Briefings

Manufacturer news

Owens Corning offers touchless roof system inspections

Owens Corning, Toledo, Ohio, is collaborating with XAP360 LLC, Loveland, Ohio, to offer OC ProScan, a drone-based touchless roof system inspection platform, to Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network members.

OC ProScan provides fully autonomous, touchless technology for roof system inspections and objective third-party professional reporting. Using a drone, roof scans can be completed in less than 10 minutes, enabling contractors to deliver safe, accurate roof system inspections for homeowners. Printable report options are available, and the platform stores pre-loss data in the cloud to assist homeowners who need to file weather-related insurance claims in the future.

“Owens Corning is proud to team up with business services like XAP360 whose innovative platform will enable Owens Corning Roofing Contractor Network members to differentiate themselves in this virtual selling environment and take their business to the next level,” says Jon Gardner, contractor training leader for Owens Corning.

Dow announces results of Carbon Challenge

The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Mich., and the U.S. Green Building Council have shared the results of their inaugural Carbon Challenge.

Announced in June 2019, the Carbon Challenge recognizes large office buildings and shopping centers in north Asia that reduced carbon emissions and improved energy efficiency. The challenge received 63 entries across 16 cities in northern Asia covering about 7.5 million m². Jointly, the 63 buildings saved 38,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent year over year, which is equivalent to more than 600,000 tree seedlings grown for 10 years. In addition, the buildings’ greenhouse gas emissions were reduced on average more than 2% year over year.

“Every part of the world is experiencing firsthand the consequences of climate change, and it’s on all of us to help accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,” says Andy To, managing director for USGBC North Asia. “Buildings are one of the largest energy-consuming sectors in the world and are responsible for approximately one-third of global carbon emissions. We are proud of our ongoing collaboration with Dow and the impressive results of our first Carbon Challenge which reinforce the industry’s commitment to a sustainable built environment.”

Distributor news

ABC Supply names new managing partners

ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis., has promoted 28 branch managers to managing partners. In their new roles, the managing partners will provide feedback on various topics to senior management as part of ABC Supply’s National Branch Advisory Board.

“Our managing partners represent ABC Supply’s best, and their knowledge and leadership help to make sure that we continue to succeed,” says Keith Rozolis, president and CEO of ABC Supply. “Each of these managers goes above and beyond to support our associates and our customers.”

A list of the 28 managing partners is available at abcsupply.com/media-center/news-releases.

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply celebrates 50th anniversary

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, Aurora, Ill., is celebrating 50 years in the construction industry.

Nick A. Polizzi originally founded Area Construction Trades Inc. in 1970 while working as a metal deck broker. A.C.T. Inc. was a metal deck subcontractor furnishing and installing metal deck packages for 35 years before phasing out its erection services in October 2007. A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply now has 15 locations in the U.S., giving the company national and international exposure as a metal deck distributor. Polizzi remains an adviser for the company.

Beacon Roofing Supply calls for nominations

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., Herndon, Va., is accepting nominations for its second annual Beacon of Hope contest, a nationwide program awarding new roof systems to deserving veteran homeowners.

Beacon Roofing Supply is teaming up with veteran-friendly roofing companies to deliver and install all necessary roof system replacements or repairs for the homes of three veterans. In addition, seven runners-up will receive $2,500 to help complete necessary home repairs.

The public can nominate a U.S. veteran facing adversity through Sept. 24 at go.becn.com/beaconofhope or by emailing beaconofhope@becn.com. Nominations must include a photo and short bio of the veteran, including his or her military branch, years of service and why the nominee deserves a new roof system.

Ten finalists will be announced in early October, and the public will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite finalists.

Beacon Roofing Supply will announce the winners and runners-up on Veterans Day.

NRCA news

Spanish landing page added to NRCA website

NRCA has launched NRCA en Español, a landing page on NRCA’s website, nrca.net, that features resources now available in Spanish.

The Latino community is an integral part of the roofing industry, and NRCA continues to strive to offer useful information for Spanish-speaking roofing professionals.

Offerings in Spanish include products in the NRCA Bookstore and information about membership, NRCA ProCertification^® and Training for Roof Application Careers.

NRCA will continue to add new resources in Spanish to the landing page. To access NRCA en Español, go to nrca.net/espanol.

Other news

IBHS launches virtual FORTIFIED^™ Home training

The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety has launched virtual FORTIFIED Home training courses. Roofing contractors now can virtually learn how to install stronger FORTIFIED Roofs^™ to prevent avoidable damage caused by severe weather.

FORITIFIED Wise^™ University courses address the FORTIFIED Roof designation and are designed for roofing contractors who seek to learn the differences between a typical code-compliant roof and an upgraded FORTIFIED Roof, as well as the required installation techniques. Participants will learn how FORTIFIED can benefit homeowners, particularly in parts of the U.S. that experience severe storms. The training is delivered in 11 modules. When all coursework is completed, a participant can take an exam to become a FORTIFIED Wise–Roofing Contractor and be listed in the FORTIFIED Professional directory used by potential customers.

“[During] the past five years, the U.S. has been hit by more than 50 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disasters, so demand for stronger homes is on the rise,” says Fred Malik, managing director of the FORTIFIED program at IBHS. “Our research shows a significant amount of this damage can be minimized, or prevented altogether, by making a series of minor changes to the way we build homes and install roofs. The new FORTIFIED virtual training platform allows roofing contractors across the country to use our science to grow their business by helping customers protect their homes against severe weather.”

Additional information is available at fortifiedwise.com.

MRA announces competition winners

The Metal Roofing Alliance has announced Drexel Metals Inc., Louisville, Ky., and New England Metal Systems, East Kingston, N.H., are the winners of its Best Residential Metal Roofing Project competition for the second quarter of 2020.

The winning project features the installation of a new metal roof system on a 1992 contemporary craftsman home in New Hampshire. The owners chose metal for its long-lasting durability and to highlight the home’s architecture and unique design elements. Installed over the home’s original asphalt roof system, the owners selected a 24-gauge GALVALUME^® snap-lock standing-seam metal roof system manufactured by Drexel Metals. New England Metal Systems installed the new roof system in less than one week.

“Our family business has specialized in standing-seam metal roofing for more than 20 years, and on my initial consultation with this homeowner, I knew this was a project I wanted to do,” says Chris Leighton, owner and operator of New England Metal Systems. “I was excited and inspired by the complexity and challenge. I love the end result and am proud to have this project recognized by the Metal Roofing Alliance.”

The winner of MRA’s Best Residential Metal Roofing Project competition for the third quarter of 2020 will be announced this month.

SPFA elects board of directors

The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance has announced its 2020-22 board of directors.

The SPFA executive committee includes Bryan Heldreth, president of SPFA and president of RPC Industries Inc., Hampton, Va.; Bonnie Strickler, vice president of SPFA and president of NRCA member PUFF Inc., Charlottesville, Va.; Richard Spiess, treasurer of SPFA and president of Innovative Insulation Solutions Ltd., Elk Grove Village, Ill.; and Tiffiny Flaim, past president of SPFA and president of BIOFOAM Inc., Chicago.

A list of the directors is available at sprayfoam.org.

METALCON 2020 is postponed

The Metal Construction Association has announced the postponement of METALCON 2020 until Oct. 6-8, 2021, in Tampa, Fla., because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The METALCON team now is developing new programming and essential training and has announced three new initiatives in development.

Metal construction industry supervisors and foremen will be able to participate in the METALCON Safety Certificate Program, which leads to an annual credential and helps make projects safer. The METALCON Business Development Program will feature education and training to help participants enhance all aspects of their businesses. Participants will learn via a series of virtual seminars and be awarded certificates during METALCON 2021. And METALCON Live! New Industry Briefs will feature industry leaders providing the latest information about the marketplace.

Additional information about METALCON 2021 is available at metalcon.com.

NRCA new members

1-800-NEW-ROOF Canada Inc., Ottawa, Ontario
American Experts, La Mesa, Calif.
AP Roofing Restoration, San Antonio
B&B Sheet Metal, Long Island City, N.Y.
Better Home Crew Inc., Wood Dale, Ill.
Butte Roofing Co., Chico, Calif.
Cal Roof, El Cajon, Calif.
D&S Weatherproofing Ltd., Hillside, Ill.
Dynamic Restoration LLC, Lawrenceburg, Ky.
EP Fabtech Metals, El Paso, Texas
HighPeak Roofs LLC, Littleton, Colo.
Howard Coatings LLC, Hayden, Idaho
Ivan Roofing, Oak Brook, Ill.
Jo En Construction Inc., Jacksonville, Fla.
Kelt Roofing Co., Kingsport, Tenn.
Level Up Roofing Inc., Clemmons, N.C.
McLeran Roofing, San Rafael, Calif.
Millspaugh Properties, Bethlehem, Conn.
Nova City LLC, Silver Spring, Md.
P.L. Hurley Roofing Systems, Texas City, Texas
Pyramid Roofing of Kansas City, Grandview, Mo.
Quality Roofing and Remodeling, Birmingham, Ala.
Regions Commercial Roofing Inc., Fort Worth, Texas
Roof Doctors LLC, Goodlettsville, Tenn.
Roof Toppers Inc., El Paso, Texas
Roofing Analysis and Consulting, Branson, Mo.
Roofing Designs by JR LLC, Humble, Texas
Safeguard Solutions LLC, Centennial, Colo.
Schindler Roofing LLC, Manitowoc, Wis.
Skyland Roofing LLC, Tucson, Ariz.
Southwest Building Resource, Phoenix
The Exam Pros, Coconut Creek, Fla.
The Pinnacle Group Inc., Henrico, Va.