The IFD Congress at the Sheraton Bratislava Hotel focused on current challenges and opportunities in the global roofing trade.

From 22 to 25 October 2025, the international roofing community gathered in Bratislava for the 73rd Annual Congress of the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD). The event opened on Wednesday evening with a warm welcome reception, where delegates from many countries met in a spirit of international friendship.

The following two days (23 and 24 October) were dedicated to expert presentations, future-oriented discussions and global collaboration.

On Thursday evening, the Slovak Roofing Association hosted a traditional Slovak dinner – a lively highlight featuring local cuisine and music that fostered intercultural exchange. The gala dinner at the Reduta Concert Hall on Friday marked the festive conclusion of the week.

IFD Congress: Future topics, dialogue and presidential transition

The two-day IFD Congress at the Sheraton Bratislava Hotel focused on current challenges and opportunities in the global roofing trade.

After opening remarks by Walter Bisig (IFD president) and Eduard Jamrich (president of the Slovak Roofing Association), as well as greetings from the city of Bratislava, the IFD presented updates on its ongoing projects and strategic developments.

International speakers provided valuable insights and practical perspectives on the future of the trade:

• “Façade of the future” – Wolfgang Häußler, FVHF e.V.
• “Climate change challenges for pitched roofs” – Ernst Gregorites, PREFA GmbH
• “Sustainable solutions for existing flat roofs” – Marc Niewöhner, Triflex GmbH & Co. KG
• “Green roofing” – Werner Venter, ZinCo GmbH
• “Successful strategies for attracting young talent in Germany” – Ulrich Marx & Rolf Fuhrmann, ZVDH e.V.

During the General Assembly on 24 October, Walter Bisig (Switzerland) handed over the IFD presidency to Dirk Bollwerk (Germany) after a successful term of office. The transition symbolized continuity and commitment – two experienced leaders sharing a strong dedication to international cooperation in the roofing sector.

Gala evening at the Reduta: Transition, appreciation and international friendship

The gala dinner at the Reduta Concert Hall was the social highlight of the week. Walter Bisig and Dirk Bollwerk jointly opened the evening, underlining a spirit of partnership and continuity within the IFD.

Eduard Jamrich, president of the Slovak Roofing Association, warmly welcomed all international guests.

In a moving speech, Henrik Mosegaard Johansen, IFD board member, paid tribute to outgoing president Walter Bisig, honoring his long-standing commitment and contribution to global cooperation.

The evening provided a festive atmosphere for personal encounters, cultural impressions – and the celebration of the IFD Awards 2025.

IFD Awards 2025: Excellence from the global roofing community

Nearly 100 projects from around the world were submitted for the IFD Awards 2025 – a prestigious international recognition of outstanding achievements in the roofing trade. The awards honor superior quality, craftsmanship and creative solutions.

“This year’s submissions once again demonstrated the diversity and creativity of our trade – and how closely innovation and tradition go hand in hand,” said Sabine Rothschuh, general secretary of the IFD.

The jury selected the best projects in four categories:

Façade

1 - Battle of Don Memorial Site (Appreggio Bt, Ervin Király and BH Metall Kft., Hungary)

2 - National Széchenyi Library Archival Center (Pilisi Pléh-Boy Kft., Hungary)

3 - Kovács Katalin National Kayak-Canoe Academy (Horex Kft, Bauer Bádogos és Szigetelő Kft., Hungary)

Flat roof

1 - SFH K. (Spitzer Gesellschaft m.b.H., Austria)

2 - Whinfell Forest Center Parcs, Subtropical Swimming Paradise (Central Group, United Kingdom)

3 - Seaplane Harbour, Estonian Maritime Museum (Aruna-Ehitus OÜ, Estonia)

Metal roof

1 - Logan County Courthouse (The Durable Slate Company, USA)

2 - Reconstruction of the former Red Cross Headquarters (Pilisi Pléh-Boy Kft., Hungary)

3 - Reduta, Bratislava (SiQiS-S, s.r.o., Slovakia)

Pitched roof

In this category, the jury awarded three equal first prizes – a clear sign of the exceptional standard of the entries:

• Christ’s College Cambridge (Claude N Smith Ltd, United Kingdom)
• Restoration of Saint Helena Cathedral (The Durable Restoration Company, USA)
• Detached House Dentling (Schmid Dachbau GmbH, Germany)

Sponsors

• Premium Sponsors: VELUX, Wienerberger, KJG
• Sponsors: Triflex, Fleck, Riwega, Fakro, Prefa

About the IFD

The International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) unites national roofing associations and companies from the construction industry. It promotes quality, safety and education in the trade and regularly organizes international congresses and the World Championship for young Roofers.

With these 2025 wins, Durable Restoration extends their history-making streak, becoming the first American company to receive an IFD Award more than once.

The Durable Slate and Restoration Companies are proud to announce two first-place wins at the IFD (International Federation of the Roofing Trade) Awards, which recognizes the best of the best in the roofing industry across the globe.

The winning projects were announced on the final full day of the IFD Congress & Awards 2025 in Bratislava, during a gala held at the Bratislava Concert Hall. Out of over 100 total submissions, one Durable Slate and one Durable Restoration project took home the coveted first place trophy in their respective categories: Durable Slate’s restoration of the Logan County Courthouse in Lincoln, Illinois won in the Metal Roofing category and Durable Restoration’s work on The Cathedral of St. Helena in Helena, Montana tied for first in the Steep Slope Roofing category.

The IFD Congress & Awards is an esteemed ceremony which takes place every two years and receives submissions from over a dozen nations across the world, including Switzerland, Russia, China and the United Kingdom. At the 2019 ceremony in Edinburgh, The Durable Restoration Company became the first American company in 67 years to place first at this prestigious competition, in recognition of their metalwork at Steeple Square in Dubuque, Iowa. With these 2025 wins, Durable Restoration extends their history-making streak, becoming the first American company to receive an IFD Award more than once.

“It is a huge honor to be selected as winners among so many great contractors and projects from around the world,” said John Chan, vice president of The Durable Slate Company. “We are incredibly proud of our craftsmen and the dedication displayed through these projects, and it is very gratifying to share this achievement with them.”

In addition to the first-place projects, Durable Restoration's preservation of the Heinz Memorial Chapel flèche in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania finished fourth in Metal Roofing and the slate installation on the Sweet Residence, a custom-built home in Bethesda, Maryland, placed sixth in the Façade category.

“We set out at the very early years of the company only hoping that we could one day stand among the industry's best, and for a long time we were not entirely sure if it was possible,” said Gary Howes, president of The Durable Slate Company. “We spent decades working towards this goal, and to see our efforts pay off in this huge way not once, not twice but three times is beyond what we ever expected.”

Howes continued, “It has also been wonderful seeing local craftsmen come to us and end up working on these world-class restoration projects. We hope that our work inspires more people to come join our team and learn the restoration trade from us so that they may carry on the preservation of America’s most treasured buildings.” For a recap of the IFD Congress & Awards 2025, visit www.ifd-roof.com

About The Durable Slate Company and The Durable Restoration Company

The Durable Slate Company is a leading provider of slate roofing solutions and historic preservation services, specializing in the restoration and repair of traditional roofs across the United States. With a commitment to quality craftsmanship and unparalleled expertise, The Durable Slate Company has earned a reputation for excellence in Slate, Metal and Tile roofing. For more information, visit www.durableslate.com

The Durable Restoration Company specializes in the preservation and restoration of historic structures, combining exceptional craftsmanship with a commitment to safeguarding architectural history. By preserving the past, Durable Restoration ensures the legacy of these structures for future generations. For more information, visit www.durablerestoration.com.

Metal Influencers bring knowledge, experience and vision to contractors nationwide, shaping 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 Influencers for MetalCoffeeShop®(MCS).     

MCS Influencers share their expertise each month on MetalCoffeeShop through interviews, videos and articles covering key issues in metal construction. Representing every corner of the industry — from contractors to associations to service providers — these leaders bring valuable insight and perspective. Their contributions are highlighted in a dedicated section of the site called MCS Influencers.  

“We are dedicated to amplifying the voices of our MCS Influencers,” said Heidi J. Ellsworth, president of The Coffee Shops. “Each one offers a distinct perspective on issues that matter to contractors and the wider metal industry, and we are grateful for their willingness to share their insights.”  

We are proud to announce the following 2026 MCS Influencers: 

1. Jon Olson – Malco Tools 
2. Josh Nowlin – Burrows Supply 
3. Corey Lincoln – Metal Sales 
4. Junny Lee – Sherwin-Williams 
5. Nigel Kreft – Elevate Structures 
6. Lee Ann Slattery – ATAS International 
7. Anthony Ortega – Viotell Metal Concepts 
8. Sasha Demyan – Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) 
9. Randy Chaffee – Source One Marketing   
10. John Chan – The Durable Slate Company   
11. Stacee Lynn/Oliver Bell – The Barndominum Company 
12. Renee Ramey – Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) 
13. Robert Tiffin – Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA) 
14. Paul and Emily Marshall – Mr. and Mrs. Post Frame  
15. John Sheridan – Sheridan Tools   
16. Bob Mesmer – RMG Erectors   
17. Brad Van Dam – Carlisle Architectural Metals 
18. MetalForming 

For more information on the 2026 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. 

MCS Influencer John Chan says branding is creating a distinct identity for your company that sets you apart from everybody else.

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of a live interview with MCS Influencer John Chan. You can read the interview below, listen to the podcast or watch the recording.

Intro: Hello, I'm Alex Tolle with MetalCoffeeShop.com and I'm back with another influencer response today. I have John Chan here. How are you, John?

John Chan: Good. How are you doing?

Alex Tolle: Good. So happy to have you.

John Chan: Thanks.

Alex Tolle: So our June question for MetalCoffeeShop is how can you effectively use social media marketing to grow your brand, reach new clients and engage with your community?

John Chan: Okay. Well, it all starts with the brand and a lot of people don't really understand what branding is. Branding is basically creating a distinct identity for yourself, your company, that sets you apart from everybody else because everybody says they do high quality work, they use the exact same buttons. But what is it that differentiates you? And you've got to be able to convey that across to your public. And then also in the branding, keep everything consistent, the same colors, the same fonts, the same logos, the same look, everything should be uniform.

Alex Tolle: Yeah. And I think you're a great example of how to use social media because even just on your personal account, you post all the time of beautiful projects all across the world and just beautiful architecture that you see. And so I'm sure you have a following just from that, that helps with your company brand as well.

John Chan: Yeah. On my social, even on my personal, I post job things like cool projects around, but I'll throw in interesting things that might interest other people, whether it be a sunset or a particular dinner or something that also sets you apart. Because if you're eating dinner in Istanbul, for instance, it's something like, oh wow, that's interesting and it differentiates you. So yeah, that's what I use it for.

Alex Tolle: Yeah, I love it. And I definitely, I follow your social media personally, so I love seeing where your travels take you and the beautiful things that you share. So thank you.

John Chan: You're welcome.

Alex Tolle: All right, well thank you for being here for our Metal Influencer Response and we'll see you next month.

John Chan: Okay, great. Thanks. Bye.

MCS Influencer John Chan says branding is creating a distinct identity for yourself.

Editor's note: The following is the transcript of a live interview with MCS Influencer John Chan. You can read the interview below or listen to the podcast.

Intro: Hello, I'm Alex Tolle with MetalCoffeeShop.com and I'm back with another influencer response. Today I have John Chan here. How are you, John? 

John Chan: Good. How are you doing? 

Alex Tolle: Good. So happy to have you. 

John Chan: Thanks. 

Alex Tolle: So our June question for MetalCoffeeShop is how can you effectively use social media marketing to grow your brand, reach new clients and  engage with your community? 

John Chan: Okay. Well, it all starts with the brand and a lot of people don't really understand what branding is. Branding is basically creating a distinct identity for yourself, your company, that sets you apart from everybody else because everybody says they do high quality work, they use the exact same buttons, but what is it that differentiates you? And you've got to be able to convey that across to your public. And then also in the branding, keep everything consistent. The same colors, the same fonts, the same logos, the same look, everything should be uniform. 

Alex Tolle: And I think you're a great example of how to use social media because even just on your personal account, you post all the time of beautiful projects all across the world and just beautiful architecture that you see. And so I'm sure you have a following just from that, that helps with your company brand as well. 

John Chan: Yeah, on my social, even on my personal, I post job things, like cool projects around, but I'll throw in interesting things that might interest other people, whether it be a sunset or a particular dinner or something. That also sets you apart because if you're eating dinner in Istanbul, for instance, it's something like, oh wow, that's interesting and  it differentiates you. So yeah, that's what I use it for. 

Alex Tolle: Yeah, I love it. And I definitely, I follow your social media personally, so I love seeing where your travels take you and the beautiful things that you share. So thank you. 

John Chan: You're welcome. 

Alex Tolle: All right, well thank you for being here for our Metal Influencer response and we'll see you next month. 

Outro: Okay, great. Thanks. Bye. 

Our Influencers program celebrates its ninth year of giving back to the industries it serves.

The Coffee Shops™, the award-winning websites where the industries meet for technology, information and everyday business, announces the 2025 Influencers for RoofersCoffeeShop (RCS), MetalCoffeeShop® (MCS), CoatingsCoffeeShop® (CCS) and RCS en Español.    

Each month, Influencers respond to a topic that is relevant and timely in their respective industry such as the ethical usage of AI, remaining competitive, using social media to grow your brand, regulatory challenges, emerging technologies and more. RCS, MCS, CCS and en Español feature Influencer responses through interviews, videos and articles. These Influencers represent every corner of the roofing, metal and coatings industries, including contractors, associations, manufacturers and service providers. Their contributions are showcased in dedicated sections on each website, shared on social media and featured in weekly eNewsletters.

“Our goal is to amplify the insights and expertise our influencers offer, tackling the key challenges faced by professionals in the roofing, metal and coatings industries,” said RCS President Heidi J. Ellsworth. “We are proud to highlight our Influencer’s wisdom and expertise across all Coffee Shops. We are committed to supporting and encouraging industry growth and are honored to promote these amazing Influencers.”

“This year, as part of the RCS en Español initiative, we are excited to shine a light on authentic voices that reflect the diversity of our industry. Their stories and expertise inspire the next generation of skilled workers and ensure that every community sees a future for themselves in the trades," Ellsworth emphasized.

We are proud to announce the following 2025 Influencers:

RoofersCoffeeShop  

1. Matt Copeland – Copeland Building Envelope  
2. Ron Harriman – retired roof consultant
3. Erica Reed – Elite Construction Solutions  
4. Rachel Garcia – Malarkey Roofing Products
5. Patrick Cochran – Red Dog’s Roofing  
6. Melissa Chapman – Glo Group  
7. Jake Magalsky – Ace Roofing  
8. Allison Woslager – Integrity PNW  
9. Steve Little – KPost Roofing & Waterproofing  
10. Lee Lipniskis – Levello Construction  
11. John Kenney – Cotney Consulting Group  
12. Tammy Hall – CFS Roofing Services  
13. Ashley and Seth Pietsch – Integrity Insurance & Bonding Inc  
14. Trent Cotney – Adams & Reese  
15. Rich Carroll – Carroll Consulting  
16. Jay Wade – Service First Solutions  
17. Joshua Adams – Roof Scout  
18. Lucas Severance – Slate Valley Supply  
19. Greg Hayes – Pauls Sheet Metal

MetalCoffeeShop

1. Hayley Bohmer – New Tech Machinery   
2. Jena Jackson – Indiana Metal  
3. Erik Trefzger – Orca Roofing   
4. Bob Mesmer – RMG Erectors   
5. Randy Chaffee – Source One Marketing   
6. Holly Gotfredson – American Metalcraft, Inc.   
7. John Kenney – Cotney Consulting Group   
8. Haley Iselin – Metal Roof Specialties   
9. John Sheridan – Sheridan Tools   
10. Stacee Lynn – The Barndominum Company  
11. Thea Dudley – Pocket Protectors LLC
12. Robert Tiffin – Metal Building Contractors and Erectors Association (MBCEA)
13. Greg Hayes – Pauls Sheet Metal
14. John Chan – The Durable Slate Company   
15. Renee Ramey – Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA)
16. Laurie Moore – Kreiling Roofing   
17. Travis Sliger – 4Ever Metal Roofing

CoatingsCoffeeShop

1. John Kenney – Cotney Consulting Group
2. Johnny Walker – ICP
3. Greg Hlavaty – Western Colloid
4. Lisa Irby – Thomas Roofing
5. Shawn Morgan – KPost Roofing & Waterproofing
6. Joe Sorrentino – Sherwin-Williams Roofing Solutions
7. Tracey Donels – Service First Solutions
8. Greg Hayes – Pauls Sheet Metal
9. Ryan Blad – 838 Coatings
10. Will Lorenz – General Coatings
11. Greg Serevetas – USA General Contractors Corp. 
12. Zong Nguyen – CertainTeed

RCS Influencers en Español

1. Teresa Ramírez – Southeast Staffing Agency
2. Julissa Chavez – SRS Distribution
3. Jaqueline Sancen – Latinos in Roofing
4. Amparo Sancen – Sancen Contracting and Latinos En Roofing
5. Lorna Rojas – Tremco
6. Monica Vornbrock – The Glo Group
7. Duliar Valladres – SRS Distribution
8. Octavio Vázquez – Owens Corning
9. Fransisco Serrano – Roofers Going Digital
10. Sandra Damaris – Southeast Staffing Agency

Find more information on the 2025 RCS Influencers, MCS Influencers, CCS Influencers and Español Influencers. 

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 Heidi J. Ellsworth.

The competition hosted top talents from eleven countries who showcased their skills in facades, flat roofing, pitched roofing and metal roofing. 

Innsbruck, Austria, hosted the 2024 International Federation of Roofing Trades (IFD) Young Roofer Competition and RoofersCoffeeShop® was there. This year was especially significant as the United States made its debut appearance, with standout performances from teams representing KPost Roofing and Waterproofing (Dallas, Texas), Global Roofing Group (Phoenix, Arizona) and Durable Slate (Cleveland, Ohio). 

The teams included: 

• Global Roofing Group (metal roofing): Kasey Green and Doug Rojas, coached by Ridian Cami, Eric Stiller and Shawn Wood. 
• KPost Roofing and Waterproofing (flat roofing): Marco Espinoza and Alex Gutierrez, coached by Glauco Gutierrez. 
• Durable Slate (pitched roofing): Adam Wilcher and Luke Freudiger, coached by John Chan. 

As the first time that the U.S. was competing there was a wide learning curve for all the teams from working with new materials, systems and timeframes. The overall feeling from all the participants was that it was a great learning experience. The flat roofing team had an amazing finish on day two with a complex modified bitumen assembly and all the teams showed American creativity and performance with their freestyle roofing installations on the last day. The freestyle event highlighted their ingenuity, with the flat roofing team crafting a U.S. flag design using fluid-applied coatings, the metal team creating a striking metal American flag and the pitched team showcasing intricate craftsmanship with a slate roof featuring a complex pattern. 

Held biennially, the competition celebrates the artistry and precision of roofing while fostering international collaboration. Over three days, participants constructed detailed roofing structures judged on accuracy, innovation, safety and adherence to technical standards. The event’s camaraderie was a highlight, as competitors formed lifelong friendships during the traditional Austrian night featuring authentic music and dancing. 

The competition closed with a celebratory gala at Innsbruck’s Congress Center. Medals were awarded to the top three teams in each category. The Gold Medal Winners included: 

• Team Switzerland for facades 
• Team Austria for pitched roofing 
• Team Austria for flat roofing 
• Team Hungary for metal roofing 

A special presidential award was granted by IFD presidents from the free style competition and was awarded in flat roofing to Team China and Team Germany. It was special for both teams in that Team China had just returned to the competition after not attending since covid and Team Germany’s flat roofing team was comprised of all women.   

RoofersCoffeeShop was honored to document this great event and share it through our YouTube channel so all of America could celebrate the excitement of this competition. We commend the event’s sponsors, including NRCA, SRS Distribution, Carlisle, GAF, DensDeck, OMG and Owens Corning, for their support. 

With plans underway for the 2026 competition in Budapest, Hungary, Team USA is poised to build on its success, and RoofersCoffeeShop looks forward to being there to cheer them on. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Effective training transforms roofing safety, elevating standards in one of America’s most dangerous professions.   

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, safety director Joe Redd of The Durable Slate Company shares his journey from IT to becoming an advocate for job-site safety. Reflecting on his 20-year tenure with Durable Slate, Joe expresses that safety in roofing — a physically grueling and hazardous industry — is paramount. “Roofing is one of the more dangerous industries out there,” Joe notes. 

Durable Slate’s safety program includes onboarding and ongoing training initiatives aimed at not only reducing accidents but also fostering a deeper respect for the high-risk tasks roofers face daily. Joe describes how the company’s robust onboarding process sets a standard, covering essential skills like ladder setup and roof jack installation on mock roofs. “Nobody who comes on board with us misses training anymore,” he says, a significant milestone that the company has maintained over the past decade. 

To address diverse learning needs, Durable Slate’s training incorporates hands-on learning alongside visual and verbal instruction. Joe shares a compelling example, recounting how a highly skilled but dyslexic employee excelled once training materials were adapted to suit his learning style. This commitment to inclusive safety training, Joe explains, has been crucial to building a more cohesive and competent workforce. 

The impact of this approach extends beyond just compliance. It has built a culture where employees feel valued and secure, with real-life results. Durable Slate’s Experience Modifier Rating (EMR) — a key indicator of workplace safety — has dropped significantly, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings, as well as increased project eligibility and overall team morale. 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about Durable Slate’s evolving safety practices! 

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!