Briefings

Manufacturer news

Firestone Building Products to open plant

Indianapolis-based Firestone Building Products Co. has started construction of a 256,000-square-foot TPO manufacturing plant and distribution center in Las Vegas. The facility, which is scheduled to open during the third quarter of this year, will house Firestone Building Products' fifth TPO membrane production line.

"This strategic expansion will help us meet growing regional demand for heat-reflective UltraPly™ TPO roof systems and enable us to continue providing timely job-site delivery," says Mike Gorey, president of Firestone Building Products and chief executive officer of Indianapolis-based BFS Diversified Products LLC.

In addition, GenFlex Roofing Systems LLC, Maumee, Ohio, has announced it will phase out its PVC offerings by midyear and increase TPO production through use of Firestone Building Products' manufacturing plant and distribution center in Las Vegas. Firestone Building Products and GenFlex Roofing Systems are owned by BFS Diversified Products.

Firestone Building Products also has announced it will build a 160,000-square-foot distribution center adjacent to its EPDM manufacturing plant and distribution center in Prescott, Ark. The facility, which will be Firestone Building Products' sixth distribution center, will house its line of single-ply roof systems and rooftop accessories. The distribution center is scheduled to open in late spring.

Sarnafil changes name

Canton, Mass.-based Sarnafil Inc. has changed its name to Sika Sarnafil Inc. Sarnafil was purchased by Sika AG, Baar, Switzerland, in 2005.

"The new name is reflective of the new ownership and business strategy to take advantage of the resources that Sika AG brings to bear without changing the corporate culture or commitment to high-quality products our customers have come to expect from us," says Brian Whelan, president and chief executive officer of Sika Sarnafil.

Other news

BOMA enters agreement with USGBC

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International has entered into an agreement with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to promote energy efficiency and environmentally responsible building operations and practices to BOMA-member building owners, operators and property managers.

Initiatives for the agreement include joint promotional activities, such as collaboration at BOMA's North American Commercial Real Estate Congress and The Office Building Show in New York in July and USGBC's Greenbuild Con­ference and Expo in Los Angeles in October and educational offerings, such as Web-based seminars about energy efficiency and green building practices.

SPRI celebrates 25th anniversary

SPRI celebrated its 25th anniversary during its Annual Conference and Business Meeting in San Diego Jan. 12-14. The conference featured speakers and topics detailing SPRI's accomplishments during the past 25 years.

Additionally, SPRI has released an interim report on its study, Evaluating the Energy Performance of Ballasted Roof Systems. The study's purpose is to see whether ballasted roofs offer energy-efficiency benefits similar to those offered by cool roofs. The complete report is available to download for free at SPRI's Web site, www.spri.org.

SPRI also has appointed Mike Ennis technical director. Ennis, who previously worked as technical leader for the North American Building and Construction Commercial Products business for The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., replaced David L. Roodvoets, who has retired after serving as SPRI's technical director for the past 11 years.

Up the ladder

OMG Roofing Products Inc. has named Andy Cleveland OlyBond™ product manager; Joe DiSanto customer service manager; Sean Kelly Eastern regional sales manager; Brent Kreutzer national accounts manager; Corey Rohland Western regional sales manager; Stephen Trites Southeast regional sales manager; and Brian Wroblesky Midwest regional sales manager.

Polyglass® USA has named Andy Hastings chief operating officer and Joe Mooney III vice president—business unit manager of its Hazleton, Pa.-based manufacturing facility. In addition, Greg Perkins now is vice president—business unit manager of its Fernley, Nev.-based manufacturing facility.

Contractor news

Roofing industry member passes away

John Stump Jr., owner of Lowndes Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Valdosta, Ga.; former president of the Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association of Georgia; and former member of NRCA's board of directors, passed away Nov. 25, 2006. Stump was 55.

Stump is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Stump and Laura Washnock; sisters, Linda Durgin and Shirley Miller; brother, Tom Stump; grandchildren, Aidan and Aubrey Washnock; and uncle, Robert L. Stump.

Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com.

Industry online

Tarco has launched its updated Web site, www.tarcoroofing.com. The site features information about Tarco Roofing's traditional roll roofing products, as well as its new line of LeakBarrier® products. The site also includes case studies, specifications and news.