News + Views

The Alliance is accepting Gold Circle Awards nominations

The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress is accepting nominations for its 2018 Gold Circle Awards program, which recognizes NRCA or Alliance members for their significant contributions to the roofing industry.

Gold Circle Awards categories include outstanding workmanship—low-slope; outstanding workmanship—steep-slope; innovative solutions—new construction; innovative solutions—reroofing; and safety preparedness and performance. Unique roofing-related projects, programs and services completed between June 1, 2015, and May 31, 2017, are eligible for the competition. The deadline for entries is Oct. 13. Winners will be honored during NRCA's 131st Annual Convention in New Orleans.

For more information and to obtain a Gold Circle Awards nomination form, visit www.roofingindustryalliance.net/gold-circle-awards-program, or contact Bennett Judson, the Alliance's executive director, at (847) 299-9070, ext. 7513 or bjudson@roofingindustryalliance.net.

Denver green roof requirement to appear on November ballot

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities has announced its Denver Green Roof Initiative collected enough signatures to complete a ballot initiative that will put a requirement for green roofs on the ballot in upcoming local elections Nov. 7.

The proposal would require green roofs to be installed on new and existing buildings with more than 25,000 square feet of floor space in Denver. Existing buildings without sufficient loading capacity for a green roof would be allowed to apply for an exemption or implement a smaller green roof in combination with solar panels.

In May 2009, Toronto became the first North American city to adopt a bylaw requiring the construction of green roofs on new developments. San Francisco is the first local jurisdiction in the U.S. to require green roofs or solar panels on new buildings; the city's green roof law took effect Jan. 1.

"We gathered signatures solely with volunteers throughout Denver where there is significant public support for implementing green roofs on buildings," says Brandon Rietheimer, founder of the Denver Green Roof Initiative. "More than 80 percent of the people we talked to loved the idea and wondered why we weren't already doing it."

"This is the first green roof policy initiative driven by citizen power, and if successful on Nov. 7, it will be a real game changer for the green roof industry," says Steven W. Peck, founder and president of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. "We are planning to have a Green Roof Symposium on Nov. 2 with designers, citizens, manufacturers and policymakers in order to lend further support to this citizen-led effort and overcome any misinformation and misunderstanding about the costs and benefits of green roofs."

Beacon Roofing Supply to acquire Allied Building Products

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., Herndon, Va., the largest publicly traded distributor of roofing and complementary building products in North America, has entered into a definitive purchase agreement to acquire 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 for $2.625 billion. The transaction is expected to close on or around Jan. 2, 2018.

Allied Building Products distributes products across 208 locations in 31 states. Combining the companies will make Beacon Roofing Supply one of the largest publicly traded wholesale building materials distributors in North America with pro forma revenues of about $7 billion and 593 branches in all 50 states and six Canadian provinces. Beacon Roofing Supply also will become the fourth largest wallboard and acoustical ceiling tile wholesale distributor in the U.S., with more than $1 billion of revenue in the interior market category. The two companies have more than 150 years of combined experience in the building products industry.

The acquisition will allow Beacon Roofing Supply to enter new markets, particularly New Jersey, New York and the upper Midwest. In addition, acquiring Allied Building Products allows Beacon Roofing Supply to strengthen its position as a leader in roofing products distribution and accelerate growth in other product categories, including siding, windows, doors, decking, trim, waterproofing, insulation and solar.

"I would like to welcome the more than 3,500 employees from Allied to the Beacon family," says Paul Isabella, president and CEO of Beacon Roofing Supply. "We are thrilled to partner with such a loyal and dedicated workforce that shares our commitment to superior customer service and high levels of performance. Together, we will leverage the strengths of both companies while remaining committed to preserving the deep customer relationships that we have each cultivated over 150 years of combined experience. This is a milestone moment in the long and successful histories of both companies."

Former chairman of Fidelity Roof passes away

Upshaw

Montague "Monte" Middleton Upshaw, former chairman of Fidelity Roof Co., Oakland, Calif., passed away July 26. He was 81.

In the 1960s, Upshaw assumed management of Fidelity Roof following the death of his father. He was one of the first employers in the industry to hire female roofing professionals. Upshaw was president of the Associated Roofing Contractors of the Bay Area Counties in 1975 and 1976.

Upshaw is survived by his wife, Joan; previous wife, Carol; four children, one brother and 13 grandchildren. Donations in Upshaw's name may be made to the "Big C" Society, P.O. Box 5075, Berkeley, CA 94705; the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oakland at www.bgcoakland.org/ways-to-give; or a charity of your choice.

Four companies join NRCA's One Voice initiative

NRCA has announced four companies recently have joined its One Voice initiative and upgraded their associate memberships to "partner members": ABC Supply Co. Inc., Beloit, Wis.; Trent Cotney, Trent Cotney, P.A., Tampa, Fla.; Sika^® Sarnafil Inc., Canton, Mass.; and SRS Distribution Inc., McKinney, Texas. Trent Cotney, P.A., is the first service provider to join the One Voice initiative. In April, FiberTite Roofing Systems Seaman Corp., Wooster, Ohio, was the first company to commit to NRCA's One Voice initiative.

In early 2017, NRCA launched its One Voice initiative aimed at collectively recognizing threats to the industry and the opportunities they may present. The campaign aims to unite the roofing industry and speak with one voice regarding matters of industry importance. To ensure all industry sectors are given an opportunity to participate, NRCA amended its bylaws to allow manufacturers, distributors, architects, engineers, consultants and service providers that choose to participate to become full members of the association, meaning they will be granted voting rights and are eligible for leadership roles within the association. Previously, such rights were reserved only for contractor members.

NRCA's One Voice initiative initially will focus on developing a national worker training and certification program, legislative efforts and advocacy.

For more information about NRCA's One Voice initiative, visit www.nrca.net/onevoice.

Firestone Building Products announces new president

Cole

Firestone Building Products LLC, Indianapolis, has announced Bridgestone executive Taylor Cole is the organization's new president effective Aug. 14. Cole succeeds Tim Dunn, who retired Oct. 1 after more than 31 years with Firestone Building Products and its parent company, Bridgestone Americas.

As president, Cole will lead the long-term growth strategy and planning for the company, overseeing all aspects of marketing, sales, technology and international business development.

Cole joined Bridgestone in 2015 as president of commercial OTR tires. Before joining Bridgestone, he served as managing director of U.S. new equipment and aftermarket business units at Howden North America Inc., Columbia, S.C. He has extensive experience in manufacturing, engineering and end-to-end processes and has served in executive roles at Intergraph Corp., Madison, Ala.; Sandvik Mining and Construction, Smyrna, Ga.; and Freeport-McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc., Phoenix.

Dunn

Dunn joined Bridgestone Americas in 1986 as a territory manager for consumer replacement tire and held various leadership positions during his career, including director of national marketing and supply chain management and president of Firestone Fibers & Textiles before becoming president of Firestone Building Products. Dunn's vision for strategic growth drove international expansion through the acquisition of the Giscosa EPDM plant in Terrassa, Spain, in 2013. Most recently, Dunn led the March 2017 acquisition of Gaco Western, Seattle.

"Tim's leadership has been instrumental in growing Firestone Building Products into the organization it is today, and he has been a strong and visionary leader through his 31 years with Bridgestone," says Bill Thompson, chief operating officer of Bridgestone Americas. "We are grateful for all of Tim's contributions and welcome Taylor Cole, who brings years of leadership experience and strong vision to his new role, ensuring the continued success of our Building Products business."

Longtime industry professional passes away

Marsh

Henry Marsh, national training manager for Johns Manville, Denver, passed away July 8. He was 59.

Marsh spent decades working in the roofing industry. Before working for Johns Manville, Marsh was senior technical inspector for GAF, Parsippany, N.J., and helped found Pro-Tech Roofing Inc., a Des Plaines, Ill.-based roofing contracting company. He enjoyed Bible study, the Chicago Cubs and spending time with family and friends.

Marsh is survived by his wife, Dotty; son, Joshua; daughter, Sarah; parents, Kathleen and William; mother-in-law, Dorothy; brothers, Bob, Dave and Patrick; sisters, Debbie, Kathleen and Sharon; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Donations in Marsh's name may be made to Habitat for Humanity at www.habitat.org/donate.