Briefings

Manufacturer news

Firestone and sales rep make donation

Carmel, Ind.-based Firestone Building Products Co. and Wilmington, Mass.-based Admiral Building Products Inc., a regional sales representative for Firestone Building Products, joined to donate $10,000 to the Foundation Friends Program of the North/East Roofing Educational Foundation (NEREF) Inc.

The donation is part of a commitment the companies made in 2003 to contribute $50,000 during a five-year period. As a result of the donations, NEREF established a Platinum Scholarship for vocational school and college students. NEREF will award five $1,500 scholarships this year.

In addition, Firestone Building Products donated $10,000 to the Roof Consultants Institute (RCI) Foundation at the RCI 19th International Convention and Trade Show in Reno, Nev., April 3. A philanthropic sister organization to RCI, the foundation works to research, educate and inform about roofing industry issues.

TAMKO® acquires product line

TAMKO Roofing Products, Joplin, Mo., has acquired the product line of Moon Township, Pa.-based MetalWorks, a manufacturer of steel shingles. With the acquisition, TAMKO Roofing Products can broaden its product line.

"Adding MetalWorks to our product mix is a perfect fit," says Steve McNally, TAMKO's vice president of sales and marketing. "We are pleased to make this new roofing option available for our customers."

Revere partners with Paradigm

Milton, Vt.-based Paradigm Shingles Inc. now is the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Rome, N.Y.-based Revere Copper Products' lightweight Bennington Copper Shingles.

"This partnership with Paradigm will provide the ultimate benefit to our customers," says Donald Commerford Jr., senior vice president of sales and marketing for Revere Copper Products. "They have the opportunity to take advantage of the best of both experts: material from Revere and manufacturing from Paradigm."

W.R. Grace marks 150th anniversary

The parent company of Grace Construction Products, W.R. Grace & Co., Cambridge, Mass., recognized the 150th anniversary of its founding in May, celebrating with events in 128 locations around the world.

The festivities included speakers such as Robert Bettacchi, president of Grace Performance Chemicals, recognition of past and present employees, and certificates from community organizations to which W.R. Grace & Co. devotes its time, as well as the plans for Community Works!, the company's volunteer and community development program.

In addition, Paul Norris, W.R. Grace & Co.'s chairman and chief executive officer, rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange to mark the anniversary.

Up the ladder

Stevens Roofing Systems has named David S. Brown district sales manager for northern New Jersey and New York; Tim Davis vice president of sales for the Western region; Chris Godbold vice president of sales for the Eastern region; Carrie Heal customer service representative; Karen Matt customer service representative; Joe Nussbaum district sales manager for Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and West Virginia; Paul Shepard district sales manager for Delaware, Maryland, southern New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and northern Virginia; and Stew Snoddy vice president for strategic accounts.

Scott Graham has been appointed Western regional manager at EcoStar.™

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. has appointed Dick Lantz senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Peter Dachowski has been named president and chief executive officer at CertainTeed Corp., and Greg Mattix has been named marketing manager/contractor for CertainTeed Corp.'s Insulation Group.

Green Products LLC has hired J. Stanley Pepper as managing partner.

NRCA affiliate news

NERCA announces new officers

At the North/East Roofing Contractors Association (NERCA) convention, NERCA announced its new officers. The following officers were elected to two-year terms: president—Robert W. Therrien Jr., president of The Melanson Co. Inc., Keene, N.H.; first vice president—Michael K. Meyer, president of Canopy Roof Systems, Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.; second vice president—Malcolm Glidden, president of Glidden Roofing Corp., Scarborough, Maine; and treasurer—David P. Cazeault, president of J.T. Cazeault & Sons of Plymouth Inc., North Plymouth, Mass.

Distributor news

Peterson named national distributor

Petersen Aluminum Corp., Elk Grove Village, Ill., has been appointed a national distributor for Tegola Canadese, Treviso, Italy, and will distribute the company's copper- and zinc-titanium-coated roofing tile lines.

Petersen Aluminum will begin its new role by carrying Prestige Elite and Prestige Compact copper-coated tiles and ZT Compact zinc-titanium-coated tiles.

Union news

AFL-CIO celebrates national partnership

Habitat for Humanity International recognized its partnership with the Building and Construction Trades Department of AFL-CIO and its 15 affiliated unions with a weeklong celebration held May 16-22 known as "Labor with Habitat Week." During that week, hundreds of volunteers across the United States joined with the organizations to build homes for low-income families.

At a kickoff event in Cincinnati May 17, organizations such as the Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity and volunteers such as Ed Sullivan, president of the union's building trades division, and Joe Zimmer, executive secretary of the Greater Cincinnati Building and Construction Trades Council, worked to build the frame of a house. Other appearances at the event included Mayor Charlie Luken and Vice Mayor Alicia Reece.

Contractor news

Roofing contractor passes away

Leigh Haight, owner and president of Haight Roofing Co. Inc., Seattle, passed away May 27. Haight was 67.

Haight served on several boards of directors, task groups and committees of NRCA; Western States Roofing Contractors Association; Roofing Contractors Association of Washington; and United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers.

Haight is survived by his wife, Penny; sons, Ron, Mike and Gary; daughter, Wendy; son-in-law, Todd Severson; daughters-in-law, Larinda and Linda; and eight grandchildren.

Memorials can be sent to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 14385, Tampa, FL 33690.

Other news

NAHB announces award program

The application period for NAHB Research Center's 2005 EnergyValue Housing Award program has begun. The program honors builders who integrate energy efficiency into their work, as well as educate the public and the industry about energy-efficient construction. Submissions will be evaluated based on such criteria as design, energy value, construction methods and participation in voluntary energy programs, and the awards will be presented at the 2005 International Builders' Show in Orlando.

Those eligible for participation include all professional U.S. homebuilders who primarily build homes or develop real estate. To be considered, submitted homes must have been completed after January 2002 and before application submittal. Entries must be postmarked by Aug. 9. For more information, visit www.nahbrc.org/evha.

ASSE announces new standard

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) has made available the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A10.34-2001 standard, "Protection of the Public on or Adjacent to Construction Sites," which is the only construction standard to address public safety during construction operations. Approved by ANSI Aug. 11, 2001, and published in May, the standard presents guidelines for protecting the public from construction hazards.

The standard addresses a variety of topics, including prevention of harm caused by falling objects; warning the public of loud noises during construction; providing accessible and safe walkways; developing emergency action plans; and storing hazardous materials properly, among other topics. To obtain a copy of the standard, contact ASSE customer service at (847) 699-2929, or visit www.asse.org.