Spring 2018 News

Polyguard Products is celebrating 2017 as the 25th consecutive year of top line sales growth for the company. The streak began in 1992 and has withstood the financial ups and downs of the subsequent decades, including several nationwide recessions.

As a result of these increased sales, Polyguard more than doubled its manufacturing capabilities by moving the majority of its manufacturing facility to Corsicana, Texas to keep up with demand.

“This streak rivals any that I know in the business world,” says Shawn Eastham, president of the company. “This is a credit to our diversity, the quality of our manufacturing practices and, most importantly, the employee owners who take so much pride in the work they do every day.”

CEO John Muncaster, who has been the head of the company since the mid-1980s, adds “Employee owners take a greater sense of pride in what they do, [and] keeps everyone working for the good of the entire company.”

Founded in 1953, Polyguard specializes in products which protect surfaces and structures from moisture, water, and other undesired substances.

MFM Building Products recently launched a new corporate website.

The new website is optimized for viewing on a desktop, tablet or mobile device, which makes the site easier to navigate when on the jobsite. The site features a “Resource Center” where all of the company’s literature, specifications, approvals and videos can be downloaded. Another site feature is a company blog, which gives contractors and distributors useful articles and installation tips on many of the company’s products.

MFM was founded in 1961 and has more than 55 years of experience manufacturing exterior, self-adhering waterproofing products.  To visit the company’s website, visit www.mfmbp.com.

In December,  about 50 top consultants and specifiers attended the New York Building Envelope Symposium.  The one-day educational forum was sponsored by Kemper System America in partnership with ZinCo USA and Keim Mineral Coatings.  The symposium featured presentations on green roof technology, performance standards for air barriers, stormwater management, and inspections for liquid-applied roofing and waterproofing membranes.

“The roots of our success are here in New York, so we wanted to give back with a co-sponsored event that would allow participants to network and learn from multiple perspectives,” said Richard Doornink, president and managing director of Kemper.

The event was eligible for continuing education (CE) credits from the American Institute of Architects, U.S. Green Building Council, and RCI.

“CE credits are helpful, but the main reason I attend is to learn what’s new and to stay up-to-date on materials, systems and code requirements for the building envelope,” said Kevin Bone, principal at Bone Levine Architects.

A new townhome development near Washington D.C. has a unique feature: each of the 32 units has a private-access roof hatch.  Occupants of the building, located in the city’s swanky Capitol Hill district, will have a unique and private vantage point that is available to only a few residents of the nation’s capital.

The project, which is being built by Ditto Residential, transforms a historic three-story school building that dates to 1895 into 32 three- and four-bedroom condominiums.  Dubbed Buchanan Park, the  development and the old school are named for James Buchanan, the nation’s 15th president.

The architect for the townhomes, Maurice Walters, designed them to provide residents with individual access to rooftop deck areas. DJB Contracting is installing 32 thermally broken roof hatches from The Bilco Companies to meet the architect’s request. Eric Ward, the project manager, says, “I like that they are pre-fabricated and pre-coated. It makes the job a lot easier.”

The hatch minimizes heat transfer due to a thermal break in the cover and R-20+ insulation. The unit also offers corrosion resistant aluminum construction.

Ward believes the residents of the townhomes will appreciate the roof hatches. Besides increasing energy efficiency, they will allow residents rare private access to their roofs. Most city housing projects that offer rooftop access accommodate multiple tenants, and not individual access.

“I think the hatch will work great,’’ Ward said. “I’ve never seen this application before, but I think it’s a great idea.”

KM Coatings, a manufacturer of commercial-grade liquid-applied roof systems, has rebranded their business.  The update includes a new logo, website, product packaging, and tagline (“Quality Roof Systems for Professionals”).  The new look was unveiled at the International Roofing Expo in early February, and can be viewed online at www.kmcoatings.us.

KM Coatings has been manu-facturing liquid-applied membranes for over 30 years and joined the Polyglass U.S.A., Inc. family in 2014. The company’s flagship products are acrylic and silicone elastomeric roof coatings and primers used to restore and extend the service life of low-slope roofing.

To support its growing customer base, KM Coatings is expanding its manufacturing capacity and increasing its national team of roofing experts. It is also investing in continuing education for roofing contractors through the new KM Academy.

In January, Armtec became the exclusive Canadian distributor for Cultec’s stormwater management products, including retention/detention and infiltration chambers.

Dan Gera, design supervisor for Cultec, states, “We anticipate that this agreement will vastly enhance and fortify Cultec’s Canadian presence in the stormwater industry.”

“Cultec is highly regarded as a leader in the stormwater detention/retention industry, and we believe we will be strong partners in growing the market in Canada,” says Yvon Lespérance, vice president of business development and marketing for Armtec. “With these additional products, Armtec is well positioned to serve the needs of municipalities, commercial and private developers, and contractors and meet the growing demand for stormwater management products.”