Briefings

Manufacturer news

MAGE® SOLAR modules are tested by UL

Ravensburg, Germany-based MAGE SOLAR AG's MAGE POWERTEC PLUS modules have been tested by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Inc. for potential-induced degradation (PID). PID refers to the power loss in a module that can occur when there is a combination of high voltage, temperatures and humidity. UL confirmed MAGE POWERTEC PLUS modules are PID-resistant.

The modules were tested for PID under the currently specified test conditions of -1,000 volts, a temperature of 25 C and humidity of 85 percent. Modules are considered PID-resistant if they lose less than 5 percent of their normal power under standardized test conditions. The monocrystalline and polycrystalline MAGE POWERTEC PLUS modules achieved above-average values.

GAF ranks highest in study

GAF, Wayne, N.J., was voted No. 1 in quality in Builder magazine's "2012 Brand Use Study" in the Roofing: Asphalt/Fiberglass Shingles category. GAF also ranked highest in the study for the brand of asphalt shingles most used.

The brand-use study is conducted by Readex Research, Stillwater, Minn., and published by Hanley Wood LLC, Washington, D.C. It surveys a statistical sample from Builder readers to rank roofing brands. The full results were published in Builder's April issue.

LiveRoof® announces warranty

LiveRoof LLC, Spring Lake, Mich., has announced the LiveRoof overburden removal warranty program for the LiveRoof Hybrid Green Roof System. Under the program, LiveRoof warrants the removal and replacement of LiveRoof modules when they must be removed to assess and repair leaks in roof membranes.

The warranty covers LiveRoof Hybrid Green Roof Systems installed by diamond-level LiveRoof certified installers and applies to any brand or type of waterproofing membrane system provided the membrane has been inspected, tested and certified as being watertight before the LiveRoof installation.

Tremco receives excellence award

Tremco Inc., Beachwood, Ohio, has received the Award of Excellence in the Renovation—Small Project category from the Cleveland Engineering Society's (CES') Design and Construction Division. Tremco received the award for renovating its Beachwood headquarters.

The goal of Tremco's comprehensive foundation-to-roof renovation was to make it a high-performance, energy-efficient facility that would require less water, use renewable energy sources and reduce operating costs. A wind turbine, water capture and reuse system, vegetative and photovoltaic roof systems, energy-efficient facade and windows are among the sustainable solutions used in the renovation.

Firestone honors contractors

Firestone Building Products Co. LLC, Indianapolis, has recognized 256 of its more than 3,000 licensed roofing contractors throughout Canada, Mexico and the U.S. as 2012 Master Contractors. The Firestone Master Contractor program annually presents its Master Contractor Award, Inner Circle of Quality Award and President's Club Award to a group of contractors based on various criteria for quality workmanship and installation excellence.

Collectively, the 2012 winners have installed more than 220 million square feet of warranted Firestone Building Products roof systems on new construction and reroofing applications during the past year.

A complete list of award winners by location is available at www.firestonebpco.com/architects/findcontractors.

Contractor news

Olneya Restoration Group receives Stevie® Award

Olneya Restoration Group, St. Louis, has received a Gold Stevie Award for sales department of the year from the sixth annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service.

The awards ceremony was held Feb. 27 in Las Vegas. More than 1,000 entries were submitted for the 2012 awards from organizations throughout the U.S. in various industries.

Distributor news

SRS Acquisition acquires Roofing Supply

SRS Acquisition Corp., McKinney, Texas, has acquired Burbank, Calif.-based Roofing Supply Inc.'s five southern California locations in Burbank, Hesperia, Pomona, Riverside and Simi Valley.

Vic Kurten, majority owner of Burbank Roofing Supply, is staying with the company as an adviser, and his sales and management teams will continue to run the branch operations. The company's locations also will keep their branch names but eventually will operate under a common regional name to ensure continuity for customers. Kurten and the branch managers will report directly to Rob Richardson, SRS Acquisition's Southwest district manager.

Additionally, SRS Acquisition has opened two new branches—one in Raleigh, N.C., under the name Superior Distribution and the other in San Jose, Calif., under the name Roofline Supply. The new branches will carry full lines of residential and commercial roofing products and focus on servicing each area's premier roofing contractors, remodeling contractors and home builders.

Superior Distribution will service the Durham, N.C.; Greensboro, N.C.; Raleigh; and Winston-Salem, N.C., metro areas, as well as the central North Carolina area. Phil Gentry will serve as branch manager and report directly to Tim Hanks, senior vice president of SRS Acquisition's East region.

Roofline Supply will service the greater South Bay area. Bob Miller will serve as branch manager and report directly to Lonnie Peterson, senior vice president of SRS Acquisition's Western region.

Affiliate news

Association director passes away

Kimberly Ann Settle, executive director of the Tennessee Association of Roofing Contractors passed away Jan. 15. She was 49 years old.

Settle is survived by her husband, Charles; son, Chandler; parents, Joe and Jimmie; and sister, Deborah.

Other news

EPS Industry Alliance is established

The EPS Industry Alliance (EPS-IA) has been established as a new trade association to represent the expanded polystyrene (EPS) industry. The EPS Molders Association and Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers, two organizations previously representing distinct EPS market segments, have consolidated to create an organization to represent the entire EPS industry. The Plastic Loose Fill Council also has been integrated into EPS-IA.

EPS product information will be more streamlined and accessible for EPS end users, and the organization's website, www.epsindustry.org, will provide EPS information and resources.

Bob Butkus, general manager of Atlas EPS, Byron Center, Mich., is chairman of EPS-IA's board of directors. The EPS Sustainability Committee is in place and will oversee key environmental programs, such as life cycle analysis, green building and recycling. Several new committees will manage issues that will benefit from more specialized representation.

The EPS EXPO was held March 20-22 in Indianapolis as the official launch ceremony of EPS-IA.

NSA elects officers and directors

The National Slate Association has elected its new slate of officers and five directors. John Chan, executive vice president and a principal of The Durable Slate Co., Columbus, Ohio, is president. Robert Fulmer, principal and founding partner of NRCA member Building Envelope Consultants Inc., Portsmouth, N.H., is senior vice president. Matt Hicks, material testing coordinator for NRCA member Evergreen Slate Co. Inc., Granville, N.Y.; David Large, vice president of NRCA member North Country Slate,® Toronto; and Pete Papay, president of Penn Big Bed Slate Co. Inc., Slatington, Pa., are vice presidents.

Additionally, Brad Jones, general manager and owner of Buckingham® Slate Co. LLC, Arvonia, Va.; Brian Chalsma, president and co-founder of The Roofing Co. Inc., Hampton, Va.; Clark Chase IV, president of NRCA member Constructions Collaborative Inc., Waltham, Mass.; Matt Millen, manager of NRCA member Millen Roofing Co., Milwaukee; and Large were elected directors.

RCI announces call for abstracts

RCI Inc. has announced it is seeking abstracts for consideration for its 28th Annual Convention and Trade Show, which will be held March 14-19, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. Paper topics include research, forensic investigation, materials performance, business management, case studies and environmental effects. Authors of accepted abstracts will be asked to write papers for presentation at the convention and subsequent publication in RCI's Proceedings.

Abstract authors should contact RCI for a copy of the abstract submittal form, RCI guidelines for presentation and complete directions for formatting abstracts and papers. Abstracts are due May 28 for peer review, and authors of accepted abstracts will be notified by July 9.

Abstracts must be sent to Karen McElroy, RCI's director of conventions and meetings, at 1500 Sunday Drive, Suite 204, Raleigh, NC 27607. For more information, go to www.rci-online.org or call (800) 828-1902.

The industry online

IKO has launched a new version of its ROOFViewer™ feature at www.iko.com. ROOFViewer will include an option for homeowners to upload images of their houses and select from IKO colors and styles, including a broader range of home styles; access to swatches of the full line of current IKO products and shingle colors; new and wider options to switch house features; and the ability to save or print ROOFViewer examples for reference.

Tecta America Corp. has relaunched Tecta-Green,™ its green roofing solutions website, at www.tectagreen.com. The website's updated content includes a detailed overview of vegetative roof system installation and maintenance process; a comprehensive list of environmental and economical benefits of installing a vegetative roof system; a full explanation of available vegetative roof systems; a portfolio of Tecta America's vegetative roof projects; and up-to-the-minute company and roofing industry news, as well as a frequently asked questions Web page.

NRCA news

NRCA launches mobile site

NRCA has launched its mobile site, mobile.nrca.net, for use with mobile phones. Users can search NRCA's website, read roofing industry news, search and purchase products in the NRCA Bookstore, see NRCA University's public and online class schedules, search for contractors and join NRCA. The site also provides information regarding featured NRCA products and the latest NRCA news.

Events

May

21
CERTA Train-the-trainer Authorization
NRCA
Chicago
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net

22
CERTA Train-the-trainer Reauthorization
NRCA
Chicago
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net

25-27
ROOF INDIA 2012 Exhibition
Unitech Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd.
Chennai, India
Contact: Unitech Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd.
+91 4424543322/23
www.roofindia.com

June

24-26
Western States Roofing Contractors Association Show
Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA)
Las Vegas
Contact: WSRCA
(800) 725-0333
www.wsrca.com

27-30
Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association's Annual Convention
Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (FRSA) Inc.
Orlando, Fla.
Contact: FRSA
(407) 671-3772, ext. 100
www.floridaroof.com

27-30
2012 TRI Florida Forum
Tile Roofing Institute (TRI)
Orlando, Fla.
Contact: TRI
(312) 670-4177
www.tileroofing.org

July

10-14
NRCA's Midyear Meetings
NRCA
Chicago
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net