ROSEMONT, Ill. — The most recent Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing shows the reroofing market is generally improving despite the ongoing conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A coalition of industry trade associations representing contractors, consultants and manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada completed its most recent Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing. The survey takes the pulse of the reroofing industry on a quarterly basis and serves as a regular barometer of the industry’s business conditions.

By asking a handful of business questions and measuring responses across a number of demographics, the survey helps give an indication of the reroofing market’s strength and trajectory. Nearly 300 respondents completed the eight-question survey during a two-week period in April with 62% of responses coming from roofing contractors and 38% coming from roof consultants.

Some topline excerpts of the survey are:

• Forty-two percent (42%) of respondents indicated their customer inquiries increased during the first quarter of 2021 compared with the same quarter in 2020. Twenty-one percent (21%) of respondents reported a decrease in customer inquiries during the same period, and 37% indicated no change in activity.

• The survey revealed a similar trend for project contracts. Forty-one percent (41%) of respondents reported an increase during the first quarter of 2021 compared with the same quarter in 2020. Twenty-four percent (24%) of respondents reported a decrease in project contracts during the same period, and 36% indicated no change in activity.

• As of April 2021, 19% of roofing contractors reported no project backlogs, 36% reported project backlogs of one to two months and 25% reported project backlogs of three to four months. Twenty percent (20%) of roofing contractors reported project backlogs of five months or more.

The complete results of the Quarterly Market Index Survey for Reroofing are available to those who participate in the survey via an online dashboard that enables users to filter results by region and other metrics.

The survey is an industry-wide effort to collect information about the reroofing market spearheaded by a coalition of trade associations, including the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association, Canadian Roofing Contractors Association, Chemical Fabrics & Film Association Inc., EPDM Roofing Association, International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, Metal Construction Association, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Women in Roofing, Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association, Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association and Single Ply Roofing Industry.

Any contractor or consultant who wants to participate in next quarter’s brief survey can sign up for a notification at bit.ly/37ank7D.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) announced that Innovative Chemical Products (ICP Group), a leading manufacturer of coatings, adhesives and sealants, has become the association’s newest member.

“RCMA is pleased to welcome ICP Group as a member, and we look forward to seeing how they can contribute to the association,” said RCMA Executive Director Dan Quinonez. “Our ability to serve as the leading voice in this sector of the roofing industry is bolstered by their membership.”

Founded in 2015, ICP Group is headquartered in Andover, Mass., and serves multiple end markets, including building materials, specialty construction, industrial, packaging, printing and sports surfaces. Through acquisitions and organic growth, ICP Group has earned recognition as one of the largest global coatings manufacturers in the world.

"As one of the leading providers of roof coatings products, ICP Group is proud to be joining RCMA as its newest member," said Jay Doubman, president of ICP Building Solutions Group. "Being a part of RCMA gives us the opportunity, as dedicated members, to connect with industry professionals and bring more growth and awareness to the roof coating industry."

RCMA currently offers two membership categories:

• Regular Membership is open to any firm, partnership, or corporation that manufactures or sells private labeled cold-process protective roof coatings, cold-process pavement maintenance coatings, patching and repair compounds, or cold-process industrial coatings.

• Associate Membership is open to any firm, partnership or corporation engaged in the business of supplying products, equipment, machinery or services used by RCMA Regular Members.

More information on RCMA membership can be found at roofcoatings.org/membership-benefits.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA) is ready to gather under “ONE ROOF” this summer. After the cancellation of the 2020 Convention and Expo, the Florida roofing industry is excited for the educational and networking opportunities that will take place in-person during the 2021 event.

FRSA’s 99th Annual Convention and the Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Expo will return to the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, July 21-23 in Kissimmee, Fla. The event will start with a day packed with educational seminars on Wednesday. FRSA’s Educational & Research Foundation will offer a full slate of Florida-based, roofing-specific seminars. With the new Florida Building Code (FBC) 2020 now in effect and the inclusion of ASCE 7-16 in the FBC, there are many technical changes to the way roofing systems are installed. FRSA has 10 seminars focused on these changes at this year’s event.

The foundation has also planned many educational seminars for Thursday and Friday, including: 2020 Advanced Florida Building Code 7th Edition; Top 5 Immigration Issues/E-Verify; Safety and Housekeeping – The Perfect Combination; Advanced FRSA-TRI Tile Manual 6th Edition Review; 2020 FBC Underlayment Requirements; Best Practices for Preventing Cybersecurity Breaches; Update to Florida’s Licensing Requirements; 2020 Advanced FBC; Major Changes in Metal Roofing; and Wind Mitigation Methods, the Law.

FRSA’s carefully planned seminar schedule still provides plenty of opportunities for great networking events. On Wednesday, bring your crew and treat them to one of our competitive sports tournaments. Enjoy golfing at Celebration Golf Club, fishing in Port Canaveral, or pistol and clay shooting at Tenoroc Shooting Range.

The Florida Roofing & Sheet Metal Expo, the largest regional roofing expo in the country, will be open on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join roofing contractors, architects, building officials, and industry suppliers as they gather at the expo to learn about the latest products and services from more than 230 industry exhibitors. The expo will offer complimentary lunch in the Food Court, cash prizes, daily beer busts, the FRSA Affiliate Pinball Competition benefiting the Gulf Coast Kid’s House, and the FRSA 25 Square Challenge — a unique expo game that can be accessed by downloading the FRSA event app. Simply visit the app store on your smartphone and search “FRSA” to create your profile and join in the Square Challenge fun.

While exploring everything the expo has to offer, be sure to stop by the Foundation Auction and place the highest bid to head home with great getaway vacations, sporting event tickets, unique baskets and, of course, roofing products and services. New this year, you can bid from anywhere! Text "FRSA" to 243725 or visit www.bidpal.net/frsa to register and bid online. Bidding starts on July 16 at 8 a.m. and concludes on July 23 at 2 p.m. All proceeds benefit the industry through the FRSA Educational and Research Foundation.

Additional networking opportunities include the National Women in Roofing Mentorship Session, an insight-filled session where you will hear from women in the industry about their career experiences in roofing, and the Young Professionals Panel Discussion, an open discussion with roofing professionals under the age of 40 featuring a panel of industry experts and focusing on current issues impacting the industry.

On Thursday night, make plans to attend the FRSA Officer Installation Dinner and celebrate Florida roofing professionals at this important industry event. Elections for new FRSA Officers and Directors will be held, Life and Honorary Memberships and prestigious industry awards will be presented and FRSA’s highest honor, the Campanella Award, will be unveiled during a unique display of artistry. Then support the individuals that will lead FRSA into our 100th year as they are installed as the new FRSA Executive Committee.

As part of FRSA’s commitment to put health and safety first, all events have been carefully reviewed and restructured to meet the health and safety challenges of COVID-19. FRSA is working closely with the event venue and all vendors. As part of Marriott International’s family, the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center has implemented a multi-pronged approach, including a mandatory face mask policy, physical distancing guidelines, food safety protocols and an increased emphasis on hygiene and cleanliness, as well as several other initiatives. For more information, please visit www.floridaroof.com/healthandsafety.

For more information on FRSA’s Convention & Expo or to learn about exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Cheryl Sulock at 800-767-3772 ext. 177 or cheryl@floridaroof.com.

The Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA) is seeking submissions for its 2021 ELITE Safety Award program.

The program recognizes MRCA member companies that demonstrate a commitment to improving jobsite safety through the development, implementation and enforcement of a safety and risk management program.

Applications will be judged by Gary Auman, an OSHA/Workers Compensation attorney with Auman, Mahan and Furry who has spent 44 years defending employers in OSHA matters. Company-specific information regarding accident or injury statistics, or other information identified by the applicant as proprietary, will be kept in confidence by the MRCA's Legal Counsel as applying to the specific company.

“If you have never participated in this program you are missing a wonderful opportunity to have eight to 10 segments of your safety program reviewed by me and to receive a detailed analysis of each section of your program with your score for that section in a confidential letter from me to you,” Auman wrote in Midwest Roofer.

The deadline to submit an application is Aug. 1. Winners will be announced in November. For more information and to apply, visit mrca.org.