Briefings

Manufacturer news

Carlisle SynTec adds facilities

Carlisle SynTec Inc., Carlisle, Pa., has announced plans to build and open two new manufacturing facilities in 2005.

In Tooele, Utah, Carlisle SynTec plans to build a thermoplastic roofing facility that will manufacture Carlisle SynTec's Sure-Weld® TPO single-ply roof membrane and accessories.

Carlisle SynTec's other new plant will be operated by Carlisle SynTec's subsidiary Hunter Panels and manufacture polyisocyanurate insulation products in Terrell, Texas.

CertainTeed hits safety milestone

Valley Forge, Pa.-based CertainTeed Corp.'s Oxford, N.C., facility employees have worked 2 million hours without a lost-time accident.

A lost-time accident is described as any workplace injury that prevents a worker from coming to work for his scheduled shift. Plant manager Mark Heilman says the safety record is a result of regular safety production meetings, safety-training programs and efforts of committee teams. John Donaldson, president of CertainTeed's roofing Products Group, says the record is an important achievement.

"Reaching 2 million hours without a lost-time accident is a tremendous accomplishment for Oxford and every employee who helped make it happen," Donaldson says.

Up the ladder

Duro-Last Roofing Inc. has named Kenneth Claes customer service representative; Amanda Cummings customer service representative; Jeffrey Davis quality assurance regional manager; Chris Eurich assistant inside sales supervisor; Blayne Lynch senior programmer analyst; Michael Putman network administrator; Carol Rigda accounts receivable clerk; William Snell technical sales; Shawn Sny district manager; and Stacy Wascher customer service representative.

Dura-Loc Roofing Systems Ltd. has appointed Shannon Proffitt Southwest district sales manager.

Casey Wegner has been named lab assistant at National Coatings Corp.

Contractor news

Company celebrates 100th anniversary

American Roofing & Metal Co. Inc., San Antonio, Texas, celebrated its 100-year anniversary this year.

Founded by Henry Spalten in 1904, American Roofing & Metal began as a San Antonio tinsmith shop and soon became a full-service roofing and sheet-metal company. The company has been in the hands of the Spalten family for five generations. The current owner is Eddie Spalten.

American Roofing & Metal celebrated with 500 guests at a party at Witte Museum in San Antonio Sept. 23.

CentiMark donates to hurricane charity

After the devastation caused by Hurricane Charley, CentiMark Corp., Atlanta, has pledged to the Salvation Army 10 percent of its total roof system repair and/or replacement business in Florida. CentiMark has been working in Florida since Aug. 13, the day after Hurricane Charley hit land. Crews worked to protect roof systems, as well as performed roof system repairs and replacements. Timothy M. Dunlap, president and chief operating officer of CentiMark, estimates it will be months before a majority of the roofing work in Florida is completed.

Union news

Union donates to hospital

The Industry Advancement Fund has donated toys to children receiving medical attention at Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Louis. Established by United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local No. 2 and the Signatory Roofing Contractors, the Industry Advancement Fund has provided toys for therapy rooms, waiting areas and as post-surgery rewards.

Toys also were provided for the Toy Library, a department for toddlers and infants that offers special development toys.

NRCA affiliate news

FRSA announces officers, awards

The Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (FRSA) announced its new officers, as well as awards, at its 82nd Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla.

The following officers were elected: president—Jim Cheshire, president of Dimensional Roof Systems, Orlando; president-elect—Dave Shewski, owner of Shewski Roofing Inc., Sarasota, Fla.; vice president—Gary Register, president of Register Contracting Co. Inc., Jacksonville, Fla.; and secretary/treasurer—Billy Cone, president of Rooftech, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

In addition, the following awards were presented: Bob Campanella Memorial Award—Bob Purdy, secretary/treasurer of Edwards Roofing Co. Inc., Pensacola, Fla.; Earl R. Blank Heart Award—Donna Dove, sales representative at Southeastern Metals Manufacturing Co. Inc., Jacksonville; Bieler Family Enthusiasm Gets It Done Award—Deborah Liftig, president of Currier Roofing Co., Fort Myers, Fla.; Charles Raymond Membership Promotion Award—Jim Brauner, owner of Roofing Equipment of Florida, Orlando; and President's Award—Dave Cumming, estimator for Camp-Rigby Roofing & Sheet Metal, Cape Coral, Fla.

MRCA awards scholarships

The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) Inc. Foundation has awarded four scholarships for 2004-05. MRCA will recognize the scholarship winners during its 55th Annual MRCA Convention and Trade Show opening luncheon on Oct. 14 in Kansas City, Mo.

Following are this year's recipients: Michael James Geary of Carmel, Ind.; Edward Anthony Guilfoyle of Topeka, Kan.; Frank Thomas Lettiere III of Orland Hill, Ill.; and Kathleen Schneider of Troy, Ill. The scholarships are offered to students interested in pursuing a career in the construction industry.

SMRCA awards scholarships

The Southeastern Michigan Roofing Contractors Association (SMRCA) Inc.; Commercial Roofing Contractors of Southeastern Michigan; and United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local No. 149 awarded six college scholarships in July. The scholarships are awarded each year to dependents of employees of member roofing contractors.

Following are this year's recipients: Kristi Frelick of Sterling Heights, Mich.; Brandon Just of Roseville, Mich.; Krista Lee of Orion, Mich.; Cora Micou of Detroit; Kristen Schroeder of Algonac, Mich.; and Rachel Zechmeister of Roseville.

Applicants had to write an essay answering the question "How important is the roofing industry?" Each winner received a $600 scholarship.

Distributor news

Bradco Supply acquires locations

Avenel, N.J.-based Bradco Supply Corp. has acquired the Wickes name, as well as assets of 20 locations operated by Wickes Lumber. The sites, which are primarily in the Northeast and Midwest, still will operate under the Wickes name. The liquidation of the Wickes assets was governed by Chapter 11 guidelines, and the federal court system approved the acquisition.

In addition, Bradco Supply has opened five new locations in Chandler, Ariz.; Smyrna, Ga.; Stoughton, Mass.; Millville, N.J.; and Charleston, S.C.

NRCA news

NRF announces scholarship

The National Roofing Foundation (NRF), a separate but related educational and research organization of NRCA, is accepting applications for its 2005-06 academic scholarships.

The scholarships, which provide recipients with $1,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study, are awarded to employees, immediate family of employees or immediate family of NRCA contractor members. Applicants must be high-school seniors or graduates who plan to enroll or students who already are enrolled in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational or technical school. Recipients may use the money to support their studies at any accredited post-secondary institution; scholarships are not limited to students planning to enter the roofing industry.

Recipients will be chosen based on academic record, potential to succeed, leadership and participation in school and community activities, honors, work experience, statement of educational goals and third-party appraisal. Financial need is not considered. Applications must be received by Jan. 31, 2005, and winners will be notified by May 2005.

For more information and an application form, click here.

Other news

Legislature overrides veto

At the end of its legislative session on July 31, the Massachusetts legislature overrode Gov. Mitt Romney's veto of House Bill 2367—An Act to Ensure Health and Safety on Public Construction Projects.

According to the law, contractors considered the "lowest responsible and eligible bidder" on public work must certify all employees to be employed at a job site successfully will have completed at least 10 hours of an Occupational Safety and Health Administration-(OSHA-) approved course in construction safety and health.

Because of the construction industry's high rate of fatal and nonfatal injuries, OSHA outreach courses offer workers awareness of safety and health hazards and tips for avoiding them, covering such topics as fall protection and electrical safety.

To ensure contractors have time to comply with the regulations, the law goes into effect July 2006.