Spring 2011 News

W. R. Meadows has launched a new construction company website.  While the basic feel and navigation of the website has remained unchanged, many new features were added during the redesign to give it a more contemporary feel, including more project photos, a product spotlight for new products, and new social media features.

These features include a live Twitter feed, and links to their Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube pages.

All the content accumulated over the years is still available, including access to product data sheets, material safety data sheets, project profiles, and more.

“The W. R. Meadows website contains a vast amount of information, and is the perfect stop for anyone looking for detailed product information, or anyone looking to see what products are included in the W. R. Meadows line,” says Tricia Barendregt, marketing coordinator for the company.

For more information, call (800) 342-5976, e-mail info@wrmeadows.com, or visit www.wrmeadows.com.

The Sump and Sewage Pump Manufacturers Association (SSPMA) reported significant sales increases for 2010. Every product category for which the association collects statistics reported double-digit increases.  The categories and respective 12-month gains are:

• Pedestal and submersible sump, sewage and effluent pumps: +10.5%
• Battery-operated backup sump pumps: +19%
• Utility pumps: +42%
• Multi-stage centrifugal effluent pumps: +24 1/2%
• Submersible grinder pumps: +32%.

The data was collected from members of the SSPMA, which make up more than 90% of the industry.  Members are Barnes Pumps, Champion Pump Co., Franklin Electric WTS, ITT Goulds, Liberty Pumps, Pentair Water, and Zoeller.

For more information, refer to SSPMA’s website at www.sspma.org.

Attendance at the World of Concrete trade show, held Jan 18-21 in Las Vegas, was down significantly from year’s past.  The official estimate of 48,500 is down about 15% from last year’s 55,000, and down about 50% from the record crowds of 2007.

Jackie James, director of World of Concrete says, “Even though the numbers are slightly down from 2010, we have found that a majority of our exhibitors are actually getting quality leads and making sales at the show.”

Steven Pomerantz, another WOC show organizer, admits that given the current economy, lots of foot traffic is probably not a realistic expectation. Contractors who brought extra employees during boom times now can’t afford to pay those extra air fares and hotel rooms. But Pomerantz said those who are serious about finding new equipment solutions come to the show with purpose.

That view was echoed by Michael Vargo, who was in the Prime Resins booth in the South Hall most of the show.  He reported, “While attendance was down from previous years, the seriousness of those in attendance was not.  People had projects to talk about and requests to bid.  Several people I talked with were also there to buy new equipment.  While some days may be more uphill than another, the outlook for 2011 is brighter.”

Pomerantz says that attendance at the show may be down due to the ConExpo/ConAg show for concrete producers being held at the same location in March.

Portland Cement Association (PCA) economist Ed Sullivan says it will likely be 2013 before recovery begins in earnest, noting the construction industry had a 20.7% jobless rate in December.

“Economic growth will not become strong enough to generate more robust job gains in the short-term, translating into a longer-than-expected recovery period,” Sullivan said. “This is a construction-focused recession.”

But Sullivan predicts that the long-term future is rosy, thanks to population growth and needed infrastructure investment.

The 2011 International Roofing Expo showed solid gains in both exhibitor space rented and attendees.

Held in February at the Las Vegas Convention Center, it attracted more than 8,000 attendees, an 18% increase in verified attendance over the 2010 show in New Orleans. Participants came from all segments of the roofing industry, including commercial and residential contractors, builders, remodelers, building owners, facility managers, manufacturers, architects, engineers and other ancillary industry professionals.

“We are thrilled with the number of attendees and the enthusiasm they brought to the buying and selling activity on the show floor,” said Lindsay Roberts, director of the Expo. “The products on display, the conference program, the demonstrations and clinics, along with the strong partnership with NRCA, made this the industry’s must-attend event for 2011.”

Attendees represented all 50 states, with the largest number from California, Texas, Colorado, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio, Minnesota, Arizona, New York and Missouri. The largest number of international attendees came from Canada, Mexico, Japan, Sweden, Brazil and Germany.

“The IRE is a must-attend event for all roofing contractors,” said Ronnie L. Rogers II, project manager at Mr. Roof Inc. “I attended the show mainly for the seminars, although the show floor absolutely astounded me.”

With 879 booths and 394 exhibiting companies, the tradeshow floor featured an array of products, and the most innovative ideas in roofing materials and related products.

Exhibitors seemed pleased with the number of leads and inquiries that were generated.  “We signed up 100 new customers and came away with 300 leads,” said Karen L. Edwards of EagleView Technologies. “The show met and surpassed our expectations.”

“The show was well attended and we had a great turnout at our booth,” said Melissa Mulligan of Polyglass USA, Inc.  “Overall, a great show!”

In addition to the show floor’s buying and selling activity, the Expo featured 41 educational sessions including safety classes, leadership/management, green building, sales/service and general business.

The 26th RCI International Convention & Trade Show will be held April 7–12, 2011, at the Peppermill Resort Spa and Casino in Reno, Nev.
The annual event will feature over 20 hours of educational seminars, live product demonstrations, and a two-day trade show with over 130 exhibitors. Programs are approved to yield continuing education credits for members of RCI and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

“It’s a great opportunity to earn a full year’s worth of continuing education credit at one event,” said William Myers, RCI’s marketing director.
RCI, Incorporated is an international association of professional consultants, architects, and engineers who specialize in the specification and design of roofing, waterproofing and exterior wall systems.
For more information about RCI, or to register for the show, visit www.rci-online.org or call 800-828-1902.

National Coatings Corporation, a manufacturer of reflective weatherproofing roofing materials, celebrates their 30th anniversary this year.

Among their accomplishments, National Coatings is the only roofing manufacturer to be named Energy Star Partner of the Year by the EPA and DOE, and they were awarded the title two years in a row for notable contributions to energy efficiency. The Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) lists National Coatings as having the two highest reflective roof coatings available to the roofing industry  Clients include NASA, Google, Apple, Kaiser, The Home Depot and many other Fortune 500 companies.

“Our excellence in product delivery and…world class customer service will provide momentum for the rapid growth we see in our next decade,” says Matt Kolb, president.

The Single Ply Roofing Institute (SPRI) has selected David Bailie as the organization’s president for the 2011-2012 term. SPRI represents sheet membrane and component suppliers to the commercial roofing industry.

SPRI’s members elected Bailie at the association’s 29th Annual Conference and Business Meeting in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Bailie is regional sales manager for United States Gypsum Company (USG) Securock Roof Board. He has worked in the commercial roofing industry for more than 30 years and has served in a number of positions within SPRI, including past president.
“It is an honor to serve a second term as SPRI’s president,” said Bailie. “SPRI has distinguished itself in the promulgation of codes, standards and design guidelines that have advanced… the roofing industry. It is my intention to continue to strengthen our reputation as a primary technical resource for single-ply membrane and component technologies.”

SPRI’s membership also elected the following slate of officers and directors for the association’s 2011-2012 membership year:

• President-Elect: Robert LeClare, W.P. Hickman Company
• Secretary/Treasurer: Hal Shapiro, Johns Manville Corporation
• 2-Year Director (Association): Mike Blanchette, Amtech Building Sciences Inc.
• 2-Year Director (Association): Stan Choiniere, OMG Roofing Products
• 2-Year Director (Association): Larry Good, Trinity ERD

For more information about SPRI, visit www.spri.org.