Por Emma Peterson, traducido por Jessica Bravo.  

Un vistazo a las conexiones, conversaciones y el sentido de comunidad que se vivieron en FRSA 2026. 

A principios de junio, Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association (FRSA) celebró su esperada Convención y Expo. Considerado el evento regional de roofing más grande de Estados Unidos, reunió a cientos de expositores y miles de asistentes en el Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center de Kissimmee, Florida, para tres días de educación, networking y diversión. 

El evento comenzó con una Recepción de Bienvenida patrocinada por nuestros amigos de Adams and Reese, que incluyó comida y barra libre. Fue una excelente manera de marcar el inicio de la convención y prepararse para los días de actividad que estaban por venir. ¡Y vaya que fueron días ocupados! 

Hubo innumerables sesiones educativas y oportunidades de aprendizaje, entre las que destacaron la sesión Table Talks de National Women in Roofing (NWIR) y el Almuerzo de Negocios de FRSA. Además, los asistentes pudieron disfrutar de eventos como el Beer Bust, patrocinado por Mid-Atlantic Roofing Supply y GAF, así como de la tradicional Foundation Auction. Por supuesto, también estuvo presente la amplia área de exhibición comercial, donde empresas líderes como GenFlex, Gaco, Elevate, MetalVue, Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings, H.B. Fuller, Marco Industries y Progressive Metals, mostraron sus productos y servicios para que los asistentes los exploraran entre sesiones y actividades. 

The Coffee Shops™ también estuvo presente con varios miembros del equipo operando un escenario de entrevistas (patrocinado por TAMKO) ubicado en el lobby de la expo. Una de ellas fue Jessica Bravo, coordinadora de nuestro programa En Español quien compartió un poco sobre su experiencia: 

FRSA es una de mis ferias comerciales favoritas del año. Como se lleva a cabo durante el verano, tiene un ambiente muy familiar y siempre es agradable ver a tantas familias asistir juntas. Este año tuve la oportunidad de ayudar a operar el escenario de entrevistas. Sentada detrás del equipo, con audífonos conectados a los micrófonos, pude escuchar conversaciones y entrevistas realmente interesantes durante todo el evento. 

Nuestra presidenta, Heidi J. Ellsworth, también compartió algunos de los momentos más destacados de la semana, "El escenario patrocinado por TAMKO sirvió como punto de encuentro para las conversaciones de la industria durante todo el evento, albergando más de 30 entrevistas con contratistas, fabricantes, distribuidores, líderes de asociaciones y profesionales del roofing de toda Norteamérica. Además, realizamos dos ediciones completas de Coffee Conversations, donde paneles de expertos analizaron tendencias, desafíos y oportunidades clave que actualmente impactan a la industria del roofing." 

Si deseas ver algunas de esas conversaciones, están disponibles bajo demanda en el canal de YouTube de RoofersCoffeeShop®.

By Emma Peterson.  

A look at the connections, conversations and community at FRSA 2026. 

At the beginning of June, the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Association (FRSA) held their much-anticipated Convention and Expo. The biggest regional roofing show in the United States, the event saw hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees come together at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida for three days of education, networking and fun!  

The show kicked off with a Welcome Reception sponsored by our friends at Adams and Reese and featuring food along with an open bar. It was a great way to set the tone for the show and get ready for the business of the next few days. And the next few days were busy! 

There were countless education sessions and opportunities to attend, with highlights including the National Women in Roofing (NWIR)’s Table Talks session and the FRSA Business Luncheon, along with plenty of events to keep you busy, like the Beer Bust, sponsored by Mid-Atlantic Roofing Supply and GAF and the annual Foundation Auction. Not to mention the extensive trade show floor, featuring leading companies like GenFlex, Gaco, Elevate, MetalVue, Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings, H.B. Fuller, Marco Industries and Progressive Metals, that was waiting for attendees to explore between events and sessions. 

The Coffee Shops™ was in attendance with several crew members running a soundstage (sponsored by TAMKO) in the expo lobby. One such crew member, Jessica Bravo, our En Español program coordinator, shared a bit about the experience: 

FRSA is one of my favorite trade shows of the year. Since it takes place during the summer, it has a great family friendly atmosphere and it's always nice to see so many families attending together... This year, I had the opportunity to help run the soundstage. Sitting behind the equipment with headphones connected to the microphones, I was able to listen in on some truly great conversations and interviews throughout the event. 

Our president, Heidi J. Ellsworth, shared some highlights from the week, saying, “The TAMKO-sponsored sound stage served as a hub for industry conversations throughout the event, hosting more than 30 interviews with contractors, manufacturers, distributors, association leaders and roofing professionals from across North America. In addition, two full-length Coffee Conversations brought together expert panels to discuss key trends, challenges and opportunities impacting the roofing industry today.” 

If you want to check out some of those conversations, they are available on demand via the RoofersCoffeeShop® YouTube channel!

By Gaco. 

The project showcases how the right coating system can enhance safety while minimizing operational disruption in demanding urban settings. 

When protective coatings begin to fail, even routine foot and vehicle traffic can create serious safety and maintenance challenges for property owners. That was the case at Montefiore Hutchinson Campus Medical Center, a busy Bronx medical campus where worn surfaces and water intrusion threatened daily operations and increased liability concerns. To restore reliability and improve protection across walkways and drive lanes, the facility turned to Gaco and its GacoPoly Elasto-Deck 6500 system, a high-performance waterproof traffic coating engineered for demanding environments. 

What problem did Gaco help the building owner address? 

The Montefiore Hutchinson Campus Medical Center, located in the Bronx, faced critical issues with its pedestrian walkways, driveways and walls, totaling 12,000 square feet. The existing 15-year-old coating system had deteriorated, leading to peeling and smooth surfaces that significantly increased the risk of slips and falls. Additionally, water infiltration was affecting the parking garage below, further compromising the safety and function of the space. With over a million vehicles passing through the driveway annually — ambulances, personal vehicles and wheelchair-accessible vans — the risks and wear on the system were growing by the day. 

How did Gaco and the contractor help solve the problem? 

GacoPoly Elasto-Deck 6500 two component, aliphatic waterproof system was chosen to address the challenges. A Gaco licensed applicator, J&E Paving Waterproofing, expertly executed the project, which included: 

• 2,500 square feet of pedestrian walkway 
• 8,500 square feet of driveway 
• 1,000 square feet of walls. 

The installation was completed in just 21 days during an ideal temperature window in the Northeast. The solution included a two-color system to clearly delineate sidewalks and driveways for vehicle and pedestrian safety. 

What made GacoPoly Elasto-Deck 6500 especially suitable for this project? 

The urban environment and high traffic volumes of the medical center demanded a durable, non-skid coating. GacoPoly Elasto-Deck 6500’s quick-curing, low VOC and low-odor properties were perfect for minimizing disruption in this busy area. Additionally, the waterproofing system protected the concrete from further water intrusion and deterioration, essential for the unpredictable Northeast climate. 

How did Gaco help the facility owner drive down costs and reduce risks? 

By addressing slip-and-fall liabilities and water infiltration, the Elasto-Deck 6500 system improved safety and minimized maintenance costs. The fast installation timeline kept the project within budget, even with the additional security and traffic rerouting expenses. The high-performing coating ensures long-term durability, protects against wear and tear from heavy traffic flow and provides peace of mind for building owners and property managers. 

How can Gaco help our contractors earn more business? 

This project demonstrates the reliability and efficiency of GacoPoly Elasto-Deck 6500 in high-traffic urban environments. Its combination of fast installation, affordability and safety enhancements makes it an ideal solution for medical facilities and other high-use properties. The success of this project highlights how GacoPoly products can restore and protect aging systems, leading to longer lifespans and lower maintenance costs. 

What about this project highlights the hands-on approach of Gaco’s team of experts? 

From start to finish, Gaco’s team coordinated closely with the contractor and building owner to ensure the project’s success. Clear communication between all parties was key to delivering exceptional results within a tight timeline. 

Original article and photo source: Gaco

By Jenny Yu.  

The Durham-based event combined networking, product innovation and a NASCAR-inspired experience. 

The 2026 Carolinas Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (CRSMCA) Mid-Winter Roofing Expo brought energy and connection to historic Durham, North Carolina, with a NASCAR-inspired theme. The annual event drew several hundred contractors and exhibitors for a day of networking, education and innovation.  

The racing theme was immediately evident with black-and-white checkered decor and a mini-NASCAR racetrack on the show floor, giving attendees a chance to test their driving skills between booth visits. “I tried it, and it was a lot harder than it looked!” Karen Edwards of The Coffee Shops™ stated.   

Karen connected with several industry partners and conducted interviews to spotlight emerging products and solutions. Conversations with representatives from APOC, Climatile and Gaco highlighted advancements in coatings, roofing systems and performance-driven technologies aimed at solving real-world challenges for contractors. Check out the playlist to watch the interviews from this year’s event.

“The exhibitors were showcasing the latest and greatest in their product offerings for contractors, while the contractors in attendance were eager to learn about what's new and what could help them make a difference in their business,” Karen shared.  

To further encourage engagement, organizers introduced a bingo-style card that invited contractors to visit each exhibitor's booth to enter a prize drawing lottery. Several enticing rewards prompted attendees to join in the fun, with most eyes on the themed prize: NASCAR tickets. 

All in all, the Mid-Winter Roofing Expo was successful, fostering meaningful conversations and connections between manufacturers and contractors.  

Learn more about the Carolinas Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association and what they have in store for the rest of 2026!

By Elevate. 

Find solutions for all parts of the building envelope at the IRE 2026 Amrize booths.

Amrize offers one of the most comprehensive building envelope portfolios in North America, bringing together solutions that span concrete and building materials through advanced roofing, insulation, waterproofing and wall systems.

Foundation to rooftop solutions on display include:

• High-performance roofing systems from Elevate, including  the new and innovative MAX PVC 
• Waterproofing and coatings solutions from Gaco
• Commercial roofing systems and contractor pathways from GenFlex
• Sustainable, high-performance residential roofing from Malarkey
• Custom-fabricated commercial roofing systems from Duro-Last

Guided International Roofing Expo (IRE) booth walkthroughs are available - just let us know what you’re interested in so we can ensure the proper representatives are available for you. 

New product highlights and live demonstrations

Brand representatives will be available to walk through key product areas, with emphasis on the following highlights:

Elevate: MAX PVC

Engineered for maximum durability and resilience in demanding environments, the new MAX PVC is a top choice for data centers, airports and manufacturing facilities. A MAX PVC system for data center applications will be featured in the Innovative Product Showcase and Awards area, and live puncture resistance testing will take place in the booth as part of Elevate’s product demonstration programming.

Elevate: In-booth product demonstrations

A dedicated demo stage within the Elevate booth footprint will host live demonstrations in English and Spanish throughout the show. Sessions include MAX PVC puncture resistance testing, Twin Jet Y spatter application, self-adhered systems, fleece recover solutions, metal retrofit systems and more. Please let us know if you’d like to see the specific schedule. 

Gaco: Waterproofing and coatings

Gaco will showcase its unified portfolio of silicone, urethane and acrylic systems, along with metal roof repair and waterproofing solutions. Reps can also explain Gaco’s licensed applicator program and contractor incentives that support consistent installation quality and system performance.

Additional product walkthroughs across the Amrize Building Envelope portfolio are available upon request.

Educational sessions and exhibitor presentations

Amrize Building Envelope and brand spokespeople will be leading several conference sessions and exhibitor presentations, offering high-level perspective and practical, jobsite-focused education. Please let us know if you’re interested in any of the following, and we’ll be happy to share the locations of the presentations. 

IRE conference presentations

• Beyond the Roof: Building Envelope Integration for Growth
  Tuesday, January 20 | 8:15–9:15 a.m. PT
  Presenters: Rachel Garcia and Stephanie Gssime
• Entendiendo el PVC: No escatime en la malla | Más malla, menos falla (Spanish-language session
  Wednesday, January 21 | 8:30–9:30 a.m. PT
  Presenter: Alan Diaz
• Best Practices in Commercial Roofing: Solutions for Common and Unique Applications
  Wednesday, January 21 | 9:45–10:45 a.m. PST
  Presenters: Jacqueline LaDuke and Charles Allen

IRE exhibitor presentation sessions

• EPDM: Low Slope Roofing Solutions for Solving Real World Challenges
  Wednesday, January 21 | 12:30–1:15 p.m. PT
  Presenter: Matt Michalski
• Reducing Roofing Labor with Innovative Products and Systems
  Wednesday, January 21 | 2:30–3:15 p.m. PT
  Presenters: Christian Hartwig and Chris Meyer 

By Emma Peterson. 

Join Marlin Fishe, Bridget Wilson, Jorge Rodriguez and countless other professionals at the industry’s only tradeshow dedicated to the concrete and masonry industries 

Recently, The Coffee Shops™ partnered up with Tremco to give away a few World of Concrete Education Super Passes! These passes give attendees access to countless World of Concrete areas, activities and events, including:  

• The show floor: Education Super Passes come with access to the incredible World of Concrete trade show floor! This is a great opportunity for professionals to connect with their peers and see the newest innovations in the roofing world. The Coffee Shops crew will be there (South Hall Lobby) as well as many of our industry partners, like JobTread (N1568), Sika (S10215), Gaco (S13207) and ICP (O31609). Explore the show map!
• Education opportunities: As the name implies, attendees with Education Super Passes get access to learning sessions at the show! From talks about best business practices to technical seminars and industry certification events, World of Concrete has something to elevate every professional’s knowledge. Learn more!
• Networking events: In between education sessions and exploring the show floor, World of Concrete hosts a variety of events that will give you the opportunity to make business-boosting partnerships. Check out the whole list of events online.

So, who will be in Las Vegas, Nevada from January 19 to 22 thanks to The Coffee Shops and Tremco World of Concrete giveaway? Marlin Fishe, Bridget Wilson and Jorge Rodriguez!  

Marlin is the VP of field service for Capital Roof Care and Capital Coating; while Bridget is the president of Cardinal Roofing; and Jorge is the owner of J Rodriguez Concrete Contractors LLC. Congratulations to all three of them! 

The giveaway might be closed, but you can still get last minute passes!

By HER Roofing. 

HER Roofing blended modern materials with historic sensitivity on a demanding cone roof project.

It was early November 2024 when HER Roofing signed the contract to roof the Settlemier House, in Woodburn, Oregon. Built in 1892, the historic house had wood shakes and needed to be converted to composition shingles. The installation had to wait until spring 2025 because a large shake tear-off on a historic home in the Pacific Northwest had weather challenges. 

Roofing the Settlemier house was not an easy task. The most noticeable feature of the house was the 50-foot-tall cone roof that needed plywood, and inside the cone roof lived a fairly large family of bats. The roof removal and sheathing took two days. Once the roof was removed, a section of wooden gutter below the cone was exposed and found to be damaged by rot. HER Roofing immediately looked for a source to furnish a new section of curved wooden gutter. In the meantime, plywood had to be scored to curve around the cone roof. Once the roof had plywood, HER Roofing installed Malarkey Arctic Seal down valleys and penetrations. Then, APOC Weather-Armor underlayment on the rest of the roof.  

The new section of curved gutter had to be templated twice by the manufacturer, and it took six weeks to make. But the new gutter was beautiful in raw form, and the installation appeared to have no seams. The property owner chose Malarkey Legacy in Black Oak for the roof. An 80-foot lift was rented to safely roof around the cone. Once the roof was installed, HER Roofing began restoration of the old wooden gutters; the gutters were stripped and patched before a new copper metal lining was installed. Once the lining was in place, Gaco S4200 Silicone was used to coat the inside of the gutter. Next, new metal downspouts were installed.  

The final touch was the restored copper spire that sat atop the cone. The new roof took about one and a half weeks, and the new gutter took about two months (including manufacturing the new curved section). Overall, HER Roofing has a roof to be proud of with a happy customer.  

“HER Roofing did a fantastic job on what was a challenging roof. Their professionalism and attention to detail were appreciated. Jana and her crew are top-notch notch" says Daniel Dinges, Settlemier property owner.

By Emma Peterson. 

Nominated for an SPFA National Industry Excellence Award, this project balanced safety, precision and food-grade compliance. 

For the last four years, the Spray Polyeurathane Foam Alliance (SPFA) has highlighted incredible projects from around the industry through their National Industry Excellence Awards. These awards showcase the talent of SPFA members in a variety of different categories, including Building Enclosure Under 40,000 Square Feet, Building Enclosure Over 40,000 Square Feet, SPF Roof Under 40,000 Square Feet, SPF Roof Over 40,000 Square Feet, Specialty Applications, Elastomeric Roof Coatings, Concrete Lifting and Small Business. 

Today, we’re highlighting one of the projects that made it to the final two for the 2025 awards in the specialty applications category – Spray-Tec, Inc’s work on the Harrison Harvesting Cooler Insulation in Carlisle, Kentucky! Spray-Tec has been serving the Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio region since 1990 as a leader in spray-applied systems for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings.  

For this 21,000 square foot project, Spray-Tec's three installers (Carlos Garcia, Juan Loa, Gilberto Morales) had some unique factors to consider. Their job was to add insulation to the cooler, but as this was a food processing facility, it was key to make sure everything remained food safe. To do this, their team was careful to mask around the chiller's perimeter edges to prevent overspray and contamination. They also made sure to keep their work as contained as possible, while also making use of PPE, respirators and powerful ventilation systems to make sure the Harrison facility could stay operational.  

Overall, it took them 18 days on site to put down an E5320 Epoxy Primer, then install the Gaco Roof Foam and add a NoBurn Intumescent Coating on top. The result for the Harrison facility? They can rest easy now that they have a fully adhered insulation assembly. The use of spray foam not only eliminated seams that can be weak points in the air and vapor barrier (leading to condensation issues), but it also is helping Harrison ensure they are running in accordance with USDA regulations. 

Check out some more incredible projects that were highlighted in the 2025 National Industry Excellence Awards.

Image source: Spray-Tec, Inc

Amrize to be the partner of choice for North America's professional builders as the 100% spin-off from Holcim is completed.

Amrize announces its debut today as an independent, publicly traded company with the completion of its 100% spin-off from Holcim. Amrize shares will begin trading today on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol “AMRZ.” 

Amrize is building North America, as the partner of choice for professional builders with advanced branded solutions from foundation to rooftop. With over 1,000 sites and a highly efficient distribution network, Amrize delivers for its customers in every U.S. state and Canadian province. Its 19,000 teammates uniquely serve every construction market from infrastructure, commercial and residential to new build, repair and refurbishment. 

Jan Jenisch, Amrize chairman and CEO: “This is an exciting day for all our teammates across North America as we begin our journey together as Amrize. As an independent, publicly traded company, Amrize will capitalize on North America’s attractive construction market driven by long term mega-trends from infrastructure modernization and onshoring of manufacturing to data center expansion and the opportunity to bridge the housing gap. With our track record of profitable growth, market-leading operations and broad range of advanced building solutions, we are ideally positioned to be the partner of choice for the professional builders of North America and to unlock value for all stakeholders.

“It has been a privilege to be part of Holcim since 2017 and I thank the entire Holcim team for their outstanding performance and contributions over the years, including the exceptional execution of our spin-off creating two distinct, independent champions. I wish the Holcim team every success as they begin their next chapter.”

The spin-off is completed via the distribution of a dividend-in-kind of one Amrize share for every Holcim share owned as of the close of business on June 20, 2025. 

In 2024, Amrize generated $11.7 billion in revenue, a 13% CAGR from 2021; and achieved $3.2 billion in Adjusted EBITDA1, a 16% CAGR since 2021, with an overall 27% Adjusted EBITDA Margin2. The company generated $1.7 billion in Free Cash Flow3 in 2024, a 15% CAGR since 2021, and has consistently delivered Adjusted EBITDA Cash Conversion Ratio4 of more than 50% each year. The company has completed 36 acquisitions since 2018. 

Amrize presented its business strategy and mid-term financial targets at its investor day in New York on March 25. Now an independent, publicly traded company, Amrize will continue to deliver superior performance and value creation with above market growth, margin expansion and leading cash generation. It will pursue a growth-focused strategy with capital allocation prioritizing investments in the business, value accretive M&A and superior shareholder returns. 

Company leaders will mark the milestone by ringing the NYSE opening bell today at 9:30 am ET. Amrize leaders will then visit sites across the U.S. and Canada to celebrate and thank teammates. 

About Amrize

Amrize (NYSE: AMRZ) is building North America, as the partner of choice for professional builders with advanced branded solutions from foundation to rooftop. With over 1,000 sites and a highly efficient distribution network, we deliver for our customers in every U.S. state and Canadian province. Our 19,000 teammates uniquely serve every construction market from infrastructure, commercial and residential to new build, repair and refurbishment. Amrize achieved $11.7 billion in revenue in 2024 and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the SIX Swiss Exchange.  We are ready to build your ambition.

By Emma Peterson. 

200 HVAC units and counting! Learn how this team navigated unique challenges when restoring this dormitory roof.  

Every year the Spray Polyeurathane Foam Alliance (SPFA) hosts the National Industry Excellence Awards. These awards honor SPFA contractor members for their innovative projects from the year prior. Divided into seven different categories, projects are judged on “exceptional quality work, the uniqueness of their project, speed of application, ability to solve special problems and challenges and special safety considerations.” Since the announcement of the winners, The Coffee Shops have shared an inside look into each category winner, showcasing the hard work and talent that went into each project. Let’s take a closer look at the 2025 Elastomeric Roof Coatings category, Spray-Tec, Inc. 

Spray-Tec has been serving Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio since the 1990s. They specialize in spray-applied systems for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings. For their 2025 award-winning project, Spray-Tec sent out a 6-person team (Mariano Perez, Javier Herrera, Edwin Morales, Melvin Lutin, Gilberto Morales and Pedro Morales) to the University of Louisville’s Bettie Johnson Hall. When assessing the 58,000 square foot roof, the team faced a few challenges, including working around 200+ HVAC units. While it was a challenge, they embraced this obstacle and found ways to work around it. The team would lift each individual unit, spray around it and set it back down on slip sheets. They then utilized GacoFlex SF2036 WalkPad to mark out walkways for their contractors to navigate.  

In addition to their challenges navigating the roof, the hall, which is a student dormitory, needed to stay open for the college students who lived there over the course of the project. This was a unique challenge, but by the end of the 48 days that the team spent on site, they had become friends with the students (to the point that we heard tale of some light-hearted pranking!). In the end, the team was able to cut out the original EPDM on the roof, tear out the damaged materials, replace the EPDM and seal it all while the dorm stayed open and operational.  

Now, the hall has a fresh Gaco coating that not only seals it from weather intrusions but also gives it a “cool roof status” that makes it far more energy efficient. And the university isn’t only saving money on energy in the long run; they also saved tens-of-thousands of dollars because the Spray-Tec team was able to restore the roof instead of simply replacing it.  

See the full list of 2025 SPFA Industry Award winners online!