By Jesse Sanchez. 

Anchor Products helps roofing and solar teams secure arrays with familiar tools and minimal roof disruption. 

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, the conversation shifts from industry tension to practical solutions, with Anchor Products and its U-Anchor system at the center. Justin Smith explained that U-Anchor remains the core product for solar work at Anchor Products. “That is the one that the solar industry kind of adopted first and it's the main one that they use still to this day. It has enabled them to offload some of the ballast burden on projects that they encounter, but it also allows them to secure the stuff to the roof, keeping roof membrane manufacturers happy with whatever type of penetrations might be needed.” 

Justin walked through the basic setup. He explained that the anchor starts with a plate that serves as the foundation, topped with a bolt that allows different components to be attached. What sets it apart is that the plate is installed on top of the membrane, using roofing fasteners that go down to the deck while keeping the membrane system intact. 

The crucial difference is compatibility with the existing roof system. Justin noted, “We work with all the manufacturers to source their membrane and take their membrane and put it onto our plate,” he said. “So, it's their membrane being attached to our plate and then being welded down to their roof membrane.” The goal is simple: “Because of using their materials with their roofs, it helps keep everything watertight because you're just having a perimeter seal around those membranes,” he explained. 

That tailored approach continues during ordering and design. Justin shared, “We have a little menu of questions that we start off with.” he continued, “One of those is, who is your membrane manufacturer? What is your membrane type? And is the roof under warranty?” From there, Anchor Products can coach both the solar side and the roofing side on which anchors to use. 

Anchor Products has expanded well beyond single-ply solutions, adapting its base plate for modified, coated and built-up roofs while pairing that versatility with strong industry education. The team shows up at major trade shows, brings a mobile training showcase to contractors and distributors and offers jobsite or in-house support whenever a crew is new to the system. Once contractors see the U-Anchor in use, the learning curve is short and the value is clear. For roofers navigating warranties, labor limits and growing solar demand, the system is designed to make that first solar-ready project feel familiar, practical and low risk. 

Listen to the full podcast to learn more about Anchor Products U-Anchor solutions!

By Emma Peterson. 

Roofing professionals share insight into the importance of mental health awareness and care in the industry.  

If you didn’t know, May was mental health awareness month in the United States! Mental health is a key issue in our industry, with construction having the second-highest suicide rate of all major industries in the U.S. To talk about how the industry is working on addressing this issue, Lynsey Hull of Tyelus, McKay Daniels of National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and Joel Stanley of Anchor Products came by for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

The mental health movement in the roofing industry has been steadily growing over the years as people get more informed about the severity of the issue. A huge moment in that timeline came in 2024 when NRCA launched a microsite about connecting professionals to resources. McKay spoke about the page, sharing, “Knowing a place to start is half the battle, so we made BeToughEnough.org with the goal of providing some basic level resources, a place for both employers and employees to learn how to talk about mental health. And it has the NRCA logo on it, but it’s not about NRCA, it’s bigger than just one organization.” 

And in the years since that page launched, the movement has truly grown far beyond just the actions of one organization. For example, in 2026 the Single Ply Roofing Industry (SPRI) association announced a mental health task force, partially inspired by NRCA’s work. Joel shared the story:  

A couple of years ago, McKay  was speaking and he talked about how our industry focuses so much on physical safety. Which makes sense, we suffer from about 400 or so fall deaths a year... But he also pointed out that we’re forgetting the mental side of things. And those numbers are so much bigger; I think he said we suffer from over 6,000 deaths a year from suicide. And it really hit me, I have a family member who has struggled with mental health and it got me thinking.  

What was Joel thinking about? He realized that organizations like NRCA are great for general awareness, but they don’t have the personnel to be on jobsites all over the country, seeing people day-in and day-out and being able to notice when someone is struggling. Who has that presence? Roofing manufacturers. He explained, “Manufacturers have people on job sites every day that are inspecting and advising. Those people see contractors periodically throughout the year and I realized when you see people frequently, but not every day, it allows you to see and recognize changes in them. If we can equip those people with skills and resources, it could a do a lot of good.” 

Armed with this realization, Joel reached out to both McKay at the NRCA and the SPRI board to see if they could build a collaboration that could take his idea and put it into action. The result was the creation of the SPRI mental health task force.  

Lynsey was there when Joel presented his idea and immediately jumped on board to help co-chair the task force with Joel. He recalled:  

The response was really overwhelming. Our first meeting as a task force was standing room only. I've had people reach out who don't even attend SPRI and say, ‘Hey, our representative told me about this. I really want to be involved. I have some background in this or I'd like to contribute or we had this idea. What do you guys think about that?’”  

The first thing the task force worked on was collaborating with NRCA to raise awareness of the resources available on BeToughEnough.org. Lynsey explained why this was their first move, sharing, “What we're really trying to avoid is having multiple messages out there and splitting the focus. So we started by just finding ways to raise awareness and point people to NRCA’s existing resource library.”  

From there they started to collect and share stories of how people can speak up or reach out and make a difference on their job sites. Stories like the one Lynsey shared:  

Speaking up or reaching out doesn’t have to be big. I wear t-shirts from a brand that has different messages on the back. And I remember one day I was just walking my dog and a guy came up to me and grabbed my shoulder and just said, ‘I needed that today, I just wanted to say thank you,’ in reference to my shirt. And he left. When I got home I looked at the shirt and it read ‘I'd rather hear about your battles than learn you lost the war.’ And that just struck me, how just something so simple for me, wearing that shirt, meant so much. 

And at the end of the day, it’s interactions like the one in Lysney’s story that will help change mental health in our industry for the better. As McKay put it, “This effort is beyond any one organization and working together to divide the rocks that are in this pack so that we all carry a little bit is critical and key. Because while what we each do might seem like only a little on its own, if we’re all doing it we will move that ball downfield, bit by bit.”  

Want to learn more about mental health and roofing? Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording of the podcast. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Learn how integrated attachment systems help contractors secure rooftop equipment, meet code requirements and ensure system performance. 

At the International Roofing Expo (IRE) in Las Vegas, one challenge came into clear focus for contractors and manufacturers alike; how to secure rooftop equipment in a way that meets evolving code requirements without compromising the roof itself. For Anchor Products, that challenge is driving greater attention to integrated attachment systems that are designed to improve speed, simplify installation and support long-term performance. Speaking on The Coffee Shops™ sound stage sponsored by SRS Distribution, Mark Vargas, director of business development for Anchor Products, and Justin Smith, national sales manager, described how the company’s systems are designed to replace more traditional rooftop attachment methods. “Our product line is all about attachments for everything on the roof,” Justin said, pointing to solutions developed for single-ply thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) roof systems. 

The value of these products lies in consolidation. Instead of relying on wood sleepers, ballast blocks or separate flashing details, the attachment integrates directly into the roof assembly. Justin described it as a watertight maintenance-free solution that is both heavy and strong. By combining multiple functions into one system, the approach can help contractors reduce installation time while lowering the overall cost of attachment. 

At the same time, performance is only part of the story. According to Mark and Justin, code compliance is becoming an increasingly important factor in how rooftop equipment is supported. As standards continue to change, systems that once relied on non-penetrating supports or counterweight designs are being replaced by attachment methods intended to meet stricter wind and safety requirements. As Justin stated, “Code is the big driver.” 

That shift is also creating a need for better coordination across trades. While roofing contractors may already understand how these systems work within warranted roof assemblies, Mark said that familiarity is often less common in other sectors. “We bridge that gap,” he said, noting that certified roofers are essential to proper installation and warranty protection. 

As wind exposure and weather risk continue to affect more parts of the country, secure rooftop attachment is becoming a more urgent part of overall roof design. For contractors, systems that support compliance while protecting roof performance are becoming increasingly important in the field. 

Watch the full interview to learn more about integrated attachment systems that help contractors secure rooftop equipment, meet evolving code requirements and improve installation efficiency!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Anchor Products sees roofers and solar teams aligning through early coordination and guidance as demand grows. 

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips^®, Justin Smith zooms out from the usual focus on products to the bigger picture: where solar is headed and what it means for roofing contractors working with Anchor Products. “Solar has definitely increased, both in the roofing space as well as solar adoption across the country,” Justin stated. He sees opportunity but also volatility. “I think there's a level of uncertainty about what's going to happen with the solar space in the current climate that we're in, but there are definitely more corporate groups that have a desire for solar.” 

Data centers are a key driver in how solar will be utilized in the near future. “As we see more of these data centers come online and get built, they have a demand for power that we can't currently meet,” Justin noted. “Then on top of that, they are very, very large facilities. They have a large roof space that is available for solar.” 

For Justin, the role of solar is partly about speed. “The supply and demand are not aligning yet and with the increased demand that's going to come, we're going to have to find ways for everything to coexist,” he explained. “The piece that solar brings to the table is solar is one of the fastest types of solutions that can be put in place to help meet that demand with less red tape than some of these nuclear plants and these additional coal plants and things like that.” 

However, cost remains a constant pressure. “Solar has historically been an industry where there's so much price sensitivity,” Justin shared. “When you look at the cost reduction that has happened in just the 15 years that I've been doing this, it's pretty incredible to see just how far it has come down. I think the market does need to balance out at some point and it can't just be this race to the bottom.” 

As solar demand accelerates and data centers add new pressure to the grid, the path forward will require tighter coordination between roofing and solar professionals. Anchor Products expects that partnership to deepen as contractors look for faster, more reliable ways to meet rising energy needs without compromising roof performance. With clearer guidance, earlier engagement and solutions that simplify attachment and protect warranties, roofers are positioned to play a central role in the next wave of rooftop solar growth. 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about Anchor Products and commercial solar roofing opportunities!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

How ballast-only systems are giving way to engineered anchors and how real-world storms prove the value of positive attachment. 

In this episode of the Roofing Road Trips® podcast, Anchor Products’ Southeast regional manager, Harley Coleman, talks about solar and the rapid evolution of rooftop attachment strategies. For Anchor Products, which built its early business in solar, the trend is both familiar and accelerating. 

“We are very involved in the solar piece of the business as that was almost exclusively our focus for the first 12 years of our company,” Harley told host Karen Edwards. “So I would say we are probably the market leader in terms of market share when it comes to mechanically attached solar racking systems or providing the mechanical attachment for solar racking systems on commercial roofs.” 

As commercial rooftop real estate becomes more valuable, owners are adding megawatts to their buildings at a fast pace. Harley said, “We are definitely seeing an increase in the amount of megawatts that are being put down on commercial roofing. That real estate's starting to become more attractive as real estate in general is premium.” He also noted that Anchor Products works “with the racking companies to build a system that rises to the code requirements across the country.” 

The company’s approach has already been tested in major storms. Harley cited an early project in Yonkers, New York, that rode out Superstorm Sandy. “The solar array that was on the building in Yonkers that we provided stood tall through the storm,” he said. However, not everything on the roof performed as well. Harley shared, “Right next to the building, was other equipment that hadn't been secured in the same way that we had secured the solar array.” Some HVAC units “became dislodged during the storm and subsequently ended up on top of the solar array.” 

Even as those loose units damaged panels, the anchored system stayed in place. “As a means of Anchor doing its job, we certainly held it down, so to speak,” he said. The incident reinforced a point Harley made throughout the conversation: it is not enough to secure a single asset on the roof. Contractors and owners must think holistically about every piece of equipment exposed to wind uplift. 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about how secure solar attachment is shaping the future of rooftop real estate and long-term system performance!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

A look at how a renewed newsletter strategy helps contractors stay informed on attachment, safety and performance. 

As roofing systems become more complex and performance expectations continue to rise, contractors are working in an environment where access to relevant information directly affects jobsite outcomes. For companies like Anchor Products, that reality represents the importance of delivering clear, consistent communication that supports how work gets done in the field. Attachment methods, safety considerations and long-term system performance are no longer separate concerns; they operate together, shaping how a roof performs under real-world conditions. Within that context, communication from manufacturers has taken on a more defined role in supporting informed decision-making. 

Anchor Products is refining its newsletter to serve as a more deliberate point of connection between the company and the contractors who rely on its systems. Instead of offering broad, generalized updates, the focus is narrowing to the issues that carry the most weight on the roof; attachment solutions, safety considerations and ongoing product developments. That shift brings the content closer to the day-to-day challenges contractors are actively managing. 

The change also reflects how information is used in practice. Timely product updates and technical insights allow crews to respond more effectively to changing jobsite conditions, while consistent communication from a trusted manufacturer supports alignment across teams and projects. At the same time, incorporating company news and employee announcements adds a layer of continuity, helping contractors build familiarity with the representatives they work with and reinforcing professional relationships over time. 

As a result, the newsletter moves beyond its role as a periodic update. It becomes a reliable touchpoint that connects technical knowledge with the people behind it. For contractors managing rooftop systems exposed to wind uplift, vibration and ongoing environmental stress, that consistency can influence both performance and long-term reliability. 

By centering its content on real-world applications and the systems designed to address them, Anchor Products is creating a more focused way for contractors to stay connected, to the work, the solutions and the people supporting both. 

Learn more about staying connected with Anchor Products through updates on rooftop attachments, safety and performance!

By Jesse Sanchez. 

The growing case for stronger rooftop equipment attachment in today’s wind conditions. 

As wind events intensify across the country, Anchor Products is urging the roofing community to look beyond the membrane and focus on the equipment that often drives loss. On this episode of the Roofing Road Trips® podcast, Anchor Products’ Southeast regional manager, Harley Coleman, told host Karen Edwards that vulnerability to wind uplift is not confined to hurricane-prone coasts. While he lives and works in Florida, he stressed that every region has its own baseline risk. He stated, “I would say that it is applicable to every region and in the last couple of years at Anchor, I've certainly come to appreciate the impact of wind on regions outside of just the Southeast.” 

Harley pointed to the shifting footprint of severe weather. “If you look at a map of Tornado Alley, it is fascinating to me,” he said. “Back in the early 1900s, it's literally two or three states. And if you look at it now, it's almost encompassing 50% of the United States.” 

At the same time, rooftop equipment itself has evolved. Taller, lighter HVAC designs behave differently in high winds than the squat units many buildings were originally designed around. Harley said that in many markets he visits, “those units aren't attached, they're just floating.” 

A recent incident in Texas represented that risk. “April of this year, Dallas, Texas had just an afternoon thunderstorm,” he said. It was not a tornado, just a severe storm with 65 mile per hour winds. On one large facility, “we had a facility there that had a 15,000-pound unit that toppled off its curb and rolled across the roof,” Harley said. “This unit is 80 feet long, 10 feet wide.” 

The unit happened to roll in the same direction as the bar joists, which helped prevent a structural collapse, but the outcome could have been far worse. In response, the owner engaged Anchor Products to help redesign the attachment approach. “We went out and did a forensic walk on the roof, took some notes on the field conditions that were present and we put together a package using our U2400 anchors with our cable tie-down kits,” Harley said. An engineering partner validated the design against local codes and the damaged unit was replaced with a properly secured system. 

That one event is now driving broader change across the site. Harley shared that the owner is “putting together a proactive plan to remedy the rest of the units that weren't impacted by that directly but are sitting on the roof in the same manner as the one that blew off.” 

Harley expressed that real progress will require collaboration among roofing, mechanical and other rooftop trades, along with better specification language that calls out positive attachment from the start. 

Listen to the podcast to learn more about how smarter rooftop attachment can boost safety, meet today’s wind demands and open new opportunities for contractors!

By Emma Peterson. 

Join The Coffee Shops™ crew and our industry partners in Sacramento for four days of education, innovation and industry connection. 

The Coffee Shops™ crew is putting the finishing touches on our travel plans to get to Sacramento, California March 12–15, 2026 for the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants (IIBEC)’s International Convention and we want to see you at our booth and soundstage, sponsored by Western Colloid!  

This year’s show is predicted to host “1,700 consultants, architects, engineers, design professionals and other experts” for four days of learning, networking and more! With national sponsors like Carlisle, Elevate™, GAF, IB Roof Systems™, Johns Manville, Polyglass USA Inc., Sika Corporation, SOPREMA and Versico, this show is a must-attend for professionals in all parts of the roofing world.  

Expert-led education  

This show gives attendees a chance to learn from a variety of industry leaders and experts through their cutting-edge education sessions. Here are some of the incredible presenters that will be at this year’s show:  

• Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese will be hosting a “State of the Industry” session that will explore contract provisions and other emerging regulatory trends.  
• Darren Perry of SOPREMA has a session that discusses how low slope roofing can be enhanced in response to severe climate risks. 
• Amrize’s National Technical Manager Victor Rosenthal and Project Manager Rachael DeMeio will be teaching about trends in roof re-cover applications this year. 
• Jennifer Stephan from Benchmark’s session will dive into the world of Refrigerated Processing and Cold Storage Operations in relation to industrial roofing projects.  

Check out the full speaker list online!

An expo floor route 

The Coffee Shops crew will be on the expo floor hosting a soundstage at booth #1113! Here’s just a few of the other Coffee Shops friends and partners that can be found on IIBEC’s 2026 International Convention expo floor:  

• All Weather Insulated Panels (booth #1216) 
• Anchor Products (booth #907)  
• ATAS International (booth #728)  
• BITEC Inc. (booth #1023) 
• Brava Tile (booth #208) 
• CertainTeed (booth #227)  
• General Coatings Manufacturing (booth #926) 
• H.B. Fuller (booth #113) 
• ICP Building Solutions Group (booth #133) 
• IKO Industries (booth #426) 
• Leister (booth #619) 
• Malarkey Roofing Products (booth #213) 
• MuleHide (booth #814) 
• Roof Hugger (booth #707) 
• S-5! (booth #1019) 
• Sheffield Metals International (booth #625) 
• Sherwin Williams Roofing Solutions (booth #422) 
• Tremco (booth #321) 
• USG Securock (booth #401) 
• Western Colloid (booth #923) 
• Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions (booth #433) 

Explore the full expo floor map!

Register today and make sure you stop by to say hi to us and our industry friends at the IIBEC’s 2026 International Convention!

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

SPRI is helping move the roofing industry toward a safer, healthier and more supportive future for all.

The Single Ply Roofing Industry (SPRI) is continuing its commitment to workforce well-being through its active Mental Health Task Force. The objective is clear and urgent: to identify and implement opportunities and solutions for mental health support and suicide prevention across the roofing industry by leveraging SPRI’s membership and extensive professional networks. 

Chaired by Lynsey Hull, CEO of Tyelus, and Joel Stanley, CEO of Anchor Products, the task force brings together industry leaders who are passionate about creating safer, healthier workplaces. Their leadership is helping guide meaningful conversations and actionable strategies that support roofing professionals at every level. 

“The statistics for suicide in construction are unacceptable, as is the ongoing crisis of mental health, and we want to do something as the Single Ply Roofing Industry,” said Lynsey. “We believe we have the influence and channels to really help spread the message of mental health and suicide prevention. Our objective is to help the entire roofing industry.” 

Roofing is demanding work, physically and mentally. Long hours, high-risk environments, weather pressures, workforce shortages and the stress of running complex businesses can take a serious toll. The SPRI Mental Health Task Force recognizes that addressing mental health is not only a personal issue but also an industry responsibility that directly affects safety, productivity and long-term sustainability. Their efforts are focused on practical actions, including promoting accessible resources, encouraging open dialogue within companies and associations and helping leaders understand how to build cultures where mental health is treated with the same importance as physical safety. 

Additionally, SPRI has made it clear that mental health and suicide prevention are not concerns limited to the jobsite. They also impact professionals in manufacturing plants, corporate offices, distribution centers and leadership teams throughout the roofing industry. By broadening the conversation beyond the field, SPRI is reinforcing that every role matters and every individual deserves support. 

To strengthen its impact, SPRI is working closely with the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and its mental health and suicide prevention initiative. By aligning efforts, the organizations are focused on sharing resources, reducing stigma and ensuring consistent messaging that reaches contractors, manufacturers, designers and the entire building enclosure community. 

A key component of this collaboration is support for Be Tough Enough, an industry-recognized nonprofit dedicated to mental health education, awareness and suicide prevention within construction. Through education, training and peer-driven conversations, Be Tough Enough provides tools that help individuals recognize warning signs, start difficult conversations and connect with help when it is needed most. 

At the end of the day, mental health challenges affect every segment of roofing, from the jobsite to the boardroom. SPRI’s ongoing commitment sends a strong message that no one has to face these challenges alone and that the industry is stronger when it takes care of its people. Through collaboration with NRCA and support of Be Tough Enough, SPRI is helping move the roofing industry toward a safer, healthier and more supportive future for all. 

If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental health, 988 is a great resource. This is a phone line for people struggling with mental health and for those trying to support someone who is struggling.  

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Roofing professionals assemble nearly 700 snack packs for Tucson-area students. 

Community service continues to define the culture of the roofing industry and members of the Single Ply Roofing Industry (SPRI) demonstrated that commitment during this year’s annual meeting! Held February 13–15, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona, this meeting brought leading manufacturers and suppliers of single ply roofing systems together with the purpose of advancing technical standards, research and education across the commercial roofing industry. 

For the second consecutive year, the service project was sponsored by Tyelus, a strategic process architect firm that helps construction and manufacturing companies align people, process and technology to build scalable and sustainable growth. In partnership with JustServe, a national nonprofit that connects volunteers with meaningful community opportunities, SPRI organized a hands-on event assembling food care packages for children in a local school within the Marana Unified School District. 

Lynsey Hull and Ashley Thompsen of Tyelus worked alongside Joel and Calli Stanley of Anchor Products, a leading manufacturer of engineered roof attachment systems and components for commercial roofing, to coordinate the effort. Their collaboration ensured the project was organized and efficient while creating an experience that was impactful not only for the children it served but also for the SPRI members who participatedin assembling the food packs. 

JustServe’s model makes volunteer engagement simple and accessible for associations and industry groups, allowing participants to focus on the purpose behind the project. During the event, SPRI members assembled nearly 700 packs filled with quick meals, snack bars, fruit and other nutritious items. These packs will be distributed to children facing food insecurity in the Marana Unified School District, helping bridge meal gaps outside regular school hours. 

Calli Stanley shared during the event that showing up for the communities that host industry meetings is an important part of leadership. The spirit of teamwork and generosity was evident as members worked side by side, reinforcing the roofing industry’s strong culture of service. She emphasized why Tyelus continues to support the initiative:  

Community giving is not an add-on to what we do; it is a responsibility. When our industry gathers, we have an opportunity to leave a positive mark beyond business. Supporting projects like this allows us to invest directly in the communities that support us. When I heard that our donation would cover the kids for the rest of the school year plus some extra it was truly amazing to me. 

The service project was a powerful reminder that while innovation, education and advocacy are central to SPRI’s mission, giving back remains equally important. By combining collaboration with compassion, SPRI members once again proved that roofing is about more than roofing, it is about people.