Rick Damato is the editorial director of Roofing Contractor. He has held a number of posts in the roofing industry since 1974 and has contributed to the magazine since its inception in 1981. He can be reached at 770-331-7858 or on Twitter @RoofsByRick.
As you thumb through this month's issue of Roofing Contractor, you will notice the recurring theme of roofing products and systems. Not just in the advertisements, but in the columns and feature articles.
Roofing Contractor, along with a host of other nameless and faceless individuals (presumably persons representing all segments of the roofing industry), was invited to an online teleconference put on by some folks with FM Global and FM Approvals.
Elsewhere in this issue of Roofing Contractor (pages 44-49, to be exact) you will find an invitation to attend our third annual Best of Success conference, which will be held in Phoenix Sept. 21-22, 2006.
Roofing Contractor, along with a host of other nameless and faceless individuals (presumably persons representing all segments of the roofing industry), was invited to an online teleconference put on by some folks with FM Global and FM Approvals.
As this is being written, there is no consensus in Washington on the several proposals for immigration reform. It is, however, fairly certain that change is on the horizon relating to our immigrant workforce - a workforce estimated to include upwards of 30 percent to 40 percent of the people employed as roofers in this country.
Manufacturers often take advantage of the spotlight at the major trade shows during the winter to launch their new products, so our editors are always on the lookout for groundbreaking products at industry events, including the International Builders' Show and the International Roofing Expo. The unique, innovative, better, stronger and faster products on display receive notice in our annual Editor's Choice coverage. The following products and services were judged as this year's standouts by our editorial staff.
There are numerous issues affecting our industry and our world, and it is often difficult to choose which one to target in this column. This month I could boil it down to no less than two. So, in the spirit of springtime and the return of baseball, here is a double-header for you.
Julien Benjamin Jr. was the first to hire me into the roofing industry and was a mentor of mine far beyond the time we spent working together. He was darn good at what he did and he always ran a first-rate shop. One of the first lessons he taught me comes to mind at this point in the world of commercial roofing: "Never be ashamed to make a profit."