Briefings

Manufacturer news

CertainTeed offers technical bulletin

Valley Forge, Pa.-based CertainTeed Corp.'s Insulation Group has published a free technical bulletin for the construction industry titled "Stapling Methods and Vapor Retarders." The bulletin includes an official interpretation of the concern about whether tab-less fiberglass batts meet residential building code requirements, as well as formal positions regarding the issue from the International Code Council; U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory; ASTM International; and North American Insulation Manufacturers Association. You can obtain a bulletin by calling your local CertainTeed territory manager or (800) 233-8990.

Firestone moves manufacturing plant

Firestone Building Products Co., Indianapolis, has announced it will move its Covington, Ky.-based polyisocyanurate roof insulation manufacturing plant to Florence, Ky. The new 352,000-square-foot (32701-m²) plant will have new, state-of-the-art equipment to manufacture Firestone ISO 95+™ polyisocyanurate insulation. All Covington employees will be transferred to the Florence site, which is about 5 miles (8 km) away, and operations at the new facility are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2006.

"Relocating our polyisocyanurate plant allows us to install brand-new manufacturing equipment and gain about 215,000 square feet (19974 m2) of much-needed production and storage capacity," says Michael Gorey, president of Firestone Building Products and chief executive officer of BSF Diversified Products LLC. "Investing in new equipment will increase production through faster line speed and more effectively meet increasing customer demand."

In addition, Firestone Building Products presented the Davis Memorial Foundation with a $5,000 check during the 31st Annual Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA) Convention and Trade Show in Las Vegas June 6-8. The Davis Memorial Foundation is a scholarship program administered by WSRCA, and Firestone Building Products has donated more than $35,000 to the foundation since 1996.

Elk joins online marketplace

Elk Premium Building Products Inc., Dallas, has formed a strategic relationship with ServiceMagic® Inc., an online marketplace that connects ready-to-buy homeowners to prescreened home service professionals by matching them through consumer service requests. The purpose of the relationship is to provide Elk Premium Building Products' Peak Performance Contractors with a way to increase their business through the Internet.

"Online marketing is new to many of our business customers and can seem overwhelming," says Curt A. Baker, vice president of sales and marketing for Elk Premium Building Products. "However, as an increasing number of consumers turn to the Web to find local roofing professionals, our contractors need to find an efficient way to get Internet leads. ServiceMagic is a proven, cost-effective, targeted online marketing tool that will enable our customers to effectively grow their businesses through the Internet."

Johns Manville launches initiative

The Denver-based Johns Manville Roofing Systems Group has launched an initiative to offer information about cool roof solutions. With the purpose of addressing energy-efficient roofing solutions in California, the educational program features information about Title 24; ENERGY STAR®; Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design; SPiRiT, a project rating tool; and roof systems that can meet the requirements of the programs. The information is available through a free CD-ROM; printed packet; or Web site, which features a Web cast of the presentations made at the April 2005 Cool Roof Symposia.

"It is critical everyone associated with the roofing industry is knowledgeable about energy-efficient roof systems as cities, counties and states adopt additional energy-efficient regulations," says David Scheirer, group manager of the Johns Manville Institute. "Johns Manville is committed to being a leading provider of current information about energy-efficient roofing design and materials."

Garland wins excellence award

Cleveland-based The Garland Co. Inc. has received the Green Roof Award of Excellence in the category of extensive institutional roofing from Green Roofs for Healthy Cities for the Environmental Studies Building at Evergreen State College, Olympia, Wash. It won for its long-term waterproofing solutions and aesthetically pleasing vegetative surface. The building's roof system also offers effective management of stormwater runoff.

Contractor news

Royal Roofing acquires company

NRCA member Royal Roofing Co. Inc., Orion, Mich., has acquired Sterling Heights, Mich.-based C. Davis Roofing, which will allow Royal Roofing to grow and expand throughout Michigan and the Midwest. Royal Roofing made the acquisition to help expand its capabilities in the face of rapid industry growth, and its team will increase by 30 percent.

"As the company grows, we have more demand for capable, knowledgeable employees," says Dan Davis, president of Royal Roofing. "C. Davis Roofing and Royal Roofing have similar service offerings and capabilities, allowing the same level and quality of service to both companies' customers."

Up the ladder

ElkCorp has appointed Curt A. Barker senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Scott Gardner has been named eastern technical specialist of the FleeceBACK® product department by Carlisle SynTec Inc.

Jennifer Holsinger has been named mid-central regional manager for Hunter Panels.

Tremco Inc.'s Sealant/Weatherproofing Division has appointed Ken Recko vice president of manufacturing in the U.S.