graham

Mark Graham, NRCA's associate executive director of technical services, has received the North/East Roofing Contractors Association's Clarence J. Carr Roofing Industry Award for his service, contribution and dedication to the roofing industry.

Graham holds a bachelor's degree in architectural engineering from the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He joined NRCA in 1993 and is responsible for the association's Technical Services Section. In 2009, Graham received ASTM International's William C. Cullen Award for distinguished contributions and leadership to the field of roofing and waterproofing, and in 2012, he received the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association's James Q. McCawley Award for outstanding service to the roofing industry.

Graham also is a member of ASTM International and serves on ASTM International's Committees D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing, C16 on Thermal Insulation, E05 on Fire Standards and E06 on Performance of Buildings. He also is a member of ASHRAE, International Code Council and National Fire Protection Association.

NRCA University launches ProForeman Certificate Program

NRCA University has launched its ProForeman Certificate Program, the first of a series of roofing company employee certificate programs.

Through the ProForeman Certificate Program, roofing company owners can help establish career paths for their best employees while driving sales and gaining a competitive advantage. The program will help companies build credibility and increase professionalism with customers, as well as gain market differentiation by committing to the highest standards of roofing professionalism. For more information and to enroll in the ProForeman Certificate Program, go to www.nrca.net/proforeman or contact Amy Staska, NRCA's associate executive director of education, at (847) 493-7566 or astaska@nrca.net.


Events

May

16
Roofing Industry Fall Protection from A to Z
NRCA
Seattle
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net

23
CERTA Train-the-trainer Authorization
NRCA
Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net

24
CERTA Train-the-trainer Reauthorization
NRCA
Elk Grove Village, Ill.
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net

24-26
Roof India 2013
International Trade & Exhibitions India Pvt. Ltd.
Mumbai, India
Contact: International Trade & Exhibitions India
+91 44-3074 4444
www.roofindia.com

30
Roofing Industry Fall Protection from A to Z
NRCA
Phoenix
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net

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