MetalCoffeeShop

Celebrating 10 years of National Women in Roofing

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:00:00 PST

Inspiring leadership stories, meaningful education, hands-on training and a powerful sense of community made NWIR Days 2026 an event to remember.

Editor’s note: The following is a transcript of a conversation between the Coffee Shop crew about NWIR Days 2026.

Karen Edwards: National Women in Roofing 2026 just ended, and it was an amazing day. It was a great event. I think one of my favorite parts about the day was the opening session where the four co-founders, Jennifer Ford Smith, Jenny Stone, Shari Carlozzi and Heidi J. Ellsworth shared the story of how the organization started and what they had to do to get things off the ground. And I would say probably 20% of the room were first timers, and so these are folks who've never heard that before, because they haven't been here the whole time. And the reason that that was the morning session was because National Women in Roofing is celebrating their 10-year anniversary since becoming incorporated as a 501 c6 in 2016, so it was amazing to see where it started and where it is now. And they really, really made the event great.

You know it was interesting and exciting because it went by real fast. Another thing that I really enjoyed was Megan led a panel on building loyalty with your employees, and it was about how to help working parents and how you can support them and how you can make it easier for them. And that was a panel that had Jenny Stone, Cool Roof Rating Council’s Jeff Steuben and Kyra Coker from National Roofing Partners. And you know, we have a lot of young folks here that are becoming parents for the first time. And so understanding what are some things that we can do to support it was really valuable.

And then, of course, the Skills Lab. You get to see the products, you get to try stuff out, you get to try welding. It was just a really, really well-rounded day. And you know, thank you to Christee Roberson for her leadership. And we're looking forward to Christine Mockenhaupt taking the reins for 2026.

Lauren White: I agree, the day went by really quick. As for the breakout sessions, there were fewer of them, but they were longer, which was really nice because people could really get into having a conversation, asking questions, getting good advice and feedback from everybody else in the room. Last year it sometimes felt like we were rushed to get to the next session, but not this year.

We had the awards during lunch. It was really fun to celebrate the Rising Stars and the WORLD Award winners. They did Council Awards again this year, and the councils are doing some really incredible things. And the WORLD Award winner for this year is Michelle Ly with Hallmark Roofing in Austin, Texas, and the Rising Star Award is Liz Garza with SRS Distribution, which was really fun to celebrate them.

We had a really fun time at the Skills Lab. Dani and I did some heat welding and some pull tests. We write about all these companies and materials and products, and it was really fun to just feel them and touch them and work with them.

Dani Sheehan: I agree. It was really well planned out. I really appreciated having the awards during lunch and being able to network through that and then also having the break in between sessions, just getting us up and moving was really great.

I also think the Skills Lab was my favorite part. Just having so many hands-on demonstrations, the QXO challenge during the networking break was really fun to watch, and I think we were able to capture some great videoto see who could put down the ISO board the fastest. So that was really cool to see.

And just again, being in this room where women are building each other up, and there's not competition, and we're just all here together, learning about roofing, being in this industry, creating this community. I lovedgetting to meet Kim with Division 7 Roofing and hang out with her. Mandy's session at the end was a great way to close everything out. Her session, Speaking Up, To Show Up: Building Confidence in Work and Life, was so great and it was great to feel the energy in that room. And I think she just helped us all get rid of that imposter syndrome that we all feel in the workplace.

Camden Bennett: This is my first NWIR Day, and going into IRE it was really fun to see how much energy all the women exuded here, and how, even though some of our companies might be competitors, everyone was very friendly, and clearly wanted to know what others had to say.

My first session was, Roofing is Like a Sandwich, Understanding the Basics with Lynn Picone and Kimberly Santiago-Vega with GAF and I got to see some of the technical errors that people make, and how to remedy those, and how even little mistakes can cause huge problems with roofing and can be quite costly, and then how to avoid those in the future. The Skills Lab was also my favorite. It's fun to be able to use the things that we are writing about, posting or promoting. As for the Speak Up session, it was interesting to see what other people had to say and have some good discussion. It was eye opening.

Jessica Bravo: I attended Roofing 101, Covering the Basics with GAF. It was really informative, and Kimberly and Lynn are very knowledgeable. And like everyone said, Skills Lab was my favorite, watching Camden use the nail gun was really fun. And we ended the breakout sessions with Speak Up and Show Up with Mandy. Connecting with the NWIR Latina Council, Conexión Hispana, was also great.

End-of-year insights

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 03:00:00 PST

By Emma Peterson.

We sat down with roofing industry leaders to hear their thoughts about 2025 and predictions for 2026.

For the last Coffee Conversations® of 2025, we hosted a panel of professionals from all sides of the roofing industry to reflect on 2025 and look ahead to 2026. This powerful conversation, sponsored by SRS Distribution, is a great resource for any professional moving forward in the roofing world this year. Keep reading to hear some insights from each professional.

Trent Cotney

Trent is the construction team lead at Adams and Reese, as well as the general counsel for industry associations such as the National Roofing Contractors Association, Western States Roofing Contractors Association and Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association.

When asked about the roofing industry in 2025, Trent highlighted the importance of preparation in relation to challenges like immigration and tariffs. He explained, “What you're starting to see coming out of 2025 and moving into 2026 is contractors embracing the idea that preparation is key.” Whether that looks like organizing tax forms or adding supply clauses to contracts, contractors are improving when it comes to preparation in the last year according to Trent.

This is a testament to the resilience of roofers, which Trent sees as a key force in the new year. He explained, “There's nothing more resilient than roofing... There will always be issues, struggles and hardships, but we’ve proven this year that we can course correct as they crop up. I see nothing but positivity for 2026.”

Elizabeth Hurst

In her role at Sherwin-Williams, Elizabeth examines external market indicators in order to help the Sherwin-Williams sales team stay competitive. She talked about the larger economic picture of the roofing industry sharing what she saw in 2025: “There a lot of uncertainty around things like tariffs that changed the game... But in response I saw a lot of leaders in the industry fall back on the adage of control what you can control.”

In other words, Elizabeth shared about the same resilience that Trent was talking about. She explained, “A lot of leaders were investing in a growth mindset because they trusted that it was all going to work out. Their perspective was, ‘It's going to shake out, as long as I do what I need to be doing and focus on what I need to focus on.’” And that perspective is what will carry our industry through whatever 2026 throws at us and beyond.

Steve Little

As for Steve, he is not only the owner/head coach of K-Post Roofing and Waterproofing, but also a founding partner of National Roofing Partners, which includes over 200 contractors across the United States.

In both these ventures, Steve has seen firsthand how contractors have risen to the challenges that Trent, Elizabeth and Patrick mentioned. He shared an example: “It's very challenging right now, but we’re seeing a lot of contractors adapt. For example, capital projects were down. In response, a lot of contractors invested in the service side of the business with coatings and other options that extend the life of the roof.”

Additionally, as we continue to face labor challenges, whether that comes from the pre-existing shortages or more recent immigration policy changes, Steve has seen the industry come together to adapt. He explained, “The Roofing Alliance and NRCA have really come together through SkillsUSA to introduce young people to roofing. There’s also the program at Clemson’s Center for Roofing and the Merit Shop apprenticeship will launch soon...On the immigration side, Congress is working on a Dignity Bill that would allow for a seven-year work permit, which would be huge for our economy and immigrant workers... So there’s a lot to be hopeful about in the new year.”

Patrick Garcia

And last but not least, Patrick is responsible for “digital engineering, AI and innovation” for both SRS and Heritage. He had similar insights to Elizabeth, sharing, “This year had a variety of challenges, from labor shortages to cost pressures, but these challenges also offered opportunities.” The main opportunity? A chance to step back and truly think about and improve the collaboration between manufacturers, distributors and contractors.

Looking ahead at 2026, Patrick hopes this collaboration continues to develop and grow. He shared, “Today, we have a more connected, data-driven ecosystem across distribution contractors and manufacturers. And as we face challenges, this connection is driving deeper conversations about creating a win-win-win mindset wherein, if the manufacturers win, the distributor wins and the contractors win... If we can achieve that, we move the whole industry forward to a more connected, inclusive and resilient future.”

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to hear more expert insights as we move into the new year.

National Roofing Partners hosts partner happy hour at IRE 2026

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 06:00:00 PST

By National Roofing Partners.

Step away from the crowded aisles of IRE and have real conversations with the NRP team and fellow partner contractors.

National Roofing Partners (NRP) invites contractors to connect at this year's International Roofing Expo (IRE) in Las Vegas. The NRP Partner Happy Hour takes place on Tuesday, January 21, 2026 from 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. at Booth #1624 in the West Hall.

More than just a trade show stop

While IRE brings together hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of roofing professionals under one roof, the NRP Partner Happy Hour offers a chance to step away from the crowded aisles and have real conversations with the NRP team and fellow partner contractors.

Event details
NRP Partner Happy Hour
Tuesday, January 21, 2026 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. - Booth #1624, West Hall
Las Vegas Convention Center

Why partner with NRP?

National Roofing Partners helps local and regional commercial contractors increase sales and reach new customers. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders, NRP delivers exclusive benefits that help their partner contractors grow their business. Partner recruitment is based on need in strategic markets and an alignment with NRP's values for customer satisfaction, quality service and innovative ideas.

Making the most of IRE

The International Roofing Expo features hundreds of exhibitors, over 60 educational sessions and extensive networking opportunities, making it the premier event for learning about industry trends and discovering new products.

For contractors attending IRE, the show floor offers access to current and future suppliers showcasing everything from shingles and single-ply roofing to coatings, solar solutions and emerging product categories. The education program covers topics ranging from business management to technical installation techniques.

Whether you're a current NRP partner or curious about how partnership could benefit your business, stop by Booth #1624. The NRP team will be available throughout the show. Visit www.nationalroofingpartners.com to learn more about NRP and opportunities to partner.

Students in the spotlight: SkillsUSA success

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 06:00:00 PDT

By Lauren White.

Roofing made its mark at the 2025 SkillsUSA, inspiring the next generation of tradespeople and showing thousands of students why the future looks brighter from the rooftop.

The 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) was a celebration of hands-on talent, industry partnerships and student potential. With record-breaking attendance rumored to be 18,000 strong, the energy on the show floor was unmistakable. For the roofing industry, it marked another major step forward in introducing future generations to the viability of a career in roofing as well as an effort to help close the skilled labor gap.

SkillsUSA is a national organization dedicated to solving one of the country’s most urgent workforce challenges: the widening gap between job openings and trained professionals. Each year, more than 440,000 career and technical education students and teachers join SkillsUSA across nearly 5,000 schools in all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to compete in over 130 skilled trades. Students begin with local competitions, then advance to the state-level competition and the first-place winners from each of those competitions then travel to Atlanta, Georgia for the national competition, this year taking place June 23-27.

Roofing’s rise

Roofing was officially added to the national competition lineup of skills in 2023, and it’s been quickly gaining traction and recognition. This year, 21 students from 17 states earned their place at the national competition by advancing through state-level contests. The competition was divided into high school and college/postsecondary categories, with winners earning cash prizes, trophies and valuable industry tools. This year, we had 15 high school and six post-secondary students competing.

High school division:

First place: Damien Holloway, Florida
Second place: Brigham Richardson, Arizona
Third place: Nathan Luz-Santos, Tennessee

College/postsecondary division:

First place: Samuel Oelfke, Minnesota
Second place: Chenxi Huang, Florida
Third place: Kelly Cosgrove, New York

First-place winners received $1,500, a championship belt and a Leister Triac ST handheld hot air welder.

Hands-on, head-turning booth

Roofing was bigger and better than last year! We had larger scaffolding and remained the only two-story booth in all three halls. Multiple roofing systems were also represented this year. Upstairs, two different types of roofing systems were installed to reveal the layers that go into each of them – one was TPO and the other was EPDM. Asphalt shingles were also installed around the perimeter of the safety fencing. Multiple sponsors had tables set up this year for more education and interaction with the students to really showcase how many different facets of the roofing industry there are. Sponsors included: Roofing Alliance, National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), The Coffee Shops, Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), National Women in Roofing (NWIR), Georgia-Pacific Building Products, GAF, Leister, OMG, Elevate, SRS distribution, Johns Manville, ABC Supply, Atlas, Central States, Eagleview, National Roofing Partners (NRP), QXO, Roofing Contractor, TAMKO, IB Roof Systems.

The talk of the show was the heat welding though. Johns Manville had three people stationed upstairs helping those who ventured there learn how to heat weld TPO. “It felt like we had half the show floor come through our booth on Tuesday,” said Karen Edwards, COO of The Coffee Shops. “Everyone was excited to be here, learn something new, like the heat welding and share what they were excited about.”

Being stationed at the exit of the scaffolding was really exciting for us at The Coffee Shops. We met students, parents, advisors and others who were invited to chat with us, live on our YouTube channel, to share their experiences at the Roofing Pavilion. And doing a quick interview also meant they got a special roofing pin. The pins are all the rage here. Each state and territory has its own unique design, and everyone strives to collect them all, along with any special industry pins. This year, the Roofing Pavilion offered two: one for anybody stopping by the booth, and the other for people who went upstairs, tried heat welding, interacted with sponsor booths and then joined us for an interview about what their favorite part was – generally heat welding!

It wasn’t just the pins that drew attention to the roofing pavilion, we also had some special guests join us Tuesday morning. Fox Business News did a live 90-second story from the top of our Roofing Pavilion, and they talked to last year's winner, Brandon Lopez, as well as his advisor, Bryan Raeckelboom with Golden Strip Career Center in South Carolina. And then Ty Pennington with Rock the Block joined us again this year and did some videos up on top of the roofing pavilion.

Voices of the next generation

Not only were students thrilled to be featured in our live YouTube videos, but they’re so eager to learn and curious about roofing and what the world of trades has to offer. I continue to be amazed by their professionalism. They are articulate, excited and hungry to learn. They ask thoughtful questions and share their interest in trying different trades before settling on a career path. It was great to see how many were intrigued by roofing after interacting with our booth. “The students that we talked to are so well spoken. I'm always so impressed with how well they speak their thoughts, how excited they are to be here and just learn anything. And they ask a lot of great questions,” Karen shared.

A win for workforce development

This event is part of a broader effort by NRCA and industry stakeholders to spotlight roofing as a rewarding career path and introduce the trade to more young people. By integrating roofing into SkillsUSA, NRCA and its partners are helping students discover new possibilities, develop critical skills and connect directly with employers.

Whether you’re a contractor, manufacturer or supplier, the message is clear: the roofing industry needs you to help shape the next generation. One of the most effective ways to get involved is by partnering with local trade schools to bring training and mentorship to students who are ready to work. During our interviews with the roofing competitors when asked how they got interested in roofing, they all had the same answer – because someone came and talked to them about it.

As the industry looks toward the future, these young competitors remind us that talent is out there — it just needs a platform, encouragement and the right tools. At SkillsUSA, roofing found all three.

We’re already looking forward to next year! If you weren’t able to make it or are curious to hear from students and sponsors, check out our YouTube playlist – live from SkillsUSA!

The National Roofing Partners Leadership Summit brings top roofing companies together

Fri, 02 May 2025 06:00:00 PDT

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

RoofersCoffeeShop joins industry changing discussions at 2025 summit.

The 2025 National Roofing Partners (NRP) Leadership Summit gathered leading commercial roofing contractors and professionals from across the country for a powerful exchange of ideas and strategy. Held over two days, the event featured roundtable discussions, board meetings and a full main-day agenda focused on advancing business performance, workforce engagement and industry collaboration.

NRP is a national service network that delivers single-source facility solutions across roofing and building envelopes. The company supports a range of facility management needs, including specialized services for the solar industry. In 2024, the NRP network grew to over 400 partner locations, whose combined revenue totaled well over $5 billion.

“To bring together this level of tier-one contractors is incredible. The collaboration always results in forward-thinking ideas and meaningful connections for the year ahead,” said Steve Little, head coach of KPost and CEO of NRP.

The summit opened with keynote speaker Garrison Wynn, a nationally recognized motivational speaker and author. Known for blending research with humor, Garrison addressed the power of cross-generational communication. He emphasized that better understanding between generations is vital to solving the ongoing labor shortage and adapting to technology-driven change in the trades. His engaging presentation resonated with attendees and set an energetic tone for the day.

Continuing the summit’s focus on people and purpose, Mandy McIntyre of Level Up Consultants led a critical mental health roundtable, addressing one of the construction industry’s most pressing issues, suicide prevention. Mandy, founder of Level Up Consultants and a former vice president of a Cleveland-based roofing firm, guided participants through difficult but necessary conversations. With suicide as the leading cause of death in construction, her session focused on identifying warning signs and implementing workplace strategies to support mental wellness across the NRP network.

NRP also honored top-performing contractors with awards celebrating excellence in leadership, safety and operational performance.

Outstanding New Partner – CanTex Roofing & Construction
Service Partner of the Year – Springer-Peterson Roofing & Sheet Metal
Projects Partner of the Year – OneRoof Solution
Strategic Solutions Partner of the Year – Rackley Roofing
Most Valuable Partner (MVP) – Greenwood Industries

A highlight of the summit was the annual industry panel that I got to moderate and which was sponsored by RoofersCoffeeShop® for the sixth consecutive year. The panel featured industry leaders Joe Jolicoeur of Greenwood Industries, Daniel Martinez of Chase Bank, Mark Schouten of Diversified Roofing Corporation, Joe Bazzano of Beacon Consulting and Kevin Somers of Carlisle Construction Materials. Topics included market trends, mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, material pricing and consumer confidence. The panel also fielded live questions from attendees, fostering an open and informed conversation.

“This panel continues to be one of the most valuable parts of the summit,” said Kyrah Coker, president of NRP. “Each year we gather leading voices in the industry to break down what’s happening and what roofing companies need to pay attention to. RoofersCoffeeShop consistently delivers high-level insight and conversation through its panel leadership.”

The summit concluded with a legal and regulatory update from construction attorney Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese. He addressed major developments in tariffs, immigration and policy trends impacting roofing contractors nationwide. “Hearing from Trent is always a highlight,” said Kyrah. “This summit reflects the strength and unity of our contractor network. It is an honor to bring these leaders together to drive our industry forward.”

Tech it or leave it: Finding the right tools for your roofing business

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:00:00 PST

By Dani Sheehan and Lauren White.

Stay ahead of the curve with insights from RT3’s expert panel on how to navigate the ever-evolving world of roofing technology.

We started the last day of the 2025 International Roofing Expo (IRE) with a powerhouse panel of industry and thought leaders for the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) session Navigating the Technology Landscape, moderated by our very own Heidi J. Ellsworth. Wendy Marvin, owner of Matrix Home Solutions and president of RT3, John Kenney, COO of Cotney Consulting Group and Kyrah Coker, president and CFO of National Roofing Partners (NRP) dive into the ever-changing world of technology in roofing. As AI, drones and robotics continue to enter the roofing industry, it’s crucial not only to understand the technology options available but also integrate technology into your company.

Tech overload: What do you really need?

“Tech is a freight train that’s coming,” Wendy shared. The roofing industry is finally gaining recognition as a viable profession, and with that comes an influx of tools and solutions to help get work done more efficiently. But not every piece of technology is right for every company. As John put it, “There have never been as many menu picks as there are today.” And all three panelists agreed that it’s vital for you to figure out what your needs and wants are in a software before you start shopping around.

A method that many teachers use is backwards planning where you start at the end and determine what you want your students to get out of a lesson and then move backwards, and what you’re left with is a step-by-step guide to help you get to that end goal that you set. And according to Kyrah, the same thing applies to your tech stack for your company. Kyrah recommends, “Start with the end in mind and figure out where you want to be in the future with your company and work backwards from there to figure out where you need to be now and what tech you should be implementing.”

A high-tech advantage or just hype?

Drones have become a popular tool in the roofing industry, offering high-quality images, improved safety and faster assessments. However, as Kyrah pointed out, “Drones are great for footage and photos, but nothing beats boots on a roof.” While customers appreciate the precision and efficiency drones provide, many contractors believe they cannot be a complete replacement for the hands-on knowledge that comes with physically inspecting a roof. The key is finding a balance – using drones to enhance the accuracy of information coming in while still relying on skilled professionals to interpret the data and make informed decisions. This might look like deciding to take an additional core cut to assess the extent of damage caused by a leak rather than relying solely on the image that identified the leak in the first place.

RT3 guides for you

To bridge the gap between technology challenges and solutions, contractors can turn to two recently launched guides from RT3. The idea behind these guides started from our RT3 visit to the SRS Distribution headquarter visit in Dallas, Texas, during IRE week 2023. Ironically, basic tech was used — pen and whiteboard. From there, came the Business Maturity Guide and the Technology Landscape Guide.

“We were trying to take all this technology chaos and give you all these tools,” Wendy shared. “This guide allows you to see what other companies like ours have done and then make some smart decisions for your own company.” The Business Maturity Guide explores how companies in different levels of existence have different technology needs. “We recommend the processes that you need to understand at all these levels. Use what fits you best for the level you’re at the time,” John explained.

As for the Technology Landscape Guide, it provides an overview to understand what the various platforms are and explains how they all work together. John shared, “This guide gives you the knowledge to go to different software companies and say, ‘This is what we need, this is where we need to go, how can you do that?’” The best part? All of this information came from contractors, just like you. “Contractors want to talk to contractors about what does and doesn’t work,” Kyrah shared.

What everyone is talking about – AI

We all know the roofing industry continues to face a serious labor shortage. According to John, “For every one person who gets recruited into the industry, two to three retire.” This is why adopting and implementing technology into your company is vital, whether that’s utilizing robotics, cobotics or AI. John shared, “AI will replace 40% of your white-collar workforce and eliminate a lot of tasks that are manual. AI will replace less than 1% of the labor force. Robots will never replace humans; it will be a partnership. You're still going to need human interaction and have people operate this tech.”

Wendy’s recommendation with AI is, “Have AI in place and maybe you don’t use it all the time, but you have it available and ready when you need it.” For Wendy, using an AI phone receptionist can be essential when a weather event happens in the PNW where her company is located. As she explained, she could go from 15 calls a day to 125 calls, which she doesn't have the staff for. And that’s where AI can help her, her staff, her company's reputation and her customers. “I use AI as an efficiency tool to help me do what I do better,” Wendy shared.

Tech takeaways

To wrap up the tech talk, each panelist shared insights on how to engage with RT3 and what RT3 has done for them and can do for others. Key themes included leveraging technology effectively, being strategic with adoption and ensuring data ownership.

On leveraging RT3 as a resource:

“Anyone with RT3 is ready to brainstorm with you and we’ll be the Switzerland of technology,” Kyrah
“Nobody is going to do this for you, but you need to be able to reach out and find resources that will help you and RT3 is that resource. If you engage with it, you will learn and you will find tools that will help you,” Wendy

On finding the right technology:

“If you can’t get all three – shorten processes, return on investment and make you more efficient – it’s not the solution for you. And if you’re not a well-operating company, software will not fix it for you. If you put garbage in, you’re going to get garbage out,” John

On taking ownership of your data:

“If you own the data, you own the client – data is king. Focus on making sure you have sufficient data on your client and be the own architect of your data,” Kyrah

On embracing technology within your team:

All three panelists agreed that you and your company can benefit from bringing the younger people into your company who are early adopters, fast moving and ready to take tech on.

As John put it, “Technology is like roofs. Every roof has its place, but it’s not meant for every place and technology is the same.”

About Lauren

Lauren is the editor for RoofersCoffeeShop®, MetalCoffeeShop™ and AskARoofer™. When she’s not writing or reading articles, she's adventuring with her puppy Kira and trying new recipes.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) announces activities for the 2025 International Roofing Expo®

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 22:00:00 PST

Activities include a solar technology lunch and learn and a technology panel designed to help contractors on their technology journey.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced activities scheduled for the 2025 International Roofing Expo (IRE).

Members will participate in a lunch and learn session on Tuesday, February 18 at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio Riverwalk where they will learn about a new solar technology from Australia that has recently entered the U.S. market.

RT3 members will also take part in an educational panel on Friday, February 21 at 8:30 a.m. The session is titled Navigating the Technology Landscape. In this panel, RT3 members share resources, tips and advice for navigating the ever-changing and growing field of technology in roofing.

“Technology is advancing at such a rapid pace that it can be hard to understand the changes and what that can mean for your business,” stated Karen Edwards, RT3 director. “Our members met throughout this past year to develop resources to help contractors navigate the tech landscape. This panel shares those concepts and guides contractors on their technology journey.”

The panel will take contractors through the business maturity guide to help them figure out what their pain points are and how technology may be able to help them get to the next level. Next, the technology landscape resource will lead contractors through the types of solutions available, educate on how other contractors are using these solutions and provide direction on what questions to ask the vendor as well as what they should be considering for scaling their business.

In addition, the team will share do’s and don’ts for using AI in roofing businesses and how to ensure they are using it responsibly and ethically. The panel is moderated by Heidi J. Ellsworth and participants include RT3 members John Kiesel, Division 7 Roofing, Wendy Marvin, Matrix Roof & Home Solutions, Kyrah Coker, National Roofing Partners and John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group.

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry. RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses. With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. Learn more at www.rt3thinktank.com.

Preparing to compete on the world stage

Tue, 22 Oct 2024 12:00:00 PDT

By Dani Sheehan.

Bridging the gap between American and European roofing practices, see how the U.S. teams are refining their skills and pushing through challenges ahead of the IFD World Championship.

For the first time, the U.S. will take the stage in Austria this November at the International Federation for the Roofing Trades (IFD) World Championship competition. The best, young roofers from around the world will compete and show off their skills during this prestigious event. In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth sits down with Gary Howes, Steve Little and R.J. Radobenko to introduce the U.S. team and share the excitement and challenges of preparing for this competition.

Gary, COO of the Durable Slate Company, shared some of the history behind this prestigious event, explaining, “The IFD was founded over 70 years ago. They have a meeting once a year on odd-numbered years and meet as a seminar type meeting with their members. And then the even-based year is a young roofer's competition, that brings their full membership organizations together to have their young roofers compete in several different disciplines. And we have a good fortune this year to be the first ones to go and participate in this competition.”

His team is competing in the steep-slope category, and the host country chose natural clay tile as the material for installation. Gary points out some of the challenges facing his team: “The materials aren't the same materials we're accustomed to using. While we do clay tile here in the U.S., our clay tile that we use is much harder, so the density of the clay tile is hard to cut without a grinder or wet saw. But in Europe they use a much softer clay tile. And they don't use these grinders. They use a different hand tool. We've had to order that and get it shipped over.”

R.J., CEO of Global Roofing Group, Global Wall Panel Group and Global Waterproofing Group, sees similar challenges in his team’s work on metal roofing and siding. Even something as simple as their measuring system will be challenging. He explains, “They have the metric system versus our imperial, so that’s inches versus centimeters. That’s a huge difference for how we measure things in the United States versus Europe.” Precise measurements are crucial in metal roofing, and they can’t afford to make any calculation mistakes in the conversions.

Further, you’re navigating a language barrier and translation issue for installation details. R.J. continues, “They have different terminology for roofing details too, which is also challenging. We call something a barge and then they call it a turnip. So, they're all the same detail, they're just completely different names.”

Steve Little, head coach of KPost Roofing and Waterproofing and founding partner of National Roofing Partners, shared some of the excitement in learning about these new materials and processes with his team. They’re competing in TPO, and while the Sika® Sarnafil product line is familiar, European standards differ. He shares, “Candidly, we freaked out a little bit at the beginning because the materials are different. The welder temperatures are different, the materials are different, the tools are different, metrics, it was all a huge change of thought process. But now they're settling in and they're starting to get excited about this. “

Competing at the IFD World Championship is not without its hurdles, but the U.S. teams are rising to the occasion. This competition is an exciting step forward for the U.S. roofing industry, one that promises to expand our approach to craftsmanship and elevate the standards across the country.

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to get to know the U.S. teams and learn more about their journey to Austria next month!