Briefings

Manufacturer news

Knight-Celotex enters bankruptcy

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division has approved a motion by Bank of America Corp., Charlotte, N.C., to place Knight-Celotex LLC, Northfield, Ill., in Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

The court has appointed Barry A. Chatz, attorney at law with Chicago-based Arnstein & Lehr LLP, as trustee. According to Knight-Celotex, Chatz intends for the company to be sold as an ongoing concern and numerous parties have shown interest in purchasing the company.

National Coatings product is recognized

National Coatings Corp., Camarillo, Calif., has been included in Buildings Magazine's Editor's Choice—Top Product Picks, a list of the top 100 products for innovation, functionality, efficiency and environmental friendliness.

According to National Coatings, its AcryShield® Roof Management System was named to the list based on its seamless membrane and weatherproofing capabilities.

Sika Sarnafil introduces recycling program

Canton, Mass.-based Sika Sarnafil Inc. has introduced its Sika Sarnafil Roof Recycling Program for commercial vinyl roof membranes. According to the company, the program is the first of its kind in the U.S. and has been used to recycle more than 1 million square feet of "end of life" roof membrane and more than 20 million pounds of pre-consumer membrane.

"With this groundbreaking resource recovery program, Sika Sarnafil is literally taking recycling to new heights," says Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles. "I am pleased that EEA's Office of Technical Assistance and Technology was able to give Sika Sarnafil the assistance it needed to advance this innovative program. By reducing the amount of material disposed of in Massachusetts landfills, this effort is helping enhance the commonwealth's environment."

Tremco receives award

Tremco Inc., Beachwood, Ohio, has been awarded the Supplier Performance Award by Premier Purchasing Partners LP, Charlotte, N.C.

Tremco is one of 45 contracted suppliers to receive the award, which recognizes organizations for their outstanding management of Premier Purchasing Partners agreements and drive toward the mutual goal of providing clinical and financial value to the not-for-profit hospitals that are members of the Premier Purchasing Partners alliance.

"As Premier's supplier for roofing and other building envelope services as they apply to roofing, Tremco is committed to providing best value solutions that enable long-term facility support," says Deryl Kratzer, president of Tremco's Roofing and Building Maintenance Division. "We are delighted that Premier has recognized our service and honored us with a Supplier Performance Award."

ATAS International names award winners

ATAS International Inc., Allentown, Pa., has announced the winners of its 2008 Project of the Year awards, which recognize those who further the advancement of metal in construction. Any project completed during 2008 that used ATAS International products was eligible to win.

The Children's Hospital of Kings Daughters Princess Ann Office Building in Virginia Beach, Va., won first place in the commercial roofing division; the North Carolina Central University BRITE Building in Durham, won first place in the commercial walls division; a private residence in Mobile, Ala., won first place in the residential roofs division; and a private residence in East Hampton, N.Y., won first place in the residential walls division.

More information about the award winners, including project photos, is available at www.atas.com.

Firestone Building Products awards scholarships

Firestone Building Products Co. LLC, Indianapolis, recently awarded the Firestone Platinum Scholarship, which is part of the North East Roofing Educational Foundation (NEREF) scholarship program, to Britney Curtis of West Chester, Pa.

The NEREF scholarship program awards 12 $2,500 scholarships each year for full-time study at an accredited postsecondary institution of the student's choice.

"At Firestone, we understand the importance of postsecondary education, and the scholarship programs we've developed have allowed us to provide students with funding to continue their schooling," says Mike Vall, Firestone Building Products' president.

EcoStar tiles are donated

Carlisle, Pa.-based EcoStar's Majestic Slate™ roof tiles were donated by a local EcoStar distributor for phase one of the Montana Zero Energy House Project that is part of Montana State University's Extension Housing and Environmental Health Program.

EcoStar's Majestic Slate tiles were featured on the renovated, World War II-era Family and Graduate Housing home, which showcases ways for homeowners and builders to conserve energy and water while saving money and building a more environmentally friendly home. The project will serve as a regional link to credible and sustainable national building information, research, technologies, resources, demonstration, and technical and training support for the housing industry. The project's goal is to educate builders, architects, engineers, homeowners, students and the general public about resource efficiency.

"We were excited about the EcoStar roof tiles because they are made from recycled materials," says Jennifer Grossenbacher, the project's coordinator. "We hope to show people that using building products that rely less on natural resources can cost less than traditional building approaches."

Distributor news

Bradco Supply acquires company

Bradco Supply Corp., Avenel, N.J., has acquired Dynamic Roofing & Siding, Warminster, Pa.

"We believe this is an excellent opportunity for Bradco Supply, one that further strengthens our presence in the Montgomery-Bucks-Philadelphia counties region," says Martin Segal, Bradco Supply's vice president of acquisitions. "Bradco Supply is focused on growth and building our business for the long term, and we will continue to capitalize on our leading market positions and strong balance sheet to further consolidate the roofing supply industry."

Roofing professional passes away

C.B. "Ben" Bryan, commercial sales manager for Fowler & Peth Inc., Denver, has passed away. He was 66.

Before joining Fowler & Peth's staff in 2004, Bryan served in various positions at Denver-based Johns Manville. He was husband of Nita; father of Tina Doty, Sabrina Behuniak, Ken Toler and Ben Bryan; grandfather of Jennifer, Ben, Jacob, Katie, Charlie, Sarah and Alex; and brother of Donnie, Dickie and Eddie.

Other news

GRHC launches accreditation program

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) launched its Green Roof Professional (GRP) Accreditation Program during its 7th Greening Rooftops for Sustainable Communities Conference, Awards and Trade Show in Atlanta June 5.

The GRP accreditation exam was completed by 130 conference delegates. The exam focuses on five areas, including pre-design, design, contract management, quality assurance and support, and maintenance. GRP accreditation is intended to verify the designated GRP has attained a level of interdisciplinary knowledge related to vegetative roof system design, installation and maintenance.

"Our recent North American industry survey reports the U.S. green roofing industry grew 35 percent in 2008, and there is growing governmental policy interest in the use of green roof infrastructure to meet various municipal, county, state and federal mandates for storm water management, air-quality standards and energy-efficiency standards," says Steven Peck, GRHC's founder and president. "We are proud to establish the GRP accreditation that keeps pace with the growing demand for qualified professionals in the sector."

ERA names associate executive director

The EPDM Roofing Association (ERA) has named Ellen Thorp associate executive director.

Thorp will be responsible for the association's daily operations, tracking roofing-related state regulatory issues and committee meeting logistics, and performing financial and administrative oversight.

"We are pleased to add Ellen to the ERA team," says John Geary, ERA's board chairman. "Ellen brings administrative, management and financial experience to her role with ERA and will be a key component in our relationships with members and other professionals in the building industry."

RCI grants award

RCI Inc. presented Dick Fricklas, former technical director for the Roofing Industry Educational Institute, with its William C. Correll Award during its 24th International Convention & trade Show in March. The award is granted to individuals for actions that have benefited the roof industry's professional development.

Fricklas, who is an honorary RCI member, participates in roofing technology programs for the University of Wisconsin—Extension division in Madison and helps RCI develop curricula for its registration programs.

The industry online

Sika Sarnafil Inc. has launched www.SustainabilityThatPays.com, which is dedicated to supporting sustainability principles and environmentally responsible building. The Web site provides information about selecting roof and waterproofing systems that meet sustainability goals for energy efficiency, environmentally preferable products, and greenhouse gas and waste reduction.

RoofLogic has redesigned www.roofcad.com to display its RoofCAD and Digitizer modules through images, examples and a demonstration video.

Up the ladder

ABC Supply Co. Inc. has named Glen Turner controller, business operations.

Duro-Last® Roofing Inc. has named Keith A. Gere director of engineering services.

Mike Sullivan has been named Sullivan Roofing Inc.'s vice president of safety operations.