MALVERN, Pa. — Saint-Gobain, through its building products subsidiary CertainTeed, will invest more than $400 million to expand its production capacity at four key manufacturing locations in the United States to better serve its customers in a high growth environment.

Combined together, the four capacity expansions represent the company’s largest organic growth investment in several years as Saint-Gobain executes on its new global Grow and Impact strategy, which includes maximizing its impact in key, fast-growing markets, while striving to minimize the company’s environmental footprint. The investments are expected to reduce waste by more than 50% and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 20% compared to existing manufacturing technology.

“This is an investment in our company’s future, and also in our future ability to ensure security of supply for our customers,” said Mark Rayfield, CEO of Saint-Gobain North America and CertainTeed. “We will continue to look for opportunities to strategically grow and expand our business, all while striving to become the world’s leader in light and sustainable construction.”

Roofing – A $100 Million Investment to Increase Capacity in the Southeastern United States

Saint-Gobain will invest approximately $100 million to double its production capacity at one of its roofing shingle plants in the Southeastern United States. Construction preparation will begin by the end of 2021 and the new production capacity is expected to be fully online in early 2024. The expansion will lead to the creation of 31 new full-time jobs.

Insulation – A $62 Million Investment to Add Capacity in Georgia and California

At the company’s insulation plant in Chowchilla, Calif., Saint-Gobain will invest $32 million in a new oven and new furnace, which will allow the plant to expand its production by 13% at that location. The additional capacity will begin coming online in 2022.

At the company’s plant in Athens, Ga., Saint-Gobain will invest $30 million to start up an additional production line to increase the plant’s capacity of loose-fill insulation. This expanded production is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2023 and will lead to the creation of up to 20 new permanent full-time jobs.

The Chowchilla plant began operations in 1978 and is currently home to 179 employees. The Athens plant began operations in 1975 and is currently home to 191 employees.

Gypsum – A $250 Million Investment to Add 900 Million Square Feet of Capacity in the Southeast

Additionally, the company will expand its production capacity of gypsum in the Southeastern United States by 900 million square feet per year. This expansion project, which will use natural gypsum as its raw material, will cost approximately $250 million and create an estimated 110 permanent full-time jobs. The new capacity is expected to come online in mid-2024.

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — GAF Energy is partnering with Sandia National Laboratories, a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) research and development lab, to test the company’s next generation solar roofing product, which will be launched in January 2022.

“We’re very excited to partner with the experts at Sandia National Labs to verify the strength, durability, and overall market-readiness of our next generation solar roof,” said Martin DeBono, president of GAF Energy. “Solar roofing offers the opportunity for residential solar to reach the mainstream — and it needs to be a product that consumers trust. Product testing is critical to our efforts to expand residential solar to the mass market.”

In September, GAF Energy announced the completion of the build out of its facility in San Jose, Calif., where the company will be developing and manufacturing its new solar roof. One of Sandia’s missions is to drive technical innovation in the solar sector as part of a broader DOE effort to lower the cost, increase the efficiency, and further the deployment of solar technologies. The partnership between GAF Energy and Sandia is an exemplar of public-private collaboration driving U.S. innovation in clean energy.

“Getting solar roofs right includes the rigorous assessment of experimental systems installed in multiple climates, which includes measuring their energy output and establishing their reliability over time,” says Laurie Burnham, Sandia’s lead for the GAF Energy project. “Sandia is interested in the potential for building-integrated solar technologies, with their aesthetic and functional advantages, to accelerate the deployment of solar across the U.S.”

A Standard Industries company, GAF Energy empowers roofing contractors across the U.S. with a comprehensive and economical approach to solar installations. Designed to provide a durable, easy-to-install, and attractive alternative to typical rack-mounted solar panels — which are typically drilled through the roof’s shingles — GAF Energy’s solar roof products integrate directly with the roofing system and are part of the primary water-shedding layer.

Roofing contractors interested in installing GAF Energy products can find out more at gaf.energy/roofers.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Owens Corning introduced “Bourbon” as the 2022 Shingle Color of the Year (SCOTY) and the newest color in the Owens Corning^® TruDefinition^® Duration^® Designer Colors Collection shingle line.

As the sixth color to be named Shingle Color of the Year, Bourbon delivers a versatile, smooth finish and straight-up style to the home’s roof. Like previous SCOTY selections, Bourbon is part of the Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration Designer Colors Collection. The shingle collection integrates unique combinations of saturated colors for a rich, bold and dimensional effect bringing depth and style to the home’s roof. The line also features patented SureNail^® Technology, for advanced performance on the roof.

Sue Burkett, strategic marketing manager for roofing at Owens Corning, remarked that the new Bourbon color embodies the spirit of a warm, cozy den that’s inspired by the senses.

“The rich blend of granules integrated into the Bourbon color includes a palette of steely gray-blue mixed with black and with shades of toasty butterscotch. The effect is an inviting contrast that entices the eye with soothing brown shades that remind you of rich caramel, worn leather and chocolate, three of my favorites,” said Burkett.  

The new shingle color’s versatility is spotlighted in three inspirational style boards. The “Northwest Craftsman” style board distills the crisp and contrasting shades of land and sea. The “Mediterranean” style board gives a design nod to the timeless style of the sun-soaked Mediterranean, evoking easygoing elegance. The “Modern Prairie” style board, inspired by the Midwestern plains, leverages monochromatic hues while paying homage to a simple and uniquely American elegance.

As Americans continue to invest in home improvements, Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration shingles offer an opportunity to boost curb appeal while contributing to a high-performing roof. Burkett noted that today’s homeowners are seeking products that fuse aesthetics and high performance.

“Owens Corning has been awarded the Women’s Choice Award® as America’s most recommended roofing products for the fourth consecutive year, and we appreciate that women want both style and functionality when it comes to their homes’ roofs,” said Burkett. “We are honored to support women with design resources that help them express their style via high-performing shingles.”

The new design and inspire resources are available at www.shinglecoloroftheyear.com.

SEBRING, Fla. — Gulf Coast Supply & Manufacturing, a trusted name for metal roofing for 25 years, recently celebrated a safety milestone as the company’s Sebring location passed the one-year mark without a recordable incident. This safety achievement spanned both 2020 and 2021.

“Achieving zero harm every day is our goal. Working for the last year with zero OSHA recordable injuries means our employees are working safely. We want our people to go home the same way they came in,” said Shawn Kirk, vice president of operations.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines a recordable as any work-related injury or illness that requires medical treatment beyond first aid or results in loss of consciousness, days away from work, restricted work or transfer to another job.

“The safety of all Gulf Coast associates is the first thing I think about each day and the last thing I think about at the end of each day," said Gulf Coast Supply President Harry Yeatman. "Zero harm is not impossible; it takes dedication and focus to achieve. Good job, Sebring!”

The Sebring location is Gulf Coast’s flagship facility and is home to more than 50 employees including manufacturing, logistics, administrative, and sales. More than 20 million feet of metal is produced at the facility annually.

ARLINGTON, Va. — Texas-based roofing contractor Texas Vets Roofing was among those to receive an International Torch Award for Ethics from Better Business Bureau (BBB) in 2021.

Presented annually since 1996, the BBB International Torch Awards recognize companies in North America that maintain outstanding dedication to upholding ethical business standards and promoting trust in the marketplace. Each of the winners and finalists won a local or regional Torch Award from the BBB where they are based.

"For decades, BBB has been setting standards to make trust a fundamental component of the American and Canadian marketplace," said Melissa Trumpower, executive director of the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust. "These International Torch Award winners and finalists embody that vision on a daily basis, and we are proud to honor them."

In business since February 2012, woman-owned Texas Vets Roofing offers roofing services with a dedication to providing customers with the highest quality workmanship and excellent customer service. The company provides whole roof systems and trains its technicians to put quality service over profits. It offers residential, commercial and metal roofing services.

Every customer is offered a free, no-obligation professional roof assessment by a specially trained technician. At least once a month the Texas Vets Roofing team comes together for a "Family Meeting" to encourage and redefine the standard that is expected out in the field and in the office.

Along with serving their customers, the company focus is on its community. Last year, Texas Vets Roofing donated over 20% of its profits back into the community. The company uses its time and funds to support veterans through the Roof 4 Vets program. The company's goal for 2021 is to provide one free roof each month to a veteran or a veteran's family in need. Texas Vets Roofing is the recipient of the BBB Serving North Central Texas 2020 Torch Award for Ethics.