Perhaps the most important role the roofing industry plays is its part in bringing shelter to the masses. We call it “The American Dream” - the dream of owning a home. Though somewhat challenged by the global recession, the dream has not dimmed.
2009 is a year a lot of people are happy to have in their rear-view mirror. As the year drew to a close, some economists pointed to hopeful signs of a nascent recovery, while others expressed disappointment that the economy didn’t rev up more in the fourth quarter of 2009.
By applying the golden rule with its employees and
customers, Brothers Services Company in Baltimore, Md., has put together a
“best of class” team of employees, according to John T. Martindale, CEO of
Brothers Services.
A country club can be a great place to find new business opportunities as well as a great place to play a round of golf. When Mike Mathers, President of Roofing Technology Associates in Livonia, Mich., spotted a business opportunity on top of his own country club, he was assigned the task of finding a solution to a tricky re-roofing job.
Until very recently, the Richard Howe House in Akron, Ohio, was a neglected, blue-painted eyesore. The former mansion built in 1836 had been the home of the resident engineer of the Ohio & Erie Canalway, whose transportation project transformed northeastern Ohio into a bustling commercial center critical to many areas of a young America.
The country is in the midst of an economic downturn, but at North American Roofing, business is up. According to Brian Verble, North American’s Chief Executive Officer, one key to the company’s success is its nationwide strategy.
Roof cover boards have long been recognized as a key component of good roof design, acting as a protective substrate between the roofing membrane and insulation.
Weathering the Storm by Bob Tafaro A declining housing market, slow commercial sales, less storm activity, and a significant drop in roofing demand. Those events characterized 2009, and it was
When it comes to the economy no one has a crystal ball, so just like everyone else contractors are bracing for the worst even as they hope for the best. Roofing contractors and entrepreneurs in general are often optimistic by nature, and regional differences and the fragmented nature of the marketplace mean some contractors are faring quite differently than others in different parts of the country - or even right across town.
Supported by four fluted Doric columns and topped with a three-tiered tower at the rear, the 153-year-old Lapeer County Courthouse in Lapeer, Mich., is a striking example of the Greek Revival architectural style.
In just a few short years, recycling EPDM roof membrane has transformed from a nascent concept full of potential into a cost-efficient, environmentally sound reality that is being embraced by roofing professionals on tear-off re-roof projects across the United States and portions of Canada.
Little doubt that Topic “A” for the roofing industry continues to be the economy. Most roofing contractors I speak with express concerns about levels of business in the near future as well as down the road. “Down the road” is what has me thinking lately.
This article is the first in a series of three I will
offer you on “Managing the Customer Experience.” It is inspired by the comments
I get from roofing contractors that are struggling to differentiate themselves
from competitors.
Recessions are a natural part of business ups and
downs. Good times are generally followed by slower times. Since 1991, out
economy has been on an expansion except for several short slowdowns. We now
find ourselves in a different spot and many folks are anxious. Let’s add some
perspectives and focus on results.
Everyone has heard the slogan, “The customer is always
right.” And everyone who runs a business knows that it’s not
true.
Customers are often wrong. They complain about silly things, about things that
are their own fault, about the cause of a problem and ways to fix it and,
especially, about what it will cost to fix it to their satisfaction.
COR-A-VENT offers its green ridge vent - Revolution Rolled Ridge Vent. Revolution is an 11-inch wide by 20-foot long roll vent made from nearly 100 percent pre-consumer recycled plastic.
Stablebase USA has released a revolutionary line of ladder stabilization products. Stablebase ladder stabilizers are compact, easy to use, and adaptable to all site conditions.
OMG Roofing Products has introduced the QuadFlash pipe boot that provides a fast and efficient option for sealing single or clusters of rooftop pipe penetrations.
Owens Corning’s Roofing Essentials accessories contribute to a complete roofing system including proper ventilation that, when combined with a properly insulated attic and durable roofing shingles, helps prevent damage and premature aging from excess heat.
Knaack LLC and WEATHER GUARD Products introduced the new E-Line Model 143 Saddle Box. The truck box is the first product in a new series offering WEATHER GUARD quality and reputation at an exceptional value.
Air Vent introduces a new shingle-over, roof-top installed intake vent - The Edge Vent. The vent is designed for airflow performance and weather protection.
SmartRidge I by DCI is a single-sided ridge vent. Using its patented design it eliminates the street side lift, making it the cleanest looking ridge vent.
Atlas Roofing knows how tough it is to differentiate yourself from your competition. With StormMaster Slate, you will be offering a shingle that every homeowner will love, and will want to put on their roof.
The energy and excitement that filled New Orleans after Super Bowl XLIV continued on the show floor of the D and E Halls at the Morial Convention Center, Feb. 22-24, for the 2010 International Roofing Expo.
The NTRCA announced its new board of directors and the winners of two prestigious awards honoring those who have made significant contributions to the local roofing industry.
MMPI, a leader the trade show and property management industry, will launch an all new trade show, Buildex Chicago, located at The Merchandise Mart, June 14-16, 2010.
Bradco Supply announced that it has acquired Insulation Systems, Inc. The company is a distributor of commercial roofing products with three offices throughout North Carolina.
Times have been tough; especially for contractors. And even in the best of times, most contractors are overwhelmed by the business side of their business.
More than 30 Gulf Coast architects, most of them from Mississippi, attended two days of seminars on integrated metal roofing and solar technology Feb. 9-10 in Biloxi.
Johns Manville (JM), a manufacturer of energy-efficient building products, announced it has reached an agreement with SolarFrameWorks, a photovoltaic solutions company, for SolarFrameWorks to supply its proprietary Building Integrated Photovoltaic CoolPly solar roofing components to JM.
America’s first national standard for retrofit roof drains, developed by SPRI in 2004, was re-approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) in December 2009.
The 25th RCI International Convention & Trade Show will feature over 30 hours of educational seminars, live product demonstrations, and a two-day trade show with over 130 exhibitors.
Allied Building Products Corp. has selected HailWatch, powered by AnythingWeather Communications Inc., to support its customers with real-time storm reports, forecasting products and site-specific post-storm HailSWATH analysis reports.
The Bilco Company announced that it now offers roof hatches that have received Miami-Dade County’s Notice of Acceptance (NOA). The NOA certifies that Bilco’s standard Type S and NB steel and aluminum roof hatches conform to high-velocity hurricane zone standards in Miami-Dade County in Florida.
R.L. Murphey Commercial Roof Systems, L.P., a roofing contractor in Northern Texas, has achieved Centurion status in Carlisle SynTec’s Perfect 10 Program.
The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) has moved its headquarters to Association Management Center (AMC) in Glenview, Ill., for full-service management.
Rmax appointed Tom Denton as Central Region Sales Manager. Denton will report to Senior Vice President of Operations Peter Kesser and play a leading role in Rmax’s sales and marketing efforts in support of its Central Region manufacturing plant in Dallas.
