Beacon announced a strategic investment and partnership with Renovate Robotics, a pioneer in roofing automation. 

Renovate Robotics, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., is a leading startup developing autonomous roofing robots with a focus on making roofing safer and more productive for contractors. Their first robot, Rufus, installs asphalt shingles on residential roofs and is expected to launch with contractors in New Jersey and Pennsylvania later this year. 

“This technology has the potential to disrupt the roofing industry where labor is the scarcest resource, and we are excited to be an early partner that can help shape its development,” commented Julian Francis, Beacon’s president and CEO. “Renovate Robotics’ mission perfectly aligns with Beacon’s focus on safety and efficiency, and we look forward to incorporating their advanced robotic technology [across our national distribution network] to better serve our contractor customers.”

Rufus is designed to be modular. Renovate is starting with automated asphalt shingle installation and expects to expand on the tasks their robot can perform. Renovate’s plans include the capability for shingle tear-off and shingle cutting. Additionally, Renovate will bring functionality to automate bracket installation for rack and panel solar systems and automated solar shingle installation.

“Residential roofing is a $60 billion industry with a broken labor system that can be addressed with robots. We are on a mission to reduce accidents and fatalities, protect homes and businesses from severe weather and accelerate solar deployment,” said Andy Stulc, Renovate Robotics’ CEO. “We are thrilled to have Beacon join Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed as partners. Beacon’s technology-enabled approach toward distribution will accelerate our launch this year, and we look forward to working with Beacon to improve safety and productivity for contractors in the roofing industry.”