Briefings

Manufacturer news

Duro-Last® receives award

Duro-Last Roofing Inc., Saginaw, Mich., has received the Large Business of the Year award from the Grants Pass Chamber of Commerce for Duro-Last Roofing's manufacturing facility in Grants Pass, Ore. Large Business of the Year winners are recognized for sponsoring and supporting local events, investing resources in Grants Pass and helping to celebrate successes in the local business community.

The award was presented at a chamber event honoring local businesses that exemplify the theme "Community Ties."

Fields is acquired

Gardner Asphalt Corp., Tampa, Fla., has announced it is acquiring NRCA member Fields Co. LLC, Tacoma, Wash. The new company will be named Gardner-Fields.

Gardner-Fields will expand upon Gardner Asphalt's product line—which includes roof coatings, caulks and adhesives—to include packaged asphalts, including Melt-Pac, saturated felts and modified built-up roof systems.

CertainTeed introduces game-based learning

CertainTeed Corp., Valley Forge, Pa., has integrated game-based learning technology into its online courses. Game-based learning combines digital game technology and education and will be used for interactive exercises that will test course participants' retention of material covered.

"Rather than learning through lecture, game-based programs immerse students in realistic scenarios and challenge them to make decisions," says Fred Vapenik, CertainTeed's chief marketing officer. "They will learn and retain more from the virtual experience."

CertainTeed, with its parent company Saint-Gobain, Paris, also celebrated the second International Saint-Gobain Health and Safety Day. Employees at CertainTeed's 40 plants and corporate offices acknowledged the day by adopting a safety charter, reviewing annual safety plans, and viewing a video about the company's health and safety policy. Each location also made a variety of health and safety activities available to its workers, including fire-fighting drills, forklift driving skills, free technical inspections for vehicles, first-aid training, eyesight testing and free vaccinations.

GAF to build facility

GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J., has announced plans to build a manufacturing facility in Gainesville, Texas, to produce its EverGuard® TPO roof membranes. The 185,000-square-foot facility will provide TPO membrane and accessory products to GAF Materials' western and southern markets.

The facility will be the largest operational production line in North America focused solely on the production of TPO-based single-ply roofing products.

Additionally, GAF Materials received a Bronze Award during the Houston International Film Festival for its CanyonRock™ Premium Decorative Stone Installation video. The DVD, which received one of five awards given out of 50 entries in the Industry and Sales category, also won three awards, including a Bronze Award, during the 27th Annual Telly Film Festival, which honors outstanding television programs and video and film productions.

Contractor news

Tecta America donates display

Tecta America Corp., Skokie, Ill., has donated a TectaGreen™ green roof display for the lobby of Chicago Center for Green Technology. The display, which was constructed by Tecta America's Anthony Roofing, Aurora, Ill., depicts an extensive green roof and green roof with slope. It shows a cross-section of a multilayered green roof that includes a variety of sedum plants.

"The purpose of Chicago Center for Green Technology is to advance and promote green buildings, homes and communities to enhance the quality of urban life," says Stephen Bell, director of Chicago Center for Green Technology. "We do this primarily through education and demonstration. We're grateful to Tecta America for helping us promote our mission."

Open Energy Corp. wins award

Open Energy Corp., Solana Beach, Calif., received a 2006 "Cool Products" Competition award from the Pacific Coast Builders Conference for its SOLARSAVE™ Roofing Membrane products, which are lightweight, waterproof, fire-rated solar roof membranes for low-slope commercial and residential projects.

"We are honored to be recognized by the Pacific Coast Builders Conference for our SOLARSAVE roof systems," says David Saltman, president and chief executive officer of Open Energy Corp. "We believe the renewable energy market, particularly solar energy solutions, is poised for tremendous growth, and this award recognizes the appeal of this product."

Other news

Former NRCA member passes away

Barron William (Bill) Bryant Sr., past president of former NRCA member Bryant Universal Roofers, Los Angeles, passed away June 6. Bryant was 81.

Bryant was a longtime member of the roofing industry. He worked for Bryant Universal Roofers—which his father started as J.H. Bryant Co. Inc. in 1934—for many years, eventually serving as president. Bryant worked for Bryant Universal Roofers until it went out of business in 1995.

Bryant is survived by his third wife, Jeanie; children Bill, Kathleen, Elizabeth, Robert and Andrew; stepchildren Kathy, Susan and Pam; 13 grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave., Fifth floor, Norwalk, CT 06851, or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

Industry online

Versico Inc. has launched its Web site, www.versico.com, which features a new look and updated functions. The Web site provides easy navigation features; interactivity with video clips; the ability to search by brand or product; and user-specific access for sales representatives, distributors and roofing contractors, as well as access to Versico's new Excalibur Incentive Rewards program.