A strong consumer sector in the U.S. economy will keep the nation from slipping into recession. But the construction industry should prepare for a significant slowdown as commercial occupancy rates tumble and the business sector continues to soften.
Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., Somerville, Mass., announced that it has finalized the purchase of The Roof Center, Gaithersburg, Md., and its subsidiary West End Lumber, Houston.
CertainTeed Corp. announced that it has partnered with NASCAR Winston Cup driver Ward Burton to promote the company’s residential and commercial roofing products, as well as Air Vent Inc.
According to a study by the Freedonia Group, Cleveland, U.S. roofing demand is expected to increase nearly 2 percent annually through 2005 to 253 million squares. In terms of dollar value, demand is forecast to advance more than 3 percent per annum to $11.2 billion.
Metal Sales Manufacturing Corp., Sellersburg, Ind., has agreed to purchase the assets of National Steel Corp.'s Granite City Building Products business.
The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Calverton, Md., has announced that its new and improved Web site is now “live” at www.asphaltroofing.org.
ImproveNet, a Web-based, home-improvement services company, has teamed up with Allstate Insurance Co. to provide homeowners with practical information for managing home-improvement project on the Allstate Web site (www.allstate.com).