Briefings

Manufacturer news

Graco aquires company

NRCA member Graco Inc., Minneapolis, has acquired Gusmer Corp., Lakewood, N.J. The acquisition combines research and development, marketing, manufacturing and sales related to spray equipment.

"Gusmer is a great opportunity for our combined customer base," says Denis Commette, vice president and general manager of Gusmer Corp. "It is clear it will strengthen us by creating commercial and technological value. By combining forces, Graco/Gusmer becomes the world's leading supplier of high-performance spray equipment for polyurethane foam and elastomeric protective coatings."

Grace acquires product line

Grace Construction Products, Cambridge, Mass., has acquired TRI-FLEX® 30, a synthetic roof underlayment product line from Flexia Corp., Brantfore, Ontario, Canada.

"Grace's No. 1 commitment always has been to provide products that make homes and buildings more comfortable and durable," says Lawrence Shapiro, residential business director for Grace Specialty Building Materials. "Grace TRI-FLEX 30 ... is complementary to our premium Grace Ice & Water Shield® underlayment. Combined, these products offer unmatched roof protection."

Firestone presents Master Contractor Award

Indianapolis-based Firestone Building Products honored 250 commercial roofing contractors with its 2005 Master Contractor Award at its 18th annual recognition event in the Bahamas. Winners are said to demonstrate outstanding leadership and superior workmanship in every roof system installation.

The Master Contractor Award is earned based on Quality Points accumulated for exceptional inspection ratings on Firestone Red Shield-warranted roof system installations, as well as total square footage for all qualified Firestone roof systems installed.

Other awards presented were the President's Club Award honoring 30 Master Contractor Award winners who accumulated the highest level of Quality Points, as well as the Inner Circle of Quality Award that honors a group of Master Contractors for long-term performance of roof system installations and continuous focus on quality.

Firestone Building Products has changed its Inner Circle of Quality Award to include a Quality Incidence Rating to gauge roofing contractors' performances, as well as a new Web-based quality reporting system that allows contractors to track their quality rating throughout the year. Contractors who earn the best ratings will receive either the Firestone Partner in Quality Award or Firestone Inner Circle of Quality Award.

Up the ladder

Englert Inc. has named John E. Smith branch manager in Tennessee.

Distributor news

Copper Sales aligns forces

NRCA member Copper Sales Inc./UNA-CLAD, Anoka, Minn., has aligned with Design Consulting & Forensics LLC, Fridley, Minn., an inspection and weathertight warranty group that will work with Copper Sales to support its weathertight warranty program. Design Consulting & Forensics will provide on-site inspections, certification training and follow-up.

Other news

Tile group unveils new name

Formerly known as the Roof Tile Institute, the association has updated its name and brand to the Tile Roofing Institute (TRI) after establishing a new mission. TRI's goals now include expanding its membership base; developing more stringent industry standards; and increasing market demand and product awareness for tile roofing products.

The association has expanded membership to include suppliers, distributors, contractors and importers, among others. It also has updated its logo, literature and Web site to support its new mission.

"Now that we've expanded our membership base, more industry professionals can take advantage of our technical support," says Rick Olson, TRI's technical director. "The institute has published installation manuals for moderate climates, cold weather and high winds. Our next step is to develop installation training programs that allow roofing contractors throughout North America to take advantage of this expertise."

Industry online

USG Corp. has launched its new Web site, www.usg.com, that offers "USG From Every Angle," which tells where USG products are used and provides links to product information; "My Libraries," where users can save information or order product samples and literature; and "Resources," a section with case studies, installation guides and other tools. The Web site also features an option to calculate material needed and a searchable version of the Gypsum Construction Handbook.