Briefings

Contractor news

Hamlin Energy Solutions earns recognition

Hamlin Energy Solutions, Garner, N.C., has been recognized by Triangle Business Journal's 2008 Green Award for Entrepreneurial Effort/Innovative Idea of the Year.

Award winners were chosen from companies throughout North Carolina that successfully have introduced environmentally sustainable practices. The award recognizes Hamlin Energy Solutions for installing a building-integrated photovoltaic laminate rooftop solar power plant at its sheet-metal fabrication plant in Benson, N.C. According to the company, the rooftop power installation is the largest in North Carolina and recently surpassed 100,000 kWh of carbon-free electric power generation.

"We're delighted to receive the Green Award for our rooftop solar power plant," says Will Hamlin, Hamlin Energy Solutions' executive vice president. "This award is particularly important for us because it is chosen by professionals and experts in North Carolina who are making investments and discovering new ways for businesses and communities to be more environmentally friendly."

D.C. Taylor adds locations

D.C. Taylor Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has added two service locations, one in Dallas and the other in Rogers, Ark.

According to D.C. Taylor, each new service location is equipped with personnel and equipment required to make repairs, implement preventive maintenance, and extend roof systems' service lives for commercial and industrial customers in the south central U.S.

"We are able to invest in this growth because we have well-trained, professional employees who are focused on developing and maintaining long-term customer relationships and are driven to provide our customers with practical options, such as photovoltaics and other sustainable roof systems, that meet their needs today and well into the future," says Eric Hasselbusch, D.C. Taylor's vice president of business development.

In addition, D.C. Taylor has achieved Bay Area Green Business Certification from the Contra Costa County Green Business Program. The certification verifies that D.C. Taylor complies with all environmental regulations, conserves resources, prevents pollution and minimizes waste.

"Our business has always been dedicated to being an environmental leader," says Bo Meyersieck, D.C. Taylor's vice president. "We apply this not only to our daily operations but to products and services we offer to our customers. We are pleased to be recognized for our efforts."

Commercial Roofers wins award

Commercial Roofers Inc., Las Vegas, recently received The Associated General Contractors (AGC) Las Vegas' Skill, Integrity, Responsibility (SIR) Specialty Contractor of the Year Award.

The AGC SIR Specialty Contractor of the Year Award is the highest honor AGC presents to its subcontractor and supplier members. The award recognizes a recipient's political, regulatory, educational, community and industry advancement efforts, as well as support of AGC's events and programs and community involvement.

"This award for Commercial Roofers is significant because we are being recognized by AGC and the leading general contractors in the region," says Dennis Conway, Commercial Roofer's co-owner. "It also shows the hard work and dedication of our employees."

Manufacturer news

The Garland® Co. is honored

The Garland Co. Inc., Cleveland, is one of 67 Ohio-based companies recognized as the U.S.' fastest-growing private businesses by Inc. magazine's Inc. 5000.

In addition, the City of Cleveland Department of Economic Development and the Cleveland Citywide Development Corp. has named The Garland Co. the winner of its Brownfield Redevelopment Award, which honors Cleveland-based companies for their accomplishments in assisting the local community.

Additionally, The Garland Co. has been named one of the top 99 places to work in northeast Ohio by the Employers Resource Council. This is the ninth consecutive year The Garland Co. has received the honor.

"These recognitions demonstrate the commitment Garland has made to attracting and retaining top performers," says Wally Barch, director of recruiting and training for Garland Industries. "In today's competitive economy, finding the best people is directly tied to a company's performance in three critical areas: a track record of aggressive growth; involvement in its home community; and a supportive, people-first culture. Garland is proud to have been recognized for our achievements in all three areas."

GAF-Elk receives award

GAF-Elk Corp., Wayne, N.J., has received the Partners of Choice award from David Weekley Homes, a privately held home builder. This is the second consecutive year GAF-Elk has won the award.

The Partners of Choice award is based on David Weekley Homes' National Trading Partner Survey. The survey's ratings are provided by nearly 1,000 individuals within David Weekley Homes. Suppliers' quality and service are rated on a scale of one to 10, and the scores for each company are averaged and ranked among other participating companies.

Sixteen of about 150 vendors that do business with David Weekley Homes received the Partners of Choice award. GAF-Elk was given an "A" rating by the home builder and placed in the top 10 percent of the competing companies.

"GAF-Elk's mission is to become a world-class organization, and the David Weekley survey is an excellent way to measure world-class performance," says Dave Harrison, GAF-Elk's chief marketing officer. "We're honored to be named a Partner of Choice again, recognizing that our products are truly world class to the David Weekley organization."

Carlisle SynTec names suppliers

Carlisle SynTec Inc., Carlisle, Pa., has named Commercial Roofing Specialties (CRS) Inc. and CRS Sales and Marketing LLC, both based in Atlanta, exclusive suppliers of Carlisle SynTec roofing materials in Georgia and Tennessee. The partnership became effective Dec. 1, 2008.

"CRS has an outstanding reputation throughout the Southeast, and we are excited to have them handling our product line," says Nick Shears, Carlisle SynTec's vice president of sales and marketing. "With this change, Carlisle SynTec will be well positioned for strong and continued growth."

In addition, Carlisle Energy Services, a division of Carlisle Construction Materials, has signed a long-term sales contract worth up to $320 million with Fremont, Calif.-based Solyndra Inc., a proprietary photovoltaic systems manufacturer. The solar panels for the contract will be manufactured at Solyndra's facilities in Fremont and Milpitas, Calif.

Johns Manville opens TPO facility

Denver-based Johns Manville celebrated the opening of its Scottsboro, Ala., TPO roofing facility with a dedication ceremony Nov. 12, 2008. During the event, Johns Manville executives hosted a brief tour for Johns Manville customers and local and state dignitaries.

The TPO facility was completed in July 2008, and the first shipments left the facility in August 2008. The plant currently employs 35 employees and operates four days per week.

Sika Sarnafil recognizes consultants

Sika Sarnafil, Canton, Mass., has recognized NRCA member Roof Tech Inc., Merrillville, Ind.; NRCA member Independent Roofing Consultants Inc., Santa Ana, Calif.; and Roof Design and Consulting Services Inc., Knoxville, Tenn., for outstanding design and specification work.

Roof Tech won first-place recognition for its work specifying corrective actions for large portions of Carmel, Ind.-based Smokey Row Elementary School's leaking standing-seam roof system. Independent Roofing Consultants was awarded second place for its work with St. John's Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, Calif. Third-place recognition was given to Roof Design and Consulting Services for its work on a series of buildings at the Orange Grove Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Distributor news

Bradco Supply opens location

Bradco Supply Corp., Avenel, N.J., has opened a location in La Marque, Texas. The location is Bradco Supply's second in the greater Houston and Texas Gulf Coast area and will serve the areas around Galveston, Harris, Brazoria and the surrounding counties.

"We believe our La Marque location will enable us to better meet the needs of the entire Galveston area as it rebuilds after the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike," says Brad Segal, Bradco Supply's president. "We are manning the office with an experienced staff that has a combined track record of more than 100 years."

Up the ladder

Duro-Last® Roofing Inc. has named Roger Bowser corporate accounts sales representative; Ryan P. Buetow, Joshua A. Burk and Charles E. Duescher service technicians for Michigan for Duro-Last Roofing's quality-assurance department; and Kristofer D. Emerick customer service representative. Scott D. Franklin has joined Duro-Last Roofing's sales staff. Sara M. Jesse has been appointed switchboard operator, and Adam P. Johnson has been named a customer service representative. Karl M. Melcher has been appointed sales literature clerk; Michael R. Pawlaczyk customer service representative; James M. Schriber Northeast regional sales manager; Adam M. Scully customer service representative; and Jason G. Sieveke Southeast regional sales coordinator.

National Coatings Corp. has appointed Jessica Ortiz customer/sales support.

The industry online

CertaSpec,™ CertainTeed Corp.'s online roofing specification tool, has been updated. The tool is available at www.certainteed.com/certaspec.