Focus

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To kick off the 2009 International Roofing Expo,® Washington, D.C.-based Hanley Wood LLC held a panel discussion among industry leaders about the roofing industry.

The panelists included Keith Rozolis, senior vice president of marketing and planning for ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis.; Fred Stephan, vice president and general manager of roofing systems for Johns Manville, Denver; Marcelino Susas, vice president and general manager—Americas for UNI-SOLAR,® Auburn Hills, Mich.; Bob Tafaro, president and chief executive officer of GAF Materials Corp., Wayne, N.J.; and Mike Vall, president of Firestone Building Products Co. LLC, Indianapolis. The discussion was moderated by NRCA Executive Vice President Bill Good.

The panelists discussed what roofing professionals can expect during the coming years.

Overall, the panelists agreed that though the economy is ailing, the roofing industry remains relatively stable. They acknowledged the difficulties contractors face but said they don't expect demand to wane significantly.

"Our customers report a backlog of work, but how much of a backlog is unknown," Vall said. "They are worried about getting paid."

"We expect the first six months of 2009 to be positive," Tafaro said. "But that will be difficult to maintain. But the residential roofing business in general is in terrific shape."

The panelists also spent a fair amount of time discussing the increased interest in solar roofing.

"We need to make sure we control the roofing space," Vall said. "We don't want to take a backseat to the electrical industry."

"There is no question that the energy issue is going to be big [in roofing]," Rozolis added. "But the industry is fragmented and without a clear leader."

Industry leaders discuss the state of the roofing industry.

Ambika Puniani Bailey is editor of Professional Roofing and NRCA's senior director of communications.