Briefings

Contractor news

Advanced Green Technologies installs solar roof system

In March, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist dedicated a solar roof system at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), Fort Lauderdale, that recently had been installed by Fort Lauderdale-based Advanced Green Technologies.

The solar roof system features 240 panels, and university officials say it will produce 34 kilowatts of electrical power. The savings produced by the solar roof system will be used to fund FAU's Sun Fund Scholarship.

"It is important that we in the Sunshine State have the opportunity to have solar energy," Crist says. "As we continue to go green, we will provide new jobs and economic opportunities for fellow Floridians."

Distributor news

ABC Supply acquires company

ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis., has acquired Chesapeake Siding and Roofing, a wholesale exterior building products distributor with locations in Chesapeake, Va., and Jarvisburg, N.C.

The new ABC Supply locations distribute residential and commercial roofing materials, siding, insulation, windows, doors and related tools. All 15 Chesapeake Siding and Roofing employees have been retained by ABC Supply.

"The acquisition of Chesapeake Siding and Roofing fits our strategy of providing accessible locations in all major geographic markets as we continue to build a national network of wholesale distribution centers for the professional contractor," says David Luck, ABC Supply's president and chief executive officer.

In addition, ABC Supply is one of 23 companies worldwide to win the 2009 Gallup Great Workplace Award. The award recognizes productive, engaging workplaces and is based on multiple criteria, including response rates, overall engagement levels and evidence of engagement's effect on performance.

Additionally, ABC Supply has announced leadership changes.

Keith Rozolis, formerly ABC Supply's senior vice president of marketing and planning, has been promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Brent Fox, formerly ABC Supply's vice president of merchandising and purchasing, has been promoted to vice president of divisional operations.

Brad Money, previously ABC Supply's general manager of Mule-Hide Manufacturing, has been promoted to vice president of manufacturing operations.

Kim Hendricks has been named to the newly created position of vice president of organizational development.

Mike Schwarz has been promoted to director of marketing and business intelligence, and Mary Groessl has been promoted to director of business development.

Manufacturer news

GenFlex Roofing Systems recognizes companies

Indianapolis-based GenFlex Roofing Systems has announced the inductees to its 2009 Winners Circle. This recognition is reserved for contractors and distributors that show a commitment to quality performance and consistently meet high standards.

Fifty-three companies from 21 states, as well as Alberta, Manitoba and Puerto Rico, were named to GenFlex Roofing System's 2009 Winners Circle.

CertainTeed receives award

CertainTeed Corp., Valley Forge, Pa., and its parent company, Saint-Gobain, Courbevoie, France, have been named the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2009 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Energy Management. The award recognizes Saint-Gobain and its North American businesses for their accomplishments and leadership in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency.

According to CertainTeed, it is the first fiberglass insulation manufacturer to receive the award.

"This award is proof that CertainTeed is proactive in its approach to sustainability through our commitment to energy efficiency and our partnership with ENERGY STAR," says Peter Dachowski, CertainTeed's president and chief executive officer. "CertainTeed will continue its commitment to sustainable manufacturing and in developing new products that enhance the energy efficiency of homes and buildings and their impact on the environment."

Firestone Building Products awards contractors

Firestone Building Products Co. LLC, Indianapolis, recently awarded its 2009 Master Contractor Awards to 256 commercial roofing contractors.

Firestone Building Products also awarded 34 Master Contractors with its President's Club Award and 171 Master Contractors with its Inner Circle of Quality Award. Collectively, the 2009 Master Contractors completed 9,350 jobs and installed about 235 million square feet of warranted Firestone Building Products roof systems during 2008.

"Firestone congratulates the 2009 Master Contractors for their top-quality roof system installation performance and persistent commitment to Firestone's tradition of excellence," says Mike Vall, Firestone Building Products' president. "The superior craftsmanship these winners demonstrate provides building owners with peace of mind that Firestone Master Contractors will provide outstanding quality roof systems."

W.P. Hickman launches shipping program

W.P. Hickman Co., Asheville, N.C., has launched its Quick Ship TerminEdge Program, which is said to allow the company to ship its fascias within 48 hours.

The Quick Ship TerminEdge Program features the company's Extruded TerminEdge Roof Edging, which is composed of an extruded retainer base and decorative snap-on fascia cover and is available in three standard face sizes and 10 colors and finishes.

LiveRoof adds distributor

LiveRoof LLC, Spring Lake, Mich., has named Summit Valley Turf Farms, Waterloo Valley, Mont., its newest distributor/grower. Summit Valley Turf Farms' farm consists of Kentucky Bluegrass, "Reveille" grass and perennial wildflower sod.

"This year, we are excited to introduce LiveRoof modular systems to Montana," says Charissa Wagner, Summit Valley Turf Farms' co-owner. "We will be Montana's only green roof provider. As our focus has been primarily on turf grass production, we have recognized the need for eco-friendly sods for unique applications in the building industry."

Other news

RICOWI announces leadership change

The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) Inc. has announced the semi-retirement of Patty Wood-Shields, its current executive director, effective June 30. Wood-Shields will continue to be involved with the administrative management of RICOWI's wind and hail investigation programs.

RICOWI's board of directors unanimously approved Joan Cook as its new executive director, effective May 1.

"Joan brings to RICOWI a strong financial background, excellent technical and marketing skills, and the ability to work with a broad diversity of people within our RICOWI community," says Rick Olson, RICOWI's chairman.

ICC offers webinars

The International Code Council (ICC) has launched a series of free webinars about the 2009 I-Codes. The webinars are available at www.iccsafe.org.

Each webinar lasts about one hour and provides an overview of one of the codes. The webinars focus on significant changes between the codes' 2006 and 2009 editions and include the 2009 International Building, Residential, Fire, Plumbing, Mechanical and Fuel Gas codes.

Rebuilding Together forms partnership

Washington, D.C.-based Rebuilding Together,® NRCA's national charity partner, has partnered with the International Code Council Foundation (ICCF) to form Project H.E.R.O. (Homes Eliminated of Restrictions and Obstacles), a program focused on modifying and repairing the homes of disabled active-duty military members and veterans.

Since its inception in fall 2008, Project H.E.R.O. has provided necessary repairs to the homes of three veterans. ICCF and Rebuilding Together plan to activate the International Code Council's more than 40,000 members to encourage volunteerism for Rebuilding Together's veteran housing projects and raise funds to support Project H.E.R.O.

Additionally, Rebuilding Together has opened a branch in Los Angeles. The branch has a goal of renovating 100 homes during 2009 and began its efforts in February by completing repairs at the homes of three low-income families.

The industry online

DaVinci Roofscapes® has redesigned www.davinciroofscapes.com to include information about the company's slate, shake, Fancy Shake and Bellaforté™ product lines, as well as sections dedicated to sustainability, sales contacts and frequently asked questions.

Firestone Building Products Co. LLC has redesigned its technical database to provide access to specification and installation information, as well as an updated search function, file cart, cool roofing section, and tool that allows users to subscribe to monthly site updates and view their downloaded history. The technical database is available at www.firestonebpco.com.

Insulfoam has reorganized www.insulfoam.com. To provide easier access to the company's product information, the Web site is now divided into four categories: roofing, construction, geofoam and specialty/OEM products.

An online roofing resource, www.roof-links.com, features links to Web sites for roofing products and suppliers and allows users to search by company name, product category or company type.

Trimline Building Products has launched www.trimline-products.com, which features an Interactive Design Tool, photo galleries, technical and installation information, a Dealer Locator tool and a ventilation calculator.

W.P. Hickman Co. has updated www.wph.com to include its Roof Edge Installation Videos, animated product modules, an online training module, product installation guides, downloadable computer-aided design files, a wind calculator, white papers and links to topics of interest.

Up the ladder

The Bilco Co. has named Kent Nichols international sales and marketing manager.

Chad Glerum has been named supply chain coordinator for Chem Link.

Firestone Building Products Co. LLC has named Jim Jannasch director of product development. In addition, Rick Ruppert has been named strategic account executive—specifier.