Supporting every crew

By Emma Peterson. 

How Johns Manville is bridging language gaps with their library of Spanish-language product resources. 

Founded back in 1858 in New York City, Johns Manville (JM) has grown into a leading manufacturer of insulation and commercial roofing products. With customers in more than 80 countries around the world, their team is “dedicated to long-term partnerships with our customers and suppliers, passionate about providing a safe and equitable workplace for our 8,000 global employees and committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work.” A significant part of this dedication to their customers is the development of resources that aim to meet Spanish-language speakers where they are.  

The importance of Latino and Hispanic construction workers 

In a 2024 bulletin, the Center for Construction Research and Training reported that “[From 2000 to 2023], the percentage of construction workers who were Hispanic doubled from 16.5% to 34.0%. From 2020 to 2023, Hispanics increased from 30.0% to 34.0% of the construction workforce, a 13.3% increase.” These numbers show just how important our Hispanic peers are to keeping our industry operating effectively and efficiently.  

However, many of these invaluable crew members are often left feeling disconnected due to language barriers. As the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) put it, “Many Latino construction workers feel disconnected from their non-Latino co-workers because of factors such as a lack of diversity in construction and a potential language barrier for workers whose first language is not English.” 

How JM is serving our Spanish-speaking peers 

It’s this disconnect that JM is working to overcome through their comprehensive library of Spanish-language resources! This library includes everything from installation and application guides to safety data sheets (SDS) and videos about leading JM products, such as membranes (including TPO, PVC, EPDM, SBS, APP, BUR and liquid applied), insulation/roofing boards, adhesives, screws/plates, cements, primers and more!  

Explore all of Johns Manville’s Spanish-language resources today!