Flashings

NRCA sells annual trade show

NRCA has announced the sale of its annual trade show to Hanley Wood LLC, Washington, D.C.

The sales transaction closed May 18 with Hanley Wood's acquisition of the largest roofing exhibition in North America, cementing a 45-year sponsorship agreement that makes NRCA the official sponsor of the trade show. Hanley Wood will produce the conference and trade show and help NRCA develop the trade show's educational program. NRCA will continue to conduct its annual meetings during the trade show.

NRCA's sale of the trade show was a result of the association refocusing its efforts to devote more time and energy to serving the needs of its members and increasing its services in other areas.

"Hanley Wood's business plan is to expand and improve the NRCA show into an even bigger event that will attract new exhibitors, particularly those with residential roofing products, and increase qualified attendees," says William Good, NRCA's executive vice president. "This is good news for the roofing industry, NRCA and its members."

The first Hanley Wood roofing event will be the 2005 trade show Feb. 16-19 in Orlando, Fla.

"Hanley Wood is the leading media company in residential construction, and we have been active in acquiring construction industry trade shows," says Michael Wood, chief executive officer of Hanley Wood. "The roofing industry is poised for strong growth due to the strength of the housing industry and the built-in demand for roof replacement on both houses and commercial structures. This show, partnered with NRCA, has a terrific upside."

KRATON Polymers increases prices

KRATON Polymers, Houston, has announced it will increase the price of SBS polymers and oil-extended SBS polymers by 6 cents per pound effective June 15 for paving, roofing and adhesives customers in North America.

"Demand for these high-performance products continues to grow," says Jim Dieter, North American sales director of KRATON Polymers. "This increase allows us to preserve customer-service levels and continue to invest in the business."

I cannot tell a lie

Telling the truth is important in the business world. But employees often will hold back what they really think, especially around a person of authority. Following are some ways to get the truth from your employees:

• Reinforce and encourage truth telling by thanking the truth teller. You want to ensure your employees know you truly value their opinions and they won't be punished for being honest with the boss.
  
  
• Incorporate the concept of truth telling as a means of recognition or incentive. For example, if you're looking to promote someone, seriously consider an employee who consistently has given honest opinions.
  
  
• Keep quiet when receiving negative feedback. It can be difficult to hear an employee's criticism and not fire back with your own comments. However, try to take some time to think about the feedback and calm down if the comments made you angry.
  
  
• Simply ask for employees' advice. They will feel needed, and if you let them know you want their honest opinions, they more readily will give them to you. You won't necessarily always take their advice, but asking for their input can boost their confidence.

The workplace isn't an environment where employees should have to worry about the consequences of telling the truth. Honesty truly is the best policy.

Investigating hailstorm damage

The Roofing Industry Committee on Weather Issues (RICOWI) Inc., McDonough, Ga., has investigated roof system damage from an April 21 Oklahoma hailstorm using the Hail Investigation Program (HIP), the first industrywide research program in the United States to assess major hailstorm damage. From May 24-27, HIP tests were conducted mainly in northern Oklahoma City, Yukon, The Village and Nichols Hills because of the intense storm damage in these areas, as well as the fact that they are home to a variety of steep- and low-slope roofing materials.

HIP's mission is to investigate roof assembly performance after major hailstorms; factually describe performance and levels of damage; and report the results for evidence of hail damage. This will be carried out by four three-person investigation teams composed of roof consultants, roofing industry representatives, engineers, roofing material manufacturers and others who will share information about the hail resistance of steep- and low-slope roof systems. This documented data will help produce educational materials for roofing professionals.

"We can expect a greater industry understanding of what causes roofs to perform or fail in severe hail events leading to overall improvements in roof system durability, the reduction of waste generation from reroofing activities and a reduction in insurance losses that will lead to lower overall costs for the public," says Joe Wilson, RICOWI chairman.

After results have been compiled and the report has been approved by RICOWI's board of directors, the published report will be made available to the public.

Put on a happy face

Employees have good days and bad days, and both often affect their moods. Although this is natural, an overly whiny employee can lower workplace morale and negatively affect company interaction with customers or other business dealings. As an employer, you need to make an effort to ensure your employees' troubles don't affect their work. The following tips could help:

• Don't overdramatize workplace stresses. All businesses have deadlines, but constantly rushing employees to finish their tasks will only magnify stress and cause burnout. Also, it could affect the quality of work, as well as relationships with customers or clients. Try to balance the more intense work periods with some slower work periods so employees have time to regroup and feel refreshed.
  
  
• Cut down on whining. Sometimes, stories of hellish mornings need to be shared, but employees who constantly complain about their job or other nonwork-related problems should be stopped. It can be distracting to other employees and make the company look bad if such things are said in front of a customer or client.
  
  
• Show them you enjoy your job. Employees often take their cues from employers. So if they notice you can't get out of the office fast enough on Friday afternoons, they won't feel motivated to stick around. Although being thankful for a break at the end of a long week is understandable, your negative actions could make employees feel their work is a burden. Find ways to enjoy your daily tasks, and encourage the same for employees.
  
  
• Get over it. What you feel on the inside affects how you present yourself on the outside. If you have negative thoughts or constantly are kicking yourself for mistakes, your facial expressions and body language will reveal it. Instead, learn from your mistakes and get over them. Your newfound positive attitude will be noticed, and, in turn, this could lead to more positive attitudes in your employees.
  
  

Giving employees a reason to be happy to work not only will boost morale but also will improve relations between your employees and customers.