Jenny Yu, Writer & Reporter
Designing with efficiency and simplicity
By Jenny Yu. S-5! calculators give contractors code-based guidance for snow retention and solar mounting. Digital tools are increasingly helping roofing contractors design more efficient systems, from sales pitch to jobsite clean up. In this Roofing Road Trips® episode, Megan Ellsworth spoke with Jesse Winternitz, application engineer and product ...
How automation and AI are driving growth in metal roofing
By Jenny Yu. Investment in robotics and data-driven systems is helping CAM and its partners improve efficiency and performance. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Carlisle Architectural Metals (CAM) Vice President of Growth Brad Van Dam outlined how automation, robotics and artificial intelligence are reshaping both manufacturing and ...
Stock your truck for spring!
By Jenny Yu. Don’t miss this limited-time opportunity to stock up on K9 Fasteners with free shipping! The sun is shining; the birds are chirping; we’ve made it to the busy season! As contractors gear up for spring, preparation is critical. With ongoing supply chain volatility and ...
The secret sauce: Innovation, efficiency and cost-effectiveness
By Jenny Yu. At IRE 2026, MetalForming introduced new equipment designed to help contractors streamline operations and expand capabilities. At the 2026 International Roofing Expo, contractors came searching for tools and technology that can help them work smarter, faster and more profitably. MetalForming was ready to provide, showcasing their ...
Learn how to improve close rates with this upcoming RLW!
By Jenny Yu. With guests from JobNimbus and Demand IQ, this RLW will show attendees how speed, transparency and technology are reshaping the buying journey. As homeowner expectations continue to evolve, roofing contractors are being challenged to rethink how they engage prospects from the very first interaction. On April ...
Selling roof restoration
By Jenny Yu. Industry experts discuss how education, financial considerations and specification strategies are shaping the coatings market. As interest in roof restoration continues to grow, contractors and manufacturers are finding new ways to explain the value of coatings to building owners and design professionals. In this CoatingsCast™ episode, Megan ...
Navigating tariff uncertainty
By Jenny Yu. Industry expert Melanie Butler outlines shifting trade actions and what contractors should watch for next. Roofing industry professionals continue to navigate unpredictable tariffs as federal trade policy shifts continue to affect material costs and supply chains. In this Roofing Road Trips® episode, Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke ...
Off and running: Engaging the next generation of roofers early
By Jenny Yu. Mindy Dahlquist of TRA Snow and Sun shares how and why to bring young people into the industry. Everyone’s career journey has to start somewhere, and no one does it all on their own. For Mindy Dahlquist, business development manager at TRA Snow and Sun, her ...
Creating a culture of care from the top down
By Jenny Yu. The NRCA calls for the roofing industry to make a holistic shift toward viewing mental well-being as part of worker safety. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan R. Ellsworth spoke with Cheryl Ambrose, vice president of enterprise risk management for the National Roofing Contractors Association ...
Insights and innovation at the 2026 MBCEA Conference
By Jenny Yu. From hosting a pre-conference tour to sponsoring on-site engagement, S-5! is creating opportunities for connection and learning. As the 57th annual MBCEA Conference and Spring Meeting approaches, occurring April 22-24, 2026, S-5! is taking an active role in shaping the attendee experience through educational opportunities and ...
