Briefings

Manufacturer news

Firestone Building Products employees receive patents

John Letts, an insulation scientist, and Tim Tackett, an insulation engineer, who are employed by Firestone Building Products Co. LLC, Indianapolis, have earned U.S. Patent 7,387,753—Method and Apparatus to Monitor the Compressive Strength of Insulation Boards.

The patent is the first awarded to Tackett and sixth awarded to Letts. It provides a method for producing foam insulation board as part of a continuous process. During the process, the product's compressive strength is monitored online along at least one of its trimmed edges, allowing adjustments to be made during the product's formation in light of data obtained.

"An unfaltering commitment to quality and innovation is a cornerstone of Firestone's global business practices," says John Geary, Firestone Building Products' vice president of marketing. "John and Tim spent countless hours researching, designing and testing this invention to improve the manufacturing process of insulation boards, which directly translates into quality enhancements that all Firestone customers may enjoy down the road."

R.H. Tamlyn & Sons resolves dispute

NRCA member R.H. Tamlyn & Sons LP, Stafford, Texas, and Ross Manufacturing LLC, New Braunfels, Texas, have resolved their dispute regarding the Ross 150 Roof Vent,® which formerly was known as the TSB-150. Ross Manufacturing has the sole, exclusive right to manufacture, sell and distribute the Ross 150/TSB-150 Roof Vent.

Additionally, the companies have agreed Ross Manufacturing is the sole, exclusive owner of the 150 Roof Vent, as well as all patents and patent applications regarding the vent, the mold used to manufacture the vent and the TSB-150 trademark.

Contractor news

Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing wins awards

Houston-based Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing received four awards during the Associated Builders and Contractors' (ABC's) 19th Annual National Excellence in Construction (EIC) Awards ceremony June 24 in Washington, D.C.

The company received EIC Awards in the Specialty Construction Under $1 Million and Exteriors—Masonry, Precast or Stone categories for its work at Discovery Green Park, Houston, and Dallas Community College District's restored office building, respectively. The company also received the Pyramid Award in the Exteriors—Masonry category for its work at Dallas Independent School District's Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Additionally, the company received the National Safety Excellence Award, which recognizes firms whose safety performance and programs are exemplary and exhibit a lasting commitment to job-site safety.

"ABC congratulates Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing for its exceptional work," says Kirk Pickerel, ABC's president and chief executive officer. "Its projects are outstanding examples of the innovation and commitment to superior craftsmanship that embody merit shop construction. It is a pleasure to honor Chamberlin Roofing & Waterproofing with the association's top construction excellence award."

Binghamton Slag Roofing launches energy division

Binghamton Slag Roofing, Binghamton, N.Y., has launched EnerGreen, a renewable-energy division that offers new solar products. EnerGreen team members recently have completed training in the renewable-energy field.

In addition, the company has partnered with Binghamton-based Earthsponse, an alternative-energy firm and education center. Earthsponse has provided classroom and hands-on training for Binghamton Slag Roofing personnel regarding crystalline, solar thermal and thin film applications.

"This is just a natural fit for us," says Charles Griffiths, Binghamton Slag Roofing's president and chief executive officer. "Most of today's solar equipment incorporates roofing as part of its delivery system. Our EnerGreen division will remain dedicated to solar and any other new technologies that can provide alternative energy resources."

Roofing contractor passes away

Chester "Chet" Raypholtz, founder of Fresno Roofing Co., Fresno, Calif., passed away July 31.

Raypholtz served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II from 1943-45. He also served as president of the Fresno Builder's Exchange (now the Central California Builder's Exchange) and California Roofing Contractors Association. He was an NRCA board member from 1974-77 and member of the Fresno State Bulldog Foundation, Sunnyside Country Club and Fresno Elks Lodge. He also donated to numerous charities, including the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Raypholtz is survived by his daughter Sheryl Steiner and her husband Wendyl; son Mike Raypholtz and his wife Diana; son Scott Raypholtz and his wife Jeanette; and granddaughter Debbie Ierano and her husband Michael.

Distributor news

N.B. Handy recognizes vendors

N.B. Handy Co., Lynchburg, Va., has announced its Top Suppliers of 2008, an honor recognizing the company's "Preferred Vendors" for outstanding performance during the 2008 calendar year.

Severstal Sparrows Point, Sparrows Point, Md., was named Vendor of the Year & Steel Vendor of the Year. Outstanding Sales Performance recognition was presented to ATCO Rubber Products Inc., Fort Worth, Texas; Berger Brothers, Amityville, N.Y.; Ductmate Industries Inc., Charleroi, Pa.; Duro Dyne, Bay Shore, N.Y.; NRCA member GAF Materials Corp.'s Commercial Roofing Products Division, Wayne, N.J.; Gray Metal Products Inc., Avon, N.Y.; JM International-Mechanical Insulation, Vista, Calif.; and Quietflex, Irving, Texas.

To qualify for the recognition, vendors must score well on an evaluation divided into four categories: delivery, finance, service and growth. Each metric has a point value range from low to high. Each metric also has a specific weight to differentiate the relative value of one metric from another. The evaluation compares current scores with those from the previous year to determine the improvement, maintenance or decline of the various factors.

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 to the Joint Union/Contractor Scholarship Committee titled, "How important is the roofing industry?"

This year's scholarship recipients are Savanna Brooks of Rochester Hills, Mich.; Christopher Carmichael of Port Huron, Mich.; Amanda Marquardt of Northville, Mich.; and Blake Morgan of Livonia, Mich.

Other news

RCMA presents award

The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) has awarded Donald C. Portfolio, president of PRI Construction Materials Technologies LLC, Tampa, Fla., its Martin A. Davis RCMA Industry Leadership Award. The award was presented at the 2009 President's Dinner during the RCMA 2009 Annual Conference & Expo in Dana Point, Calif.

The award is the highest RCMA bestows and is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies outstanding service and has made significant contributions to the roof coatings industry.

ARMA awards facilities

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) has announced the winners of its 2008 Accident Prevention Contest in which the highest award is the ARMA President's Choice Award. In 2008, 106 facilities participated in the contest.

Henry Co., El Segundo, Calif., won the ARMA President's Choice Award in the Over 300,000 Labor Hours Worked Per Year category; CertainTeed Corp., Little Rock, Ark., won in the 200,000 to 300,000 Labor Hours Worked Per Year category; GAF Materials Corp., Chester, S.C., won in the 100,000 to 200,000 Labor Hours Worked Per Year category; and Henry Co., Huntington Park, Calif., won in the Under 100,000 Labor Hours Worked Per Year category.

MCA certifies products

In June, the Metal Construction Association (MCA) qualified products produced by McElroy Metal, Bossier, La., for its Roofing Certification Program. McElroy Metal now has 12 products certified in MCA's program, including its Multi-Rib, R-Panel, 5V, Mega-Rib, Medallion-Lok, U-Panel, Maxima, Medallion and Medallion II.

MCA's Roofing Certification Program offers consumers access to credible third-party product information. Products in the program have met standards for base metals and finish coatings applied to steep-slope roofing products; these products meet or exceed standards published in MCA's Guide Specifications for Residential Metal Roofing.

"In many segments of the market, the end user simply is buying painted metal without understanding the different levels of quality among substrates and paint systems," says Ken Gieseke, McElroy Metal's vice president of marketing. "This program is a way to identify the difference in products, so they know they're getting certified high-quality products when they purchase certified panels."

USGBC is accepted as Education Reviewing Body

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has been accepted by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) as the first Education Reviewing Body (ERB).

USGBC's ERB status authorizes it to review and approve continuing education offerings under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Professional Credentialing Maintenance Program. ERBs must meet organizational and technical criteria established by GBCI, demonstrating capacity, subject matter expertise and compliance with best practices.

"GBCI's commitment to providing a suite of LEED professional credentials that keep pace with the demands and evolution of the marketplace depends on a credential maintenance program that sets the bar for cutting-edge, innovative and diverse education," says Peter Templeton, GBCI's president. "The rigorous selection process for our Education Reviewing Bodies helps ensure that the LEED AP and LEED Green Associate credential holders receive the ongoing education needed to lead the green building industry into the future."

The industry online

Roofmaster Products Co. has redesigned www.roofmaster.com to allow visitors to shop for products, as well as copy and reprint anything in the company's catalog.

Up the ladder

Victor Dean has been named Dow Roofing Systems LLC's general manager.

Inspec Inc. has named Gary C. Patrick, AIA, RRC, executive vice president.