Category: <span>2023</span>

Category: 2023

2023 RT3 Award Finalist Profile: Ken Kelly

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There are many roofing contactors in the industry who are innovating every day and we are spotlighting those who were finalists in the Innovator of the Year awards program. While Ken Kelly was the recipient of the award in 2021, this nomination netted him a final spot in 2023 for his incredible work in the Tesla Solar Roof program.

In a rapidly evolving world, where innovation is the driving force behind progress, Ken Kelly stands out as a true trailblazer and a deserving candidate for the 2023 Innovator of the Year award. His relentless pursuit of innovative solutions, transformative ideas, and unwavering dedication to creating a positive impact on society sets him apart as a visionary leader shaping the future.

One of Ken’s standout achievements is his pioneering work with the Tesla Solar Roof. Embracing Kelly Roofing’s core value of Kaizen; continuous improvement, Ken Kelly along with a dedicated group of Kelly Roofing staff flew to California to participate in hands-on learning to become part of Tesla’s direct team and the first Tesla Channel Partner in Florida.

Kelly Roofing proudly cemented our position as a leader in the roofing industry by becoming the first company in Florida to offer and install the Tesla Solar Roof. Ken’s bold decision to integrate innovative technologies into traditional roofing practices showcased his keen understanding of the evolving market landscape and commitment to sustainable solutions. By embracing the Tesla Solar Roof, we have not only set a new industry benchmark but also showcased our dedication to providing customers with cutting-edge, environmentally conscious options for their roofing needs. This achievement positioned Kelly Roofing at the forefront of innovation in the state of Florida.

Ken’s leadership is driven by inclusivity and collaboration. He understands that innovation flourishes in an environment where diverse perspectives converge. Ken participated in regular meetings with the nation’s top three Tesla Solar Roof installers. Through these sessions, Ken was able to not only share his invaluable insights but also facilitated a dynamic exchange of ideas, resulting in a streamlined and optimized installation process.

What truly sets Ken apart is not just his ability to generate innovative ideas, but his commitment to translating these ideas into tangible results. He possesses a remarkable entrepreneurial spirit that drives him to take calculated risks, mobilize resources, and bring his visions to life. He has the incredible ability to identify pressing challenges and envision groundbreaking solutions. As Ken and the Kelly team began installing the Tesla Solar Roof, they collaborated directly with Tesla on better ways to integrate their innovative technology into traditional roofing practices resulting in two newer versions of the Tesla Solar Roof.

Under the visionary leadership of Ken Kelly, Kelly Roofing has achieved several groundbreaking milestones including successfully completing the installation of the first Tesla Solar Roofs in both Florida and Tennessee as well as the first international installation of the Tesla Solar Roof in the West Indies, Caribbean. Ken’s unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability drove these remarkable achievements, marking a significant stride in revolutionizing the roofing industry.

Ken Kelly played a pivotal role in establishing the strong foundation of Kelly Roofing, positioning our company for a future filled with boundless possibilities. Through his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence, Ken transformed Kelly Roofing from a small, family-owned business into a reputable and thriving roofing enterprise. His emphasis on quality craftsmanship, customer satisfaction, and innovative roofing solutions has not only earned us a stellar reputation but has also laid the groundwork for our continued success. As we look toward the future, we are poised to explore new horizons, embrace evolving technologies, and expand our reach. With the values and principles instilled by Ken, our company is well-equipped to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and write the next chapters of our journey in the roofing industry. Ken Kelly’s spirit of innovation continues to inspire and drive our staff towards creative solutions and excellence in everything we do.

In conclusion, Ken Kelly’s extraordinary journey from conception to realization, his capability to transform industries, and his dedication to cultivating a culture of innovation render him an exemplary candidate for the Innovator of the Year distinction. His influence reverberates through the roofing industry, imprinting an indelible mark on how we live, work, and envision the future. Ken’s story is not just one of individual success, but a testament to the power of innovation in shaping a brighter tomorrow for all of humanity.

Roofing Technology Think Tank Announces 2023 Innovator of the Year

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The award recognizes a roofing contractor who contributes to the advancement of the roofing industry.

York, Pennsylvania, December 4, 2023 –- Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, awarded the 2023 Innovator of the Year award to John Kiesel, president of Division 7 Roofing in Galena, Ohio. The award was announced during the 2023 Best of Success Conference in Frisco, Texas.

“John’s development and use of photogrammetry and 3D models as well as augmented reality is leading the industry into the future,” stated Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, RT3 Award Task Team Leader and past RT3 Board President. “In addition, he is sharing these technologies with local trade schools and hiring summer interns to show the appeal of a career in roofing.”

Kiesel began roofing at the age of 17 working for his father’s roofing business. He worked his way up from field worker to superintendent to general manager and today is president of Division 7 Roofing. “I feel the pain of roofing and recognize that when innovation or technology is able to disrupt the barbaric nature of roofing, I embrace that and I want to see roofing be a more accommodating career,” he said.

Congratulations to John Kiesel and Division 7 Roofing on being named the 2023 Innovator of the Year.

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)
Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry.  RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses.  With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. Learn more at www.rt3thinktank.com.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) Announces New Technology Resources for Contractors

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These one-of-a-kind tools were created to help contractors successfully navigate the roofing technology landscape.

September 20, 2023 – Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced the availability of technology resources for roofing contractors to help them successfully navigate their technology journey.

Developed by members of the RT3 Technology Task Team, the resources feature three key components:

  1. Business Maturity Guide – designed to help contractors understand where their business’s maturity level to help them develop strategies, plans and technology that support continued growth and success.
  2. Technology Landscape – a comprehensive guide to help contractors understand cutting-edge software tools specifically tailored for their needs. It defines industry technology solutions, the problems they solve, what questions to ask of vendors, considerations for scaling and expected price ranges.
  3. Technology Solution Directory* – This is where roofing contractors can browse a collection of tools and apps that can help solve their most urgent business issues.

“We are extremely excited to offer this one-of-a-kind resource to the roofing industry,” said Karen Edwards, director of RT3. “The Task Team members worked together for the last 18 months both in-person and virtually to create these resources. We were very intentional in assembling the information from the perspective of an independent third party without recommending one solution over another.”

Technology providers are encouraged to submit their solutions to be included in the RT3 Solutions Directory. They do not need to be a member of RT3 to have their listing included in the directory. The directory is designed to allow peers to comment on each solution and leave feedback that can help other roofing contractors in their technology journey.

The RT3 Technology Resources are available in an interactive format on the RT3 website and also available as a downloadable PDF. They can be accessed here: rt3thinktank.com/resources

*Disclaimer: RT3 does not endorse any of these solutions but provides the platform for the industry to share their information and leave reviews and feedback that could be useful to others.

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)
Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) strives to find innovative technology solutions to be used within the roofing industry.  RT3 provides insights from progressive thought leaders both inside and outside the roofing industry along with practical resources for implementing potential solutions successfully. The organization will encourage and enable contractors to embrace technology as they seek to grow their businesses.  With a commitment to disseminate technology advancement information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry. Learn more at www.rt3thinktank.com.

RT3 Members Beacon and RoofersCoffeeShop Team up for Trends Research

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The 2023 RoofersCoffeeShop® Trends Survey is about to wrap up and is seeking final input from the industry. For the sixth year, the survey asks contractors to report on topics regarding current business issues, training and technology needs, as well as involvement with associations and vocational schools. Sponsored by Beacon, this trends survey seeks to identify top business needs and challenges roofing contractors are facing.  

“We are very happy to partner with Beacon again to better understand what contractors are seeing and experiencing in the industry as they continue their valuable work of roofing and protecting buildings nationwide,” stated Heidi J. Ellsworth, RCS president.  

Since 2016, the Coffee Shop has reviewed and utilized the results of the trends surveys to cater and develop our content to what you want and need to continue what you do best. “Collecting and comparing this data allows us to get a good pulse on the roofing industry and understand contractors’ needs and challenges. This information allows our partners and ourselves to adapt our offerings in order to help contractors continue to be successful,” Heidi shared.  

As with previous years, some questions are the same so we can compare year-over-year data, but we have also added new questions focused on vocational schools, involvement with roofing contractor associations and engagement with roofing distributors. By including topics like these, we can better understand what contractors are experiencing first-hand and what is happening in the industry in real time. 

This year, we’re eager to see your responses to, “Which of the following sustainable practices do you incorporate or sell?” Sustainability has been a topic of conversation for a while now and more owners are choosing sustainable products and practices for their homes and buildings. Across all of our sites — RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop™ and AskARoofer™ — we’ve noticed an increase in interest surrounding our content focused on going green. In order to remain relevant and competitive in the industry, it’s important to be knowledgeable about what home and building owners are demanding. 

The survey will close on September 30, so get your responses in now! We know your time is valuable, and by taking the 2023 Trends Survey, not only will your company benefit, but so will the industry. Sharing your opinions and observations with the rest of the industry is invaluable and truly makes an impact. 

Participants will be entered into drawings for gift cards as a thank you for participating.

Take the Survey

RT3 Member Mycocycle Featured on RE:TV as Inspiring Innovation

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RE:TV highlights inspiring innovations and ideas that are emerging in response to the climate and biodiversity crisis.

Mycocycle, Inc., a leader in using mycoremediation to process toxins out of waste was featured in an episode on RE:TV, an initiative founded by His Majesty King Charles III in 2020 at the World Economic Forum (then HRH the Prince of Wales) to spotlight change makers around the world. The platform seeks innovations that are inspired by nature to address the challenges of the climate crisis.

Mycocycle’s process of using fungi to transform waste materials into a reusable resource captured the attention of RE:TV because of its ability to dramatically reduce the negative impact that the construction industry has on the environment. The resulting biomaterial that is produced is both fire- and water-resistant and can be used in the manufacture of many new products, including building materials, resulting in a true closed-loop ecosystem.

“The waste generated in the construction industry takes up space in landfills and can leach toxins into the air, water and soil,” Mycocyle CEO and Founder Joanne Rodriguez explained in the episode. “For every ton of waste that we treat, we are able to reduce CO2 emissions by almost three metric tons.” The Mycocycle spotlight can be watched on RE:TV’s website.

About Mycocycle

Mycocycle, Inc. is a nature-inspired and woman-owned biotechnology startup that leverages fungi to transform industrial waste into reusable materials. Founded in 2018, the company is on a mission to drive circularity in the construction supply chain and divert waste from landfills with its innovative solution. Mycocycle blends lab-cultivated fungi with debris at the point of waste generation to detoxify hard-to-recycle building materials and turn them into new raw materials. Its customers include companies across the waste management, recycling, and manufacturing industries, as well as companies focused on reducing Scope 3 emissions.

In 2023, Mycocycle was issued a Declare label for its “MycoFILL© G” materials through the International Living Futures Institute, which recognized its products as Red List Chemical Free. Mycocycle is a FastCompany World Changing Ideas finalist and its CEO has been honored as a Environment + Energy Leader Top 100 Leader, Crain’s Chicago Top 50 Sustainability Executive and named to the inaugural Forbes Next 1000 list. To learn more visit www.mycocycle.com.

5 Ways AI Is Revolutionizing Roof Inspections

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BY RT3 MEMBER PHIL PRATT

Did you know that hail drives more property damage in the U.S. than just about anything else? In fact, wind and hail account for between 40-50 percent of homeowner’s insurance claims each year. That’s the bad news. Here’s the better news: artificial intelligence (AI) is enabling fast and accurate hail damage detection, speeding up claims and repairs.  

The days of manual inspections that required workers to climb on ladders and walk around on damaged roofs are fortunately fading into the rearview. Now, workers can use drones coupled with AI-powered systems in order to analyze imagery for rooftop hail damage. These inspections are not only faster, more accurate, and cost-effective, they are also much safer. Here are 5 advantages of using AI technology for roof inspections:

  1. Faster and more efficient inspections: With AI-powered systems, workers can inspect rooftops more quickly and efficiently than they could using traditional methods. AI can analyze a large number of images in a short amount of time and identify hail damage with high accuracy. This not only saves time but also reduces the costs associated with inspections.
  2. Consistency and accuracy: AI systems are designed to be consistent in their analysis. This allows the user to reduce the number of photographs to only the ones that have a high likelihood of hail strikes in the imagery. This speeds up the inspection process and makes the analyst’s job easier and faster.
  3. Remote inspections: With AI-powered systems, it is possible to perform inspections remotely. This means inspectors do not need to be on the roof to detect hail damage. Instead, drones or other aerial vehicles equipped with cameras can capture images of the roof, which can then be analyzed by an AI algorithm. This not only makes inspections safer but also reduces the need for physical access to the roof, and allows for third-party pilots to be utilized for the initial inspection.
  4. Predictive analytics: With enough data, AI algorithms can use historical data to predict the likelihood of future hail damage. This can help property owners and insurance companies proactively address potential issues before they become significant problems. By detecting hail damage early, repairs can be made quickly and at a lower cost.
  5. Cost-effective: AI-powered inspections are generally more cost effective than traditional inspections. With AI, the need for manual labor is significantly reduced, which can save money on labor costs. Additionally, AI-powered systems can detect hail damage that may not be visible to the naked eye, which can prevent more costly repairs down the road.

The benefits of using AI to analyze imagery to identify rooftop hail damage improves analyst workflows and creates a more efficient way to identify hail damage than traditional methods. As technology continues to evolve, it’s likely that AI-powered inspections will become even more prevalent in the roofing industry. The applications are endless, but AI still has a long way to go before it completely replaces human analysts.These tools do wonders for creating efficiencies for roofing and insurance companies looking to understand the full scope of hail damage on a rooftop. To learn more about Zeitviews AI solutions for roofing inspections, visit us at Zeitview.com/roofing 

RT3 members represent the industry at SkillsUSA 2023

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This was the first year that roofing was included in the SkillsUSA national championship and members from RT3 were there to showcase technology in the roofing industry including drones, 3D modeling and virtual reality.

At the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) table, members were showcasing drone technology and 3D building modeling. Attendees could don an Oculus headset and experience what it’s like to be on the roof of the building in the 3D model. The team from Imagine Technologies and Division 7 Roofing was there to answer questions and fly the drone during a demo period.

The National Roofing Contractors Association was instrumental in working with SkillsUSA to include roofing as part of the competition this year. Heidi Ellsworth from RoofersCoffeeShop and RIck Damato of Roofing Contractor magazine worked together to secure donated materials and support for the roofing competition.

Four teams from across the country competed in the commercial roofing competition on Wednesday, June 21 under the guidance of skilled technicians from IB Roof Systems. The teams took a written test on the first day and then headed to the competition area to practice what they had learned in preparation for the competition the following day. First place was taken home by Kansas!

The first day of the Techspo saw crowds of students, teachers and family members learning from vendors about products and services they offer to the industry. In the roofing pavilion, attendees were able to experience both low-slope and steep-slope roofing installation methods.

In the low-slope demo area, they learned how to weld a seam on TPO with a handheld welder under the tutelage of experts from Johns Manville. After welding, the JM team tested the strength of the weld. On day two, students can compete in the seam welding for a chance to win a backpack and other swag from JM. On the steep-slope side, individuals were shown how to run a course of shingles, including installing starter strip thanks to the help of TAMKO. A special thank you to SRS Distribution for getting all the donated materials into the convention center.

National Women in Roofing had a table to share information on the organization and encourage the young women in attendance to consider the roofing industry as a viable career option.

We were really excited to be able to share the technology of the industry with the next generation of workers and are looking forward to next year!

Immersive Experiences at the Oracle Innovation Lab

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RT3 members explore technology in one of the most innovative labs in the world.

The Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) is committed to learning about new, emerging technologies and how these technologies may be leveraged in the roofing industry. They meet several times a year to experience the latest innovations and understand how they might advance the roofing industry as a whole.

On May 16 RT3 members met at the Oracle Innovation Lab in Deerfield, Illinois to participate in immersive experiences at the lab. According to an information sheet provided by Oracle, “The Oracle Industry Lab is a unique idea incubator designed to help businesses in a variety of industries tackle their most complex challenges. At locations around the world, we work side by side with our customers and technology partners in hands-on simulated industry settings to turn bold ideas into powerful solutions they can implement and use today.”

Manufacturing and AI

One of the experiences was a manufacturing and transportation focus, where artificial intelligence was being used for quality control in a manufacturing environment. Strategically positioned cameras would monitor the production of materials and issue an alert if abnormalities were spotted in the item being made. Drones were deployed to fly autonomous missions to count inventory. In the use case in the lab, the drone would fly to a stack of pipes, take a photo and count the number of pipes, delivering the count to inventory software in the lab.

Models demonstrated how fleets of trucks could be outfitted with technology to monitor their performance, efficiency, locations and health. The technology can alert the company to potential delays or problems before they happen, allowing them to take action.

Mark Mortimer tries the exoskeleton

Connected Tools

Oracle partner Hilti was on site to demonstrate their line of connected tools. They have eliminated the need for electric cords by using smart batteries to power the tools. The tools are able to be monitored using an app on a smartphone that provides detailed information about the use of the tool and the GPS capabilities of the battery can provide the tool’s exact location. This feature was extremely helpful lto one contractor whose tools were stolen from their truck. The app was able to provide information on their whereabouts and the contractor was able to recover the stolen items. 

Hilti also has an exoskeleton that helps support the upper body when doing repetitive work overhead. Members were able to try on the exoskeleton and experience the difference. The company has another exoskeleton in the works that will provide support for the knees, hips and lower body.

Greg Bloom experiencing VR in a building model.

Virtual Reality and Wearables

VR headsets were donned by members as they experienced how a digital model of the Innovation Lab was used to identify a potential issue and correct it during the design phase – before construction was even started.

New Oracle partner RealWear had a hardhat equipped with a smart eye that allowed the person wearing the hat to use voice commands to take photos and share data about the condition of a roof or a job site. By freeing up both hands and eliminating the need to enter data into a smartphone or tablet, the user is safer on the job and more efficient.

Smart Suite

The energy and utilities section of the lab featured a model of a smart kitchen and living area that helps consumers understand their energy usage and ways that they might be more sustainable and energy smart. A Tesla battery wall stores electricity generated by the solar panels on the roof of the lab and holds enough electricity to power the lab for four hours should they experience a power outage.

Smart Scheduling

The command center at the lab has state-of the-art monitors and technology where the Primavera P6 scheduling software was demonstrated. Integrations with Esri and other data sources allow for the identification of potential issues that could arise during a project. The example was for the installation of a utility line, where upon examining the data, we were able to determine that there was farm that would experience disruption as well as a creek that would need navigated during the installation. This allowed for adjustment of the schedule with a more accurate timeline to allow for those issues to be addressed.

After the immersive experiences, members gathered to discuss what was learned throughout the morning and how it might translate into roofing. They also identified challenges that the industry may face in adopting some of these concepts and plan to work on providing information and education to help the industry integrate tech solutions more efficiently.

If you’d like to learn more about becoming a member or participating in future meetups, visit rt3thinktank.com and choose Join RT3.

RT3 member Kelly Roofing goes global with first international Tesla Solar Roof

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This installation has opened up new possibilities for the next steps in solar roofing installations.

Kelly Roofing has completed the first-ever international Tesla Solar Roof installation, marking a significant milestone in green energy innovation. The Florida-based company managed negotiations, logistics and operations to extend its services into the international field, starting on the island of Nevis in the West Indies. This installation has opened up worldwide possibilities for the next steps in solar roofing installations for Kelly Roofing.

“This job is the pay off of years of work and innovation, it’s incredible to watch it come to life,” said Kelly Roofing President Ken Kelly. “Our team has been working with Tesla on building the solar roof deployment process from the ground up since they began developing it in 2019. Roofing innovation is what we do. It’s what we’ve been known for for the last fifty years at Kelly Roofing. This client, and this job have brought us to a new level and let us begin to really see the fruit of that labor.”

Installing a Tesla Solar Roof internationally required an intricate, multi-faceted and carefully honed system to complete. Kelly Roofing worked with the customer to understand their goals and negotiated a general price for the raw job. They then navigated duty and tariffs, shipping fees, customs fees, holding fees and transportation fees. The company’s prior experience in these logistics laid the groundwork for the job in Nevis and made the job seamless for the customer.

“We had the advantage of having solid shipping partners in place and a tested process, it was a matter of fitting the pieces together strategically for what this client needed,” Ken Said.

The Kelly Roofing team’s extensive experience in navigating Florida’s stringent roofing codes allowed them to navigate the legal hurdles of Nevis’s roofing regulations. The team also partnered with a local contracting team to ease relations with the government and the local community, providing on-the-job training and bringing the job to life.

The Tesla system is unique in its durability and innovation as well. It is connected to an app that is designed to be intuitive for the homeowner, helping control power consumption and usage. The roofs are also designed to last over time, making them hurricane-force-wind resistant and impact resistant to hail. Each tile is independent, allowing for expansion and contraction in extreme temperatures.

“The Tesla system gives peace of mind to our clients. We saw roofs come out of Hurricane Ian basically untouched and the Powerwall system kept up. There were entire blocks where neighbors were charging their phones at the only house with a Tesla Solar Roof because no one else had power,” Ken added.

For the homeowner, the Tesla Solar Roof came with a host of benefits, including ease of use and unmatched durability that provide an excellent return on their investment. In Nevis, the homeowner was able to take their home off-grid without interfering with the quality of their day-to-day life.

Kelly Roofing is now vetting and accepting new international Tesla Solar Roof jobs and is thankful and honored to have been a part of building this customer’s home.

Contact us today at 239.228.3276 or by email at: mail@kellyroofing.com for more information.

About Kelly Roofing

Kelly Roofing is an award-winning, Florida-based, international roofer that has been on the cutting edge of roofing innovation since 1972. They are a Top 100 Roofing Contractor and have been recognized as America’s Roofing Contractor of the Year. Kelly Roofing holds dozens of awards including the Roofing Think Tank Innovator of the Year and Fastest Growing Roofing Company in America Award. The company lives by the idea that the values of care, communication and consistency are the pathways to innovation and outstanding workmanship. Kelly Roofing is a certified Tesla Solar Roof installer and has leveraged this partnership to launch into the international solar roofing market.