The black rhino professional tools brand was created by Darin Newell to offer something that was durable enough to stand the test of time and be good-looking enough to get people excited as soon as they looked at the products being offered.
In February, President Obama announced the Better Buildings Initiative, a multi-pronged effort to make commercial buildings 20 percent more energy efficient over the next decade by encouraging private sector investment through incentives to upgrade schools, universities and municipal facilities, as well as offices, stores and other commercial buildings.
Christian Madsen is the President of Madsen Roofing & Waterproofing Inc. in Sacramento, Calif. He’s also the current president of the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). Roofing Contractor caught up with Madsen to get his insights on the roofing industry, and he shared his plans for leading his company and the association into the future.
Roofing contractors know from experience that the best tools and equipment can help them achieve their goals more quickly and efficiently. Roofers need tools that will work properly and get them through the job without interruption.
Contractors and architects in search of sustainable and energy-efficient roofing products increasingly face a broad range of new choices. But a recent study suggests that a frontrunner in the race to be green may be one of the most tried and true products in the marketplace.
Thomas Martin started out in residential roofing, but the President of Metropolitan Construction Systems Inc. in Holbrook, N.Y., knew it was just a matter of time before he entered the commercial market.
A Wall Street Journal article from last summer caught my eye. Titled “Customer Service as a Growth Engine,” the article described efforts by large organizations such as Walgreen, Comcast, American Express and others to pay “more attention to customer service in an effort to increase sales and gain market share in the economic recovery.”
During a recent seminar in Toronto, I asked the group if anyone could tell me how they define “marketing.” I received an answer that was unlike any I’ve ever heard before. One of the participants said, “Marketing is making sure all of your employees know your company story and how they add value to the message.”
I know I have written about this topic in the past, but recent overwhelming interest in this topic tells me it is time to talk about it again. I was lucky enough to speak on this topic at the 2011 International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas and the interest was undeniable. There I was at 7:45 a.m. in Las Vegas and the room was full of contractors who were eager to discuss the topic.
There are three prominent membrane attachment methods used in the U.S. low-slope commercial roofing market. They are fully adhered, mechanically attached and self-adhered. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these attachment methods which should be considered prior to selection for a specific project.
The weather this winter was brutal in some parts of the country, which has led to a nice little uptick in roof repair and remediation work this spring. Now we are entering the storm season and there is no way of knowing how, when, what, or where the next weather event will strike.
For most roofing contractors one of their largest and perhaps most frustrating expenses is workers’ compensation insurance. Roofing contractors pay more for workers’ comp than nearly any other contractor and as a result learning how to control that cost is essential to running a successful roofing business. The key to controlling your workers’ comp cost is controlling your experience modification factor.
A reader to Roofing Contractor wrote me and noted that my articles regularly focus on residential sales and appropriately requested that I offer some insights into commercial sales. Only a few days later, I was conducting a seminar at which one attendee expressed frustration about his wasted time in the plan room of general contractors, which resulted too frequently in lost bids. My advice: Get past the plan room.
The images tend to be memorable and camera-friendly - federal agents stage a well-publicized bust on a jobsite and cart off hundreds of undocumented workers. Today, however, the U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) have shifted their focus away from undocumented workers and are targeting the employers who hire them, often through audits and lawsuits.
DEWALT announces the launch of its two new 7-inch/9-inch Variable Speed Polishers (DWP849X and DWP849). Their new designs are lighter than their predecessor and deliver the power and speed control necessary for use on a variety of materials, ranging from cars and boats to metal and concrete surfaces.
Sunbelt Vacuuming Services introduces roof vacuuming machines, which are set up next to the building and a 6-inch rubber hose is run from the machine to the roof.
Tyco Thermal Controls, a division of Tyco International and the leading global supplier of heat management solutions, is partnering with Utah-based Thermal Technologies, manufacturers of roof and gutter de-icing products, to market decorative roofing panels that will prevent hazardous rooftop ice formation.
A CONNEXT Ratcheting Handle from Malco Products is equipped with a precision fit and hardened quick-connect holders accept any 1/4-inch hex shank power groove or insert style driver for use as a shaft, including all sizes and lengths of Malco Magnetic Hex Chuck Drivers, exclusive Hollow Hex Chuck Drivers and Phillips Chuck Drivers.
Saint-Gobain, a building products manufacturer, is bringing new energy and robust product innovation to the 2011 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Convention, which starts today in New Orleans, as part of a collaborative exhibit with nine of its affiliated companies.
OMG, Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of fasteners and building products for commercial and residential construction applications has acquired the intellectual property rights for Sinch Technology from Senco Brands, Inc. of Cincinnati, Ohio.
Firestone Metal Products Company, LLC is introducing the new UNA-FOAM Insulated Metal Panel System at the AIA 2011 National Convention and Design Exposition in New Orleans, La., which opens today through Saturday.
TAMKO Building Products, Inc. has donated $250,000 to the West Alabama Chapter of the American Red Cross to assist the region in recovering from the catastrophic tornadoes of late April.
RCI, Inc., announced the winners of its 2011 Document Competition on April 10, 2011, at an awards luncheon during the 26th RCI International Convention and Trade Show in Reno, Nevada.
Less than a month after it was damaged by a tornado, TAMKO Building Products restarted the saturated felt line at its Tuscaloosa shingle plant on Wednesday, May 25, 2011.
The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) announced that Paul Bertram, Jr., FCSI, CDT, LEED AP, will become president of the organization on July 1.
Allied Building Products Corp. announced that solar products will be featured in its new state-of-the-art Contractor Tool Center located in Northern New Jersey.
BNP Media, parent company of Roofing Contractor and Architectural Roofing & Waterproofing, is pleased to announce a partnership with BirdDog Career Centers.
Architectural Testing, Inc. (ATI) announced that it has expanded its IAS accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 to include fire performance test methods for roofing products and assemblies – primarily ASTM E108, Standard Test Methods for Fire Tests of Roof Coverings.
EagleView Technologies, a leader in 3-D aerial roof measurements, continues to advance the industry, offering innovative solutions to customers such as the recently introduced customizable report cover.
Sika Sarnafil, a leader in thermoplastic roofing and waterproofing membranes, announced the availability of Sikacoat roof coatings, the latest addition to the company’s roofing product line and an economical solution to extend the life of existing roofing systems until a roof replacement is necessary.
The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA), a national trade association representing manufacturers of cold applied protective roof coatings, cements, and suppliers of industry products, recently awarded James “Tim” Nelligan with the Industry Statesman Award at this year’s RCMA Annual Conference and Expo, March 26-30, at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The W. P. Hickman Company, a leading manufacturer of metal roof edge systems, announced the launch of a new website that focuses on improved user experience.
Duro-Last Roofing, Inc. announced the hiring of Robert C. Carnick as Marketing Director. In this newly-created position, Robert will be responsible for creating and implementing strategic product marketing plans, product development and rollout, sales forecasting, identifying new revenue streams, and tracking costs, margins, and sales growth.
Housing is now open for the 2012 International Roofing Expo, scheduled for Feb. 22-24, 2012 at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Fla.
GAF, a roofing and ventilation manufacturer, was recently awarded nine American In-house Design Awards by Graphic Design USA magazine – the most awards won by any in-house agency in the last four years.
With new ENERGY STAR-qualified cool roofing, InSpire Slate is one of the most authentic, energy-efficient, and sustainable composite slate on the market. Nine colors – from traditional Granite, Evergreen and Mountain Plum to innovative shades like Red Cedar and Sand – allow the composite slate market’s most comprehensive color spectrum to deliver energy cost-savings with an artistic touch.
The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) has partnered with Samaritan's Purse to assist with first-response efforts in recent tornado-stricken areas.
SOPREMA North America announce that its Rooftop Photovoltaic System: SOPRASOLAR received FM Approval on Earth Day 2011, April 22, 2011 by FM Approvals (Member of the FM Global Group).
Duro-Last Roofing, Inc., announced the hiring of Thomas L. Saeli as Chief Executive Officer. Saeli brings a wealth of experience and a breadth of knowledge to Duro-Last’s growing business.
Saint-Gobain Solar is expanding its product offering in North America through the introduction of Avancis PowerMax premium class photovoltaic (PV) modules.
Douglass Colony Group has installed a 100kW photovoltaic (PV) rooftop solar system on its headquarters location in Commerce City. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 19, at the Douglass Colony office, located at 5901 E. 58th Ave. in Commerce City.
TAMKO Building Products, Inc. is donating a restricted gift of $1 million to the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross for support of efforts to help Joplin recover from the May 22 tornado.
National Roofing Contractors Association’s (NRCA's) EnergyWise Roof Calculator Online has been updated to include information from the 2010 version of ASHRAE 90.1, "Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings," the 2009 version of ASHRAE 189.1, "Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings" and the 2006 and 2009 versions of the International Code Council's International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
PHILADELPHIA - The solar division of Allied Building Products, a division of Oldcastle Inc., the North American holding company for CRH plc, announced its partnership with Enecsys, the leader in reliable solar micro inverter systems for residential and commercial applications.
BOTHELL, Wash. - EagleView Technologies, a provider of 3-D aerial roof measurements, announced new easy-to-understand, square-based report pricing for contractors.
IKO Industries, Ltd, has created an exciting, interactive contest to encourage and reward roofing professionals who use the company’s latest new shingle - Royal Estate - on their residential or commercial projects.
CARLISLE, Pa. - Insulfoam announced the company would expand into Western Pennsylvania. Manufacturing is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2011 in a 200,000-square-foot facility located in Smithfield, Pa.
