Briefings

Contractor news

Manson Roofing receives awards

Manson Roofing Inc., Bradenton, Fla., has received the 2008 Small Business of the Year Award for businesses with more than 11 employees from the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce. The company also received the 2008 Small Business of the Year Award for businesses with fewer than 80 employees from the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. This is the first time a roofing contracting company has won either award.

Manson Roofing received the awards based in part on its strategic plan, employee enhancement program, workplace safety, drug-free work environment and community involvement.

D.C. Taylor wins safety award

Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based D.C. Taylor Co. has received a safety award from the Iowa-Illinois Safety Council (IISC) for outstanding achievement in accident prevention during 2007. The award was presented during IISC's 55th Annual Professional Development Conference and Expo in Dubuque, Iowa, April 16-18.

D.C. Taylor is one of 165 businesses, industries and government agencies in Iowa and Illinois to receive an award for promoting safety programs and reducing Occupational Safety and Health Administration recordable injuries among their employees. D.C. Taylor received the award in part because its total incident rate of 4.24 was significantly lower than the national average of 7.3.

Roofing contractor passes away

Bob Reeve, former president of Applied Fabricators Inc., Indianapolis, passed away July 14. He was 62.

He is survived by his wife Julie A. Reeve; sons Brian and Brandon Reeve; grandchildren Chloe and Hudson Reeve; brother Donald Reeve; sister Loretta Shank; mother-in-law Norma Hobbs; brother-in-law Doug Hobbs; and sister-in-law Tracey Checa.

Manufacturer news

Carlisle SynTec donates to zoo

Carlisle SynTec Inc., Carlisle, Pa., recently donated 2,400 square feet of its Sure-Seal® EPDM roof membrane for a new 2-acre grizzly bear exhibit at Zoo Montana in Billings, Mont.

Bradford Roof Management, Billings, installed the roof membrane over the exhibit's viewing area and bear enclosures. The exhibit features four outdoor holding cages, two indoor holding cages and a kitchen that stores the bears' food.

CentiMark gives to charity

CentiMark Corp., Canonsburg, Pa., has contributed $50,000 to help fund Beachwood, Ohio-based Developers Diversified's commitment of $120,000 to the national Multiple Sclerosis Society. During the next four years, the money will be given as scholarships to the top 10 student applicants in the U.S. Developers Diversified is a national owner, developer and manager of community shopping centers.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society's scholarships were established to help those who have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis—and children with a parent diagnosed with the disease—pursue a full-time college or technical education.

Polyfoam Products offers free training

Polyfoam Products Inc., Coral Springs, Fla., is offering free qualified applicator training with the purchase of any of its Foampro® RTF 1000 Series, PROPACK® or POLYSET ONE® dispensing equipment.

The free training includes classroom and hands-on sessions that last about four hours each. Each session is led by Polyfoam Products at a location determined by the contractor and is available in English and Spanish. Upon completion of the training, a test is given to each participant, and those who pass are issued a Qualified Applicator card that is valid for two years. The cards are issued to individual applicators, not roofing contracting companies.

Rohm and Haas opens facility

Rohm and Haas Co., Philadelphia, has begun operations at its plant in Querétaro, Mexico. The facility produces emulsion polymers and polyacrylates and is the first in Latin America to operate under the company's 21st Century Manufacturing Principles, which focus on guaranteeing best standard levels of efficiency and productivity.

"With this action in Querétaro, we welcome this new production and distribution platform for our products," says Mauro Trevisani, Rohm and Haas Mexico's country manager. "This gives the best attention to our customers in Mexico and Latin America."

Metal-Era reduces lead times

Waukesha, Wis.-based Metal-Era Inc. has reduced its lead times 30 to 40 percent for most of its products and expanded its express colors line to include 13 colors.

"We know how important it is for our customers to receive their orders quickly," says Tony Mallinger, Metal-Era's chief operating officer. "They shouldn't have to sacrifice quality for speed, and Metal-Era is committed to providing the industry with both."

More information about Metal-Era's express colors and reduced lead times can be accessed at www.metalera.com.

GAF Materials forms alliance

NRCA member GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J., and Atlanta-based GE Energy have formed a strategic alliance to market and develop solar systems and roof systems for commercial and residential buildings.

"Combining the expertise of two companies that are leaders in their business sectors will help to further advance the use of solar energy technology in residential and commercial applications across North America," says Victor Abate, GE Energy's vice president of renewables.

In addition, GAF Materials has received the 2008 Hermes Creative Award in the Video—Marketing Products category from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

The award was presented to the company in the Gold category for its GardenScapes Roof System DVD, "GardenScapes: Greening America—One Roof at a Time." The DVD was produced by GAF Materials' media production department, a production and design group that creates all GAF Materials' video marketing material.

Up the ladder

Englert Inc. has named Michael D. Behler a sales representative in southwest Florida.

Reichel & Drews Inc. has named Fred Kestler president.

RoofConnect has named Ken Hunt, RRC, RRO, vice president of technical services.

Tremco Inc.'s Roofing and Building Maintenance Division has named Russell Wilbanks and Bruce Yule vice presidents in the U.S. Jean Pariseault has been named a vice president in Canada.

Affiliate news

SMRCA awards scholarships

The Southeastern Michigan Roofing Contractors Association (SMRCA) Inc. and Roofers Union Local #149 have awarded four $1,000 scholarships to dependents of SMRCA's member contractors. Applicants submitted essays titled, "How important is the roofing industry?" to the Joint Union/Contractor Scholarship Committee.

This year's scholarship recipients are Falesha Crawford of Detroit; Christopher Gagnon of Troy, Mich.; Brett Marquardt of Northville, Mich.; and Amber Trombley of Lapeer, Mich.

FRSA names leadership

The Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (FRSA) named Keith Swope, CPRC, president of NRCA member Tampa Roofing Co. Inc., Tampa, Fla., FRSA president during the organization's 86th Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla.

Additionally, Dave Cumming, sales and business development manager for NRCA member Camp-Rigby Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Inc., Cape Coral, Fla., has been named FRSA president-elect; Alvin J. Singleton, president of NRCA member Alvin J. Singleton Inc., Sarasota, Fla., has been named vice president; and Robert Mahoney, president of B&Z Custom Sheet Metal Inc., Orlando, has been named secretary/treasurer. Billy Cone, president of NRCA member Rooftech Roofing and Sheet Metal, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., is FRSA's immediate past president.

Also during the convention, the Bob Campanella Award, FRSA's highest recognition of exceptional service to the association and the roofing industry, was awarded to Jim Cheshire, president of Dimensional Roof Systems, Winter Park, Fla.

Other news

Former ARMA president passes away

J.D. Hasselbach, Wayne, N.J.-based GAF Materials Corp.'s vice president, southeast area, and former Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) president, passed away June 26.

Hasselbach's numerous achievements include winning GAF Materials' President's Leadership Award for outstanding leadership among his peers in 2002 and 2004. In 2003 and 2005, he was awarded Sales Area of the Year for top performance in revenue and profit within GAF Materials. Hasselbach also served on many ARMA committees, including the organization's Executive Committee and board of directors until 1997. He was ARMA's president from 1990-94.

SPFA elects officers

The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) has selected its Executive Committee officers and board members for 2008-10.

Sean Stumler, principal and vice president of sales for Louisville, Ky.-based Insulated Roofing Contractors, has been named SPFA president; Sig Hall, vice president and general manager for Western Pacific Roofing Co., Palmdale, Calif., has been named vice president; and Renee Zierden, director for BaySystems Insulation Systems N.A., BayerMaterial Science, Pittsburgh, has been named treasurer.

The industry online

Carlisle SynTec Inc. has added new features to its Web site, www.carlisle-syntec.com, including a submittal wizard, updated navigation bar, product literature, company directory and industry news.

Duro-Last® Roofing Inc. has launched www.white-equals-green.com, which explains the company's "White Equals Green" campaign and discusses PVC building materials.