HERNDON, Va. — Beacon announced that it has opened two new branches to expand service to customers in the Houston, Texas, and North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, Fla. market areas. The two new distribution facilities demonstrate the company’s continued focus on investing resources in key markets as part of its organic growth strategic initiative.

The Houston location is a Beacon OTC^® Network hub. Beacon’s OTC Network is a strategic initiative designed to raise service levels by sharing resources, inventory and systems to deliver an outstanding customer experience. This hub houses approximately 125,000 square feet of inventory as well as dedicated will-call locations and central dispatch operations.

The North Port location houses approximately 30,000 square feet of inventory. Both branches serve residential and non-residential customers with leading brands of roofing and complementary products, including Beacon’s own TRI-BUILT brand.

“These new branches are examples of marrying our strategic initiatives to drive organic growth and, at the same time, leverage our distribution network to enhance customer service, optimize inventory, and lower the cost to serve," said Julian Francis, president and CEO of Beacon. "In addition, these two locations bring dozens of new well-paying jobs to their communities and will create additional career paths for current employees.”

GALENA, Kan. — Due to popular demand and positive feedback from contractors, TAMKO Building Products LLC is extending the purchase window for The Heritage Proline™ Challenge, a rewards program that challenges roofing contractors to try the innovative Heritage Proline Titan XT™ and StormFighter IR™ shingles and pays them cash back on their qualifying purchases of the products.

Roofing contractors can now receive cash back rewards on purchases of Titan XT and StormFighter IR shingles made through Dec. 31, 2021. Previously, the purchase deadline was Oct.15.

“Contractors rising to the challenge have been happy with their results. We’ve had tremendous feedback on both The Heritage Proline Challenge program and the Titan XT and StormFighter IR shingles,” said Alex Hines, TAMKO’s vice president of sales and marketing. “We’re thrilled to extend the program term so even more roofing contractors now have the chance to earn cash back rewards on our hottest products through the remainder of this year.”

Visit www.tamko.com/challenge to view program details and take the “Challenge.”

BEACHWOOD, Ohio — Tremco Roofing, its service subsidiary WTI (Weatherproofing Technologies Inc.) and the Missouri Department of Corrections (MODOC) are launching ELEVATE, a new vocational training program piloted in a state prison that prepares Missourians for careers as commercial roofing technicians after release. Besides providing productive employment to program graduates, ELEVATE is designed to address the chronic construction labor shortage.

In early 2020, the MODOC and Tremco/WTI began a partnership focused on delivering roofing and building maintenance training to incarcerated individuals. The Western Reception, Diagnostic & Correctional Center in St. Joseph was chosen for the two-phase pilot training program integrating live stream instruction, self-paced learning, and on-site hands-on training. The inmates were interviewed then officially invited to begin training and offered employment with WTI upon release. The course work began with OSHA 10-hour safety certification training. Once safety training was completed, courses on roofing systems, roof maintenance and roof restoration and repair were completed.

To complete phases one and two, the inmates participated in an on-site event attended by Missouri's Gov. Parson, Tremco/WTI leadership teams, and members of the MODOC. The inmates were presented with their earned OSHA 10 certificates and safety equipment before heading outside to complete hands-on repairs and material installation. It was a chance for the inmates to show off some of the new skills learned during the training.

"We developed this program because of our commitment to elevating the roofing industry — people, students, professionals, and people who need a hand up, not a handout," said Tremco's Executive Vice President Mardee Billingsley, who attended the on-site event.

While Tremco Roofing/WTI has offered training and support to job seekers involved in the criminal justice system elsewhere, the MODOC partnership marks the first time it has provided training inside a prison, before release. The Missouri program graduates have access to a wide range of support and services, which can include help with everything from work clothes to transportation.  

"You're now part of our family, and we're going to make sure we take care of you," says Tremco/WTI Quality Resource Coordinator Maleah Evans, a facilitator for the ELEVATE program. "We've always been a second-chance company. We always want to give people the opportunity to change their lives and do better."

The partnership creates a win-win-win situation. During today's nationwide skilled labor shortage, Tremco/WTI gains well-trained employees who are eager to work. Students gain the opportunity to walk out of a prison and into a job, overcoming one of the most challenging barriers to success that people face after incarceration. Missouri gains because the program can save taxpayer money while increasing post-incarceration employment, which helps reduce recidivism and makes the state safer.

"The foundation of the ELEVATE program rests on three pillars," said WTI President Tom Cummings. "To restore hope, that can be turned into opportunity. To restore confidence, through commitment, learning new skills and creating new value for the individual. And to restore support, by working together as a team to overcome obstacles we may face on the roof or in our lives."

ELEVATE is just one program of Tremco Roofing/WTI's RISE (Roofing Individuals Succeed through Education) initiative, which also offers an online bachelor's degree in Construction Management at no cost to the employee; a collaboration with SkillsUSA, a national organization working with middle school and high school students, to provide curricula for our nation's future skilled work force; and a federally sanctioned, non-union roofing apprenticeship program.

BELOIT, Wis. — Every year, building products distributor ABC Supply Co. Inc. selects individuals from its more than 15,000 associates to receive the company’s highest honor: the Ken Hendricks Award. The award is given in memory of ABC Supply’s co-founder and recognizes associates who exemplify a commitment to the company’s character and seven Core Values.

The 2021 Ken Hendricks Award recipients are Don Willard from Bethel Heights, Ark., and Joe Ganhadeiro from Fall River, Mass.

“Don and Joe continuously show their dedication, commitment and desire to serve people,” said Keith Rozolis, president and CEO of ABC Supply. “They perfectly exemplify the character and Core Values of our company.”

Willard first joined ABC Supply in 2010 when the company acquired the roofing supply business that he and his wife owned. Since then, Willard has become a managing partner, been inducted into ABC Supply’s President’s Club, been named the Southwest Region Manager of the Year twice and led his team to eight Center of the Year awards. He leads a team of over 40 associates at ABC Supply’s Bethel Heights location with integrity, Entrepreneurial Spirit and a sense of family.

Ganhadeiro became part of ABC Supply after the building products supplier he was working for was acquired by the company in 1997. Since then, Ganhadeiro has become a managing partner, has been inducted into the company’s President’s Club, was named the 2020 Northeast Manager of the Year and led the Fall River location to achieve 10 Center of the Year awards. Ganhadeiro is well known within the company for the high level of respect he shows associates and customers as well as the ways he gives back to the Fall River community.

“These two gentlemen make a difference in our associates’ lives, our customers’ businesses and our company’s success,” said Diane Hendricks, chairman of ABC Supply. “They represent ABC Supply as Ken envisioned the company, as one that supports its associates and treats contractors with the respect they deserve.”

Willard and Ganhadeiro were recognized at ABC Supply’s annual Founders’ Celebration picnic on Sept. 15 at the company’s National Support Center in Beloit, Wis. To learn more about the Ken Hendricks Award, visit abcsupply.com.

SAN JOSE, Calif. — GAF Energy has completed critical improvements and begun moving into its new 112,000-square-foot facility in San Jose, Calif. The new facility will serve as the company’s center for research and development and manufacturing.

The company is continuing to hire for positions at the facility in clean energy manufacturing and associated jobs. As part of Standard Industries and a sister company to GAF, GAF Energy brings extensive roofing manufacturing and R&D expertise to the solar industry.

“We’re pleased to have completed the build out of our facility ahead of schedule. This is the next step in delivering a reliable, durable, attractive and easy-to-install solar roof to market,” said Martin DeBono, president of GAF Energy. “If you take the resources and expertise of Standard, one of the world's largest private companies, and combine them with a team that is dedicated to driving energy from every roof, you have the ability to scale a next-generation, cutting-edge solar product — that’s what we’re doing at this new facility.”

GAF Energy announced the buildout of its San Jose facility earlier this year. The company is transforming the rooftop solar industry to generate energy from every roof.

“I’m happy to welcome GAF Energy to our South San Jose community,” said Assemblymember Ash Kalra. “Creating green jobs and expanding access to renewable energy is instrumental to a sustainable and equitable future.”

GAF Energy empowers roofing contractors across the U.S. with a comprehensive and economical approach to solar installations. The company designed its current product to provide an attractive, low-profile alternative to rack-mounted solar panels, which are typically drilled through the roof’s shingles. The GAF Energy solar system in-market today is integrated into the roofing system, ensuring that the primary function of the roof — to protect the home from the elements — remains intact. High-efficiency solar panels optimize power output and maximize aesthetic appeal, combining robust flashing with a sleek black perimeter shield to help reduce the risk of leaks and animal intrusion.