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Nations Roof^® opens office in Quakertown, Pa.

Nations Roof, a Mobile, Ala.-based commercial roofing contractor, has opened a new office in Quakertown, Pa.

Led by Mike Mangiaruga, president of the business unit for Nations Roof, the Quakertown production and service crews will handle new, maintenance, repair and reroofing projects for low- and steep-slope roof systems on commercial buildings in the Lehigh Valley. The branch will employ up to 30 people as operations grow.

“With ever increasing demand from our local and national customers in eastern Pennsylvania, it was a natural opportunity for Nations Roof to open an office in this strategic location,” says Rich Nugent, CEO of Nations Roof and a former NRCA chairman of the board.

The branch is Nations Roof’s second location in Pennsylvania.

Construction industry received $45 billion in loan approvals

Following the launch of the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program, the construction industry received 177,905 loan approvals, totaling just under $45 billion—more than any other industry, according to www.constructiondive.com. About 13% of all loaned funds went to small-business contractors.

The Paycheck Protection Program initially allowed for a cap of $349 billion in loans to small qualifying firms in need because of the coronavirus outbreak. The funding ran out April 16, only 13 days after the program launched.

Contractors who were members of local banks reportedly had more success getting loans than those who went to larger banks; the larger banks quickly hit their caps because of the immense demand.

In mid-April, Congress approved an additional $310 billion in funding, and the SBA resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program applications April 27.

Small businesses interested in a Paycheck Protection Program loan must have 500 or fewer employees or qualify with the SBA’s guidelines to get loan approval. Once secured, a recipient must maintain payroll costs first, and remaining funds available can be used for most mortgage interest, rent and utility costs for the period of eight weeks after the loan is received. If existing employee and compensation levels are maintained during that period, the recipient can apply for full loan forgiveness.

NRCA reschedules National Roofing Week for Aug. 23-29

NRCA has postponed National Roofing Week 2020 because of the COVID-19 crisis. The event now will take place Aug. 23-29.

Organized by NRCA, National Roofing Week traditionally takes place each June to increase awareness throughout the U.S. about the significance of roofs to every home and business and share the good deeds of the industry. National Roofing Week also promotes the importance of hiring a professional roofing contractor and making informed decisions about maintaining or replacing any roof system.

In celebration of National Roofing Week, NRCA will host a “We are Family” Raffle, sponsored by A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, Aurora, Ill. Open to all NRCA member companies, the raffle involves companies taking a group photo of all employees—their roofing family—and submitting it to NRCA for a chance to win a prize.

NRCA also will be sharing its members’ stories through its various social media outlets and Professional Roofing magazine. Members throughout the U.S. are encouraged to share their stories of charitable giving, crew and staff appreciation, and signature roofing projects with NRCA.

Additionally, roofing professionals will be able to help make a difference in the lives of students pursuing construction careers through NRCA Giving Day, which will be held Tuesday, Aug. 25.

National Roofing Week 2020 is sponsored by National Women in Roofing (title sponsor); ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis.; A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply; Carlisle SynTec, Carlisle, Pa.; GAF, Parsippany, N.J.; and Polyglass U.S.A., Inc., Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Additional information about National Roofing Week is available at www.nrca.net/news-events/national-roofing-week.

NRCA’s TRAC program reaches more than 1,000 participants

NRCA has announced more than 1,000 participants have chosen NRCA’s Training for Roof Application Careers program to learn how to become quality roof system installers.

TRAC is a blend of online and hands-on training an employer can use to transform new and inexperienced employees into quality roof system installers.

NRCA currently offers a TRAC Thermoplastic Roof Membrane Installation package; TRAC Asphalt Shingle Installation package; TRAC Low-slope Onboarding package; and TRAC Steep-slope Onboarding package. A one-time purchase gives an employer unlimited use of the training materials so employees can be trained when convenient. Workers can begin the program from home by taking the online portions of TRAC while practicing social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional information about TRAC is available at www.nrca.net/education/trac.

NRCA launches podcast series

NRCA has launched a new podcast series, “Stories of an Extraordinary Industry.” Episodes will share roofing professionals’ firsthand accounts of their meaningful experiences and stories of inspiration, generosity and success in the roofing industry.

In the first episode, sponsored by Owens Corning, Toledo, Ohio, Ribble is joined by Immediate Former NRCA Chairman of the Board Nick Sabino, president of Deer Park Roofing Inc., Cincinnati, to discuss Sabino’s rise through the industry. In the second episode, sponsored by the Roofing Alliance, Charles Antis, founder and CEO of Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, Irvine, Calif., shares his story of rallying the roofing industry to adopt the roofs of 165 Ronald McDonald House Charities^® houses in the U.S.

NRCA will release a new podcast episode biweekly, and the first season of the podcast will have 10-12 episodes. Episodes are available on NRCA’s website, www.nrca.net/news-events/podcast, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Global construction output expected to contract due to COVID-19

Data and analytics company GlobalData has reported global construction output is expected to contract by 1.4% in 2020 amid the COVID-19 crisis, according to forconstructionpros.com.

“Although the construction industry has in some cases been exempt from restrictions on business activity, few major markets will manage to record an increase in construction output in 2020,” says Danny Richards, lead economist at GlobalData.

Before the COVID-19 outbreak, the global construction industry had been expected to grow 3.1% in 2020. GlobalData revised its prediction to 0.5% growth in late March based on a review of the effects of COVID-19 at that time. However, with the rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic and the drastic measures taken to contain the spread, GlobalData has further adjusted the outlook for the 91 countries it covers.

“In the short term, there is a high risk of projects in execution being halted because of lockdowns, a lack of materials and other supply chain disruption,” Richards says. “Projects at pre-construction stages will be severely delayed, given likely disruption in processing building permits, tendering and awarding contracts.”

NRCA launches workforce recruitment resources for members

NRCA has launched a workforce recruitment webpage at www.nrca.net/workforce-recruitment to help address the anticipated workforce shortage as the economy prepares to rebound. The U.S. is facing record unemployment, and the roofing industry must position itself as an essential industry that offers rewarding careers as it also adapts to the influx of Millennial and Generation Z workers.

The webpage contains tools and resources designed to help NRCA members recruit, engage, onboard and train entry-level and transitioning employees to the roofing industry. The webpage showcases the opportunities to work, earn, learn and advance in the roofing industry; skilled training and certification opportunities; safety and technological advances; earnings potential; and the multifaceted career opportunities available across all sectors of the industry.

Employers also can access descriptions and links to other organizations NRCA works with to advance the roofing industry’s workforce, including the Association for Career & Technical Education;^® Department of Veterans Affairs; National Center for Construction Education and Research; and SkillsUSA.^®

NRCA ProCertification® for EPDM systems installers is available

NRCA is pleased to announce experienced installers who demonstrate substantial skills and knowledge of EPDM roof system installation now can apply to become NRCA ProCertified^® EPDM Systems Installers through NRCA ProCertification.

NRCA ProCertification is NRCA’s national certification initiative to create a competent, sustainable and high-performing roofing industry workforce. Certifications now available include NRCA ProCertified EPDM Systems Installer, NRCA ProCertified Asphalt Shingle Systems Installer, NRCA ProCertified Thermoplastic Systems Installer and NRCA ProCertified Roofing Foreman.

A roofing contractor’s certified workforce strengthens customer and supplier confidence; increases productivity; improves installation consistency and safety; enhances the company’s reputation and position in local markets; and increases profitability. Additional information about NRCA ProCertification is available at www.nrca.net/procertification.