Briefings

Manufacturer news

Reichel & Drews announces joint venture

Reichel & Drews Inc., Itasca, Ill., has announced a joint venture with Rümmer System Engineering GmbH, Baunach, Germany. The joint venture will be called Rümmer Reichel & Drews and will be located at Rümmer System Engineering GmbH's headquarters.

"Increased competition and rising raw material costs will continue to require our customers to optimize their manufacturing capabilities," says Curtis Maas, Reichel & Drews' chief executive officer. "The combination of our companies will provide our customers with a whole new range of opportunities to help them improve productivity and product quality."

EcoStar® adds representative

Carlisle, Pa.-based EcoStar, a division of Carlisle-based Carlisle SynTec Inc., has added a representative to its Midwest region. A & D Building Products Ltd., Wheaton, Ill., has joined EcoStar's product sales representatives network.

"We are excited to have A & D Building Products representing the EcoStar product line," says Charlie Taft, EcoStar's national sales manager. "A & D Building Products' contributions will be felt immediately as it provides industry knowledge that will enable us to continue to offer the service and support our customers have come to expect."

Custom-Bilt Metals® initiates branding strategy

Chino, Calif.-based Custom-Bilt Metals has initiated a branding strategy intended to unify the company's product line.

As part of the branding strategy, all Custom-Bilt Metals products and communications will feature the company's redesigned LAST-TIME® logo. The new brand profile and logo are being phased in as sales, communication and packaging materials are replaced.

Johns Manville joins health care project

Denver-based Johns Manville has joined the Pebble Creek Research Initiative as a corporate sponsor and is participating in the initiative's Pebble Project.® Founded by The Center for Health Design, Concord, Calif., the Pebble Project studies facility design's impact on patient health and recovery, financial operations, and staff satisfaction and turnover.

"We are excited to apply our experience with mechanical and building insulation, air filtration media, wall coverings and roof systems to provide those involved in designing, building and managing health care facilities with the information and data they need to create comfortable environments for patients and staff," says J.R. Babineau, leader for acoustics and indoor environment quality for Johns Manville's building science team. "Johns Manville primarily will assist Pebble Proj­ect partners with moisture and thermal management and reducing volatile organic compounds."

Garland® Industries receives award

Cleveland, Ohio-based Garland Industries Inc. has received the Employers Resource Council's NorthCoast 99 award for being one of the top 99 places to work in north­east Ohio.

NorthCoast 99 award winners are selected based on employee benefits and compensation; health and safety; training and education; diversity; community service and involvement; and ability to attract, retain and motivate local employees. This is the eighth consecutive year Garland Industries has won the award.

Up the ladder

EcoStar,® a division of Carlisle SynTec Inc., has named Frank Saldana western regional manager.

Open Energy Corp. has named Cheryl Bostater vice president of business development; David Field chief operating officer; Aidan H. Shields chief financial officer; and Tom Wolfe chief technology officer.

Polyglass® USA has named Amir Khan vice president of research and development.

Tecta America Corp. has named Richard Sabol vice president of its TectaService division. David Schupmann has been named Tecta America's vice president of national sales.

Trimline® Building Products has named Ken Kozlovsky its south central regional sales manager.

Affiliate news

SMRCA awards scholarships

The Southeastern Michigan Roofing Contractors Association (SMRCA) and Roofers Union Local #149 have awarded four $1,000 scholarships to dependents of SMRCA's member contractors. Applicants submitted essays titled, "How Important is the Roofing Industry?" to the Joint Union/Contractor Scholarship Committee.

This year's scholarship recipients are Jason Lee of Orion, Mich.; Sarah Pomaville of Sterling Heights, Mich.; Holly Warnos of Royal Oak, Mich.; and Sarah Zalewski of Fraser, Mich.

Contractor news

Wm. Kramer & Son celebrates anniversary

Wm. Kramer & Son Inc., Miamitown, Ohio, recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. In addition, the roofing company has received the 2007 University of Cincinnati Goering Center Tri-State Family Business of the Year Award, which is presented to successful family-owned businesses with fewer than 100 employees that demonstrate leadership in the community.

"This year has been an incredible year for our company," says Stephen M. Kramer, Wm. Kramer & Son's president. "Celebrating our 100th anniversary and receiving the Tri-State Family Business of the Year Award have been quite a thrill."

Other news

ERA names director

The EPDM Roofing Association (ERA) has named Kathy Prunty associate executive director. Prunty will be responsible for the association's daily operations, committee meeting logistics, and financial and administrative oversight.

In addition, ERA has moved its association offices to 7315 Wisconsin Ave., Suite 400E, Bethesda, MD 20814. The telephone number is (301) 654-5090, and the fax number is (301) 351-8401.