FlashCo announced plans to expand operations in its Northeast U.S. market with a new manufacturing and distribution facility in Wilkes Barre, Pa., making it the largest of FlashCo’s nine plants located nationwide.

In a news release, the company said its new facility would feature state-of-the-art technology to produce FlashCo’s product lines of roof flashings, edge metal, accessories, and coated metal.

“We’re extremely excited to be expanding in this region, especially since the acquisition of Metkote Laminated Products in Taylor, Pa.,” says Greg Morrow, FlashCo president. “The new facility is more than twice the size and will better support FlashCo’s legacy business, which is growing in the northeast."

FlashCo said its motto since its inception has been “Saving the Contractor Time.” To that end, FlashCo noted that it strategically locates its facilities and ships 90% of orders within three days, often on its fleet of delivery trucks.

The company added that it further saves the contractor time by prefabricating make-to-order accessories and using digital tools to aid in the quote and order process.

“Each FlashCo location enables us to deliver on our commitments to our customers,” said Matt Froehlich, FlashCo vice president of operations. “Our new facility in Wilkes Barre will be a great addition to our operations and represents our growing role in the roofing industry.”

FlashCo’s Wilkes Barre plant will produce its full product line that includes standard and make-to-order accessories for low-slope and steep-slope roofing systems. Improvements in the facility recently commenced, and it is expected to open in Spring 2024.

During the interim, FlashCo will continue to support Northeast customers from its current location in Taylor, Pa.

Photo courtesy of the Iowa Economic Development Corporation

The Oklahoma Chapter of National Women in Roofing [NWiR] has elected Brooke Laizure as its 2024 Chairperson. NWiR is a volunteer-based organization that supports and advances the careers of women roofing professionals.

Laizure is the co-owner of Whirlwind Roofing and Construction, a local family-owned roofing contractor based in Bixby, Okla. The company specializes in residential roof repair, roof replacement, and storm damage restoration.

As a founding member of NWiR, Laizure has served in a leadership position for the Oklahoma chapter for eight years and has been featured nationally in Roofing Contractor magazine.

“The roofing industry has undergone many changes in the past few years. As women roofing contractors, we need to be constantly changing our businesses to align with best practices to educate and protect homeowners. I am excited to be a part of National Women in Roofing to advance those practices and to elevate the industry to a new level,” says Laizure.

The latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows 56.1% of all women participated in the labor force in 2021, but were underrepresented (relative to their share of total employment) in construction at 11%.

Through NWiR, Laizure organizes educational events, manufacturer factory tours, and product software training for local women contractors. She also enjoys mentoring high school students to consider the trades as a profession through the Build My Future construction career events in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Okla.

"I love watching young girls that have never held a hammer learn how to shingle a roof," Laizure said. "I enjoy talking to them about all the amazing career opportunities open to them, including being an entrepreneur."

STACK Construction Technologies has partnered with Nearmap to integrate high-quality aerial imagery with STACK's preconstruction tools.

In a news release, STACK said that because exteriors or site plans on existing buildings are not always available, contractors often use lower-resolution satellite images, increasing safety risks, labor costs, and time wasted by performing redundant onsite visits.

"The partnership between STACK and Nearmap will deliver valuable impact for contractors," said Phil Ogilby, CEO and co-founder of STACK Construction Technologies. "With real-time access to Nearmap premium aerial imagery integrated with STACK's hyper-accurate preconstruction tools, our cloud-based platform empowers subcontractors to … mitigate safety risks [and] maximize efficiency."

The integration allows roofing contractors to deliver precise and detailed estimates on projects like reroofing, storm damage, and repairs. Estimators can expedite quote generation, ensuring customer satisfaction while possibly increasing their chances of securing more projects. STACK said using high-quality aerial images enhances the professionalism of the quotes, instilling confidence in project owners and assisting contractors in winning additional contracts.

"We've learned many of our customers want to choose how they access Nearmap imagery and insights within their technology stacks, which includes having the flexibility to access data instantly through the MapBrowser platform or through a partner like STACK," said Shelly Carroll, general manager of geospatial solutions at Nearmap.

For more information, visit stackct.com.

Photo courtesy of the Iowa Economic Development Corporation

The Roofing Alliance welcomed its newest member, Mid-Atlantic Roofing Supply, of Nashville, Tenn., who has joined at the Regent level and is the foundation’s 195th member.

“Mid-Atlantic Roofing Supply's decision to join this reputable organization underscores its dedication to excellence in the roofing industry,” said Tim Perryman, partner and CEO of Atlantic Squared Supply. “As a member of the Roofing Alliance, Mid-Atlantic Roofing Supply looks forward to contributing its expertise and resources to the collective strength of the organization. The partnership aims to enhance industry knowledge, stay updated on emerging trends, and foster valuable connections with fellow roofing professionals.”

The Roofing Alliance says it has attracted some of the industry's best and brightest roofing professionals. Together, they select and provide oversight of programs and funding for progressive research that shapes, improves, and advances the roofing industry in four key areas: education and training, technology, sustainability, and philanthropy.

“Member participation is vital within the Roofing Alliance, and much of the organization’s strength comes from its broad base of supportive contributors,” said Executive Director Alison L. LaValley, CAE. “The roofing industry has a wonderful history of generosity, and for roofing professionals who would like to be involved in giving back and securing the future excellence of the roofing industry, the Roofing Alliance provides the perfect opportunity to collaborate, commit and contribute on multiple levels.”

The Metal Construction Association has welcomed three new members to its Board of Directors.

The new members are D.J. Highnote, product advisor/vice president at Roof Hugger; RC Antal, director of insulated metal panels at ATAS International; and Jules Dekovics, national sales manager at Exceptional Metals.

They join current directors Don Bratcher of Atlas Bolt & Screw; Dustin Haddock of S-5!; Ken McLauchlan of Metal Forming; John Trifonoff of East Coast Metals; Michael Beck of Accurate Perforating; Jeff Hock of Sheffield Metals; Miguel Pena of GSSI Sealants and Mike Weis of Petersen Aluminum Corp.

“I am delighted to add D.J., RC and Jules to our board. With their talent and expertise, MCA is positioned stronger than ever to advocate for the metal construction industry and provide the most indispensable resources available," says MCA Board Chair Brian Partyka.

Along with Partyka, the 2024 Executive Committee includes Vice Chair Chandler Barden, Past Chair Jim Bush, MRA President Todd Miller, Treasurer Lee Ann Slattery, Secretary Bill Hartford, Technical Committee Chair David Stermer, and Market Development Committee Chair Mark Carlisle.

The MCA also recognizes John Paul Lawrence of Modern Trade Communications upon completion of his three-year term as an MCA board member.

"MCA is grateful to John Paul Lawrence for his dedication and service to the association,” says Partyka.

View the full MCA board and executive committee HERE.

Photo courtesy of the Iowa Economic Development Corporation