Saint-Gobain’s building products subsidiary, CertainTeed Roofing, held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, marking the start of construction on a state-of-the-art roofing manufacturing and distribution center in Bryan, Texas.
In a Nov. 28 news release, Saint-Gobain said the project reaffirms its position as the leader in “light and sustainable construction,” allowing the company to better serve its customers with roofing products throughout the southern United States.
The event featured remarks from Texas Business and Community Development Director Larry McManus, Vice President and General Manager of CertainTeed Roofing Carmen Bodden, Bryan Mayor Bobby Gutierrez, Brazos County Judge Duane Peters, and CertainTeed Roofing Director of Strategy and Business Development Jill Betters.
In addition to marking the plant’s groundbreaking, CertainTeed presented a check for $20,000 to the Bryan Independent School District Education Foundation in support of the Bryan ISD Career and Technical Education Center, which neighbors CertainTeed’s new location.
“It’s critical that we find meaningful ways to invest in the talent of the future for the manufacturing industry, and we’re committed to building a long-term partnership with the Bryan ISD Technical Education Center,” said Mark Rayfield, president and CEO of Saint-Gobain North America and CertainTeed.
The project, which was supported by direct contributions of land, a zero-cost rail easement, locally supported industrial infrastructure, and 10 years of property tax savings from the Chapter 313 program, will allow the company to grow its presence and product offerings in the southern United States.
Saint-Gobain said the dual location of a manufacturing facility and distribution center will reduce the distance the product must travel to market, lowering the company’s carbon footprint and aligning with Saint-Gobain’s global goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
“We’re excited to expand our service capabilities to our customers in Texas,” said Carmen Bodden, vice president and general manager of CertainTeed Roofing. “With the support of Union Pacific, our new warehouse in Bryan will fully optimize the use of rail transportation, which helps to minimize our carbon footprint for generations to come and live our purpose of ‘Making the World a Better Home.’”
The Bryan facility, CertainTeed’s first new roofing plant since its completion of a facility in Jonesburg, Mo., in 2016 as Saint-Gobain continues to execute its global ‘Grow & Impact’ strategy, which includes expanding its presence in key, fast-growing markets.
Last year, the company broke ground on a $167 million glass mat facility on its Oxford, N.C., campus, the largest-ever investment in a U.S. roofing site. In addition, in 2022, the company announced a $100 million expansion at its Peachtree City, Ga., roofing plant, doubling its production capacity at the location.
Both projects are currently underway.
Additionally, CertainTeed recently acquired the rights to technology from recycling partner Asphaltica, allowing the company to increase its ability to recycle asphalt shingle waste, aligning with its commitment to creating a circular economy in its production.
“CertainTeed’s new roofing manufacturing and distribution center in Bryan is an important addition to the state’s booming manufacturing industry,” said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. “Texas has been the top exporting state in the nation for the last 21 years in a row, and it’s thanks to our state’s hardworking manufacturers that ‘Made in Texas’ has never been a more powerful global brand.”
The ceremony in Bryan follows several other growth investments taken by Saint-Gobain to grow its business in North America in recent months. Saint-Gobain now boasts more than 145 manufacturing locations in the United States and Canada.
For more information, visit saint-gobain.com.
