Briefings

Manufacturing news

Firestone facilities receive recognition

Indianapolis-based Firestone Building Products Co. LLC has received the Arkansas Department of Labor's (ADOL's) Million Work Hour Award for its manufacturing facility in Prescott, Ark. The award is given to plants that complete 1 million work hours without a lost day away from work. The Prescott plant also achieved 1 million hours without an Occupational Safety and Health Administration recordable injury.

The facility is the largest EPDM manufacturing plant in the world and has reached 1 million hours without an injury involving days away from work five times during the past nine years. This is the first time the facility has achieved recognition from ADOL.

Additionally, Firestone Building Products' manufacturing facility in Bristol, Conn., was recognized by the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships as a 2014 Northeast Business Leader for Energy Efficiency; the program highlights accomplishments of organizations participating in energy-efficiency programs across the region.

In 2013, the facility made energy-efficient renovations that amounted to nearly 900,000 kilowatt-hours in electric savings, including 82 ultra-efficient natural gas infrared heaters to target only occupied areas; more than 500 LED fixtures with wireless controls and 270 occupancy and ambient lighting sensors; 120 kilovolt-amp roof-mounted photovoltaic panels over a new partial EPDM white roofing installation; and energy-efficient wall insulation.

GAF receives certification

Wayne, N.J.-based GAF has announced its plant in Myerstown, Pa., is the first asphalt shingle plant in North America to achieve the Waste Diversion from Landfill certification. Awarded by GreenCircle Certified LLC, Royersford, Pa., the certification demonstrates an organization's commitment to the responsible management of end-of-life materials.

GAF's Myerstown plant generates low levels of waste—less than 1 percent of the plant's total output—and makes an effort to recycle its waste streams. GAF has achieved a waste diversion rate of 83 percent, which means 83 percent of the plant's waste material is recycled.

In addition, GAF has received its eighth Partners of Choice Award from Houston-based David Weekley Homes, the U.S.' largest privately held builder.

The award is based on David Weekley Homes' National Trading Partner Survey, in which about 800 of its team members are surveyed and asked to rank trading partners regarding quality and service. Scores from 1 to 10 for each company are averaged, and an alphabetical ranking is assigned. GAF received an "A" in quality and is one of eight suppliers of the 200 evaluated to be recognized with the honor.

Johns Manville restructures products

Johns Manville, Denver, has announced plans to merge its American, European and Asian activities for Engineered Products into one global business unit. Its Engineered Products business manufactures and markets premium-quality glass and polyester nonwoven products for the building and construction industry; filtration and battery separation media; reinforcement glass fibers for composites; and specialty industrial glass products.

The restructuring will help Johns Manville serve increasingly global needs regarding the composites, filtration and energy storage markets. The company previously operated one Engineered Products business unit for the Americas and one for Europe and Asia.

DuPont receives award

DuPont Building Innovations, Wilmington, Del., has received its third "Partners of Choice Award" from Houston-based David Weekley Homes, the U.S.' largest privately held builder.

The award is based on David Weekley Homes' National Trading Partner Survey, in which about 800 of its team members are surveyed and asked to rank trading partners regarding quality and service. Scores from 1 to 10 for each company are averaged, and an alphabetical ranking is assigned. Of the 200 participating companies, DuPont Building Innovations was one of 13 to receive an "A, A" rating.

Contractor news

Roofing Solutions sponsors AIA gala

Prairieville, La.-based Roofing Solutions sponsored The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Baton Rouge Chapter's Rose Awards Gala July 25 at the Louisiana State Museum in Baton Rouge, La.

Design awards were presented to 10 projects, and Roofing Solutions was involved with three of the winning projects—Members' Choice Award recipient 235 South 14th St. (designed by DNA Workshop, Baton Rouge), and Rose Award recipients 438 Main St. (designed by Chenevert Architects, Baton Rouge) and Progress Elementary (designed by Remson Haley Herpin Architects, Baton Rouge).

Ridgeworth Roofing owner named CFO of the Year

NRCA member Rodney Petrick, owner of Ridgeworth Roofing, Frankfort, Ill., was named CFO of the Year during the Daily Herald Business Ledger's third annual CFO of the Year Awards program. The program celebrates financial executives who contribute to the success of the region's economic growth and stability.

Petrick, an NRCA vice president, was recognized for more than doubling Ridgeworth Roofing's overall revenue during the past decade, as well as his commitment to good ethics, effective reporting and involvement in the local community. He is an active member of several industry associations and organizations and recently received the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association's James Q. McCawley Award for outstanding dedication to the roofing industry.

Roofing contractor passes away

Esbenshade

Harry H. Esbenshade Jr. of The Mountain Co., Vienna, W.Va., passed away. He was 88.

A former NRCA director, Esbenshade graduated from Yale University and served in the U.S. Navy. He was retired from his lifelong business, The Mountain Co., and its several operations, including Tri-State Roofing & Sheet Metal Co. in Parkersburg, W.Va., and Charleston, W.Va. He continued to operate Ohio Valley Land Co., Parkersburg, until his passing.

During his career, Esbenshade served as an officer/director/trustee of libraries, health and educational institutions, private companies, business associations, and private and public foundations.

He is survived by his daughter, Anne; three sons, Harry III, John and William; 11 grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Memorials may be sent to the Esbenshade Advised Fund at the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1762, Parkersburg, WV 26102.

Distributor news

ABC Supply opens branches

ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis., has opened a new branch in Billings, Mont. The Billings location is the company's first branch in Montana and features steep-slope roofing, gutter coils, gutter accessories and related products.

ABC Supply also opened its first North Dakota branch in Fargo. The branch features shingles and low-slope roofing products, siding and related supplies for professional contractors.

The industry online

Alpine SnowGuards^® has launched its new website, www.alpinesnowguards.com. The website features streamlined navigation, an FAQ page, project gallery, layout request form and a direct link to Alpine's sister company, EcoFasten Solar.^® Customers also can search by roof type or snow guard style.

CNA Insurance Cos. has announced its newly designed website, www.cna.com. The website features industry specific information and resources; content designed for specific risks; a mobile-ready site adaptable to smartphones or tablets; the ability to share content via email or social media; and related products, services and risk-control materials to help alert customers to additional exposures.

Georgia-Pacific Gypsum has launched a redesigned version of its DensDeck website, DensDeck.com, which offers content that targets specific construction professionals; content accessible from tablets and smartphones; videos; case studies; technical resources and more. Visitors also can sign up for eBlasts tailored to their interests.

Other news

ILD^® acquires new sales representative

International Leak Detection (ILD), Des Plaines, Ill., has announced Scarborough, Maine-based Congress Associates LLC is the company's new independent sales representative for the Connecticut and New England area. Roofing and waterproofing solutions now will be offered through Congress Associates to complement ILD's leak verification services.

FMI Corp. opens new office

FMI Corp., Raleigh, N.C., a provider of management consulting and investment banking for the engineering and construction industry, has opened an office in Houston. It is the company's fifth U.S. office.

RICOWI presents Lifetime Honorary Membership

The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) Inc. has awarded André Désjarlais with a Lifetime Honorary Membership in recognition of his dedication and support.

Désjarlais volunteered his services to RICOWI for more than 18 years and represented one of RICOWI's first founding Sponsor Members, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), on RICOWI's board of directors. He served as secretary/treasurer for RICOWI's Executive Committee for 14 years, and his efforts and dedication with RICOWI's Wind Investigation Program helped RICOWI significantly advance its research mandate.

Désjarlais earned a degree in aeronautics with an option in fluid mechanics from Boston University in 1973. He joined ORNL in 1991 and currently is the group leader of Building Envelopes Research in the Building Technologies Research and Integration Center. Désjarlais has been an ASTM International member since 1987; an ASHRAE member since 1991; and a member and past director of SPRI's Technical Committee and board of directors, among other industry involvement.

Up the ladder

ABC Supply Co. Inc. has named Paul Drobnitch director of corporate development.

Ergodyne has named Sue Horvath chief financial officer and vice president of finance.

Metal-Era® Inc. has named Myles Sosnoff Midwest regional business development manager.

National Coatings Corp. has named Bobby Birkhead independent sales representative for the Houston area.

NRCA news

NRCA hosts regional conference

NRCA will host a Regional Conference Wednesday, Oct. 15, in Denver. Roofing professionals from the West and Midwest are encouraged to participate in the one-day learning experience featuring information about critical safety, risk management, technical, building code and legislative issues affecting the roofing industry. There also will be seminars led by fellow roofing contractors about current issues, trends and challenges facing the industry.

A complimentary continental breakfast and a buffet lunch are included in the program. For more information, contact Alison LaValley, NRCA's associate executive director of member services, at (847) 493-7573 or (800) 323-9545, or email alavalley@nrca.net.

In addition, NRCA's webinars now are offered on-demand. Users can visit www.nrca.net/webinars and find recordings of past webinars. NRCA webinars are held on the third Thursday of each month at noon CST.

The webinars are free for members and $55 for nonmembers.

NRCA University offers OSHA 10-hour program

NRCA University will hold its Roofing Safety: OSHA 10-hour Program Nov. 6-7 in Denver. This is the only OSHA 10-hour construction program specifically designed to help participants identify and avoid hazards they likely will encounter daily on the job.

The class includes video segments of job-site scenarios that show typical hazards and their remedies. This information is essential for those who need to know OSHA's current requirements for safety and health standards and verify these standards are being followed in their companies. Upon completion, participants will receive an OSHA 10-hour safety training completion card.

For more information, contact NRCA's Customer Service Department at (866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722) or visit www.nrca.net.

Events

October

9-10
RICOWI 25th Anniversary 2014 Fall Seminar
Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) Inc.
Norman, Okla.
Contact: Joan Cook
(330) 671-4569 or jcook@ricowi.com
www.ricowi.com

15
NRCA Regional Conference
NRCA
Denver
Contact: Alison LaValley
(847) 493-7573 or alavalley@nrca.net
www.nrca.net

20-23
Solar Power International
Solar Energy Industries Association and Solar Electric Power Association
Las Vegas
Contact: Deborah King
(703) 738-9479 or dking@solarenergytradeshows.com
www.solarpowerinternational.com

22-24
Greenbuild International Conference and Expo
Visit the NRCA booth
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
New Orleans
Contact: USGBC's Customer Service Department
(800) 795-1747
www.greenbuildexpo.com

23
CERTA Train-the-trainer Authorization
NRCA
Rosemont, Ill.
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net

24
CERTA Train-the-trainer Reauthorization
NRCA
Rosemont, Ill.
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net

November

6-7
Roofing Safety: OSHA 10-hour Program
NRCA
Denver
Contact: NRCA's Customer Service Department
(866) ASK-NRCA (275-6722)
www.nrca.net