Briefings

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Manufacturer news

Firestone makes donation

Firestone Building Products Co., Indianapolis, donated $10,000 to the National Roofing Foundation (NRF), a separate but related educational and research organization of NRCA, during NRCA's 118th Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 14-18. The donation will be used toward the foundation's scholarship fund—annual scholarships available to employees, immediate family members of employees or immediate family members of NRCA contractor members enrolled in an undergraduate program.

Firestone is pleased to demonstrate its commitment to education by supporting NRF," says Robert Delaney, vice president of sales and marketing for Firestone Building Products. "We recognize the value of investing in future generations and are confident this donation will translate to continued success within and beyond the roofing industry."

GAF Materials expands facility

GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J., has announced the expansion of its strip shingle manufacturing facility in Quakertown, Pa., to produce laminated roof shingles. Expected to be completed in mid-2006, the expansion will include a high-speed, state-of-the-art shingle laminator.

CertainTeed is NASCAR sponsor

Valley Forge, Pa.-based CertainTeed Corp. has announced it has signed on as a team sponsor with the Haas CNC Racing #0 NetZero/Best Buy race team and NASCAR driver Mike Bliss, whose family has owned and operated Bliss Roofing, Clackamas, Ore., for more than 30 years. CertainTeed's logo will be on the "C" post of the #0 NetZero/Best Buy Chevrolet Monte Carlo, all Haas Racing merchandise, pit row equipment and the car hauler, as well as on the left arm of Bliss' uniform.

"This sponsorship takes our affiliation with NASCAR to a new level," says Peter Dachowski, president and chief executive officer of CertainTeed. "This is our first foray into NASCAR on-car sponsorship, and we're excited about this incredible branding opportunity for CertainTeed."

Sarnafil announces award winners

Canton, Mass.-based Sarnafil Inc. has announced the following winners of its 2004 applicator Project of the Year challenge: first place—Eberhard Roofing, Van Nuys, Calif., for the Veterans Sports Complex project, Carson, Calif.; second place—American Roofing and Repair Co., West Chicago, Ill., for the Spiegel Inc. project, Downers Grove, Ill.; and third place—Capeway Roofing Systems Inc., Westport, Mass., for the Connecticut College—Luce Field House project, New London, Conn.

Eligibility for the annual award is offered to Sarnafil's authorized roofing and waterproofing applicators who submit their most challenging Sarnafil projects. The first place winner receives a $3,500 check and recognition from industry peers.

Stevens names award winners

Holyoke, Mass.-based Stevens Roofing Systems has announced 94 authorized Stevens applicators that are the company's 2004 Alliance winners. The winners of the highest honor, the Platinum Plus Award, were NRCA members D.C. Taylor Co., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which has been a Platinum Plus winner for eight consecutive years, and Dixie Roofing Inc., LaFollette, Tenn.

The Alliance Award levels—Alliance, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum Plus—are determined by the number of credit points authorized Stevens applicators earn by completing various activities during the program year. Both Platinum Plus companies earned more than 2 million points during 2004. Criteria include prompt handling of project documentation and quality of workmanship.

Up the ladder

Firestone Building Products Co. has appointed John May Western regional business manager.

GAF Materials Corp. has named Bob Tafaro executive vice president of roofing.

Contractor news

Tecta America acquires company

Skokie, Ill.-based Tecta America Corp. has acquired General Works Roofing, Orange City, Fla., which was founded in 1990 and has more than 100 employees. With this acquisition, Tecta America owns 15 companies with more than 1,800 employees.

"We believe joining Tecta gives us the best of both worlds—the ability to continue to run our day-to-day operation to best serve our local customers along with the deep operating resources and financial strength of Tecta," says Jerry Cutrona, co-owner of General Works Roofing.

"We are thrilled to have General Works Roofing join the Tecta organization," says Mark Santacrose, chief executive officer of Tecta America. "In addition, the acquisition provides significant operating capacity in the growing central Florida market, allowing us to better serve our national customers."

Other news

ARMA names contest winners

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) has announced the winners of its 2004 Accident Prevention Contest. Manufacturing facilities were categorized by the number of labor hours worked during 2004: Group A—more than 300,000 hours; Group B—200,000 hours to 300,000 hours; Group C—100,000 hours to 200,000 hours; and Group D—less than 100,000 hours.

The facility with the fewest number of accidents in each category received an ARMA President's Award. The recipients include the following: Group A—CertainTeed Corp.'s Oxford, N.C., facility; Group B—GAF Materials Corp.'s Chester, S.C., facility; Group C—CertainTeed's Birmingham, Ala., facility; and Group D—Leatherback Industries' Stockton, Calif., facility.

MCA announces metal initiative

The Metal Construction Association (MCA) introduced a national educational and promotional program, The Metal Initiative, at MCA's 2005 Annual Meeting in La Jolla, Calif., Jan. 29-31. The purpose of the program is to increase the selection of metal roofs and walls in commercial, industrial and institutional building sectors, and the program is based on $10.5 million of funding during a five-year period.

The Metal Initiative, which is meant to promote the use of metal in construction, includes the following goals: increase metal roof and wall market share by 25 percent; achieve an increase of more than 600,000 tons of steel, aluminum and copper; and increase sales of metal products by $2 billion. It will be a collaborative effort with companies throughout the industry.