Briefings

Distributor news

Giuffre Bros. Cranes donates to cause

Milwaukee-based Giuffre Bros. Cranes Inc. joined Milwaukee radio station WKTI and the American Cancer Society in the first Bras for a Cause event in October 2007. Bras for a Cause was developed to increase breast cancer awareness.

Women in the Milwaukee area were asked to donate new or slightly used bras, which were hooked together, strung between two Giuffre Bros. Cranes boom trucks and positioned in a parking lot near a heavily traveled highway. After the bras were displayed, they were washed and distributed to Milwaukee-area womens shelters.

Additionally, Giuffre Bros. Cranes provided free equipment for an annual pumpkin drop event held in Milwaukee. The event included a contest in which children were asked to guess a pumpkin's correct weight. A Giuffre Humpty Dumpster attached to a Terex 5092 boom truck hoisted the pumpkin 90 feet over a parking lot. The contest ended with the winning child pulling a lever and releasing the pumpkin, which weighed 350 pounds.

ADVANCED Architectural Sheet Metal wins award

Chicago Heights, Ill.-based ADVANCED Architectural Sheet Metal Inc. has been named 2007 Supplier of the Year by the Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA). The annual award recognizes a CRCA member supplier's professionalism, product knowledge, service, helpfulness and integrity.

"We couldn't be prouder of our employees," says Cathy Schouten, one of ADVANCED Architectural Sheet Metal's principal owners.

Contractor news

The Hamlin Cos. launches new division

Garner, N.C.-based The Hamlin Cos. has launched Hamlin Energy Solutions, a division that designs and installs solar energy solutions for commercial and industrial construction. The division uses a six-step process to install flexible, flat-panel building-integrated photovoltaic laminates that generate power on rooftops.

"Recent technology improvements have increased the reliability and efficiency of the thin-film solar laminates used in our system," says Will Hamlin, Hamlin Energy Solutions' executive vice president. "With the accelerated returns on investments made possible through state and federal tax credits and incentive programs, solar energy systems are seeing increased demand from corporations, schools and the government."

Tecta America expands call center

Mankato, Minn.-based Schwickert's, a Tecta America company, has expanded the Tecta America National Call Center, which is based at Schwickerts' headquarters and manages incoming calls for all Tecta America national accounts.

Schwickert's cites rapid growth in accounts and required support for Tecta America's expanding national account base as reasons for expanding the call center.

Open Energy signs distribution agreement

NRCA member Open Energy Corp., Solana Beach, Calif., has signed a distribution agreement with Newark, Calif.-based Petersen-Dean Roofing Systems to supply Open Energy's SolarSave® photovoltaic tiles on new residential construction throughout the U.S. The agreement includes a minimum commitment to purchase Open Energy's SolarSave products, including tiles and balance of system equipment.

"After careful research into the market, we believe solar electric systems significantly can reduce energy costs and increase property values for our clients," says Jim Petersen, Petersen-Dean Roofing Systems' chief executive officer. "We believe that SolarSave Tiles integrated with standard cement tiles provide an elegant and functional solution for incorporating solar systems into tile-roofed homes."

Manufacturer news

W.P. Hickman Systems becomes subsidiary

NRCA member W.P. Hickman Systems Inc., Solon, Ohio, is now a subsidiary of Naples, Fla.-based Serefex Co., a publicly traded manufacturing company.

Steve Harnish, W.P. Hickman Systems' president and chief executive officer, says the company plans to grow by expanding its sales staff into new markets and through partnerships, corporate initiatives and product development. W.P. Hickman Systems also plans to focus on green roofing initiatives.

"W.P. Hickman Systems is a well-respected national company with a good business model, qualified people and a sound plan for growth," says Brian S. Dunn, Serefex's president and chief executive officer. "Serefex's goal is to contribute capital toward W.P. Hickman Systems' growth plans."

Dow Building Solutions reconfigures assets

Dow Building Solutions, Midland, Mich., a business unit of Midland-based The Dow Chemical Co., has reconfigured its polyisocyanurate assets in North America, resulting in the closure of Dow Building Solutions' facilities in Texarkana, Ark., and Tracy, Calif. Both facilities manu­factured rigid polyisocyanurate foam insulation for general insulation applications.

Dow Building Solutions cites the facilities' low asset utilization, low profitability and need for significant investment compared with other opportunities as reasons for the sites' closures.

"We are preferentially investing in technology and growth opportunities that provide valuable solutions for the building industry," says Torsten Kraef, Dow Building Solutions' vice president. "The reconfiguration of our polyisocyanurate assets enables us to pursue additional projects that deliver value to our customers and Dow Building Solutions."

Reichel & Drews forms strategic alliance

NRCA member Reichel & Drews Inc., Itasca, Ill., has formed a strategic alliance with Joliet, Ill.-based Quad Plus LLC, a control systems design company.

The companies will offer integrated solutions for the production of asphalt shingles and polymer-modified bitumen membranes to the global roofing market.

Holding company acquires Hydro-Stop

NRCA member Hydro-Stop Inc., Charles­ton, S.C., has been acquired by Seabrook, N.H.-based Quest Specialty Chemicals Inc.™ in an asset purchase. Hydro-Stop will keep its name, headquarters, management and staff and continue its existing customer obligations, distribution channels and product line.

Quest Specialty Chemicals is part of a network of finishings and coatings manufacturers, which includes NRCA member United Coatings, Spokane Valley, Wash.

"Joining the Quest Specialty Chemicals team is a great opportunity for Hydro-Stop," says Nick Causey, Hydro-Stop's co-founder. "As an East Coast manufacturer conducting business in the Western U.S. and Pacific Rim countries, there are many advantages to having a strategic alliance with a West Coast manufacturing partner like United Coatings."

Up the ladder

EcoStar® has named Carl Bleakney southern regional sales manager.

Firestone Building Products Co. LLC has named Ruben Garcia asphalt and insulation product manager; Riaz Hasan accessories product manager; and Dwayne Wacenske thermoplastics product manager.

Grace Construction Products has named Jennifer Hitch and Matthew Offenberg members of its field technical services team.

Trimline® Building Products has named Gary DeFerrari western regional sales manager and Matt Riley central regional sales manager.

W.P. Hickman Systems Inc. has named Steve Harnish president and chief executive officer.

Industry online

Copper roofing washers now are available through www.roofingwashers.com, an online resource for purchasing roofing washers.

Berger Building Products Inc. has launched its Web site, www.bergerbuildingproducts.com, which features product drawings and specifications, as well as a document center, press release archive and company directory.

Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC has launched its Web site, www.buildpaperless.com, which features information about green and sustainable building practices, mold prevention and weather-related issues.

Other news

BOMA joins green initiative

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International joined New York-based ALM's Real Estate Media Division and the U.S. Green Building Council in a study focused on the financial and marketing benefits of green technologies in existing commercial buildings.

The study found green buildings have occupancy rates between 75 and 100 percent, with 21 percent of respondents stating increased occupancy levels resulted from green initiatives. The study also found more than 60 percent of responding executives claimed a return on their green investments. Additionally, the study found maintaining a green building typically is not more expensive than maintaining a comparable conventional building.