Briefings

Manufacturer news

Firestone Building Products names distributors

Firestone Building Products Co. LLC, Indianapolis, has named NRCA member Bradco Supply Corp., Avenel, N.J., and JGA/Southern Roof Center, Atlanta, as distributors in Georgia and Metro Roofing & Metal Supply, Nashville, as a distributor in Tennessee. The companies now distribute Firestone Building Products' complete line of EPDM, TPO, polymer-modified bitumen and metal roof systems; polyisocyanurate insulation; and accessories.

In addition, Firestone Building Products donated $5,000 to the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) Foundation during the MRCA National Convention in Grapevine, Texas. Including this donation, Firestone Building Products has donated more than $70,000 to the MRCA Foundation since 1995.

"We are grateful for Firestone Building Products' latest donation to the MRCA Foundation," says Bob Swanda, the MRCA Foundation's president. "Firestone Building Products' financial contributions prove its ongoing commitment to the instruction and training of future roofing professionals."

Additionally, Firestone Building Products has collaborated with several of its licensed roofing contractors to assist local communities through the Firestone Community Service Program. Qualified Firestone Building Products' roofing contractors are awarded material credit for installing the company's products as part of a donated labor community service project.

NRCA member Greenberg Roofing Co., Fargo, N.D., donated labor and time to reroof the Fargo Salvation Army building's 640-square-foot roof system.

Herzog Roofing, Detroit Lakes, Minn., reinstalled Firestone ISO 95+™ polyisocyanurate insulation and ballasted 45-mil-thick Firestone RubberGard™ EPDM on the Hawley, Minn.-based REACH volunteer center's 41-square-foot roof system.

NRCA member Houck Services Inc., Harrisburg, Pa., reroofed the home of the winning family in WHTM Channel 27's Midstate Home Makeover Contest.

NRCA member Nordmann Roofing Co., Toledo, Ohio, donated a portion of a new roof to Rossford High School in Rossford, Ohio.

Plescia Roofing Inc., Norwood, N.J., installed a 160,000-square-foot roof system on the Holy Family Catholic Academy in Norwood.

NRCA member Richard L. Sensenig Co., Lancaster, Pa., donated labor and materials to install a new roof system on the Twin Valley Bible Chapel in Narvon, Pa.

And NRCA member S.G.O. Roofing & Construction LLC, Lakeville, Minn., installed a roof system on the new American Cancer Society Twin City Hope Lodge in Minneapolis.

The Dow Chemical Co. establishes program

Midland, Mich.-based The Dow Chemical Co. has established the Dow Only Representative Trustee (ORT) to leverage registrations for the European Union's (EU's) Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) regulation.

Enacted in 2007, REACH stipulates that companies manage the risks of all chemical substances and preparations they produce, import, process, use and/or distribute in the EU in quantities greater than one ton per year. According to The Dow Chemical Co., the Dow ORT will make it easier for EU importers to fulfill their REACH registration obligations.

EternaBond leader retires

Gail Margarites, who has served as president and vice president of EternaBond Inc., Mundelein, Ill., has retired. She will continue to sit on the company's board of directors.

"It's a blessing and a privilege to be allowed to retire at a relatively young age," Margarites says. "I plan to stay involved in a reduced capacity mainly to stay connected to all the friends we have made over the years."

CertainTeed receives recognition

CertainTeed Corp., Valley Forge, Pa., has been awarded the U.S. Department of Energy's 2008 Save Energy Now Award. The award recognizes CertainTeed's efforts to reduce energy use at its Shreveport, La., manufacturing facility.

According to CertainTeed, the company has reduced the facility's natural gas use 15 percent during the past year. Most of the savings were accomplished by replacing an old boiler and integrating two smaller boilers that can be used independently and calibrated to meet the facility's changing energy needs.

"The recognition we have received from the Save Energy Now Award program is a testament to our commitment and holistic approach to sustainability," says Tony Arellano, the facility's plant manager. "We are making great strides in reducing our impact on the environment while developing products that are long-lasting and help conserve the use of natural resources."

Englert launches environmental unit

Englert Inc., Perth Amboy, N.J., has formed its Englert Environmental unit. The unit will provide renewable resource solutions for roofing and rainware systems that play roles in collecting solar electric and thermal energy.

According to the company, Englert Environmental has partnered with technology and service providers—including photovoltaic, inverter and mounting solution providers and solar thermal suppliers—to provide high-quality, cost-effective technology, products and services.

"Englert Environmental's goal is to lead the development and implementation of integrated roofing technologies, now and in the future, that can cost-effectively reduce fossil fuel energy usage and air pollution and better manage our dwindling water resources," says Tom Dyszkiewicz, Englert's senior vice president of business development.

Contractor news

CentiMark receives award

CentiMark Corp., Canonsburg, Pa., has been named Cleveland-based Corporate United's 2008 Supplier of the Year.

The award is given annually to the supplier that ranks highest in overall satisfaction among Corporate United members. Corporate United members rate suppliers on account management, pricing, quality level, breadth of offerings and overall satisfaction.

"The Supplier of the Year Award is something Corporate United and our members take seriously," says Marc Rosen, Corporate United's president. "We are proud to honor CentiMark as our 2008 Supplier of the Year as this award speaks volumes to the exceptional service the company provides our members."

Affiliate news

MRCA names officers

The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) has named its 2009 slate of officers and directors. The officers and directors were elected during MRCA's National Conference.

John Daly, vice president of NRCA member Kaw Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Kansas City, Kan., has been named MRCA president. Ronnie McGlothlin, president of NRCA member Empire Roofing Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, has been named first vice president; James L. Ramser, vice president of NRCA member Highland Roofing Co. Inc., Louisville, Ky., has been named second vice president; Randy Adams, president of NRCA member R. Adams Roofing Inc., Indianapolis, has been named secretary/treasurer; and Rodney Petrick, vice president of NRCA member Ridgeworth Roofing Co. Inc., Bridgeview, Ill., has been named chairman of the board.

Additionally, MRCA honored Robert Swanda Jr., vice president of Independent Roofing Co., Omaha, Neb., with its James Q. McCawley Award, which is the highest honor MRCA bestows. The award annually recognizes an individual for his or her outstanding service to the roofing industry.

Hawaii association names officers

The Roofing Contractors Association of Hawaii (RCAH) has elected Charlie Beeck, president of Tropical Roofing and Raingutters Inc., Honolulu, RCAH president.

Guy Akasaki, president of Commercial Roofing and Waterproofing, Honolulu, will serve as vice president; Tai Ai, branch manager for Alcal Hawaii, Kapolei, will serve as treasurer; and Bernadette Robins, president of Shafer's Roofing, Waipahu, will serve as secretary.

Other news

ARMA launches coalition

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) has joined roofing ventilation companies to form the Roof Assembly Ventilation Coalition (RAVC). Based in Washington, D.C., RAVC is a coalition created within ARMA to help identify sound science regarding steep-slope roof system ventilation.

RAVC was launched Aug. 22, 2008, during ARMA's summer meetings. Gary Urbanski, sales and marketing manager for NRCA member Trimline Building Products Co., Minneapolis, has been named RAVC's chairman.

RAVC's charter members are Air Vent Inc., Dallas; Benjamin Obdyke, Horsham, Pa.; Canplas Industries Ltd./Duraflo, Ontario; Diversi-Plast Inc., Minneapolis; Lomanco of Jacksonville, Ark.; and Metal-Era Inc., Waukesha, Wis.

MCA announces contest winners

The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has announced the winners of its 11th Annual MCA Student Design Competition. The design competition featured a record 142 entries from schools in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Greece, Hong Kong, Japan and the U.S.

First place was awarded to Lee Parmenter of the University of Colorado, Denver, whose project was sponsored by Associate Professor Osman Attmann. Second place was awarded to Jason Roberts of Judson University, Elgin, Ill., whose project was sponsored by Assistant Professor David Ogoli. A design by Ryan Jensen of the University of Colorado and also sponsored by Attmann was awarded third place.

Andy Koglin, AIA, vice president of OKW Architects, Chicago, and Eric Ellis, project manager for the American Collegiate Schools of Architecture, Washington, D.C., judge projects for the 11th Annual MCA Student Design Competition.

RCI opens Iowa chapter

RCI Inc. has formed the Iowa Chapter of RCI, a nonprofit chapter of RCI that has been developed to provide a local medium for the advancement of RCI's objectives and promote a closer relationship with Iowa's building industry.

Membership is open to roofing, waterproofing and exterior wall consultants, contractors and manufacturers, as well as private building owners, facility managers and property managers.

Greg Thirnbeck, vice president of NRCA member D.C. Taylor Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, will serve as the Iowa Chapter of RCI's president. Alan Benson, president of Alan Stevens Associates Inc., Cedar Rapids, will serve as vice president; Alvin Nunnikhoven, senior consultant for NRCA member Benchmark Inc., Cedar Rapids, will serve as treasurer; and Mitchell Kelchen, consultant with Shive-Hattery, Cedar Rapids, will serve as secretary.

The industry online

ATAS International Inc. has added specification program software to www.spec.atas.com. The software reportedly writes specifications for ATAS International roofing and wall products as chosen by the specifier.

DaVinci Roofscapes® products and specification information are now available at www.arcat.com.

Up the ladder

Dow Roofing Systems LLC has named Ryan A. Gagne technical review specialist.

Performance Roof Systems Inc. has named Scott Ballard vice president of technical and consultant services.