By Emma Richardson. 

Grandel's Roofing and Construction is just what the doctor ordered for this couple. 

For one Nebraskan couple, the sky falling was nothing new. Rick and Glenda Roasch have spent years overcoming one medical challenge after another. When their roof began leaking, it was just another downpour of stress.  

Living on a fixed income with mounting medical bills meant that home maintenance was deferred, ultimately resulting in leaks during rainstorms and snowmelt. While the couple knew the roof badly needed replacing, it simply wasn’t in the budget.  

Having undergone two back surgeries previously, Glenda was no stranger to the doctor’s office. But in 2015 she was diagnosed with mouth and throat cancer. This resulted in heavy radiation treatments as well as the loss of part of her tongue. Unfortunately, the bad news kept coming.  

She was diagnosed with and received treatment for lung cancer in 2022 and again in 2024 for lung and throat cancer. In total, she has undergone chemotherapy, immunotherapy, countless radiation treatments and has had nine lymph nodes removed. She still receives radiation twice a month.  

These obstacles have not prevented her from being a present mother, grandmother and friend. “Through it all, family members describe her as a fighter,” says Allison Peck of the North Platte Post. “The nomination noted that many people beyond their immediate relatives consider Rick and Glenda family.”  

Rick faces his own challenges as well. He has received multiple surgeries to resolve blood blockages in his legs and neck. He also has a rare lung disease and cataracts in both his eyes.  

With so many medical bills stretching the budget, Rick and Glenda thought they had no choice but to make do with their failing roof. Luckily, their community thought differently. When Grandel’s Roofing and Construction received Glenda and Rick’s nomination for their annual free roof giveaway, they found their winner.  

It may not be the cure for cancer, but receiving a new roof removed a huge source of stress, prevented further structural damage and greatly improved Rick and Glenda’s quality of life. For a couple that has more than enough on their plate already, that is an enormous relief. By providing a new roof, Grandel’s Roofing and Construction give Rick and Glenda the time and energy to focus on their heath and their loved ones more than ever.  

Hettrick Cyr & Associates advocates saftey in shipping and transportation. 

November 1–7 is Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. Fatigue can impair reaction time, judgment and attention, increasing the risk of serious crashes.

As days shorten and holiday schedules become busier, remind employees who drive for work to recognize fatigue. Warning signs include frequent yawning, difficulty focusing, lane drifting and missed signs or exits. Employees should also pay attention to changes in alertness before getting behind the wheel. Starting a trip already tired can make it harder to stay focused as the drive continues, particularly during long or demanding workdays.

Drivers should take early signs of fatigue seriously rather than trying to push through them. Before leaving, consider whether you are alert enough to drive safely, especially after a long shift or an unusually demanding day. If fatigue develops on the road, finding a safe place to stop should take priority over staying on schedule.

Persistent daytime sleepiness may indicate a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea. Anyone with ongoing fatigue should consult a healthcare provider and avoid driving when unsafe.

To help reduce the risk of drowsy driving:

• Get adequate sleep before driving.
• Plan realistic schedules and regular rest breaks.
• Check medications for drowsiness warnings and avoid alcohol or other substances that increase fatigue.
• If drowsy, stop in a safe place and rest. Fresh air, loud music and caffeine are not substitutes for sleep.
• Prioritize safety over deadlines and support employees who report fatigue.

Employers can also help prevent fatigue-related incidents by building adequate rest into work schedules and encouraging employees to report when they are too tired to drive safely. Regular conversations about fatigue can help make drowsy driving prevention part of an organization’s everyday safety culture, rather than a concern addressed only during awareness campaigns.

Please share this message with employees, supervisors and anyone who drives for work. During November, discuss fatigue in a toolbox talk or safety meeting and explain how employees can report concerns or request schedule changes without penalty. Supervisors can reinforce these conversations throughout the year by encouraging drivers to speak up when they feel too tired to continue safely and by treating fatigue as a legitimate workplace safety concern. You can download our tip sheet HERE.

STAC Skilled Trades Champions will support schools, businesses and organizations helping Americans begin careers in the skilled trades.

The Skilled Trades Advisory Council (STAC) today announced STAC Skilled Trades Champions, a national contest awarding two winners $10,000 each toward tools and equipment to help more people begin careers in the skilled trades. Applications are now open through Jan. 7, 2027.

Each winner will receive a $10,000 gift card to a national tool supplier selected by STAC. The awards will support the skilled trades work described in the winning applications.

The contest welcomes applications from teachers, schools, training programs, small businesses, community organizations and individual mentors supporting pathways into trades careers. Applicants must identify a U.S.-based school, business or organization that will receive the award and use it to support that work.

From a high school shop teacher introducing students to hands-on work to a community college welding program or a plumbing business training apprentices, STAC Skilled Trades Champions aims to support people already building the next generation of skilled professionals.

“Across the country, teachers, mentors and business owners are helping people discover careers in the skilled trades,” said Rob Almond, CEO of NEST and a founding advisor of STAC. “We want to hear their stories, understand what they need and put tools and equipment in their hands so they can reach more future tradespeople.”

To apply, participants must submit a video of 90 seconds or less explaining their work and how $10,000 in tools and equipment would expand their impact. Video production quality will not be scored. Entries are limited to one application per receiving school, business or organization.

A judging panel of STAC founding advisors Andrew Brown, Sarah Hammond, Mónica Muñoz, Kate Cinnamo, Sara Angus, Julie Starzynski and Rob Almond will evaluate applications based on demonstrated impact, the clarity and feasibility of the proposed use of tools and equipment, and the potential to reach more future tradespeople.

Applications close at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Jan. 7, 2027. STAC expects to notify potential winners on or about Jan. 29, with awards expected to be delivered by Feb. 19, subject to eligibility verification and completion of required documentation.

Individuals submitting applications must be at least 18 years old and legal residents of the 50 United States or District of Columbia. Applications on behalf of a school, business or organization must be submitted by an authorized representative. No purchase or payment is necessary to apply or win. Additional eligibility requirements and exclusions apply.

Application information and Official Rules are available at skilledtradesadvisorycouncil.com.

About the Skilled Trades Advisory Council

The Skilled Trades Advisory Council (STAC) is a nonprofit organization launched in August 2023 to address the skilled trades labor crisis in the U.S. and Canada. Spearheaded by Rob Almond, CEO of NEST, STAC brings together national advocates from diverse industries who contribute their resources, knowledge and networks to elevate skilled trades, including electrical, plumbing, HVAC, janitorial and construction, as high-paying, honorable and essential career paths. STAC’s mission is to build renewed respect for these vital careers, attract more individuals to pursue trades and support a sustainable workforce. To learn more, visit skilledtradesadvisorycouncil.com or follow STAC on LinkedIn.

By Emma Peterson.

We’re counting down the 10 most-read stories from The Coffee Shops® to help you stay on top of the latest industry conversations.

Though it may be hard to believe, October is already coming to a close. And if your month has been anything like ours here at The Coffee Shops®, it’s been busy and hard to keep up with!

To make it a bit easier for our readers to catch up on the biggest industry news and stories from October 2026, we’ve collected our top ten articles published this past month.

As our readers move into the off-season, we’ve seen an uptick of interest in training and business development articles! On the training side, our top ten list includes an article about John Kenney of Cotney Consulting Group's upcoming two-day live classroom training workshop (November 17-18, 2026) and an article based on a conversation with Rick Johnson of Tremco CPG about partnering with manufacturers that back their products up with training.

On the business development side, Emma Peterson wrote three articles for The Coffee Shops® highlighting different ways contractors can set their businesses up for success. The first, which comes in at number 6 on our list, talks about four takeaways from a decade of RoofersCoffeeShop® Trends Reports. The other articles, which take spots 3 and 2, take a look at the state of the economy going into the last quarter of the year and at the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)'s live LEGALCon event, respectively.

As for our top article of the month, it was all about "the certifications, technologies and best practices that help roofing professionals build more fire-resilient structures.”

Our top ten articles from October

10 - The business case for smarter construction recycling

9 - Extending building life starts with education and training

8 - Advocacy remains a roofing priority

7 - Building smarter roofers with expert training

6 - A decade of roofing trends

5 - Good project managers think three weeks ahead

4 - NWIR scholarship opens doors for future roofing leaders

3 - Going into the last quarter of 2026

2 - Set yourself apart from the competition at LEGALCon 2026

1 - Creating a more fire-safe future

By Emma Peterson. 

This report showcases the trends shaping roofing and gives unique insights into how the industry has grown in the last ten years.  

Over the last 10 years, the RoofersCoffeeShop® Trends Report, sponsored by QXO since 2022, has provided key insights into what contractors are seeing and experiencing in the field as they continue to roof buildings and keep people safe and dry. Over that decade, there have been seven surveys conducted, resulting in over 1,600 responses. Here are four of the biggest shifts recorded in these surveys.  

1 – Company demographics 

While all the surveys had a fairly consistent split between contractors serving commercial, residential or both, we saw the size of companies grow. Between 2016 and 2020, most respondents reported having 1-10 employees. However, between 2021 and 2025, 10-49 employees was the most common response.  

2 – Products offered 

Another interesting thing that these surveys highlight is how the products that roofers are offering have changed since 2016. For example, in 2019, 81% of survey respondents reported installing liquid applied roofing (LAR) 0-10% of the time. By 2022, an average of 46% of contractors were reporting installing liquid applied roofing. Similar to this growth of LAR, the surveys show a significant growth in metal installation. In 2019, approximately 17.3% of all the contractor-installed materials were metal. By 2022, that number had jumped to 64% and by 2025 it was up to 83%.  

3 – Operation processes 

The trends surveys also asked contractors about their operations. One of the interesting things we noticed in this data was a rise in digital purchasing methods (in 2022, 14% of contractors reported purchasing off of distributors’ websites, in 2025 this rose to 21%). Interestingly, field sales representative purchases also rose (17% in 2022 to 29% in 2025). Combined, these two purchasing methods have now overtaken phone and in-person at branches, which were the top two methods when the survey began. 

4 – Information engagement 

We wanted to take a moment to touch on the different ways that contractors are getting their information and engaging with our community today versus in 2016. In 2016, the top information sources were emails from roofing website, distributors and manufactures’ representatives. But in 2025, the top sources had shifted to roofing associations, roofing websites and then manufactures' representatives. Another notable change was the rise of social media as a resource. In 2016, 22% of contractors reported using it for information. In 2025, that number rose to 50%.  

Learn more about the last decade of roofing by downloading our 10-year Trends Report.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Following a successful METALCON, the newly united DMI-LCF Fastener Group is positioning itself for long-term growth, innovation and industry leadership. 

The newly formed DMI-LCF Fastener Group generated noticeable energy at METALCON 2026. The merger unites Direct Metals, Inc. (DMI) and Lakeside Construction Fasteners (LCF), two companies known for quality products, technical expertise and customer-first service in the metal construction industry. 

During METALCON, I spoke with Eric J. Velliquette, the recently appointed group president of the DMI-LCF Fastener Group. He shared how the combined organization will build on the strengths of both companies while creating new value for customers and employees. 

As contractors seek quality products, technical support and dependable supply chains, the timing is right. The DMI-LCF Fastener Group combines the companies’ capabilities while preserving the customer relationships they have built over decades. 

Eric will lead the DMI-LCF Fastener Group’s strategic vision as the companies combine their expertise in fasteners and foam alternative solutions for the metal building industry. He succeeds Andrew Mullen, one of the original founders of DMI Direct Metals, who will continue contributing at the board level. 

The companies bring complementary strengths to the new organization. DMI contributes national distribution and extensive experience serving metal building professionals, while Lakeside adds an innovative portfolio of construction fasteners, sealants, pipe flashings, snow retention systems and foam alternative solutions. 

Together, DMI’s national distribution capabilities and Lakeside’s innovative product portfolio give customers broader resources, deeper expertise and enhanced support while preserving the responsive service that has defined both brands. 

Beyond products and logistics, the companies share a commitment to integrity, accountability, quality and long-term customer relationships. That cultural alignment makes the merger feel less like an acquisition and more like a natural evolution. 

The company’s METALCON messaging reflected that shared philosophy. Its “One Team” theme supports the upcoming One-Team, First-Team initiative, which will promote cross-functional teamwork and organizational alignment.  METALCON conversations about innovation, efficiency, workforce development and the future of metal construction reinforced the need for reliable partners that can help contractors and manufacturers navigate change. The DMI-LCF Fastener Group appears well positioned to meet that need. 

After speaking with Eric and seeing the enthusiasm at METALCON, the DMI-LCF Fastener Group’s direction is clear. Experienced leadership with expanded capabilities and a unified team is positioning the organization to build on the legacies of DMI and Lakeside while creating new opportunities for customers, partners and employees. 

Learn more about the combined organization’s products, services and nationwide capabilities in the Lakeside Construction Fasteners directory on MetalCoffeeShop.

By Emma Peterson. 

A look at the economic market, the industry outlook and more.  

In a new episode of Contractor Outlook™, Heidi J. Ellsworth sits down with Alex Chausovsky, the president and CEO of 3DM Consulting (a business and operations advisory firm), for a discussion about the state of the economy and construction industry going into the last quarter of the year.  

Alex began the conversation by highlighting the macroeconomics, saying, “Macroeconomically speaking, the economy has been nothing short of remarkable in terms of its ability to withstand... Think about things like the 2025 tariffs. They were hugely disruptive but at the same time we’ve seen companies adjust their prices, manage their margins and keep going.” And in a year with even more market upsetting events, like the war in the Middle East, remembering this resilience is important. As Alex put it:  

Everyone was really afraid because of those tariffs at the beginning of the year and it wasn’t as bad as we thought it might be. Economically speaking, the war is definitely a negative, but at the same time, it's not destroying the market... Looking at industrial production, which is a key benchmark for contractors and other B2B players, it’s still growing at a 1.5% pace year over year.  

This growth is very minimal, especially in the context of a GDP that, adjusted for inflation, is closer to 2.5-2.7%, but what that number does show us is that the industry is still here, that there are contractors still getting work, even with the struggles.  

How do you ensure you are one of the contractors getting work during this stressful time? Alex says it’s all about adaptability and scenario planning. He explained, “As we look out towards 2027, contractors should be asking themselves, what does my business look like? What does my supply of materials and components look like? What does the pricing environment look like? What do my energy costs look like? And how do I position myself where the demand is?”  

He gave an example of what this planning might look like, sharing, “If you look at data center spending through the end of 2025, it's bigger than all single-family housing, it's bigger than all factory construction, it's bigger than all industrial machinery.” He went on, “For contractors looking at this and trying to plan, they should look at their business and ask themselves, ‘Do I have the right people to be able to adapt with it as this market evolves?’” And if they don’t have those people, they need to find ways to get them, whether that’s hiring new talent or training your existing crew. Because operating in a market as complex as ours today is all about thinking ahead and having the right people in the right place.  

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the newscast to learn more!  

Metal Influencers bring diverse expertise and real-world insight to help contractors navigate challenges, strengthen their businesses and shape the future of metal construction. 

The Coffee Shops™, the award-winning websites where the industries meet for technology, information and everyday business, announces the 2026-27 Influencers for MetalCoffeeShop® (MCS).     

MCS Influencers contribute their expertise to MetalCoffeeShop each month through interviews, videos and articles that explore important topics shaping the metal construction industry. Contractors, association leaders and service providers offer a broad range of perspectives, giving readers practical knowledge and a deeper understanding of industry challenges and opportunities. Their insights about emerging trends in metal construction, building a scalable management team and using AI to strengthen business are featured in the site’s dedicated MCS Influencers section. 

“Our MCS Influencers are helping move the metal industry forward by sharing real-world experience and forward-thinking ideas,” said Heidi J. Ellsworth, president and CEO of The Coffee Shops. “Their diverse expertise provides contractors with meaningful insights they can use to strengthen their businesses and prepare for what’s ahead. We believe in helping contractors, erectors and tradespeople from all parts of the metal construction industry.” 

We are proud to announce the following 2026-27 MCS Influencers: 

• John Kenney – Cotney Consulting Group 
• Jon Olsen – Malco Tools 
• Corey Lincoln – Metal Sales 
• Junny Lee – Sherwin-Williams 
• Lee Ann Slattery – ATAS International 
• Anthony Ortega – Viotell Metal Concepts 
• Sasha Demyan – Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) 
• Randy Chaffee – Source One Marketing   
• Renee Ramey – Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) 
• Paul and Emily Marshall – Mr. and Mrs. Post Frame  
• Edward Montemayor – South Texas Metal Roofing 
• David Leinbach - Kaiser Martin Group, MBCEA president 
• Travis Sliger – 4Ever Metal Roofing 

For more information on the 2026-27 MCS Influencers, meet them here.   

About MetalCoffeeShop 

MetalCoffeeShop is committed to being an advocate and supporter of the metal construction industry.  With Sherwin-Williams and industry thought leader’s contributions, the site supplies consistent information, education and networking avenues for all metal construction professionals. Visitors to the site will not only find education and information but thought-leading editorial, multimedia and Influencer content that elevates the metal construction industry. Like RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop is “Where the Metal Industry Meets!” For more information and involvement opportunities, visit www.metalcoffeeshop.com.  

About The Coffee Shops 

Award-winning websites and online communities make up The Coffee Shops. Starting with RoofersCoffeeShop, which launched in 2002, the growth of the sites has been explosive for the construction trades of roofing, metal, coatings and their customers. Currently featuring four sites, RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop, CoatingsCoffeeShop and AskARoofer, all the sites are committed to advocating for the construction trades by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all contractors, while promoting positive growth, education and success of construction industries overall. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and overall construction information and education. The Coffee Shops are “Where the Industries Meet!” For more information, visit www.thecoffeeshops.online. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Explore this month’s most popular roofing stories.  

As we enter the final quarter of 2026, it can be hard to keep up with everything that’s happened so far! From the surge of AI tools to the constantly evolving landscape that is global geopolitics, there's a lot going on. To make it a bit easier, we highlighted the articles that resonated the most with our audience.  

For September 2026, our top ten list featured multiple articles focused on safety. One of these articles was written by Heidi J. Ellsworth, who is the CEO and president of The Coffee Shops®. Her article focused on Construction Suicide Prevention Week (which was September 14-18) and highlighted the importance of “creating a workplace where people know it is safe to speak up, supervisors know how to respond and everyone understands where immediate help is available.” The other safety article focuses more on the physical aspect of safety, specifically how maintenance and driver training are key to keeping your fleet of vehicles safe.  

The Coffee Shops’ talented writing team also made the list this month! One was Jesse Sanchez’s article about Polyglass’ new single-ply, insulation and waterproofing systems and how they protect “all six sides of the building envelope.” The other two articles from the editorial team came from me and focused on the state of the roofing industry market and an innovative solution to recycling construction waste.  

Read all ten of the top articles:

10 - METALCON announces inaugural 40 Under 40 honorees

9 - Customer reviews put roofing software on top

8 - An uneven but expanding market

7 - Keep your fleet safe on summer roads

6 - Master the market with metal

5 - Leadership takes the stage at MRCA

4 - Protecting all six sides of the building envelope

3 - How much wood could a Woodchuck divert?

2 - Don’t miss NRCA’s LEGALCon Live 2026

1 - Building a safer construction industry starts with a conversation

By Emma Peterson. 

By examining centuries-old buildings and historical climate records, researchers found evidence that roof geometry evolved alongside changing snowfall conditions. 

As weather events continue to grow in extremity, there’s a lot of discussion going on about how we can build structures stronger so that they can withstand the elements. This can seem like an overwhelming task, but it might be one that humans have already overcome in the past.  

Research published in the journal Science Advances points to a connection between China’s historical roofs and changing snowfall patterns. This research was conducted by a team from 南京 (Nánjīng) University that included Siyang Li, Ke Ding, Aijun Ding, Lejun He, Xin Huang and Congbin Fu in collaboration with Quansheng Ge of the Chinese Academy of Science in 北京 (Běijīng).  

Collecting the data 

To set up their study, the team began with field research. As an EOS article by Katherine Kornei describes:  

The team amassed records of roughly 200 wooden buildings constructed in northern China from the 8th to 18th centuries (from the middle to late 唐 [Táng] dynasty to the middle of the 清 [Qīng] dynasty)... For each building, the researchers calculated the ratio of its roof’s height to its span. 

The reasoning behind collecting that ratio was that roof slope is a trackable change in construction design that could show a correlation between construction and weather changes (a steeper slope is better at shedding precipitation like snow).  

After collecting the data on the different buildings, the team turned to historical weather data. As Katherine wrote, “To infer what the climate was like in northern China from the 8th to 18th centuries, the team mined published paleoclimatic reconstructions.” In other words, the team used historical documents and data to understand weather anomalies in Northern China between the 8th to 18th centuries with a special focus on snowfall anomalies.  

The connections 

With their data collected, the researchers began putting the puzzle pieces together. And what they found was “that the main factor driving the modification of roof pitch and curvature of official buildings was the fluctuation in snowfall intensity associated with climate change over the past thousand years.”  

In the study, they highlighted 龙门(Lóngmén) Temple in the 山西 (Shānxī) province as an individual case study supporting this connection between roof design and weather. As written in the study:  

According to the historical document of building standards of the Song Dynasty (Yingzao fashi, 1103 CE) (36), [the buildings] in the Lóngmén Temple were supposed to have a nearly identical roof pitch of ~27%. However, the two buildings constructed in cold periods presented steeper roofs, at 29.67% (1098 CE) and 30.50% (1498–1504 CE), whereas the one in the warm period was smoother, at 26.92%. 

This is a perfect illustration of the larger pattern found by the group – that historical Chinese architects built roofs in response to the weather patterns experienced during the construction period.

Further, this example showcases how we know that the steeper slopes were due to historic snowfall rather than other forms of precipitation like rain. As Ke Ding told EOS, “If the roof [slope] changed according to rainfall, it should be steeper in warmer periods.” And, as roofs like those Lóngmén Temple, changed during the cold periods, it can be concluded that snowfall was the primary precipitation impacting the construction methods.  

Beyond this study 

Overall, this study showcases the resilience of roofers and humans in general to adapt to changing environments. As Katherine put it, “Given the rapid climate change the planet is currently experiencing — [the fact that] people in the past made changes [is heartening and a testament to our current capability] of doing the same.” 

Image sources in order of appearance: People’s Daily, Science Advances