Industry News



Peter A. Kesser was named president of Stevens Roofing & Geomembrane Systems.

Kesser Named President of Stevens Roofing

HOLYOKE, Mass. - Peter A. Kesser was named president of Stevens Roofing & Geomembrane Systems. Michael L. Fulbright, chairman and CEO of JPS Industries Inc., in making the announcement said, "Peter brings a wide range of experience uniquely suited to this position. Possessing a well-rounded background in the building materials industry, he is very customer-focused due in large part to the 20-plus years he’s spent as a contractor, distributor, manufacturer, and marketer of commercial roofing systems, including his most recent responsibilities as vice president of sales and marketing for Stevens Roofing Systems. In each of these industry segments, he has held positions responsible for driving innovation and growth. We’re pleased to have someone with Peter’s background and management experience to assume the important leadership role of our Stevens Roofing and Geomembrane Systems business unit."

Kesser commented, "I am very excited about the opportunity to lead Stevens Roofing and Geomembrane Systems as we expand on our role as the pioneer in commercial and industrial thermoplastic roofing membrane technologies. Over the next three to five years, the TPO market is projected to continue its growth pattern of the past several years and we are well positioned to support our customers with expansion plans currently in place that broaden our capabilities and expand our capacity."

Kesser is a native of Wisconsin and holds an MBA from Butler University, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University. His primary office will be at the company’s facility in Westfield, N. C., and he can be reached at 800-621-7663 or via email at pakesser@stvroof.com. For more information about Stevens Roofing Systems, call 877-TPO-ROOF or visitwww.stevensroofing.com.

TRI Offers Contractors Certification Programs

CHICAGO - Beginning this year, the Tile Roofing Institute (TRI) will expand its certification efforts by offering two separate one-day programs designed to meet the specific educational and professional development needs of its audience. The TRI Certification Programs address broad-based tile roofing practices and techniques that impact estimating, planning and execution of commercial and residential projects. The courses also address regional practices in each market where the training is being conducted. Since launching its Installer Certification Program in April 2006, TRI has helped more than 500 contractors, consultants, manufacturers, and owners to build and expand their businesses with proper tile roof installation knowledge. TRI will continue to offer its "Installer Certification Program," a one-day course designed to provide training on how to install tile roofs in compliance with current code requirements. The course is based on the ICC-ES approved Installation Manual for Moderate Climate Regions. The "TRI Certified Installer" designation is targeted to entry-level and experienced roof installers who want to expand their skill into tile. For more information about the TRI Specialist or Installer Certification program, call 312-670-4177 or visitwww.tileroofing.org.

Englert and Soprema Announce Alliance

LAS VEGAS - Englert Inc. and SOPREMA Inc. (USA) have announced a strategic alliance to cross sell each other’s product lines and to offer a single-source warranty that will cover all roofing systems sold and distributed by both companies. The announcement was made at the IRE.

Englert is an innovator of onsite metal roofing and gutter systems, and SOPREMA is one of the world’s largest producers of roofing and waterproofing products including SBS modified and liquid roof membranes. The two companies have agreed to jointly market and promote their respective product lines, particularly to contractors, architects and building owners who are incorporating metal and membrane as the roofing system for a single project.

The alliance will be supported by a single-source weather-tightness warranty backed by both companies that will protect both metal and membrane systems for a period up to 20 years. "SOPREMA is excited to enter into this relationship," said Gilbert Lorenzo, vice president/general manager of SOPREMA Inc. (USA). "We have been impressed by Englert’s dedication to quality and customer service and believe our joint efforts will offer a greater benefit to our customers. Teaming up with Englert is a natural fit as we both carry quality, premium products; both companies are greatly respected in the roofing industry and we share the same family-owned values." "We are delighted to be allied with SOPREMA, a world leader in research and development, particularly for modified bitumen," said Deborah Tripod, chief executive officer of Englert.

Richard McKuhen, owner of Total Roofing Systems Inc. in Port St. Lucie, Fla., has been installing both Englert and SOPREMA products for over 15 years. "This is a very good, proactive venture on the part of Englert and SOPREMA," he said. "By joining together and offering a single source warranty, they are creating a comfort zone and a simpler path for architects and owners with not only the ability to follow up when there is a need, but also by using a single roofing contractor who is certified by both of these manufacturers."

Total Roofing Systems Inc. is currently the contractor on several projects where both Englert and SOPREMA products are being installed, including schools, a public services safety training complex, and a city civic center. For more information, visitwww.soprema.usorwww.englertinc.com.

3M Industrial Mineral Products Division has long demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental health and safety (EHS) in its mining plant operations.

3M Corona, Calif., Plant Is ISO 14001:2004 Certified

ST. PAUL, Minn. - 3M Industrial Mineral Products Division has long demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental health and safety (EHS) in its mining plant operations. In a very tangible demonstration of 3M Industrial Mineral Products Division commitment to environmental leadership and pollution control policy, the 3M Corona, Calif., plant is proud to announce it has been confirmed as ISO 14001:2004 certified.

"This certification confirms that the Corona Plant has established and is operating all the necessary systems to deliver on our environmental commitments," said Martyn Tiplady, Division Vice President of 3M Industrial Mineral Products Division.

3M Industrial Mineral Products Division is determined to continuously pursue all possible methods of further reinforcing its leadership position as a responsible manufacturer in all the communities in which they operate.

"Every IMPD mining plant is in the process of seeking ISO 14001:2004 certification through the environmental management system independent audit process," Tiplady said. "We consider this certification confirms the sustainability of our operations and represents a significant competitive advantage in our industry."

Carole Beesley, Corona Plant Manager, with her senior management team, took an active role in leading the process. "This was a true team effort and plant wide initiative," she said. "Our Corona team has worked diligently to establish a responsible environmental management system and continuous improvement initiatives. This ISO 14001:2004 certification is all about our commitment to the environment and establishing the foundation for operational excellence." For more information, visitwww.3M.com.

Obituary: Jacobus Bus ATAS Founder Passes Away

Jacobus "Jack" P. Bus, founder of ATAS International Inc., died on Jan. 27, 2008. He was 80 years old.

Before he entered the metal components industry, Jack served in the Dutch Army and fought in the Indonesian War. In 1951, he moved to Canada with his bride, Petronella "Nel" J. Bus.

In 1963, they relocated to Rochester, N.Y. While in Rochester, Jack began his career as a metal siding and soffit contractor. Jack, ever an innovator and entrepreneur, began improving upon the traditional shapes and profiles used at the time and designed new profiles with better locking seams and, as a result, increased the performance and durability of the products he installed. Currently, the locking system designed by Jack is demonstrated in many ATAS products including Wind-Lok soffit, the Multi-Purpose panels and Dutch Seam. During that time, other contractors began to take notice of Jack’s superior products and soon, he was taking orders to manufacture his designs. The company Aluminum Trim and Shapes was born and continued to operate out of the Bus family basement.

In 1972, Aluminum Trim and Shapes moved out of the family basement and into a manufacturing facility in Rochester. At this time, the company name evolved to ATAS Aluminum Corp.

In 1984, Jack relocated his family and the company to Allentown, Pa., known today as ATAS International Inc. The company employs more than 110 people and has expanded to four manufacturing plants with operations in 20 states and is known worldwide. Jack was a modern metal roofing and siding pioneer and is well known and respected throughout the industry.

Jack’s legacy lives on in the products he designed, the company he created, the employees he worked alongside and trained, and, most of all, in the family he loved.

Jack was laid to rest on Jan. 31, 2008. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Petronella "Nel"; eight children and their spouses, Marian and Larry Klueber of Ohio, Dick and Peg Bus of Pennsylvania, Gerard and Patty Bus of Tennessee, Josie and Steve Levine of Pennsylvania, Jim and Cindy Bus of Pennsylvania, Angela and Jim Fisher of New York, Alex and Laurie Bus of Tennessee, Lisa and Dave Klembara of Pennsylvania; 27 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.