Briefings

Manufacturer news

The Dow Chemical Co. contributes to net-zero energy home

The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., and Saginaw, Mich.-based Cobblestone Homes opened their 1,556-square-foot net-zero energy home for the first time during the Midland Spring Parade of Homes May 7. The home, called InVision Zero, was built for less than $250,000 and is expected to save $2,441 in energy costs and avert 30,233 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.

InVision Zero uses various materials and sustainable technologies manufactured by The Dow Chemical Co., including its STYROFOAM SIS™ Brand Structural Insulated Sheathing, insulating foam sealants and weather barrier solutions, and DOW™ POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingles. Additionally, The Dow Chemical Co.'s DOWFROST™ GEO 20 heat-transfer fluids are used in the home's geothermal system, its polyurethanes are used in the entry door, and its coatings technology is used in the paint and carpeting.

GAF Materials receives design awards

GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J., has received nine American In-house Design Awards from Graphic Design USA magazine. The awards showcase outstanding work by in-house designers. Winners were selected from more than 4,000 entries submitted nationwide.

GAF Materials' award-winning materials are the DuraLife™ Decking Systems brochure, DuraLife Decking Systems display and DuraLife Siesta advertisement; TOPCOAT® brochure; EverGuard® TPO Colors advertisement; Timberline® ad series and Timberline Cool Series advertisement; and GAF Materials' corporate branding brochure and Habitat for Humanity partnership brochure.

GAF Materials also announced the production of its 1 billionth square foot of EverGuard® TPO single-ply roof membrane. The EverGuard TPO roofing line includes various products that carry ENERGY STAR® and Cool Roof Rating Council designations.

BIPV roof system receives FM Approval

Wadsworth, Ohio-based SOPREMA Inc.'s rooftop photovoltaic system, SOPRASOLAR, has received FM Approval. SOPRASOLAR is the first FM-approved building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roof system in the worldwide construction market.

The BIPV roof system's FM Approval resulted from the development of FM Global Standard 4476, "Approval Standard for Flexible Photovoltaic Modules." The standard was published earlier this year after review by various industry stakeholders, including SOPREMA North America's corporate technical department.

MAGE SOLAR USA launches solar financing program

MAGE SOLAR USA, Dublin, Ga., has launched its comprehensive solar financing program. After introducing its Extended Terms Program for integrators in April, the company is offering an advanced financing option for its business partners' residential customers.

The solar financing program is delivered in partnership with Renewable Energy Equipment Leasing, a financial service specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions throughout the U.S. and Canada. The program's goal is to provide MAGE SOLAR USA's business partners the ability to offer their customers 100 percent project financing for complete residential photovoltaic systems comprising MAGE SOLAR USA's signature high-efficiency POWERTEC Plus modules, innovative mounting systems and brand name inverters.

Metal-Era introduces animations

Metal-Era Inc., Waukesha, Wis., has added 11 animations to its website, www.metalera.com, to help architects, roof consultants, roofing contractors and other design professionals better understand the effects of commercial roof ventilation and how Metal-Era's ventilation products interact with other roof system components.

Four of the animations show problems that can result from improper commercial roof ventilation, and seven animations show ventilation solutions for various conditions. The animations also illustrate the basic assembly and components of Metal-Era's

Airflow Solutions line.

ALTENLOH, BRINCK & CO. U.S. opens warehouse

ALTENLOH, BRINCK & CO. U.S. Inc., Bryan, Ohio, has opened a new satellite warehouse facility in Jacksonville, Fla., which offers a strategic shipping location to better serve TRUFAST® distributors and their customers in the southeastern U.S.

The Jacksonville facility will maintain a large inventory of TRUFAST fasteners, accessories and adhesives for commercial roof systems and structural insulated panels.

RHEINZINK® America forms alliance

RHEINZINK America Inc., Woburn, Mass., and Agway Metals Inc., Brampton, Ontario, have formed a strategic marketing alliance to distribute RHEINZINK America products in Canada. Agway Metals has four regional offices throughout Canada; it will carry RHEINZINK America coil, sheet and gutter systems.

"The quality of RHEINZINK America products is a natural complement to our other metal goods," says James Robertson, Agway Metals' president and chief executive officer. "It's a great fit, and we're pleased to be able to offer RHEINZINK America to our customers."

Contractor news

Roofing contractor passes away

Lawrence E. Houck, founder of Harrisburg, Pa.-based Houck Group Inc., passed away June 18 at Pinnacle Community General Hospital in Harrisburg, Pa. He was 91.

Houck graduated from the former Lower Paxton High School, Harrisburg, in 1938 and Thompson Business School, Harrisburg, in 1945. He started Houck & Cassatt Masonry Contractors in 1946. He served in the U.S. Army 166th Anti-aircraft Group in World War II, mostly in the South Pacific. In 1974, he founded Houck & Co. Inc. and retired in 1982.

Houck was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Betty Jane; daughter, Star Etta; son, Lawrence E. Houck II; daughter-in-law, Elaine Wildasin; grandsons, Gary L. Houck Jr. and Steve Wildasin; brothers, Henry, John and Luther; and sisters, Annie Smith, Verna Runkle, Helen Quinter-Williams and Millie Patrick.

He is survived by his sister, Fay Kreiser; daughter, Betty Jane; sons, Gary and Tim; son-in-law, Harry Wildasin; and eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Kids Trust or Mt. Laurel Church of God, both in Harrisburg.

Distributor news

ABC Supply receives award

ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis., has been honored with the Gallup Great Workplace Award for the fifth consecutive year. The award recognizes the best-performing work forces worldwide. ABC Supply is one of 29 companies to receive the 2011 award and one of four five-time winners.

Companies considered for a Gallup Great Workplace Award are evaluated by a panel of workplace experts who compare each company's results with results from other companies around the world. The award is based on multiple criteria, including response rates, overall engagement levels and evidence of engagement's impact on performance.

Other news

Registration is open for Solar Power International 2011

Registration for Solar Power International (SPI) 2011, which will take place Oct. 17-20 in Dallas, is open at www.solarpowerinternational.com. SPI is presented by the Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) and Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA). More than 1,100 companies from all vertical markets in the solar power spectrum will exhibit at SPI.

SEIA and SEPA members receive discounted registration rates—up to $400 off the full conference rate. Discounts apply to all members enrolled before Oct. 1. Tickets to the opening night reception and Solar Power Block Party are included in the full conference registration.

General sessions taking place this year include a one-on-one interview with Earvin "Magic" Johnson moderated by NBA champion and broadcaster Steve Kerr; a utilities panel discussion; and a motivational session with New York Times bestselling author Marcus Buckingham who will discuss how individuals can become more productive by focusing on their strengths rather than their weaknesses.

Additionally, SPI's popular Solar Idea Swaps—six interactive sessions designed for small-scale networking and discussion—will be held again this year. Each session lasts for an hour and is facilitated by an industry subject expert. Topics will include codes and standards, patent challenges, off-grid systems, career-seeking in the solar industry, new financing options for residential systems and potential for market growth beyond North America. Solar Idea Swaps is open to full conference registrants only.

Copper associations award exemplary projects

The Copper Development Association Inc. and Canadian Copper & Brass Development Association awarded 2011 North American Copper in Architecture Awards to commercial and residential construction projects incorporating copper.

Roofing-related project winners in the new construction category include the Hylton Performing Arts Center at George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.; Massachusetts House, Lenox, Mass.; and Trent Community Sport & Recreation Centre, Peterborough, Ontario. Boulder House, Boulder, Colo., and Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, Montreal, won in the restoration/renovation category.

The projects were judged by a panel of architectural and copper industry experts. Entries were evaluated based on overall building design, integration of copper, craft of copper installation, and excellence in innovation or historic restoration.

RCI announces 2011-12 officers

RCI Inc., Raleigh, N.C., elected its 2011-12 officers at its Annual Meeting of Members during its 26th International Convention and Trade Show April 11.

RCI's new president is Richard L. Cook Jr., partner with Engineering Inc., Hanahan, S.C. Arthur P. Ward III, owner of Ward Consulting Inc., Kennesaw, Ga., is first vice president, and Thomas M. Gernetzke, project manager for Facility Engineering Inc., Madison, Wis., is second vice president. Sidney I. Hankins III, president of Roof Design and Consulting Services Inc., Knoxville, Tenn., is secretary/treasurer; Robert J. Elsdon, president of Elsdon Consulting, Surrey, British Columbia, is immediate past-president; and James R. Birdsong, chief executive officer of RCI, Raleigh, N.C., is executive vice president.

Additionally, RCI announced the winners of its 2011 Document Competition held April 10 during its International Convention and Trade Show. The Document Competition is an annual event organized to recognize RCI members' excellence in roofing, waterproofing and exterior wall construction project documentation.

Amy M. Peevey, principal/partner at Building Exterior Solutions LLC, Houston, received first place in the Report Writing category for her entry on The Lamar Tower, Houston. Jeffrey Levine, president of Levine & Co. Inc., Ardmore, Pa., received first place for excellence in the Small Roofing/Waterproofing/Exterior Wall Project Documents category for his entry on Vassar College's Thompson Library roof gutter replacement, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Karim Allana, chief executive officer and senior principal of Allana Buick & Bers Inc., Palo Alto, Calif., received first place for excellence in the Large Roofing/Waterproofing/Exterior Wall Project Documents category for his entry on the Modesto Regional Water Treatment Plant and Pump Station, Modesto, Calif.

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger acquires company

Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) Inc., Waltham, Mass., has acquired Waltham-based Capobianco Consulting Engineers LLC. Through the acquisition, SGH has expanded its Parking Structure Engineering Services, introduced Sal A. Capobianco as an SGH senior principal and added the Capobianco Consulting Engineers staff to its Boston-based headquarters.

Industry online

The W.P. Hickman Co. has updated its website, www.wph.com. The website focuses on improving user experience and features improved navigation to allow users to find what they're looking for quickly.

GenTite® RRS has launched its website, www.gentite.com, highlighting the company's complete line of commercial-grade, low-slope roofing products and easy-to-use support tools. The website offers resources for researching, planning and completing a low-slope residential roofing project.

Up the ladder

ADCO Products Inc. has hired Zack Shedleski as field sales representative for ADCO Products' roofing products business covering the mid-Atlantic region.

Duro-Last® Roofing Inc. has promoted Jason P. Tunney to general counsel of the JRB Enterprises family of companies and hired Robert C. Carnick as marketing director and James R. Townsend as product manager for EXCEPTIONAL® Metals.

Englert Inc. has named Tom Martinelli western region sales manager. New Tech Machinery has hired Jim Vaughan as director of sales and marketing.

LiveRoof® LLC has appointed Jenny Ruthven regional sales representative for the LiveRoof Hybrid Green Roof System.

Metal-Era Inc. has promoted Tony Mallinger to president.

NRCA news

NRCA introduces health care program

NRCA has introduced the NRCA National Health Care Program, a captive health care benefits program owned by the Coca Cola Bottlers Association (CCBA) and underwritten by CIGNA.

CIGNA offers a preferred provider organization program along with superior wellness and care management options.

All domestic NRCA members are eligible to participate in the CCBA plan, which includes health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance coverage for member companies. The program gives NRCA members flexibility to develop their own eligibility rules and cost-sharing arrangements with their employees.

To request a quote or find out more about the NRCA National Health Care Program, visit www.nrca.net/healthinsurance or contact Tom Shanahan, NRCA's associate executive director of risk management, at (800) 323-9545, ext. 7538 or tshanahan@nrca.net.

Events

August

26
CERTA Train-the-trainer Authorization
NRCA
Chicago
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net

September

7-9
NRCA's International Roofing Symposium 2011
NRCA
Washington, D.C.
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net

13-16
CONSTRUCT 2011 and the 55th Annual CSI Convention
Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
Chicago
Contact: CSI
(800) 689-2900
www.constructshow.com

25-28
NRCA's Future Executives Institute
NRCA
Chicago
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net

October

3-6
NRCA's Fall Committee Meetings
NRCA
Washington, D.C.
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net