Fall 2014 News

MFM Building Products, a manufacturer of waterproofing and weather barrier products, offers an underlayment co-branding program to help customers gain better market visibility.

The program allows certain MFM product lines to be purchased with the wholesaler’s logo, contact information and customized data sheet.

Customers who already participate in the program have seen increased brand awareness with contractors, builders, sub-contractors and the general public.

According to Tony Reis, MFM Sales & Marketing Director, “There is a commitment needed from the customer, but does not include a premium on the product price. This is a great opportunity for the distributor to explore a new marketing vehicle with their customers. We have been pleased with the response so far.”

The co-branding program includes MFM Wind & Water Seal and Ultra HT Wind & Water Seal. Both are self-adhering, polymer film surface underlayments that have been laminated to a high temperature adhesive system rated to 250°F. Each is designed for use under most roofing systems, including metal roofing panels where high heat is generated. Roll size is 36” x 67’ (200 sq. ft.).

The program consists of a custom print die with the customer’s logo and contact information, customized Technical Data Sheet and special carton stickers. MFM carries the warranty and all product is shipped in MFM cartons.

The Basement Health Association now offers third-party certification for basement professionals that are experts in emergency basement egress design and installation.

Applications for their new Certified Egress Specialist program are currently being accepted, with testing for the new certificate to be conducted on Oct. 7 at the association’s fall regional seminar at the Tropicana in Atlantic City, NJ.

Membership in BHA is required to participate in the certification program, although to accommodate new members, the usual one-year BHA membership requirement has been waived. The application fee is $500.

BHA currently offers three certificates: below-grade waterproofing, structural repair, and basement egress installation. Although many companies offer certificates in the installation of their own products, BHA is the only third party organization that offers a certification program not based on a specific product.

In July American Hydrotech Inc. released a free, digital version of the company’s popular Garden Roof Planning Guide. The app was unveiled at the AIA Expo in Chicago.

“Our new app comprises 18 years of vegetative roof experience, presented in a dynamic, personal way,” says Richard Hayden, garden roof department manager for American Hydrotech. “Our customers now have the unique ability to learn about vegetated roofs on their own terms, with interactive features bringing the information to life.”

The Garden Roof Planning Guide covers everything from proper planning and design, to installation and maintenance. The app features pinch-to-zoom product photography, video animations, photo galleries showing Garden Roof Assemblies in real-world applications, and design considerations.

The app is available for download on the iPad, and will soon be available in Android, Windows Tablet, and other digital formats.  The print version of the Garden Roof Planning Guide, now in its third edition, is also still available.

Roofing Supply Group, a wholesale distributor of roofing supplies and related materials, continues its expansion in Florida with the opening of a new location in Fort Myers, Fla., this past spring.  This location will allow RSG to better serve the Southwest Florida. It is the 10th new location RSG has opened in the last year.

Tim Perryman, regional senior vice president, says, “We are excited to continue our expansion in the Southeast. In the last nine months we have opened locations in St. Petersburg/Pinellas, Jacksonville and now Fort Myers.  We are committed to the state of Florida and look forward to evaluating additional opportunities for growth.”

An annual contest to recognize the top asphalt roofing projects in North America has announced it’s winners.  The Quality Asphalt Roofing Case-Study (QARC) Awards program is administered by the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA), and seeks to recognize innovative roofing design and installation.

In 2014, the gold and silver awards went to the Doral City Hall building in Florida, which features a Built-Up Roof (BUR) with three layers of premium glass ply and an energy-efficient cap sheet.  The bronze award went to the historic Everett Victorian mansion in Laurel, Md., which was built in 1888 and was home to Mayor Edward Phelps, best known for bringing electric street lights, a telephone system and a Washington, D.C. railroad connection to his hometown. The project used an asphalt roofing shingle that closely imitated natural slate, one of the products that had been approved by the local historic commission. The product was also easy to work with, providing a safe environment for the contractors onsite.

“Asphalt roofing’s beauty and reliability contributed to making each of these distinct projects a success,” said Reed Hitchcock, executive vice-president for ARMA. “Property owners look to asphalt roofing for aesthetic designs and durable, long-lasting protection. Asphalt roofing provides the adaptability they need, evident by its use in the QARC award-winning projects.”

ARMA is now accepting submissions for the 2015 QARC awards campaign. For more information about the QARC Awards or to submit a project, please visit www.asphaltroofing.org.

Firestone Building Products announced in July that its Prescott, Ark. manufacturing facility has received a Million Work Hour Award from the Arkansas Department of Labor (ADOL). The award is presented to plants that complete one million work hours without a lost day away from work.

In addition to the ADOL award, the plant has also achieved one million hours without an OSHA recordable injury. The Prescott facility is the largest EPDM manufacturing plant in the world.

The Prescott plant celebrated its 40th anniversary in May 2010, and completed a $36 million expansion in 2012.