By Emma Peterson. 

We had a great time sharing stories and photos over social media with our roofing community!  

National Roofing Week is an annual event hosted by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) that aims to raise awareness of the roofing professionals who keep our communities safe and secure. The event also acts as a way to build community with other professionals, both near you and across the country.  

Participation in National Roofing Week is primarily conducted online by posting photos and videos through the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag. And NRCA has created themes for each day of National Roofing Week to guide posts.  

Sunday – Kickoff  

The week kicked off with posts about the importance of roofers. NRCA started everything with a post sharing the schedule for the week and some highlights from last year’s National Roofing Week! Here at The Coffee Shops™ we joined in the fun on all our social media pages, making sure to thank the coating installers, roofing professionals and contractors who make our community amazing. 

Monday – Signature projects 

For the Monday theme, NRCA invited National Roofing Week participants to share photos showcasing their company’s signature residential and commercial projects. There were too many amazing projects posted to put them all here, but some that stood out to us came from QXO, Sika and Eagle Roofing Products!  

QXO’s post was a carousel of some of their customers projects, including one from Toitures Scott, one from Nedlaw Group and one from RUHS in California. Likewise, Eagle Roofing Products’ post showcased signature projects featuring their concrete roof tiles from across the country.  

As for Sika, they took the opportunity to shine the spotlight on their 2025 Sika Project of the Year award winners, which includes stunning projects like the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center project in Los Angeles, California and the South Station Tower project in Boston.  

Tuesday – Charitable projects 

The next day of National Roofing Week was all about giving back, and the National Women in Roofing (NWIR) Oregon Council stole the show with a free roof!

The replacement went to a community member in need, which is an incredible reminder of the power our industry has to do good.

They put it best in their post:  

Seeing contractors, manufacturers, distributors and industry partners come together with a shared purpose — without competition, without agendas, and focused solely on helping someone else — is truly inspiring. For one day, company names and logos took a back seat to teamwork, generosity and service. 

Projects like this showcase the heart of our industry. The relationships we build, the willingness to lend a hand, and the collective impact we can make when we work together are some of the best parts of being in roofing. 

NWIR extended huge thanks to industry partners, like Malarkey Roofing Products, ABC Supply, SRS Building Products, Owens Corning, Bliss Roofing and Raindrop Roofing NW, for making this incredible charitable project possible. 

Wednesday – Employee appreciation 

The midpoint of the week was all about the people who get things done – the employees that keep our industry moving. For this theme, the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag was flooded with pictures and appreciations for hardworking workers around the country. 

Drexel Metals posted some behind-the-scenes of their team hard at work, captioning it, “To everyone who continues to show up ready to learn, teach and push the industry forward: thank you. Your commitment is what drives stronger partnerships, better projects and continued progress year after year.” 

IKO Industries and CertainTeed also posted, shouting out the ROOFPROS who get the job done every day and recognizing the “craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication of the teams who help bring CertainTeed products and solutions to life” respectively.  

Thursday – Training and learning 

For Thursday, NRCA chose training as the theme, inviting contractors and companies to share the ways they keep learning and growing on the job. For this theme, GAF joined the party, sharing an incredible milestone from their GAF Roofing Academy – since 2020, the tuition-free program has helped more than 3,000 individuals find employment in the roofing industry!  

And this is just one of the many stories added to the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag! The Durable Restoration Company posted about the hard work their craftspeople put into their apprenticeship program and QXO shared how they connect their team with everything from stand downs to plant tours. 

Friday – Celebration 

And you can’t have National Roofing Week without taking the time to celebrate the amazing industry we are all a part of! For this theme, the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) took their followers on a trip down memory lane, sharing the “conferences, tournaments, regional events and industry gatherings where Texas roofing professionals connect, learn and celebrate together.”  

Drexel Metals also posted, sharing a common sentiment of thanks related to the power of the industry, “From the shop floor to the jobsite, your dedication, craftsmanship and collaboration are truly what make a lasting impact. We’re proud to be part of an industry built on innovation, resilience and strong partnerships.” 

Saturday – Wrap up 

Overall, this year’s National Roofing Week was a resounding success. From everyone that posted to event sponsors like International Roofing Expo, Georgia-Pacific Building Products, SRS Distribution, Roofing Alliance and SOPREMA, it was all made possible thanks to the incredible roofing community.  

The Coffee Shops crew already can’t wait for next year’s roofing week! As Atlas Roofing put eloquently in their final #NationalRoofingWeek2026 post, “This week gave us the opportunity to celebrate the people, organizations and partnerships that make the roofing industry such a rewarding one to be part of. Here’s to another year of collaboration, innovation and success.” 

Expanded service will support contractors along Ohio’s Lake Erie shoreline.

ABC Supply Co., Inc., the largest wholesale distributor of roofing, and other select exterior and interior building products in North America, has acquired the assets of Koch Building Products, a long-standing distributor located at 1615 E. Perkins Avenue in Sandusky, Ohio. This acquisition strengthens ABC Supply’s presence along the Lake Erie shoreline and improves service for contractors and builders in northern Ohio.

Founded in 1952, Koch Building Products has served the Sandusky area for over 70 years. The company is recognized for its experienced team, strong local contractor relationships and broad product offering, including windows and doors, siding, patio covers and enclosures, awnings and railings.

“We’re excited to bring the Koch Building Products team into ABC Supply,” said Tom Kuchan, Northeast Region vice president. “They know the Sandusky market well and have built strong, lasting relationships with their contractors. We’re looking forward to continuing that work together.”

The Sandusky location will continue operations as ABC Supply. All current associates will remain to ensure a smooth transition and continued service for customers. Jill Hartley, who leads Koch Building Products and is the daughter of owner Randy Koch, will remain with the business during the transition period to support the team and customer continuity.

To learn more, visit www.abcsupply.com and find a location near you at www.abcsupply.com/locations.

About ABC Supply

ABC Supply Co., Inc. is the largest wholesale distributor of roofing, select exterior and interior building products and outdoor solutions in North America. Founded in 1982, the company focuses exclusively on serving professional contractors by providing products, services and support across major building categories. ABC Supply is a 20-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner and is committed to hiring military veterans. The company also received the 2025 NAW Distributors Award, recognizing its industry leadership, community engagement and commitment to innovation.

ABC Supply also supports contractors through ABC Supply Interiors, Inc. (formerly L&W Supply Corporation) and ABC Supply Outdoor Solutions, a division of ABC Supply Co., Inc. (formerly Town & Country Industries). Headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, ABC Supply has more than 1,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada. More information is available at www.abcsupply.com. 

By Jenny Yu.  

The RCAW Regional Trade Show brought together contractors, manufacturers and suppliers for a day of learning, engagement and collaboration. 

Despite snowy conditions outside the Muckleshoot Casino, energy remained high inside as roofing and construction professionals gathered for the Roofing Contractors Association of Washington (RCAW) Regional Trade Show that took place earlier this spring. 

For Emerson Pagel, branch manager at ABC Supply in Kent, Washington, and a first-year member of the RCAW Board of Directors, the event represented months of planning and collaboration aimed at delivering valuable education and networking opportunities for industry professionals. “It has just been an absolute blast,” Emerson expressed.  

The annual event featured a diverse lineup of educational sessions in both English and Spanish, along with dozens of exhibitors representing roofing, windows and other construction-related sectors. According to Emerson, organizing the event required extensive coordination among presenters, vendors and association volunteers. “Behind the scenes, it’s been a lot of work trying to track down members that are interested in presenting and teaching, tracking down our vendors for the show,” he said. “We have over 45 to 50 vendors here.” 

The effort paid off, as Emerson described attendees as responding positively to the variety of educational offerings, including certification opportunities, safety training, insurance supplementation and branding strategies. “I’m hearing a lot of very good things, a lot of great feedback about the show,” Emerson shared. “They love getting to have options to get certified in safety, learning about insurance supplementation, how to build a brand.” 

Beyond education, Emerson emphasized the importance of industry associations in creating opportunities for professional growth and meaningful connections. He encouraged contractors who have not yet joined an association to become involved and engage with their local industry community. “Everything we do is community,” he said. “The roofing industry specifically, and the construction along with it. We’re not here to change the world, but we’re here to change someone’s world.” 

Watch the full interview to hear more from Emerson about the RCAW Regional Trade Show, industry trends and the value of getting involved in roofing associations.

Doors open across the country in Texas, Utah and Wisconsin.

ABC Supply Co., Inc., the largest wholesale distributor of roofing and other select exterior and interior building products in North America, recently opened four new locations in Laredo, Texas; Mesquite, Texas; Sandy, Utah; and Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.

The company is excited to introduce its newest locations, expanding its service network and enhancing support for area contractors. Learn more about these locations and their respective managers below.

Laredo, Texas: Located at 120 De Leon Pkwy and open 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday. Branch Manager Javier Puerta joined ABC Supply in July 2021 as an outside sales representative at the San Antonio location on Rittiman Road. His strong industry knowledge, people-first approach and commitment to helping contractors succeed have made him a trusted resource for customers and branch teams alike. Born and raised in Laredo, Puerta is deeply invested in his community and enjoys coaching youth basketball.

Mesquite, Texas: Located at 3248 Executive Blvd and open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday. Branch Manager Kevin Culwell joined ABC Supply in May 2022 as an outside sales representative at the company's Garland, Texas, location. Since then, he has built a strong reputation for developing customer relationships and supporting contractor success through responsive service and industry expertise. A lifelong Texan, he is also dedicated to serving his community and has coached youth sports for more than nine years.

Sandy, Utah: Located at 9255 S 255 W and open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (MT) Monday through Friday. Branch Manager Nicolas Vazquez joined ABC Supply in May 2023 as a delivery services manager at the company's Twin Falls, Idaho, location, where he helped streamline logistics and support customer satisfaction before transitioning to outside sales. With experience both in branch operations and in the field, he brings a comprehensive understanding of customer needs to his role. Prior to joining ABC Supply, Vazquez served as a logistics specialist in the United States Marine Corps from 2017 to 2021, earning recognitions for his dedication and service.

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin: Located at 2810 Industrial St and open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday from November through March. Branch Manager Tyler Jensen joined ABC Supply in June 2020 at the company's Neenah, Wisconsin, location and has held a variety of roles, including warehouse associate, delivery services manager and inside sales representative. His experience across multiple positions has given him a strong foundation to drive success for his team and customers. Outside of work, Jensen is active in his community through volunteer work with the Salvation Army and coaching youth sports.

About ABC Supply

ABC Supply Co., Inc. is the largest wholesale distributor of roofing, select exterior and interior building products and outdoor solutions in North America. Founded in 1982, the company focuses exclusively on serving professional contractors by providing products, services and support across major building categories.

ABC Supply is a 20-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award winner and is committed to hiring military veterans. The company also received the 2025 NAW Distributors Award, recognizing its industry leadership, community engagement and commitment to innovation. 

ABC Supply also supports contractors through ABC Supply Interiors, Inc. (formerly L&W Supply) and ABC Supply Outdoor Solutions, a division of ABC Supply Co., Inc. (formerly Town & Country Industries). Headquartered in Beloit, Wisconsin, ABC Supply has more than 1,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada. More information is available at www.abcsupply.com

By Jesse Sanchez. 

The Ascent Series 2026 brings one-day growth events to Dallas, Atlanta and Tampa for contractors using JobNimbus. 

Contractors looking to sharpen their operations and build stronger growth strategies will have three opportunities this June to connect with JobNimbus experts, industry partners and peers at the Ascent Series 2026. These one-day-only events are designed for contractors already building their businesses on JobNimbus and looking for practical ways to improve performance. Each stop will focus on the full workflow from being found by customers to winning work and getting paid, with sessions built around strategies contractors can use right away. 

The Ascent Series 2026 will be held in Dallas on June 12, Atlanta on June 17 and Tampa on June 19. Each event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time, with registration and networking beginning at 9:30 a.m. Tickets are $69 per person and cover event sessions, lunch and swag. 

The agenda for each event includes “The Elite Workflow: From First Click to Final Payment,” a contractor panel on how top contractors win more jobs, a session on “Speed to Lead,” a look at what is new and next from JobNimbus and a roofer spotlight focused on scaling. The day will close with key takeaways followed by a happy hour sponsored by Owens Corning®. 

Speakers include Danny Kerr, co-founder of Breakthrough Academy; Heath Hicks, co-owner of The Catch-All; Rob Soper, business development lead at Eagleview; Nick Pagnani, director of professional services; Justin Visitacion, founder of Ember Roofing; Eddie Whalen, product manager for Marketing Hub; Mitch Woodward, enterprise accounts sales; Dave Banas of Owens Corning; and Justin O’Neil, founder of FairClaims Roofing. 

Attendees will also have a chance to win a Catch-All gutter protection system at each Ascent stop. The giveaway, valued at $5,000, will be awarded to one winner in each city during the event. 

Event sponsors include Owens Corning, ABC Supply, QXO and The Catch-All. 

Learn more about the Ascent Series 2026 and reserve your seat.

By Emma Peterson. 

A look at the Oregon National Women in Roofing Council’s recent calendar. 

Recently, the Oregon Council of National Women in Roofing (NWIR) sent out a snapshot of their recent and upcoming events – and they are certainly keeping busy!  

On April 21, they hosted their 2026 annual member drive, which was a resounding success. The theme of the event was luau and attendees enjoyed a fun, festive afternoon full of prizes and new connections. It was an especially good evening for Tracie Reyes with Superior Roofing, who won the event’s grand raffle prize — a $1,500 Hawaiian Airlines gift card! Overall, it was a great way for the Oregon Council to kick off the spring and get ready for what’s coming in the rest of the year as they continue to build their community.  

Then on May 12, 2026, the Oregon Council worked with SRS Distribution to give their NWIR members a special opportunity – a Hands-On James Hardie training at SRS Distribution Inc. in Clackamas! Trainers at this event walked through everything from siding best practices and installation tips to industry insights and more!  

And just three days after that event, on May 15, 2026, the council was tabling at the Oregon Tradeswomen Career Fair! This event is about introducing women to the apprenticeship and trade opportunities and saw thousands of students, jobseekers and employers come together to network and connect.  

And looking forward, they’re not slowing down! The next big event on the Oregon Council’s calendar is a community service project on June 9, 2026. Held in conjunction with National Roofing Week, this event is the free reroof for a family in Portland, Oregon. The entire project is made possible by donations from NWIR members and industry companies, like Malarkey Roofing Products, Owens Corning, Bliss Roofing, ABC Supply and SRS Distribution. If you want to get involved, there’s still time. You can sign up to donate to the project or send questions to stephaniebaird@comcast.net. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Dive into the ways a proactive mindset and powerful tech tools can help contractors grow through market shifts. 

If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that there is always room for surprises. From immigration policy changes to tariffs and beyond, a lot has happened. But it is important to remember that surprises come with every year, take 2008 and the market crashed or 2020 and the global shut down as examples. What’s important to remember from all of these instances is that we, as humans and as the roofing industry, have been able to weather the curveballs each year brings. To look at how we can navigate any turbulence 2026 has in store for us, Karen Edwards sat down with Kevin Hocevar and Larry Sullivan from ABC Supply for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

Kevin and Larry are the perfect duo to talk to about this topic. Larry is ABC’s VP of digital data and analytics with a background in tech that starts back when he was a teenager working at his dad’s company. As for Kevin, he is the director of research at ABC Supply. Prior to joining ABC in this role in 2022, Kevin was an equity research analyst specializing in the building product space. Needless to say, they’re the pros when it comes to understanding these things.  

Looking at 2026, their advice centers on being adaptable and nimble through unprecedented market shifts. “Our markets are cyclical; there will always be ups and downs. What a lot of companies are doing is finding ways to manage expenses, be more productive and grow into new avenues,” Kevin explained. By letting these goals guide your operations, you can maximize short-term profits, taking advantage of any softness in the market, while also positioning yourself for long-term success when/if the markets do turn.  

So, how specifically should you manage expenses while also increasing productivity and growth this year? Leveraging technology to its full potential. Larry explained, “Here at ABC we’ve developed a powerful digital platform to help our thousands of customers find success.” This platform, which can be accessed online through your myABCsupply acount, connects contractors directly with tech-driven tools. 

One of the foundations of the tools available through myABCsupply is artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence (AI) can be found in tools like ABC’s recommendation engine. Larry shared a bit of how this tool works, saying, “The recommendation engine learns about our contractors based on their purchasing pattern, location and other general data. Then it does what it sounds like, recommends products to them.” Overall, this tool makes it easier for contractors to put together orders efficiently and without forgetting a product.  

This is just one example of the many ways ABC is connecting contractors with the technology they need to make their operations more efficient. As Kevin put it, “We operate in a great industry and if you are nimble and proactive, you will be able to adapt to whatever gets thrown your way.” And that adaptability is the key to weathering any unpredictability that might come in 2026 and beyond. 

Check out the full conversation with Kevin and Larry!

By Jenny Yu.  

By prioritizing customer service and distributor relationships, ASC is building long-term value for contractors and partners. 

ASC Building Materials is doubling down on a values-driven strategy centered on distribution partnerships and customer-first service, positioning itself for continued growth in the competitive roofing market. 

At the 2026 International Roofing Expo, Megan Ellsworth spoke with Sales Director Gabe Rodriguez about the company’s long-standing commitment to working through trusted distribution channels. “We don’t sell direct,” Gabe said. “We heavily believe in partnership through distribution. We truly value our partners; they’re amazing for us.” That approach includes key relationships with major distributors such as SRS Distribution, ABC Supply and QXO, along with regional partners that help ASC reach contractors where they do business. 

Gabe emphasized that while ASC continues to expand its product portfolio from coatings to self-adhered membranes and sealants, its competitive edge lies in a company constant. “Product is product, but it’s the customer service you get at the end of the day that’s going to make you want to come back,” he explained of ASC’s commitment to its customers. 

That philosophy extends to how ASC supports contractors beyond the sale. Through initiatives like its contractor certification program, the company aims to equip customers with the tools, knowledge and confidence to grow their businesses. Gabe noted that ASC takes pride not only in supplying materials but also in contributing to contractor success. “Even watching them grow their business is amazing to see,” he said. “When someone grows, we all grow.” 

Trade shows also play a key role in reinforcing ASC’s customer-centric approach. Events like the International Roofing Expo and upcoming appearances at the Western Roofing Expo provide opportunities to reconnect with partners, gather feedback and better understand contractor pain points. “The shows are great to see customers you don’t see on a regular basis,” Gabe said. “It’s a laid-back platform where you can just talk, see how they’re doing and ask what’s next for them.” 

As ASC continues to grow, its focus remains clear: strengthen distribution relationships, prioritize service and meet customers where they are. 

Watch the full interview to hear more insights from ASC Building Materials.

By Jenny Yu.  

The SkillsUSA 2026 Championship will connect students, educators, contractors and manufacturers through hands-on skilled trades competitions. 

After a year of honing their skills and participating in local competitions, students from across the country are set to compete at the culminating event: the SkillsUSA 2026 Championship. Taking place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta from June 1-5, 2026, the event brings together more that 6,700 state champions competing across 114 skilled and leadership contests as part of the broader National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC). 

On top of providing the platform for students to compete and showcase their talent, the SkillsUSA program builds the next generation of skilled professionals and elevates the value of careers in the trades. Roofing continues to expand its presence at the event as students can explore career opportunities and compete in roofing-related challenges including Commercial Roofing and Teamwork. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), the competitions are designed to connect career and technical education students with real-world industry opportunities while helping address the skilled labor shortage facing roofing contractors nationwide. 

Here at RoofersCoffeeShop®, we are excited to be a sponsor of the NRCA Roofing Pavilion, the event’s central hub for students and CTE teachers to connect with industry professionals on training and career opportunities.  

Additional sponsors supporting the NRCA booth include ABC Supply, Central States Manufacturing, Georgia-Pacific Building Products, Johns Manville, Elevate™, IB Roof Systems™, Leister, National Roofing Partners, National Women in Roofing (NWIR), QXO, Roofing Alliance, Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), SRS Distribution and TAMKO®. This robust participation reflects industry-wide collaboration to help SkillsUSA continue to grow as a pipeline for skilled professionals entering the trades. 

The SkillsUSA Championships have become a critical recruiting and education platform for the roofing industry. NRCA notes if even 5% of SkillsUSA students entered roofing careers, the industry could gain more than 5,000 new workers annually. 

To learn more about the 2026 SkillsUSA Championships, the Roofing Pavilion and ways to get involved, visit the SkillsUSA and NRCA websites. We hope to see you there! 

By Emma Peterson. 

Explore how artificial intelligence will be reshaping contractor operations in 2026. 

Across the industry, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way contractors and other professionals do business. To learn more about how AI technology is being used into the current industry landscape, Kevin Hocevar, the director of research at ABC Supply, and Larry Sullivan, ABC’s VP of digital data and analytics, joined us for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®.  

For context, the roofing industry is, overall, in a fairly stable place for the time being. Kevin explained, “If you take a step back at the 10,000-foot level and look at the broadest measure of economic activity, so things like gross domestic product (GDP), we’re doing okay. Growth is below average, but it’s not a recession, we are still growing.” A great example of what this state of stability looks like is to take a look at the labor pool. Kevin shared, “If you take labor, markets have been loosening. You've got nonfarm payroll data, which has been growing slowly. The unemployment rate has ticked higher, but looking at the glass half full, unemployment rates are around 4.3% today, which is toward the lower end of historic ranges and represents a fairly healthy labor market overall.” In other words, we are going into the new year with a cautiously positive economic outlook.   

So, how does AI fit into this economic landscape? Larry dove into how this technology can help contractors, sharing, “AI has the capacity to make things easier for contractors and their customers... It is getting embedded into all the tools we use, all the applications we use.” So, whether you are AI’s biggest fan or not, it is here and finding ways to effectively use it is key to staying competitive. 

There are many ways that contractors can incorporate AI into their existing operations. Larry explained, “You can start today, very simplistically. Have AI field emails for you to keep things organized. Or maybe have it help you make an existing customer proposal look more professional...For contractors in particular, AI is already helping them with things like measurement reports.” At the end of the day, staying competitive through AI is all about finding the ways that it can work with your existing operations, not about building new operations around AI. Larry put it simply, “There's AI everywhere, it’s in commercial and sports games and search engines... At this point, I actually think that it's going to just start fading into the noise to where we don't even have to talk about AI. It's just technology. It's just how we operate.” Overall, as AI continues to integrate into everyday tools, roofing contractors who embrace it as a practical enhancement rather than a disruption will be best positioned to stay efficient, competitive and ready for the future. 

Listen to the whole podcast to learn more about how technology fits into the current state of the industry.