Por Emma Peterson, traducido por Alberto Torres. 

¡La Semana Nacional del Roofing 2026 se llevará a cabo del 7 al 13 de junio y es el momento perfecto para mostrar tu orgullo por la industria del roofing! 

Cada año, la National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) organiza un evento llamado National Roofing Week. El objetivo de esta iniciativa es crear conciencia sobre el “papel esencial que desempeñan los techos y los contratistas profesionales de roofing en cada comunidad.” 

¿Cómo puedes participar? ¡Es muy sencillo: comparte tu historia! NRCA invita a los profesionales de toda la industria a compartir fotos y videos utilizando el hashtag #NationalRoofingWeek2026. Además, han creado una guía temática para cada día de la semana: 

• Domingo: Inicio de la National Roofing Week 
• Lunes: Proyectos destacados — comparte fotos mostrando los proyectos residenciales y comerciales más representativos de tu empresa. 
• Martes: Proyectos comunitarios — comparte imágenes que muestren las iniciativas benéficas o de apoyo a la comunidad realizadas por tu empresa. 
• Miércoles: Reconocimiento al equipo — comparte fotos de los colaboradores de tu empresa. 
• Jueves: Capacitación del equipo — comparte imágenes que demuestren cómo capacitan a sus trabajadores. 
• Viernes: Celebración — comparte fotos mostrando cómo tu empresa celebró la National Roofing Week. 
• Sábado: Cierre y resumen de la semana. 

Participar en redes sociales no solo ayuda a fortalecer la comunidad y brinda la oportunidad de destacar el increíble trabajo de tu equipo, también contribuye a dar mayor visibilidad a la industria y al papel fundamental que desempeñan los profesionales del roofing en la protección de personas y propiedades. ¿Quieres ir un paso más allá? ¡Consigue camisetas de National Roofing Week para tu equipo! Las existencias son limitadas, así que ordénalas cuanto antes. 

La edición de este año de National Roofing Week es posible gracias al apoyo de varios patrocinadores de la industria: International Roofing Expo, Georgia-Pacific Building Products, Hanover Architectural Products, SRS Distribution, Roofing Alliance, SOPREMA, OMG Roofing Products y TuffWrap. 

Más información en www.nrca.net/news-events/national-roofing-week. 

Asphalt roofing facilities across North America recognized for workplace safety.

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) has completed its annual Accident Prevention Contest and is proud to recognize 82 asphalt roofing manufacturing facilities for their workplace safety, specifically low incident rates among workers.

Facilities that entered the 2025 Accident Prevention Contest were judged based on ARMA criteria derived from the standards set by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This information is gathered through quarterly safety data reports from the past calendar year.

“We are proud of the commitment that ARMA members have to a safe work environment for all employees,” said ARMA’s executive vice president Reed Hitchcock. “These facilities continue to maintain high standards in plant health and safety.”

Every year, ARMA’s manufacturer members are invited to participate in the Accident Prevention Contest by submitting data from their entire company, a specific division or an individual plant or mill in North America. Winners are honored in four different categories with a “perfect” score, meaning that zero safety incidents were recorded.

President’s Award: Recognizing the plant in each contest category with the best score over a two-year period.

• Group A: GAF (Shingle) – Shafter, California – 5 stars
• Group B: Atlas Roofing Corporation – Daingerfield, Texas – 3 stars
• Group C: Amrize – Beech Grove, Indiana – 1 star
• Group D: SOPREMA – Chilliwack, British Columbia – 1 star

Award of Excellence: Recognizing plants with three consecutive years of a “perfect” score (that are not recipients of the President’s Award).

• Owens Corning – Compton, California
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Denver, Colorado
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Kearny, New Jersey
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Linnton, Oregon
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Medina, Ohio
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Memphis, Tennessee
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• TAMKO Building Products – Ennis, Texas
• TAMKO Building Products – Green Cove Springs, Florida
• Tarco Roofing – North Little Rock, Arkansas

Perfect Employee Safety Certificate: Recognizing plants with a “perfect” score for the reporting year.

• Atlas Roofing Corporation – Clinton, Iowa
• Building Products of Canada – LaSalle, Quebec, Canada
• CertainTeed – Jonesburg, Missouri
• GAF – Ennis, Texas (Shingle)
• GAF – Fontana, California
• Johns Manville – Plattsburgh, New York
• Johns Manville – South Gate, California
• Malarkey Roofing Products – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Owens Corning – Compton, California
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Compton, California
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Denver, Colorado
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Irving, Texas
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Kearny, New Jersey
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Linnton, Oregon
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Medina, Ohio
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Memphis, Tennessee
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Polyglass USA – Phoenix, Arizona
• Polyglass USA – Waco, Texas
• SOPREMA – Walsworth, Ohio
• TAMKO Building Products – Ennis, Texas
• TAMKO Building Products – Green Cove Springs, Florida
• TAMKO Building Products – Phillipsburg, Kansas
• Tarco Roofing – North Little Rock, Arkansas

Certificate of Safety Improvement: Recognizing plants that demonstrated an improvement of at least 25% over their previous year’s performance.

• Atlas Roofing Corporation – Meridian, Mississippi
• Building Products of Canada – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
• Building Products of Canada – LaSalle, Quebec, Canada
• CertainTeed – Fremont, California
• CertainTeed – Jonesburg, Missouri
• CertainTeed – Little Rock, Arkansas
• CertainTeed – Norwood, Massachusetts
• CertainTeed – Oxford, North Carolina
• GAF – Baltimore, Maryland
• GAF – Dallas, Texas
• GAF – Ennis, Texas (Shingle)
• GAF – Michigan City, Indiana
• GAF – Mt. Vernon, Indiana
• GAF – Savannah, Georgia
• GAF – Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Johns Manville – Plattsburgh, New York
• Johns Manville – South Gate, California
•  IKO Midwest – Kankakee, Illinois
•  IKO Pacific – Sumas, Washington
• IKO Southeast – Sylacauga, Alabama
• IKO Southwest – Hillsboro, Texas
• Malarkey Roofing Products – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Malarkey Roofing Products – Portland, Oregon
•  Malarkey Roofing Products – Southgate, California
• Owens Corning – Atlanta, Georgia
• Owens Corning – Brentwood, New Hampshire
• Owens Corning – Denver, Colorado
•  Owens Corning – Houston, Texas
• Owens Corning – Memphis, Tennessee
• Owens Corning – Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Compton, California
• Owens Corning (Asphalt) – Irving, Texas
• Polyglass USA – Fernley, Nevada
• Polyglass USA – Waco, Texas
• SOPREMA – Gulfport, Mississippi
• SOPREMA – Wadsworth, Ohio
• TAMKO Building Products – Columbus, Kansas
• TAMKO Building Products – Frederick, Maryland
• TAMKO Building Products – Joplin, Missouri – High
• TAMKO Building Products – Knoxville, Tennessee
• TAMKO Building Products – Phillipsburg, Kansas
• TAMKO Building Products – Tuscaloosa, Alabama

ARMA extends congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients.

About ARMA

The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association (ARMA) is a trade association representing North America’s asphalt roofing manufacturing companies and their raw material suppliers. The association includes the majority of North American manufacturers of asphalt shingles and asphalt low slope roof membrane systems. Committed to advances in the asphalt roofing industry, ARMA is proud of the role it plays in promoting asphalt roofing to those in the building industry and to the public.

By Emma Peterson. 

National Roofing Week 2026 will be June 7-13 and it’s the perfect time to show your roofing pride! 

Each year, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) hosts an event called National Roofing Week. The goal of this event is to raise awareness of the “essential role roofs and professional roofing contractors play in every community.” 

How do you participate? It’s as simple as sharing your story! NRCA invites professionals across the industry to share photos and videos through the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag. NRCA has created a week-long guide of themes to post about:  

• Sunday: National Roofing Week kickoff 
• Monday: Signature projects — share photos showcasing your company’s signature residential and commercial projects 
• Tuesday: Charitable projects — share photos that demonstrate your company’s charitable giving 
• Wednesday: Employee appreciation — share photos of your company’s employees 
• Thursday: Employee training — share photos that demonstrate how you train your workers 
• Friday: Celebration — share photos showing us how your company celebrated National Roofing Week 
• Saturday: Wrap-up 

Not only does participating through social media help build community and give you an opportunity to brag about your incredible team, but it also helps raise visibility of the industry and the critical role roofing professionals play in protecting people and properties. Want to go the extra mile in support? Get your crews National Roofing Week T-shirts! Supplies are limited, so order soon! 

This year’s National Roofing Week is made possible by a variety of industry sponsors: International Roofing Expo, Georgia-Pacific Building Products, Hanover Architectural Products, SRS Distribution, Roofing Alliance, SOPREMA, OMG Roofing Products and Tuffwrap. 

Learn more at www.nrca.net/news-events/national-roofing-week. 

By Jenny Yu.  

Contractors will gain practical insights from leading experts while connecting with top manufacturers and suppliers. 

The Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA) is hosting its 104th Convention & Expo from June 10-12, 2026, at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in in Kissimmee, Florida. With a strong lineup of sponsors and an educational program packed with timely topics, this year’s event is set to provide contractors with practical insights and valuable networking opportunities. 

A wide range of industry leaders are lending their support for the event, underscoring its importance across the roofing and metal construction sectors. Platinum sponsors include Eagle Roofing Products, ABC Supply and TAMKO®; while gold sponsors CertainTeed LLC, Polyglass and SOPREMA further highlight the depth of industry participation. Additional support from emerald sponsor Adams & Reese LLP; sapphire sponsors BITEC, Drexel Metals, MetalForming LLC and Sika Corporation; silver sponsor SRS Building Products; bronze sponsors Duro-Last®, IB Roof Systems™, PAC-CLAD Petersen and Roof Hugger; and affiliate sponsor, Roofing Contractors Association of South Florida (RCASF), reinforce the event’s focus on innovation, performance and contractor success. 

Educational sessions 

Education remains the cornerstone of the convention, with sessions designed to address today’s most pressing challenges in the industry while providing attendees with opportunities to earn CE credits. Legal and compliance topics are a hot topic with multiple sessions led by Trent Cotney, RoofersCoffeeShop® Influencer and partner at Adams & Reese LLP, including: 

• “Building an OSHA Inspection SOP” - Wednesday, June 10, 8:00 a.m. 
• “Roofing Legal, Labor and Policy Trends” - Wednesday, June 10, 12:30 p.m. and Friday, June 12, 7:00 a.m. 
• “Artificial Intelligence in Roofing” - Thursday, June 11, 7:00 a.m. 
• “ICE Raids and I-9 Audit Defense” - Thursday, June 11, 8:15 a.m. and Friday, June 12, 8:15 a.m. 

These sessions will provide contractors with actionable guidance on navigating regulations, mitigating risk and adapting to emerging technologies.  

Business operations are also a key focus. John Kenney, Influencer of The Coffee Shops™ and CEO of Cotney Consulting Group, will lead “Estimating for Small Business” on Wednesday, June 10, at 9:15 a.m. and Thursday, June 11, at 7:00 a.m., offering practical strategies to improve accuracy and profitability for contractors of all sizes. Meanwhile, Chad Westbrook, founder of Service Alignment, will present “Documenting a Roofing Project” on Thursday, June 11, at 9:30 a.m. and Friday, June 12, at 7:00 a.m., helping attendees strengthen processes that support accountability, communication and long-term project success. 

Additional sessions cover critical issues including Florida Building Code updates, metal roofing best practices and safety topics such as heat illness prevention. The “SkillsUSA: Build a Workforce Pipeline” session on Thursday, June 11, at 9:30 a.m., will also highlight strategies for developing the next generation of roofers, a growing priority for contractors facing ongoing workforce shortages. Together, these seminars provide well-rounded education opportunities tailored to both roofing and sheet metal professionals.  

Register to reserve your spot and take full advantage of everything the 104th FRSA Convention & Expo has to offer!

Up to five $5,000 scholarships available for students pursuing careers in building envelope and construction-related fields.

SOPREMA, a global leader in roofing, waterproofing and building envelope solutions, is now accepting applications for its annual SOPREMA Scholarship Program, reinforcing the company’s commitment to investing in the next generation of building industry professionals.

The SOPREMA Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in architecture, engineering, construction management or related fields aligned with the building envelope and construction industries. Up to five (5) scholarships of $5,000 each will be awarded nationwide.

“Our industry depends on innovative, passionate professionals,” said Jen Grisez, director of marketing. “Through the SOPREMA Scholarship Program, we are proud to support students who are committed to advancing sustainability, performance and innovation in construction.”

Scholarship eligibility & requirements

Applicants must be:

• A high school senior, graduate or current undergraduate or graduate student
• Enrolled or planning to enroll full-time at an accredited college or university
• Pursuing a degree related to architecture, engineering, construction management or a building envelope–focused field

The application includes:

• A two-part essay (1,000–1,500 words total)
• Two instructor references
• An unofficial transcript
• Expected graduation date

Scholarship recipients are selected based on academic achievement, career goals and their vision for the future of the building industry.

Application deadline

Completed applications must be submitted by May 31.

Students may reapply in future years as long as eligibility requirements are met. SOPREMA employees and their family members are not eligible.

Full eligibility details and the online application are available at: https://www.soprema.us/soprema-scholarship-program

About SOPREMA

SOPREMA delivers high-performance solutions for roofing, waterproofing, wall protection and civil engineering, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, sustainability and product excellence. The comprehensive building envelope portfolio includes SBS and APP-modified bitumen, PMMA/PMA liquid-applied membranes, synthetic PVC membranes, STPE and PU sealants and adhesives, air and vapor barriers, below-grade waterproofing, vegetative roofing and indoor SOPRANATURE BioWall solutions, silicone and acrylic roof coatings and accessories. With a legacy of proven performance, SOPREMA sets the standard for durability and reliability in the building industry.

By Emma Peterson. 

Furbish’s hydroponic living wall system brings cleaner air, calming energy and sustainable design to the heart of downtown Cleveland’s nightlife.  

In the heart of downtown Cleveland, Ohio, sits the JACK Casino. JACK Casino opened in 2012 and was Ohio’s first full-service casino. Located inside the historic Higbee Building, the property features more than 1,100 slot machines, more than 100 table games, multiple bars, a seven-station buffet (that has been voted Northeast Ohio’s best buffet) and three fast-casual dining outlets. With approximately 1,500 team members, the JACK Casino has quickly become an iconic part of the Cleveland nightlife scene. And greeting each and every visitor to the space in the main atrium are two living walls.  

The living walls 

A newer addition to JACK Casino, the living walls were a part of a more recent renovation to the casino. Designed into the space by KA Architecture, these walls and the lush greenery that lives on them create a showstopping entrance for the casino.  

They sit in the main atrium entrance and the east lobby and cover a combined 3,400 square feet. This makes them one of the largest hydroponic living walls in the country. The stunning nature of this design has been recognized for its brilliance, with the installation being named by BUILD Magazine as “Best in Living Systems Design & Installation – USA and USA Commercial Project of the Year 2018: Thistledown Atrium Lobby – BioWall Living Wall in the category of Sustainable Building.” 

Behind the BioWall 

These walls were installed by contractor Whiting Turner and engineered by the expert team at Furbish, a SOPREMA Group Company. Specifically, the product used in JACK Casino was Furbish’s  SOPRANATURE® BioWall. These are ultra-thin, hydroponic living walls that not only create a stunning aesthetic, but also bring functional benefits such as:  

• Improved air quality: The plants living and growing on the BioWall naturally filter the surrounding air, removing pollutants and creating a healthier space.  
• Calming atmosphere: Studies have found that meaningful contact with nature, like being around the biophilic design of a BioWall, boosts mental health. 
• Effective and efficient: Covered by a full warranty, BioWalls are nutrient and dimensionally stable. This means that they are low maintenance, making care more efficient and reducing energy/water demand.  

Learn more about Furbish’s BioWalls online!

Under Tim Kersey, SOPREMA U.S. grew more than sixfold, completed four strategic acquisitions and advanced plans for new U.S.-based manufacturing facilities to support long-term growth and customer demand.

SOPREMA U.S. announced a planned leadership transition effective July 1, marking the next chapter in the company’s continued growth and investment in the North American market. After more than 14 years as chief executive officer, Tim Kersey will step down from the CEO role to prioritize time with his family in Arkansas, while remaining deeply engaged with the organization as chief technical officer.

During his tenure, Kersey played a central role in shaping SOPREMA U.S.’s culture of safety, excellence and continuous improvement while leading significant business expansion. Under his leadership, the U.S. organization grew more than sixfold, completed four strategic acquisitions and advanced plans for new U.S.-based manufacturing facilities to support long-term growth and customer demand.

In his new role as chief technical officer, Kersey will leverage his deep technical expertise and executive experience to strengthen technical selling efforts, support key strategic initiatives and continue serving as an industry ambassador for SOPREMA U.S. He will also act as a technical and strategic resource to senior leadership.

Greg Morgan, currently chief operating officer, has been appointed chief executive officer of SOPREMA U.S., effective July 1. Morgan joined SOPREMA in 2000 and brings more than 25 years of experience with the organization. As COO, he has led critical areas of the business including operations, supply chain, inventory management, warehousing and elements of the sales organization.

With more than three decades of experience in the building materials industry, Morgan brings a practical, hands-on leadership approach shaped by operational and industry expertise. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and business, an MBA in international business and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

As CEO, Morgan will continue to build on SOPREMA U.S.’s strong foundation while guiding the organization through its next phase of growth, innovation and investment.

About SOPREMA

SOPREMA delivers high-performance solutions for roofing, waterproofing, wall protection and civil engineering, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, sustainability and product excellence. The comprehensive building envelope portfolio includes SBS and APP-modified bitumen, PMMA/PMA liquid-applied membranes, synthetic PVC membranes, STPE and PU sealants and adhesives, air and vapor barriers, below-grade waterproofing, vegetative roofing and indoor SOPRANATURE BioWall solutions, silicone and acrylic roof coatings, and accessories. With a legacy of proven performance, SOPREMA sets the standard for durability and reliability in the building industry.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Join RCMA this October in Atlanta for the 2026 Fall Meeting.

At The Coffee Shops™, we are committed to sharing timely industry information while supporting the associations that move roofing forward. Organizations like the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) play a vital role in advancing education, advocacy and innovation, and we are proud to help promote their work and encourage membership across the industry. 

That momentum is clear in 2026. Under the leadership of President Josh Poole, RCMA continues to expand its impact through growing contractor engagement, strong technical initiatives and new leadership guiding the association forward. 

RCMA recently welcomed new board leadership, including George Daisey of Dow Chemical Company as supplier vice president, along with Brent Crenshaw of EPS Materials and Jayne Rollason of Polyglass USA, Inc. as directors. Their experience and commitment reflect the strength of leadership shaping the future of roof coatings. 

A key focus continues to be RCMA’s growing Contractor Membership, bringing applicators into the conversation around codes, standards and best practices. This inclusion ensures that real-world insights are helping guide the industry while giving contractors access to technical resources, education and valuable industry connections. 

RCMA is also advancing technical excellence with resources like Coatings Tech Note 6 on white roof coatings, providing practical guidance on performance, application and energy efficiency. At the same time, member companies are driving innovation across the industry, with SOPREMA USA and Fluid Applied Roofing (FAR) recognized at the 2026 International Roofing Expo (IRE) for their award-winning technologies. Collaboration remains at the core of RCMA’s success, with new members like BITEC® and AB Specialty Silicones strengthening the association’s network and expertise. 

Looking ahead, the RCMA 2026 Fall Meeting, taking place October 7–8 in Atlanta, Georgia, will bring together industry leaders, technical experts and decision-makers for two days of collaboration and forward-thinking discussion. For contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, this is the time to get involved.

Plan to attend the Fall Meeting and be part of the conversations shaping the future of roof coatings. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Ryan Knippel shares insight into the roofing skill shortage, and the role training and education have in solving it.  

As one of SOPREMA’s business development managers, Ryan Knippel has a front-row seat to the how coatings are reshaping the modern roofing industry in everything from building envelope performance to a shifting labor landscape. To learn more about the labor landscape, he joined us for a CoatingsTalk™ to share his thoughts on how we can solve the current skill shortage issue.  

We’ve heard about the challenges the labor shortage has presented to the market, but one of the most pressing issues resulting from the shortage is skill loss due to retirement. Ryan shared, “We are seeing a lot of key people who really paved the way for this market to retire. And as they take that well-deserved step out, we are not only losing workers in the field, but we’re also losing their knowledge, the tricks of the trade, that back-of-hand knowledge.” 

It is more important now than ever to bring young people into the trade while there are still some of these key individuals still working to teach them what they know. Ryan explained, “First, obviously we need to get new people into the workforce. But we cannot forget that we need to educate them properly when they get here. We have to give them an understanding of everything that's made available and readily accessible to solve a problem.” 

This type of education is something that Ryan and the team at SOPREMA are supporting through programs like their applicator training. Ryan shared a bit about this training in particular, saying, “Our applicator training is for contractors who want to gain that back-of-the-hand knowledge, who want to know the all the ins and outs, and odds and ends, and all the fun little things about coatings. Not only do they teach you about our product offerings, but they also create a space to share information and learn from other professionals.” And creating spaces like that is one of the best ways to retain industry knowledge even as our trailblazers retire.  

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording of the podcast to hear more of Ryan’s insights into labor and skill shortages. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Whether you’re an attendee or an exhibitor, you don’t want to miss this premier air barrier event!  

The Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) will be hosting their annual building enclosure conference and trade show this May! This two-day show (May 5-6, 2026) will be held at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is an unparalleled opportunity for design professionals, general contractors, air barrier contractors, consultants and testing labs to network, learn and grow together. 

Come as an attendee 

For attendees, this is your chance to earn valuable professional credits, network with industry leaders and discover the latest innovations in the air barrier world. There will be 22 dynamic presentations from top building enclosure experts sharing real-world insights and best practices across the two days of programming, offering professionals a chance to earn up to 12 total credits.  

There will also be unique in-person training opportunities that combine classroom learning with hands-on experiences. These trainings run a bit longer than the rest of the program, as they are divided into three core modules over three days (May 5-7, 2026). This year’s tracks include self-adhered/fluid applied installer training (SA/FL), spray polyurethane foam installer training (SPF) and auditor training.  

The best part? ABAA is providing “all BEC members, specification writers and architectural firm employees with a discounted rate.” Please note, these rates do not apply for the installer or field auditor training courses. Contact ABAA to learn more about eligiblity for these discounts.  

Exhibit on in the expo hall 

Looking for a way to meet your clients face-to-face? Consider exhibiting at ABAA’s annual building enclosure conference and trade show! The expo hall at the show is strategically placed at the heart of the event, giving you a great opportunity to gain exposure, build partnerships and foster new business growth. 

Don’t miss your chance to showcase your offerings alongside industry leaders like SOPREMA, VaproShield, Polyglass, Tremco, Sika, Georgia-Pacific and RAiNA. 

Learn more about the show and why it’s a great investment in your future, both as an attendee and an exhibitor.