Briefings

Manufacturer news

Firestone Building Products awards contractors

Indianapolis-based Firestone Building Products Co. has awarded its 2007 Master Contractor Award to 261 contractors. The annual award is given to Firestone Building Products-licensed roofing contractors who have earned quality points for exceptional inspection ratings on Firestone Red Shield-warranted RubberGard™ EPDM, UltraPly™ thermoplastic, metal or asphalt-based roof system installations.

"For two decades, Firestone Building Products has acknowledged contractors who consistently demonstrate superior roof system installation performance," says Mike Gorey, president of Firestone Building Products and chairman, chief executive officer and president of Indianapolis-based BFS Diversified Products LLC, Firestone Building Products' parent company.

Additionally, Firestone Building Products has donated $5,000 to the Davis Memorial Foundation, a scholarship program administered by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA).

The Davis Memorial Foundation supports the advancement of the roofing industry through education and is available to WSRCA employees, roofing industry employees' immediate family, or students in high school or technical trade school accepted as students into a degree program for the coming academic year by an accredited college or university.

EcoStar™ adds representatives

Carlisle, Pa.-based EcoStar, a division of Carlisle-based Carlisle SynTec Inc., has added representatives to its West Coast region. Marshall & Associates, Roseville, Calif.; The Sales Group, Camarillo, Calif.; and Miller & Associates, Central Point, Ore., have joined EcoStar's network of product representatives.

Marshall & Associates is responsible for expanding EcoStar's product line in northern California, and The Sales Group is responsible for expanding the product line in southern California. Miller & Associates is responsible for expanding EcoStar's product line in eastern California and western Nevada.

Grace launches rebate program

Cambridge, Mass.-based Grace Resi­dential Building Materials, a division of W.R. Grace & Co., Columbia, Md., has launched its Grace Builder Rebate Plus Program, a rebate program for registered homebuilders who use select Grace Residential Building Materials products.

Program participants receive builders' rebates, installer training and customer support, extended warranty coverage, a model home program, marketing literature and a homebuyer package. To register for the program, go to www.graceathome.com or call (866) 333-3726.

CertainTeed expands plant

Valley Forge, Pa.-based CertainTeed Corp. has expanded its manufacturing plant in Oxford, N.C. The plant is the largest roofing plant in the world, according to CertainTeed representatives.

The expansion began in 2005 and included construction of a laminated roofing shingle production line and 65,000-square-foot building. The plant employs more than 200 workers.

Eternabond honors sales representative

Mundelein, Ill.-based Eternabond has presented Zenith Marketing Enterprises, Staten Island, N.Y., with its Representative of the Year award for 2006.

Eternabond's Representative of the Year award winners are chosen based on sales representatives' overall sales volume, sales growth from the previous year, territory penetration, new customer additions and customer retention. This is the second time Zenith Marketing Enterprises has won the award.

Up the ladder

Firestone Building Products Co. has named Bob Sterrett plant manager of its Las Vegas TPO plant.

Soprema Inc. has named Jim Sheltmire head of its U.S. waterproofing division.

Tremco Inc.'s Roofing and Building Maintenance division has named Angela C. DiTommaso contracts and compliance manager.

Trimline® Building Products has named Jim Meyers eastern U.S. sales manager and Dave Stewart western U.S. sales manager.

Industry online

ATAS International Inc. has launched its redesigned Web site, www.atas.com. The Web site features a photo gallery, Flash presentation and computer-aided design (CAD) drawings. CAD details and product information have been updated to reflect recent specifications for all ATAS products.

Met-Tile Inc. has updated its Web site, www.met-tile.com, to include information about its metal tile panel cool roof system. The Web site also includes a navigation system and expanded product information for architects, builders, contractors, homeowners and building owners. Users can also determine whether Met-Tile products are right for their homes or buildings by taking an interactive roofing profile quiz.

Contractor news

Open Energy signs letter of intent

Solana Beach, Calif.-based Open Energy Corp. and Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd., Wuxi, China, have signed a letter of intent for broad initiatives targeting the expansion of both companies' building-integrated photovoltaic product sales.

As part of the strategic cooperation, Suntech Power Holdings will provide cost-effective production for Open Energy's SolarSave® PV Tiles; the companies will market each other's products in the North American market; and Suntech Power Holdings will have the right to acquire up to 5 percent of outstanding Open Energy shares.

Borsche Roofing Professionals wins award

Borsche Roofing Professionals Inc., Appleton, Wis., has been awarded a Gold Level Safety Training and Evalu­ation Process Award by Associated Builders and Contractors.

Borsche Roofing Professionals received the award for the development of its 2007 safety program.

Other news

SPFA names executive director

The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) has named Kurt Riesenburg executive director.

Before coming to SPFA, Riesenburg served as director of operations for six of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association's (NEMA) business units, acted as executive director for two of NEMA's external operations, and assisted in the development of new business and membership growth for NEMA.

Riesenburg officially began as SPFA executive director July 5.

EPDM association names chairman

The EPDM Roofing Association (ERA) has named Michael DuCharme chairman of its board of directors. DuCharme is director of product marketing at Carlisle SynTec Inc., Carlisle, Pa.

"I am pleased to assume the role of chairman of ERA," says DuCharme. "I look forward to working with the board and ERA to emphasize EPDM's long record of outstanding performance and its ability to meet future standards of sustainability and environmental responsibility."

RCI names director of technical services

RCI Inc. has named Walter Rossiter Jr., Ph.D., director of technical services.

Rossiter was a roofing research staff member at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). He was a faculty member for the Roofing Industry Educational Institute and participated in field reconnaissance of buildings following wind events with NIST and the Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues.