Briefings

Manufacturer news

Siplast builds new facility

Siplast Inc., Irving, Texas, announced the construction of a new manufacturing facility located near Siplast's facility in Arkadelphia, Ark.

The new facility will be operational in mid-2006 and produce Parapro and Terapro products, which usually are imported. The new facility will help meet U.S. demand for the products.

Johns Manville to increase production

Johns Manville, Denver, has announced plans to build a new nonwoven glass mat production line at its Etowah, Tenn.-based facility.

According to industry projections, glass mat demand will exceed supply by 2006.

The line will be capable of producing more than 10 billion square feet (1 billion m²) of glass mat per year and be fully operational by 2007.

Elk enters credit agreement

Elk Premium Building Products Inc., Dallas, recently announced a multiyear agreement with General Electric (GE) Consumer Finance's Retail Sales Finance, Kettering, Ohio, to provide a consumer credit finance program.

The program, which launched in October 2005, is offered exclusively through Elk Peak Performance contractors. These contractors now have an opportunity to offer homeowners financing options with competitive rates and terms.

"GE's ability to respond quickly and accurately to credit applications was a big factor in our decision to choose them for our new consumer credit finance program," says Curt Barker, Elk Premium Building Products' senior vice president of sales and marketing. "We think this program will have a significant effect on our ability to empower our Peak Performance contractors to close more sales."

ATAS builds new facility

ATAS International Inc., Allentown, Pa., recently began construction on a new facility to expand warehousing and manufacturing capabilities. The 50,000-square-foot (4645-m²) building will be located behind the current corporate headquarters and is set for completion in spring.

Contractors donate through Firestone

Six roofing contractors recently worked with Firestone Building Products Co., Indianapolis, to install and repair roof systems through the Firestone Community Service Program. Since 1999, the program has rewarded participating contractors with a standard material credit for Firestone products installed as part of a donated labor community service project.

Following are the participating contractors and the organizations they helped:

Herzog Roofing Inc., Detroit Lakes, Minn.—Detroit Lakes Boys & Girls Club; NRCA member Holland Roofing of Cincinnati, Florence, Ky.—Our Savior Church, Covington, Ky.; NRCA member Industrial Roofing Corp., Lewiston, Maine—Nasson Community Center, Springvale, Maine; J.M. Young & Sons Inc., Belleville, Pa.—Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Belleville; LeClair Roofing & Weatherproofing Inc., Tewksbury, Mass.—Team Coordination Agency, Haverhill, Mass.; and Northern Metal & Roofing Inc., West Bend Division, West Bend, Wis.—Unified Catholic Schools of Oshkosh, Oshkosh, Wis.

"These companies donated time and talent to their communities, and Firestone Building Products is pleased to assist with these worthy projects," says Michael Gorey, president of Firestone Building Products and chief executive officer of BFS Diversified Products LLC.

Hunter Panels to build polyiso plant

Hunter Panels LLC, Portland, Maine, broke ground in November 2005 for a new polyisocyanurate insulation plant. Located in Smithtown, Pa., the 200,000-square-foot (18580-m²) facility is expected to be fully operational by the second quarter of this year.

Hunter Panels also has polyisocyanurate manufacturing plants in Florida, Illinois, New York, Texas and Utah.

GAF announces acquisition

GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J., recently acquired Headrick Building Products Inc., Cumming, Ga., a manufacturer of resin-based products for residential ventilation. The purchase will complement GAF Materials' Weather Stopper Integrated Roofing System.

Up the ladder

W.P. Hickman Systems Inc. has appointed Tony Nista director of marketing.

Elk Premium Building Products Inc. has promoted Jo Ann Cates Moreno to Elk Peak Performance Contractor program manager and named Mark Lenzer contractor development manager.

Other news

ARMA forms council, initiative

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) recently announced a promotion initiative for built-up roofing (BUR) and modified bitumen materials, which will be directed by a recently formed Quality Commercial Asphalt Roofing Council.

"The council's mission is to promote quality asphalt BUR and modified bitumen roof systems to raise the awareness of time-proven, quality commercial asphalt roof systems," says ARMA Executive Vice President Russ Snyder.

The promotion initiative is designed to assist BUR and modified bitumen producers and suppliers by raising awareness of high-quality asphalt roof systems to key decision makers. The council will pursue this through a two-phase, three-year promotion program.

The council includes asphalt roofing professionals such as producers, suppliers and manufacturers. The program also is open to ARMA's BUR and modified bitumen manufacturing member companies.

Industry online

Metro Roof Products recently has enhanced its Web site to provide more efficient search results for contractors and homeowners. Users can visit the site at www.smartroofs.com and www.metroroofproducts.com and view specific product information, such as roof specifications, profile charts, safety ratings and other data.

Elk Premium Building Products Inc. has redesigned its Web site, www.elkcorp.com. The site features the company's Virtual Home Remodeler, which gives users the option of choosing various exterior products for homes.

W.P. Hickman Co. has launched its Web site, www.wph.com. The site features details and specifications, as well as a wind design calculator to help users determine wind loads.