By Emma Peterson. 

What roofing professionals need to know about wildfire risk and product performance. 

In a new episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Megan Ellsworth hosted Tremco’s Andrew LeCampion and Ron Velichka for a conversation about fire-resistant building materials and products. Wildfires are a growing issue in much of the world, with the U.S. Department of Energy estimating that between 2016 and 2020, the federal government spent $2.5 billion per year on wildfire suppression. And this number is just a small part of the story. Wildfires threaten our communities in many ways each year, either directly through loss of property and life as well as indirectly through respiratory issues and long-lasting environmental pollution. 

The magnitude of this issue is why May has been designated National Wildfire Awareness Month. This month, which precedes fire season for much of the United States, is all about “shedding light on the damaging impact of wildfires, how to prevent them and how to protect yourself this upcoming wildfire season.” And a key part of prevention and protection is building with fire-resistant materials and products. Andrew explained:  

On the product development side there's a lot of new products designed for dynamic fire stopping. For example, there’s a new insulation called mineral wool that is made from crushed and pulled rock and it is the one true non-combustible insulation that we know of; it can be under a fire for hours and hours and then you just cut the flame out, pull it out and the mineral wool is still fully intact. Tremco also uses intumescent sealants, which have a carbon supplement that swells up and cuts off airflow as soon as a flame touches it. 

How do you find these products? An easy way is to look for test ratings from places like Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM). Ronald explained, “When building, you have to be aware of threats like wildfires and make sure you're putting materials on there that are going to protect the people in the building. And in terms of fire safety, the best way to do that is make sure your assemblies meet UL and FM fire ratings, like Tremco’s products do.” 

You can also work directly with some manufactures to build a fire-safe space. Andrew shared a story of a professional that did that with his team, saying, “I was approached by an architect who had their drawings all ready to go and wanted their fireproofing checked. And we got on the phone with them and walked through the UL400 two-hour fire rating and helped the find the products that would give that standard of protection.” 

Want to learn more about building with fire safety in mind this May? Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording.  

By Emma Peterson. 

A candid conversation with two founders of NWIR about how ten years has changed the perception of female professionals. 

With the amount of stressful news constantly around us, it can be hard to remember to celebrate the good news and progress being made. To put the good in the spotlight, Heidi J. Ellsworth, CEO of The Coffee Shops™ and Jennifer Stone, the director of national accounts, Tremco, sat down for a Roofing Road Trips® episode all about the growth of the roofing industry since they helped launch National Women in Roofing (NWIR) a decade ago.  

Heidi opened the conversation by talking about how NWIR first came to be, sharing, “It started at the Midwest meetings. It was me, Jennifer, Jenny Ford Smith and Sherry Carlazzi. And we had this idea, called Trent Cotney and asked, “how do we make this happen?’” 

And now, ten years later, NWIR is stronger than ever, and today there has been a noticeable change in the perception of women in the roofing industry since the organization’s founding. Jennifer shared:  

When we were getting together 10 years ago, I remember Jenny saying, ‘I can't wait till the day people stop introducing me as the first female leader of sales and you as the first this and the first that.’ And it really feels like we’re getting there... You see so many women that are in the C-suite executive positions, and it isn't a first anymore. 

This growth not only helps women in the industry, but it helps the industry as a whole. Jennifer explained, “We’ve seen a huge growth of diversity in the roofing industry in the last decade, and it makes the industry better because you get diversity of thought, which is where retention, innovation and growth come from.”  

A great example of this was Tremco’s hiring of Mandy McIntyre in a specialized position all about culture and process development. Jennifer spoke a bit about this:  

Mandy's role as a strong woman who's passionate about culture and mental health and people, her focus positively impacts Tremco's culture in numerous, numerous ways, including process development, and performance management...And would she have been hired in this role a decade ago? I don’t know, but what we do know is that because she’s in this leadership role, Tremco’s culture and business are both stronger. 

Heidi added some of her thoughts, “It’s amazing to see this kind of thing. It really shows how the perceptions of women and the perceptions of what's acceptable and what's not acceptable have changed in the last 10 years.”  

Listen to the rest of Heidi and Jennifer’s conversation to hear more about how the perception of women has changed in the roofing industry.

By Emma Peterson. 

Tremco’s Bob Moretti and Sarah Fay talk about the importance of education in the industry. 

In a new episode of the Roofing Road Trips® podcast, Bob Moretti and Sarah Fay stop by The Coffee Shops™ for a conversation about the importance of training in the roofing industry. Bob has been Tremco’s director of sales operations and training for the last five years. As for Sarah, she has a background in learning and development, which she currently uses as Tremco’s director of learning. 

In recent years, training in the roofing industry has become more important than ever. Sarah explained, “Training is key to ensuring that our partners, customers, contractors, employees, distributors, everyone, is well equipped with the knowledge and skills that they need to be able to maximize their own performance. And with the rapid changing pace of the world that we live in today, it’s more imperative than ever.” 

It is this need that Tremco is working to fill through their extensive training programs. These training opportunities range from in-person installation guidance and industry education through Tremco University to continuing education seminars with opportunity for course credit collection and beyond.  

As Bob put it, “We created our training programs with the goal of helping professionals, whether it be with a designer, a contractor or a building owner, grow into their roles and potential, even if they don’t have any construction or roofing experience coming in. In other words, we see training as imperative to not just to help people advance, but keep them safe, keep them feeling relevant and keep our industry strong.”  

Listen to the recording or Watch the episode to learn more about the importance of training. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how intentional training and care builds teams that grow and succeed in the long-term.  

As labor shortages continue and workforce expectations shift, companies can no longer afford to treat onboarding as a minor checklist or training as a one-time event. Instead, they must find ways to consistently care for the crew members and help their teams grow. To discuss this topic, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down for an episode of Coffee Conversations® with Amy Staska, Maureen Greeves and Mandy McIntyre.  

These women were the perfect panel to talk to about investing in your team. Amy is the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s VP of workforce development; Maureen is Tremco Roofing’s director of field operations; and Mandy is WTI's CM development manager. Out of the gate, one of the most important things they highlighted was that labor retention is not a one-size-fits-all situation. 

Amy explained, “Finding ways to retain talent is not going to be a one-size-fits-all conversation. Take training, for example. People like learning new skills that can help advance their careers. But the format of that training needs to be comfortable for each individual.” For example, some people love the convenience of online training, where others find it disconnected and hard to work with. If you truly want to retain talent, you need to invest in your people as individuals.  

And retaining talent really should be your goal. Not only does it make your team stronger culturally, but it is also important for your long-term finances. Maureen explained, “The recruiting process and the onboarding process can cost companies anywhere between $5,000 to $6,000 on the low end and up to upwards of $10,000 to $12,000 on a high end.  For one person. So, retaining talent long term isn’t just about keeping talent and expertise, though that is key, it’s also about avoiding turnover and the high expenses that come with that.”  

So, how do you start bringing this intentionality into your operations? It doesn’t have to be that complicated. Mandy gave some examples of how you can meet your team where they are, sharing, “Start with just basic conversations. Ask people how's it going, how the first week was, the second week, etc. Because if you're not having those conversations and they end up leaving, you’ll never know why or if you could have changed something simple and retained their talent.” 

Learn more about intentional, individualized retention strategies by listening to the whole episode.

By Emma Peterson. 

Dive into the key role that company culture plays in building and retaining top talent.  

At the core of the roofing industry are the people who represent and advocate for it. Our businesses are all about serving customers, and a strong, talented internal team is the key to success. But building that team can be hard in an industry that has a seemingly constant labor shortage. To learn more about building and retaining a base of reliable employees, Heidi J. Ellsworth hosted Amy Staska, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s VP of workforce development; Maureen Greeves, Tremco Roofing’s director of field operations; and Mandy McIntyre, WTI's CM development manager for an episode of Coffee Conversations®. 

Retention is a key part of a successful business. Amy explained, “When people leave, you’re not only losing their specific talents, but you’re also losing money and having to spend more time and energy to recruit a replacement for them.”  

So, how do you build a company that people want to stay at? It’s all about building a company culture that is comfortable and supportive. Amy elaborated, “I'm a huge proponent of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and truly believe that when people feel like they're safe and secure, when they feel like they belong, they're going to be able to work better and they're going to stay.” 

A simple way to start building such a culture i by having individual conversations with employees. Mandy shared:  

A lot of building a culture that retains employees is having one-on-one, face-to-face time, where you touch base with new hires, get to know them as a person and see how things are going. It sounds small, but it really goes a long way to build that psychological safety, build that confidence and build engagement. That is the foundation for a strong culture.  

This is something that Maureen and the team at Tremco are working to implement in their operations. She explained, “Culture starts at the top, and our president James McDonald takes the time to have what he calls ‘James unfiltered calls.’ In these calls he talks to individuals in the company at the field technician/foreman level to hear what’s going on, to know them as people and build that culture that retain people.”  

Want to learn more about building a culture of retention? Tune in to the whole podcast with Amy, Mandy and Maureen!

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.

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn about engaging and retaining new hires through intentional training. 

In a new episode of Coffee Conversations®, Heidi J. Ellsworth is joined by a panel of industry leaders to talk about the importance of contractors helping new hires engage and connect with their company. This panel included Amy Staska, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)’s VP of workforce development; Maureen Greeves, Tremco Roofing’s director of field operations; and Mandy McIntyre, WTI's CM development manager.  

Amy has been with the NRCA for over 20 years, and bringing new talent to the roofing industry has been a top concern during her tenure. She explained, “Training’s not cheap and a lot of contractors worry about if new hires are going to stick around...” The problem with this is that it creates a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy where contractors hold new hires at an arm’s length to make sure they’re serious about the job, and new hires are unable to show their interest in the job because of that distance.  

So, how do you build a company that can avoid this pattern? Mandy shared, “I think the industry sometimes forgets about the human component of hiring. Those new people have emotions, they have goals, they have questions, they have fears and if you can cultivate people to be the best versions of themselves, that’s when you’re going to engage them and retain talent.” 

The key to cultivating them into the best version of themselves? Intentionality. Amy explained:  

At NRCA, we talk constantly about the idea of doing intentional training. It’s impossible to train all your new people to be experts immediately. But if you work towards conversational competence, so that someone can go up onto a roof and at least is going to understand a little bit of what's happening, and will be able to have better conversations with the crew there, they’re going to be more connected to your company and more likely to stay to keep learning. 

This is something that Maureen and the others on her team at Tremco have implemented over the last couple of decades. She shared, “We grew very fast, and one of the downsides of that is you can lose some of that intentionality that Amy mentioned. We realized that was happening, so we made changes.” Some changes were bigger, like hiring Mandy into her current role, but others were smaller, like opening conversations. Maureen elaborated, “We started simply talking to people and making sure they knew that they were a part of something bigger. And just that has been tremendous.”  

Mandy summed the entire conversation up well, saying, “At the end of the day, it's all about actions and feelings. If you're having a problem retaining people and recruiting people, take a good, hard look at what's going on and make some intentional changes to help people belong.” 

Watch the entire Coffee Conversation to hear more of Amy, Mandy and Maureen’s discussion.

By Emma Peterson. 

This massive roof restoration is a model for efficiency, sustainability and operational continuity. 

Along the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto sits the award-winning Exhibition Place. This 192-acres site is Canada’s largest entertainment venue “hosting over 2,000 events and attracting over 5.5 million visitors a year.” For context, one such event  happening in this location is the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the summer of 2026. 

Having a schedule that busy and high profile led to some unique challenges when the site’s convention centers, the EnerCare Centre, needed a roof update. As Don Boyle, the CEO of Exhibition Place explained, “It's 13 acres of area, over 500,000 square feet. And with 2,000 events a year, we needed a roofing solution that was seamless and would not interrupt any of our clients.” 

To minimize disruption, the solution was to install a fluid-applied membrane over the existing roof substrate instead of conducting an entire roof replacement. Chris Van Dongen from Entuitive, the consultant on the project, shared a bit about the differences between these two methods, explaining, “A conventional roofing project would often mean full tear off of the existing product right down to the structural deck. A restoration project on the other hand tries to utilize what's in place already and then install a new fully waterproof seamless coating over the top of it.”  

Specifically, Tremco Roofing’s AlphaGuard™ FC LO (Fast Cure-Low Odor) system was used. By installing this system, the team was able to speed up the turnaround time of the roof restoration. AlphaGuard FC LO is known for its rapid cure time. In as little as 30 minutes of application, you can have a complete and seamless roof membrane in place.  

It also has the benefit of wet-on-wet application! This is the ability to lay down the base layer and the top layer at the same time, making the installation of the membrane effectively a one-pass job. Not only did this help the team in the field move more efficiently across such a large roof area, it also helped them avoid disrupting the internal operations of the convention center.  

At the end of the day, by choosing Tremco’s fluid-applied system, the project team diverted 470 tons of material from the landfill, eliminated the need for 30-40 flatbed trucks of replacement materials, secured a 30-year warranty and avoided disrupting the daily operations of the EnerCare Centre. As Chris put it, “The Enercare Center in Toronto is a prime case study and example of what can be done with roofing restoration. Too often projects like this would use roofing replacement as the only options, but we believe this can showcase the ability and the benefits of providing roofing restoration over a project of this type.” 

See the project yourself in this video from Tremco!

By Emma Peterson. 

Exploring the flexible training opportunities offered through Tremco University.  

With every design and construction professional having unique schedules, budgets, goals and learning styles, education is definitely not a one-size-fits-all situation. In response to these diverse needs, Tremco CPG has launched Tremco University to the industry. This educational program contains a wide range of topics and learning options that meet  building contractors, installers and architects where they are with the instruction they seek.  

Some of these options welcome you in-person at a Tremco facility to learn about their products and see how these building materials are developed and tested in the lab, while other seminars are offered at convenient distributor or public locations. For easier access, you can even attend seminars and collect AIA continuing education credits online! 

There are three main ways to engage with Tremco University:  

• On the road: Tremco trainers are always on the move, going to distributor locations and jobsites in the Tremco CPG demo truck! Training events done with this team are perfect for seeing new products in action, finding answers to your questions and getting personalized, hands-on instruction. 
• In person: Are you a contractor or architect looking for in-person learning? You can sign up for Tremco’s qualified applicator/installer program, product-specific education sessions or AIA lunch-and-learns to get face-to-face training in the U.S. and Canada. 
• Online: Want to learn from the comfort of your office? Tremco has a variety of live and on-demand webinars that cover everything from waterproofing, roof restoration, building science and more!  

Upcoming trainings in North America 

Speaking of those in-person, contractor learning opportunities, here’s a shortlist of the planned training events in the U.S. and Canada for April 2026! Remember, if the Tremco team isn’t coming to a spot near you, you can always contact them to request a custom training. 

• April 2, 2026: Nanaimo, B.C., Canada 
• April 7, 2026: North Kingstown, Rhode Island, U.S. and Headingley, Manitoba, Canada 
• April 9, 2026: Lakewood, Colorado, U.S.; Peterborough, Ontario, Canada; and Saskatoon, Alberta, Canada 
• April 13, 2026: Revelstoke, B.C., Canada 
• April 14, 2026: Kingston, Ontario, Canada 
• April 15, 2026: Wingham, Ontario, Canada and Invermere, B.C., Canada 
• April 16, 2026: Island City, Oregon, U.S. 
• April 17, 2026: Nelson, B.C., Canada 
• April 21, 2026: Marquette, Michigan, U.S.; Koxville, Tennessee, U.S.; and Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada 
• April 23, 2026: Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.; Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.; and Dartmoush, Nova Scotia, Canada 
• April 28, 2026: Terrace, B.C., Canada 
• April 30, 2026: Delta, B.C., Canada 

Learn more about Tremco’s education offerings online!

The acquisition expands Tremco's aluminum roof and façade systems portfolio.

Tremco Construction Products Group ("Tremco CPG") today announced the successful acquisition of Kalzip GmbH ("Kalzip"), following completion of the standard regulatory review process. A global leader in the design and production of aluminum-based roofs and facades for building envelopes, Kalzip now is part of Tremco CPG.

Based in Koblenz, Germany and founded in 1986, Kalzip specializes in lightweight, weather-resistant and flexible roof systems, as well as aesthetically advanced and functional facade technologies. Their cutting-edge roll-forming machines and mobile production units ensure high-quality, customizable solutions for architects, planners and installers. Delivering over 1.2 billion square feet of aluminum solutions worldwide, key projects have included LAX Metro Station in Los Angeles; the Louisiana Superdome; Santiago Bernabéu football stadium in Madrid, Spain; Children's Hospital Dublin, Ireland; and the Pickering GO Pedestrian Bridge in Ontario, Canada — the world's longest enclosed pedestrian bridge.

"In addition to expanding our business across Europe, India and other regions around the world where Kalzip already has a strong presence, this acquisition will eventually allow Tremco CPG to market a wider range of aluminum building envelope options to our North American customer base," said Scottie Stinson, president, Tremco CPG Inc. "This is critical as demand grows for aluminum building systems due to their many benefits including durability, longevity, sustainability and energy efficiency."

Strategic alignment with focus on high-performance building envelopes

Combining Kalzip's innovative aluminum technologies with Tremco CPG's integrated portfolio — which includes a range of roofing restoration and maintenance systems, field-applied and panelized EIFS, MCM and ACM panels, sealants and waterproofing, floor coatings, passive fire protections and structural solutions — aligns with Tremco CPG's strategy of offering a seamless, integrated approach to modern construction, enhancing efficiency, durability and aesthetic appeal for new construction and restoration.

"Our global reach, complementary product portfolios and customizable solutions will enable Kalzip, as part of Tremco CPG, to deliver tailored, high-performance, end-to-end building envelope systems for varied architectural and restoration needs across diverse markets and large-scale projects," Stinson said. "And our shared commitment to green building practices will continue to drive innovation in sustainable construction worldwide."

Looking ahead in North America

In North America, Kalzip's aluminum roofing and façade products will eventually be integrated into the Tremco CPG brands. This transition will provide customers with expanded options within Tremco's trusted product lines. More details will be shared as the rebranding process progresses.

Outside of North America, Kalzip's products will continue to be marketed under the Kalzip brand, maintaining the company's strong presence and reputation in Europe, India and other global markets.

About Tremco Construction Products Group

Tremco CPG, part of RPM International Inc., unites industry-leading building envelope solutions manufacturers and trusted brands-including Tremco, Nudura, Dryvit, Willseal, Flowcrete, Nullifire and Vandex-to deliver comprehensive, integrated construction systems. With operations spanning North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, India and Latin America, Tremco CPG has a global presence supported by regional businesses and distributors who understand local market needs. Tremco CPG companies' solutions ensure long-lasting performance for commercial, industrial and residential projects worldwide, while international teams collaborate on training, testing and innovation to build high-performing structures in any geography or climate.

About RPM International Inc.

RPM International Inc. owns subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials and related services. The company operates across three reportable segments: consumer, construction products and performance coatings. RPM has a diverse portfolio of market-leading brands, including Rust-Oleum, DAP, Zinsser, Varathane, The Pink Stuff, DayGlo, Stonhard, Carboline, Tremco and Dryvit. From homes and workplaces to infrastructure and precious landmarks, RPM's brands are trusted by consumers and professionals alike to help build a better world. The company employs approximately 17,800 individuals worldwide. Visit www.RPMinc.com to learn more.