Briefings

Manufacturer news

IKO Manufacturing receives award

Chicago-based IKO Manufacturing Inc. has received the 2007 Vendor of the Year Award from Chandler, Ariz.-based NEMEON Inc., a nationwide cooperative of independent roofing and siding distributors. The award annually honors a supplier that demonstrates long-term support, high levels of service and commitment to quality product offerings.

"Receiving this honor is a tremendous accomplishment for our entire operation," says Keith Lowe, IKO Manufacturing's U.S. operations' vice president of sales.

Chem Link introduces new packaging

Schoolcraft, Mich.-based Chem Link Inc. has introduced newly designed packaging for its sealant products. The new cutaway cartons replace Chem Link's boxes that held 24 packs of 10.1-ounce cartridges.

The new packaging allows the cartons' top portions to be removed for display. The package design also includes new graphics and Chem Link's Contractor Driven Promise.

Englert offers educational program

Englert Inc., Perth Amboy, N.J., has added Metal Roofing and the Environment: Staying On Top for the Future, a one-hour course, to its American Institute of Architects continuing-education program.

The program focuses on attaining U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design credits for energy savings, recycling and water conservation and discusses how metal roofing can be used to achieve this goal.

Additionally, a white paper, "Metal Roof Coatings: 50 years of Development," is available at Englert's Web site, www.englertinc.com. The white paper focuses on metal roof coatings' history; the strengths and w­­eaknesses of metal roofing products available in the marketplace; and roof coatings' future.

Firestone Metal Products opens facility

Firestone Metal Products Co. LLC, Anoka, Minn., has opened a 65,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and distribution center in Miramar, Fla.; the operation was relocated from a smaller facility in Pompano Beach, Fla.

The facility will produce and distribute Firestone Metal Products' UNA-CLAD™ by Firestone painted steel and aluminum; anodized aluminum; mill-finish aluminum; and galvanized, Galvalume,® stainless-steel and copper roof panel, sheet and coil products.

CertainTeed launches warranty program

Valley Forge, Pa.-based CertainTeed Corp. has introduced its Integrity Coverage Program, a warranty and maintenance program for its low-slope roof systems. The program is available to Gold Star-credentialed contractors and provides 25 years of coverage for select premium CertainTeed low-slope roof systems. It also covers leaks resulting from any defect in CertainTeed's roofing materials or the installation workmanship.

The warranty program is available in three options: Integrity No Dollar Limit Coverage, Integrity Assurance Coverage and Integrity Maintenance Coverage. Each option provides a different level of inspection and maintenance coverage. More information about the warranty program is available at www.certainteed.com.

Additionally, CertainTeed has partnered with Philadelphia-based Solar Roofing Systems Inc. to develop roof tiles featuring embedded polymeric-based photovoltaic technology.

"Energy efficiency is a key issue for homeowners, and our assessments show people are especially interested in harnessing free energy using their roofs," says John K. Donaldson, president of CertainTeed's roofing products group. "They have not, however, been quick to adopt photovoltaic roofs because of the cumbersome look of today's solar panels. With integrated photovoltaic tiles, homeowners will soon have the option of installing an aesthetically appealing roof that solves this problem."

Dow Polyurethanes expands plant

Midland, Mich.-based Dow Polyurethanes, a business group within The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, has begun construction on an expansion of its polyols plant in Terneuzen, Netherlands, that will expand the facility's polyol production capacity by 180 kilotons per year. The expansion is expected to be complete by mid-2009.

"This expansion supports The Dow Chemical Co.'s commitment to further grow its performance businesses throughout Europe," says Doug Warner, Dow Poly­urethanes' business director for polyols.

Up the ladder

Chem Link Inc. has named Jim Larke technical data manager of its research and development team. Jeff Schuette has been hired to Chem Link's technical services group.

Ed Godlewski has been named Rmax president.

Contractor news

Murton Roofing joins energy program

Murton Roofing Corp., Miami, a Tecta America company, is participating in Miami-based Florida Power & Light Co.'s rebate and incentive program that encourages building owners to cover their roof systems with reflective coatings. The incentive program offers building owners 45 cents per square foot of qualifying reflective roof coating as long as the coating reflects at least 73 percent of the sun's heat and light.

"We are thrilled to provide our clients with this opportunity," says Michael Levine, Murton Roofing's president. "Reflective roof surfaces can significantly reduce cooling costs, are energy-efficient and can extend the life of a roof, so this is a project that benefits everyone."

Roofing contractor passes away

Malcolm Buckner, co-founder of Blackmore & Buckner Roofing Co. LLC, Indianapolis, a Tecta America company, passed away March 4. He was 89.

Buckner served during World War II in the 38th Texas Infantry from 1940-41 and the 93rd Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force from 1942-45. He was a member of the Mystic Tie Lodge #398, Scottish Rite and VFW #7119. He is survived by his wife, Mary Buckner; daughter, Marilyn Parish; sons, Andrew, John and Stephen Buckner; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Affiliate news

CRCA names officers

The Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA) announced its 2008 officers during its 25th Annual Trade Show and Seminar.

Following are CRCA's new officers: President—Rod Petrick, vice president of Ridgeworth Roofing Co. Inc., Bridgeview, Ill.; first vice president—Chris Adler, president of Adler Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Joliet, Ill.; second vice president—Bruce Diederich, president of Waukegan Roofing Co., Waukegan, Ill.; secretary—Tom Dessent, secretary of corporation-estimator and sales for Dessent Roofing Co. Inc., Chicago; and treasurer—Bill Lynch, general manager and vice president of finance for Olsson Roofing Co. Inc., Aurora, Ill.

Other news

ARMA announces new officers

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) has announced its 2008-09 officers.

Sheree L. Bargabos, president of roofing and asphalt for Owens Corning, Toledo, Ohio, has been named ARMA president. John K. Donaldson, president of Valley Forge, Pa.-based CertainTeed Corp.'s roofing products group, has been named vice president. Steve A. Ratcliff, president and chief executive officer of Tarco, Little Rock, Ark., has been named secretary/treasurer.

Tile Roofing Institute launches campaign

The Tile Roofing Institute (TRI) has initiated its "GO Green" campaign, which is intended to inform and educate design professionals and building owners about the environmental benefits of concrete and clay roof tiles.

TRI's GO Green campaign will feature "GO Green with Tile!," a brochure comparing tile roofing products with other roofing products in the areas of energy savings, durability, recyclability, reflectivity, financial incentives and insurance rebates. The campaign also will feature a comprehensive media relations and advertising campaign, Web site, and series of presentations and seminars.

RCI announces leadership

RCI Inc. announced its 2008-09 officers during its Annual Meeting of Members at its 23rd International Convention and Trade Show March 3.

John L. Willers, president of NRCA member Rooftop Systems Engineers, Raleigh, N.C., was named RCI president. David Hawn, president of NRCA member Dedicated Roof & Hydro-Solutions LLC, Centreville, Va., was named first vice president. Robert Elsdon, founder and general manager of Inter-Provincial Roof Consultants Ltd., Surrey, British Columbia, was named second vice president. And Richard L. Cook Jr., vice president and partner of NRCA member ADC Engineering Inc., Hanahan, S.C., was named secretary/treasurer.

RCMA elects officers

The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) elected and installed its 2008 officers during its 2008 Annual Membership Meeting. All RCMA officers will serve two-year terms.

Following are RCMA's 2008 officers: president—Brian Anthony, vice president of industrial products for NRCA member The Brewer Co., Milford, Ohio; vice president of long-range planning—Joseph W. Mellot, director of technology for NRCA member The Garland® Co. Inc., Cleveland; vice president of member services—W.J. "Skip" Leonard, director of technical service for NRCA member Henry Co., Garland, Texas; and secretary/treasurer—Jeffrey Blank, vice president and general manager of SR Products Inc., Cleveland.

Also during its annual meeting, RCMA named Vann Ripps, president of NRCA member Palmer Asphalt Co., Bayonne, N.J., the winner of its Martin A. Davis RCMA Industry Leadership Award for 2007. The award, which is the highest honor bestowed by RCMA, is presented annually to an individual who has exemplified outstanding service and made significant contributions to the roofing industry.

Additionally, RCMA has formed the Roofing Coatings Industry Committee on Sustainability to focus on roof coatings' environmental benefits. The committee's initial goals include identifying and developing sustainability criteria related to roof coatings; performing life-cycle cost analyses and creating tools for evaluating options; and disseminating the committee's findings.