By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how intentional training and care builds teams that grow and succeed in the long-term.  

As labor shortages continue and workforce expectations shift, companies can no longer afford to treat onboarding as a minor checklist or training as a one-time event. Instead, they must find ways to consistently care for the crew members and help their teams grow. To discuss this topic, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down for an episode of Coffee Conversations® with Amy Staska, Maureen Greeves and Mandy McIntyre.  

These women were the perfect panel to talk to about investing in your team. Amy is the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s VP of workforce development; Maureen is Tremco Roofing’s director of field operations; and Mandy is WTI's CM development manager. Out of the gate, one of the most important things they highlighted was that labor retention is not a one-size-fits-all situation. 

Amy explained, “Finding ways to retain talent is not going to be a one-size-fits-all conversation. Take training, for example. People like learning new skills that can help advance their careers. But the format of that training needs to be comfortable for each individual.” For example, some people love the convenience of online training, where others find it disconnected and hard to work with. If you truly want to retain talent, you need to invest in your people as individuals.  

And retaining talent really should be your goal. Not only does it make your team stronger culturally, but it is also important for your long-term finances. Maureen explained, “The recruiting process and the onboarding process can cost companies anywhere between $5,000 to $6,000 on the low end and up to upwards of $10,000 to $12,000 on a high end.  For one person. So, retaining talent long term isn’t just about keeping talent and expertise, though that is key, it’s also about avoiding turnover and the high expenses that come with that.”  

So, how do you start bringing this intentionality into your operations? It doesn’t have to be that complicated. Mandy gave some examples of how you can meet your team where they are, sharing, “Start with just basic conversations. Ask people how's it going, how the first week was, the second week, etc. Because if you're not having those conversations and they end up leaving, you’ll never know why or if you could have changed something simple and retained their talent.” 

Learn more about intentional, individualized retention strategies by listening to the whole episode.

By Emma Peterson. 

Dive into the key role that company culture plays in building and retaining top talent.  

At the core of the roofing industry are the people who represent and advocate for it. Our businesses are all about serving customers, and a strong, talented internal team is the key to success. But building that team can be hard in an industry that has a seemingly constant labor shortage. To learn more about building and retaining a base of reliable employees, Heidi J. Ellsworth hosted Amy Staska, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s VP of workforce development; Maureen Greeves, Tremco Roofing’s director of field operations; and Mandy McIntyre, WTI's CM development manager for an episode of Coffee Conversations®. 

Retention is a key part of a successful business. Amy explained, “When people leave, you’re not only losing their specific talents, but you’re also losing money and having to spend more time and energy to recruit a replacement for them.”  

So, how do you build a company that people want to stay at? It’s all about building a company culture that is comfortable and supportive. Amy elaborated, “I'm a huge proponent of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and truly believe that when people feel like they're safe and secure, when they feel like they belong, they're going to be able to work better and they're going to stay.” 

A simple way to start building such a culture i by having individual conversations with employees. Mandy shared:  

A lot of building a culture that retains employees is having one-on-one, face-to-face time, where you touch base with new hires, get to know them as a person and see how things are going. It sounds small, but it really goes a long way to build that psychological safety, build that confidence and build engagement. That is the foundation for a strong culture.  

This is something that Maureen and the team at Tremco are working to implement in their operations. She explained, “Culture starts at the top, and our president James McDonald takes the time to have what he calls ‘James unfiltered calls.’ In these calls he talks to individuals in the company at the field technician/foreman level to hear what’s going on, to know them as people and build that culture that retain people.”  

Want to learn more about building a culture of retention? Tune in to the whole podcast with Amy, Mandy and Maureen!

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about engaging and retaining new hires through intentional training. 

In a new episode of Coffee Conversations®, Heidi J. Ellsworth is joined by a panel of industry leaders to talk about the importance of contractors helping new hires engage and connect with their company. This panel included Amy Staska, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s VP of workforce development; Maureen Greeves, Tremco Roofing’s director of field operations; and Mandy McIntyre, WTI's CM development manager.  

Amy has been with the NRCA for over 20 years, and bringing new talent to the roofing industry has been a top concern during her tenure. She explained, “Training’s not cheap and a lot of contractors worry about if new hires are going to stick around...” The problem with this is that it creates a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy where contractors hold new hires at an arm’s length to make sure they’re serious about the job, and new hires are unable to show their interest in the job because of that distance.  

So, how do you build a company that can avoid this pattern? Mandy shared, “I think the industry sometimes forgets about the human component of hiring. Those new people have emotions, they have goals, they have questions, they have fears and if you can cultivate people to be the best versions of themselves, that’s when you’re going to engage them and retain talent.” 

The key to cultivating them into the best version of themselves? Intentionality. Amy explained:  

At NRCA, we talk constantly about the idea of doing intentional training. It’s impossible to train all your new people to be experts immediately. But if you work towards conversational competence, so that someone can go up onto a roof and at least is going to understand a little bit of what's happening, and will be able to have better conversations with the crew there, they’re going to be more connected to your company and more likely to stay to keep learning. 

This is something that Maureen and the others on her team at Tremco have implemented over the last couple of decades. She shared, “We grew very fast, and one of the downsides of that is you can lose some of that intentionality that Amy mentioned. We realized that was happening, so we made changes.” Some changes were bigger, like hiring Mandy into her current role, but others were smaller, like opening conversations. Maureen elaborated, “We started simply talking to people and making sure they knew that they were a part of something bigger. And just that has been tremendous.”  

Mandy summed the entire conversation up well, saying, “At the end of the day, it's all about actions and feelings. If you're having a problem retaining people and recruiting people, take a good, hard look at what's going on and make some intentional changes to help people belong.” 

Watch the entire Coffee Conversation to hear more of Amy, Mandy and Maureen’s discussion.

By Emma Peterson. 

Exploring the flexible training opportunities offered through Tremco University.  

With every design and construction professional having unique schedules, budgets, goals and learning styles, education is definitely not a one-size-fits-all situation. In response to these diverse needs, Tremco CPG has launched Tremco University to the industry. This educational program contains a wide range of topics and learning options that meet  building contractors, installers and architects where they are with the instruction they seek.  

Some of these options welcome you in-person at a Tremco facility to learn about their products and see how these building materials are developed and tested in the lab, while other seminars are offered at convenient distributor or public locations. For easier access, you can even attend seminars and collect AIA continuing education credits online! 

There are three main ways to engage with Tremco University:  

• On the road: Tremco trainers are always on the move, going to distributor locations and jobsites in the Tremco CPG demo truck! Training events done with this team are perfect for seeing new products in action, finding answers to your questions and getting personalized, hands-on instruction. 
• In person: Are you a contractor or architect looking for in-person learning? You can sign up for Tremco’s qualified applicator/installer program, product-specific education sessions or AIA lunch-and-learns to get face-to-face training in the U.S. and Canada. 
• Online: Want to learn from the comfort of your office? Tremco has a variety of live and on-demand webinars that cover everything from waterproofing, roof restoration, building science and more!  

Upcoming trainings in North America 

Speaking of those in-person, contractor learning opportunities, here’s a shortlist of the planned training events in the U.S. and Canada for April 2026! Remember, if the Tremco team isn’t coming to a spot near you, you can always contact them to request a custom training. 

• April 2, 2026: Nanaimo, B.C., Canada 
• April 7, 2026: North Kingstown, Rhode Island, U.S. and Headingley, Manitoba, Canada 
• April 9, 2026: Lakewood, Colorado, U.S.; Peterborough, Ontario, Canada; and Saskatoon, Alberta, Canada 
• April 13, 2026: Revelstoke, B.C., Canada 
• April 14, 2026: Kingston, Ontario, Canada 
• April 15, 2026: Wingham, Ontario, Canada and Invermere, B.C., Canada 
• April 16, 2026: Island City, Oregon, U.S. 
• April 17, 2026: Nelson, B.C., Canada 
• April 21, 2026: Marquette, Michigan, U.S.; Koxville, Tennessee, U.S.; and Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada 
• April 23, 2026: Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.; Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.; and Dartmoush, Nova Scotia, Canada 
• April 28, 2026: Terrace, B.C., Canada 
• April 30, 2026: Delta, B.C., Canada 

Learn more about Tremco’s education offerings online!

The acquisition expands Tremco's aluminum roof and façade systems portfolio.

Tremco Construction Products Group ("Tremco CPG") today announced the successful acquisition of Kalzip GmbH ("Kalzip"), following completion of the standard regulatory review process. A global leader in the design and production of aluminum-based roofs and facades for building envelopes, Kalzip now is part of Tremco CPG.

Based in Koblenz, Germany and founded in 1986, Kalzip specializes in lightweight, weather-resistant and flexible roof systems, as well as aesthetically advanced and functional facade technologies. Their cutting-edge roll-forming machines and mobile production units ensure high-quality, customizable solutions for architects, planners and installers. Delivering over 1.2 billion square feet of aluminum solutions worldwide, key projects have included LAX Metro Station in Los Angeles; the Louisiana Superdome; Santiago Bernabéu football stadium in Madrid, Spain; Children's Hospital Dublin, Ireland; and the Pickering GO Pedestrian Bridge in Ontario, Canada — the world's longest enclosed pedestrian bridge.

"In addition to expanding our business across Europe, India and other regions around the world where Kalzip already has a strong presence, this acquisition will eventually allow Tremco CPG to market a wider range of aluminum building envelope options to our North American customer base," said Scottie Stinson, president, Tremco CPG Inc. "This is critical as demand grows for aluminum building systems due to their many benefits including durability, longevity, sustainability and energy efficiency."

Strategic alignment with focus on high-performance building envelopes

Combining Kalzip's innovative aluminum technologies with Tremco CPG's integrated portfolio — which includes a range of roofing restoration and maintenance systems, field-applied and panelized EIFS, MCM and ACM panels, sealants and waterproofing, floor coatings, passive fire protections and structural solutions — aligns with Tremco CPG's strategy of offering a seamless, integrated approach to modern construction, enhancing efficiency, durability and aesthetic appeal for new construction and restoration.

"Our global reach, complementary product portfolios and customizable solutions will enable Kalzip, as part of Tremco CPG, to deliver tailored, high-performance, end-to-end building envelope systems for varied architectural and restoration needs across diverse markets and large-scale projects," Stinson said. "And our shared commitment to green building practices will continue to drive innovation in sustainable construction worldwide."

Looking ahead in North America

In North America, Kalzip's aluminum roofing and façade products will eventually be integrated into the Tremco CPG brands. This transition will provide customers with expanded options within Tremco's trusted product lines. More details will be shared as the rebranding process progresses.

Outside of North America, Kalzip's products will continue to be marketed under the Kalzip brand, maintaining the company's strong presence and reputation in Europe, India and other global markets.

About Tremco Construction Products Group

Tremco CPG, part of RPM International Inc., unites industry-leading building envelope solutions manufacturers and trusted brands-including Tremco, Nudura, Dryvit, Willseal, Flowcrete, Nullifire and Vandex-to deliver comprehensive, integrated construction systems. With operations spanning North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, India and Latin America, Tremco CPG has a global presence supported by regional businesses and distributors who understand local market needs. Tremco CPG companies' solutions ensure long-lasting performance for commercial, industrial and residential projects worldwide, while international teams collaborate on training, testing and innovation to build high-performing structures in any geography or climate.

About RPM International Inc.

RPM International Inc. owns subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials and related services. The company operates across three reportable segments: consumer, construction products and performance coatings. RPM has a diverse portfolio of market-leading brands, including Rust-Oleum, DAP, Zinsser, Varathane, The Pink Stuff, DayGlo, Stonhard, Carboline, Tremco and Dryvit. From homes and workplaces to infrastructure and precious landmarks, RPM's brands are trusted by consumers and professionals alike to help build a better world. The company employs approximately 17,800 individuals worldwide. Visit www.RPMinc.com to learn more.

In this Coffee Conversations®, Heidi J. Ellsworth is joined by industry leaders to discuss one of the most pressing issues facing roofing and construction companies today: how to successfully onboard, train and retain top talent. As labor shortages continue and workforce expectations shift, companies can no longer afford to treat onboarding as a checklist or training as a one-time event. This discussion explores what a strong first 90-days should look like, how mentorship and leadership shape long-term retention and what metrics truly measure success. From building career pathways to adapting to generational change, this conversation delivers strategic insight for contractors and industry professionals committed to building teams that stay, grow and lead. 

Register today!

In this Coffee Conversations®, sponsored by QXO, Megan Ellsworth hosts a powerful discussion with women who are shaping the future of roofing. They will highlight the Female Roofing Professional of the Year Award — a recognition that honors outstanding leadership, innovation and mentorship among women in the roofing industry along with past and present National Women in Roofing (NWIR) leadership.  The panel shares insights on leadership, mentorship and building successful companies and organizations in a competitive field. From overcoming barriers to leveraging technology and strategic partnerships, this conversation offers practical takeaways and fresh inspiration for the entire roofing industry. 

Register today!

By Emma Peterson. 

Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. is looking for dedicated people ready to start their career.   

Across North America, Tremco’s subsidiary, Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. (WTI), is looking to grow their team! They offer remote, hybrid and in-person opportunities ranging from research and development to human resources, accounting and more!  

Some of the opportunities include:  

• Engineering and facilities: As part of the engineering, facilities and maintenance team, you would support “all engineering activities and for maintaining and upgrading the facilities and production equipment.” There are also opportunities for developing value stream design and improving material flow and progress tracking.  
• Production: The production team is hands-on troubleshooting and running manufacturing equipment. Safety and independent problem-solving are keys for this team. 
• Roof technician: Want to be out in the field? WTI has many positions for roofers of all levels, from intern to journeyman to supervisor. As a WTI tech, you will work with a variety of roof systems (such as BUR, EPDM and single-ply) as well as a variety of tools (such as hand tools and power tools).  
• Sales: The sales team at WTI is growing fast. If you are an “ambitious, self-motivated individual with a proven record of effort driven success,” this team is a great opportunity to continue growing your skills and career. 

This is a great opportunity for hard workers looking to kickstart a career with a company that cares about their employees as individuals. WTI prioritizes maintaining the small company atmosphere that Tremco was founded with back in 1928, even as they continue to grow.  

Their team is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment that empowers every person to learn and grow. As Robert Boykin, the CORE quality production manager for WTI, shared, “I’ve worked at Tremco WTI for 10 years and it’s been really exciting. I really like the fact that I can move into different positions and learn the different things that I need to learn to grow with the company.” 

A great example of how much WTI cares is the benefits they offer to their employees. These benefits include “competitive health insurance options, dental, and prescription drug coverage, pension, paid vacations and holidays, investment opportunities and much more.” They’ll even go as far as giving their new team members a new Milwaukee M12™ heated TOUGHSHELL™ jacket to keep them warm on the roof this winter! 

Check out all of their current job listings. 

Get more information about WTI and get started on your application!

By Emma Peterson. 

From testing regulations to tariffs and workforce gaps, learn about the major challenges facing our industry and how we can rise to meet them. 

While at the 2026 World of Concrete show, Heidi J. Ellsworth of CoatingsCoffeeShop® had the opportunity to host a special Coffee Conversations®! This session featured a panel of professionals including Ray Rizzi of Tremco, Joe Harnois of Atlantic Builders Supply Northeast, Steve Little of KPost Roofing and Waterproofing, Jeff Walls of Innovative Chemical Products and Kevin Cummings of Polycoat Products. With backgrounds spanning across the coatings world, this incredible panel was perfect for the job of sharing their insights into the current challenges facing the industry.  

Testing 

Kevin opened the conversation by highlighting the need for more comprehensive and ubiquitous testing. As products continue to change and advance, so must the skills of the individuals using them in real-world applications. He explained, “One issue that I see is getting back to some sort of coordination on testing so that, as a group, we can all agree on what testing is important in relation to how systems actually perform on buildings.” Jeff echoed that point, adding, “We have similar challenges in manufacturing...It is really key this year that we find that balance of optimized quality of product and optimized quality of work...Testing is huge part of that.”  

Tariffs 

In addition to the challenges of updating testing standards, Jeff noted how the constantly changing tariffs and the resulting unstable market are a continuing challenge for coatings professionals:  

Across the industry, we're certainly challenged by the inconsistency of tariffs...But I think a key to overcoming this is communication...As a manufacturer, I need to be able to go to my distributors and say, ‘Hey, you know what? It's going to be a small price increase for a little while.’ Then I have to be honest enough that when we're not in the face of that, we bring it back down. And that way, when he passes on to a contractor, if we all work together, we can weather it together. 

Workforce 

Another challenge that’s no stranger to the conversation was the aging workforce, a concern that has continuously grown in relevancy over the years. Steve shared, “People that are really subject matter experts who grew up in this industry are aging out and we're starting to lose some really credible resources.”  

This is something that Joe has seen as well. He noted, “In the Northeast, in the concrete industry, the average age is 63 years old and one of the biggest issues is that those professional don’t have a succession plan...Going back to how this is all a partnership, we can do our best to come out with the best products and all this jazz, but if a great amount of our workforce just ages out, we’re all in trouble.”  

Timelines 

The other challenge that was brought up was related to timelines and work cycles. Ray explained, “In the Northeast, we have winter from November to basically March. It means our work cycle is small. That’s why it’s so important that we, as a manufacturer, develop innovative products to make the lives of our contractors easier and to also maintain the quality of the installation.” Kevin shared a similar sentiment, explaining, “That’s part of why we developed our two-component, fast-cure coating systems – to extend the time that the installers can install.”  

Conclusion 

Overall, 2026 will present some tough challenges for all professionals in the world of coatings. But this is a tough industry, full of professionals who are ready to rise to the challenge. Invest in your people and foster partnerships within the industry. Steve added, “Invest in your employees. The difference between all the products that are available and all the ways to get the products to it are the people that are installing them and doing the work.” 

As Ray noted, “Everything in the industry is a partnership, all three ways, from the manufacturer, to the contractor, to the distributor. All of us are all in the same game, we're all going to play and figure out a solution out together.” 

Watch the recording from the show to hear more of these panelists expert insights!

By Emma Peterson. 

Join us for a walk down memory lane with Jennifer Stone, founder of National Women in Roofing and our first ever Roofing Road Trips® guest! 

In a new episode of Roofing Road Trips® (RRT), host Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Jennifer Stone of Tremco for a special conversation reflecting on their shared past. Jennifer, who was the first ever guest on the RRT podcast back in October of 2019! That original episode focused on all things National Women in Roofing (NWIR), an industry organization founded by Heidi and Jennifer, as well as Shari Carlozzi and Jennifer Ford Smith. 

More recently, these incredible women reunited on the stage at NWIR Days for the 10th anniversary of NWIR’s founding. Jennifer shared her thoughts about the experience:  

I went back and listened to that [RRT] episode, and we were so young. We were so excited in that podcast to tell women where they could go and meet new people and feel included in the industry. There was absolutely nothing more important or fulfilling to us than recruiting and educating. All we wanted to do was bring women together and let the magic happen. And we did that. 

Today, NWIR has helped countless women find their footing and a place within communities across the industry. Jennifer shared, “We've gotten to a point where having a woman serving in presidential and executive roles is not news anymore. That is a big evolution in the roofing industry around diversity and culture...We had 60 women that attended our first NWIR event. Now there's over 600 women.” This incredible growth not only helps women succeed but has also improved the roofing industry as a whole. Creating cultures that are more diverse and inclusive of women fosters something that Jennifer refers to as “diversity of thought.” 

This concept stems from the idea that we all address a problem from different angles based on our backgrounds and knowledge. Because we all come at it differently, we subsequently come to different solutions. By being more inclusive of traditionally less-represented groups, like women in roofing, we are able to innovate more and ultimately build a stronger industry. Jennifer elaborated on this, explaining, “Women often bring what are traditionally considered ‘soft skills.’ These skills are what elevate leadership, culture and communication skills, leading to retention of talent, increased innovation, a better bottom line and ultimately a stronger industry.”  

Listen to the podcast to hear more of Jennifer and Heidi’s conversation.