News + Views

Beacon Roofing Supply acquires Allied Building Products

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., Herndon, Va., one of the largest publicly traded wholesale building materials distributors in the U.S. and Canada, has completed its acquisition of Allied Building Products Corp., East Rutherford, N.J., one of the largest exterior and interior building products distributors in the U.S., from Dublin-based CRH plc. Beacon Roofing Supply announced it had entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Allied Building Products in August 2017.

The acquisition gives Beacon Roofing Supply about $7 billion in revenue and 589 branches throughout the U.S. and Canada. Beacon Roofing Supply also becomes the fourth largest wallboard and acoustical ceiling tile wholesale distributor in the U.S. Beacon Roofing Supply and Allied Building Products have more than 150 years of combined experience providing service to customers in the building products industry.

"We are pleased to announce the completion of the Allied acquisition, and we look forward to the successful integration of these two great companies," says Paul Isabella, president and CEO of Beacon Roofing Supply. "Beacon and Allied's leadership have worked closely together on the integration planning to ensure a collaborative approach and an outcome that preserves the expertise and strengths of both organizations. I want to thank the Beacon and Allied teams for their tireless work and cooperation to successfully complete the financing and closing processes efficiently and on schedule. This combination is about driving growth through the expansion of our geographic footprint and range of products and creating increased value for our customers and shareholders. This is a milestone day in the long and successful histories of both companies and we are thrilled to start the new year as one company."

BLS reports increase in workplace fatalities in 2016

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released its Census of 2016 Fatal Occupational Injuries, which reports there were 5,190 workplace fatalities in 2016—a 7 percent increase from 2015, according to www.osha.gov. Additionally, the fatal injury rate increased from 3.4 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers in 2015 to 3.6 in 2016.

Transportation incidents caused more worker fatalities than any other event in 2016, accounting for about two of every five fatal injuries. The second most common cause of workplace fatalities was workplace violence injuries, which increased 23 percent. The census report also reveals the number of drug overdoses on the job increased by 32 percent in 2016, and the number of fatalities has increased by at least 25 percent annually since 2012.

The only demographic group with a substantial improvement was Latino workers, BLS says. The fatality rate among Latino workers decreased from 4.0 in 2015 to 3.7 in 2016.

Loren Sweatt, deputy assistant secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), issued the following statement regarding the report:

"[The] occupational fatality data show a tragic trend with the third consecutive increase in worker fatalities in 2016—the highest since 2008. America's workers deserve better. [OSHA] is committed to finding new and innovative ways of working with employers and employees to improve workplace safety and health. OSHA will work to address these trends through enforcement, compliance assistance, education and training, and outreach.

"As President Trump recognized by declaring opioid abuse a Nationwide Public Health Emergency, the nation's opioid crisis is impacting Americans every day at home and, as this data demonstrates, increasingly on the job," the statement continued. "The Department of Labor will work with public and private stakeholders to help eradicate the opioid crisis as a deadly and growing workplace issue."

IRS releases 2018 standard mileage rates

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued the 2018 optional standard mileage rates for calculating deductible costs associated with operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

As of Jan. 1, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck is 54.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, an increase of one cent per mile from the 2017 rate. The standard mileage rate is 18 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes and 14 cents per mile driven in service for a charitable organization. The medical and moving standard mileage rate was 17 cents in 2017. The charitable standard mileage rate is set by statute and remains unchanged.

Additional information about the 2018 standard mileage rates is available by clicking here.

Three companies join NRCA's One Voice initiative

Atlas^® Roofing Corp., Atlanta; Malarkey Roofing Products, Portland, Ore.; and SOPREMA^® Inc., Wadsworth, Ohio, have joined NRCA's One Voice initiative and upgraded their associate memberships to "partner member."

The One Voice initiative aims to unite the roofing industry and speak with one voice regarding matters of industry importance, as well as collectively recognize threats to the industry and the opportunities they may present. The One Voice initiative will first focus on developing a national worker training and certification program, legislative efforts and advocacy.

For more information about NRCA's One Voice initiative, including a list of the 19 current One Voice partner members, visit www.nrca.net/onevoice.

Former NRCA president passes away

McCrory

William Donald "Don" McCrory, former NRCA president and co-founder and president of Kiker Corp., Mobile, Ala., passed away Dec. 23, 2017. He was 73.

In 1979, McCrory founded Kiker Corp., a roofing and sheet metal contracting company. He served as NRCA president from 2002-03; senior vice president from 2001-02; vice president from 1999-2001; NRCA officer from 1990-91 and 1996-98; and NRCA director from 1986-89 and 1991-94. McCrory also served on numerous NRCA committees, including the Budget and Finance Committee, Convention Committee, Exhibitor Advisory Committee, International Relations Committee, and Nominating Committee. He also helped develop ROOFPAC, NRCA's political action committee, and NRCA's Washington, D.C., office. In 2015, McCrory was awarded NRCA's J.A. Piper Award for outstanding service to the association and the roofing industry.

McCrory is survived by his wife, Sandra; daughters, Melissa and Paige; grandchildren, Ava, Brandon, Chandler, Emily, Reagan and Taylor; great-grandchildren, Colton, Connor, Jackson and Mason; brother, Bruce; nieces; nephews; and beloved dog Holly Belle. Donations in McCrory's name may be made to the University of South Alabama Mitchell Cancer Institute, Office of MCI Development, 300 Alumni Circle, Mobile, AL 36688, or www.usahealthsystem.com/makeagift.