Category: <span>Announcements</span>

Roofing Technology Think Tank Announces New Board Member

The board supports the RT3 mission and leads the organization in its efforts to educate and advance technology in the roofing industry. 

York, Pennsylvania, June 25, 2024 –- Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced Richard Carroll, Carroll Consulting Group, Minneapolis, Minnesota as its newest board member.

“We are looking forward to Rich joining the board,” said Karen Edwards, RT3 director. “He has been an active member of RT3 and brings a strong background in the roofing industry that will help us continue to advance the adoption of technology.”

RT3 would also like to extend its gratitude to Andrew Centauro, Elmer W. Davis, Inc. Commercial Roofing, Rochester, New York, for his commitment to the organization during his three-year term on the board.

Other board members continuing their service include:

  • Wendy Marvin, Matrix Roofing & Home Solutions, president
  • John Kenney, Cotney Consulting Group, treasurer
  • Jon Gardner, Owens Corning, board member
  • Thomas Basch, Infinity Home Services, board member
  • Jeremy Dickmann, Apollo Primm Commercial Roofing, board member

RT3 Think Tank meets throughout the year, with a combination of virtual and live meetups that focus on learning about new and emerging technologies.  Past live meetups have been held at innovative locations that help educate the group on progressive technologies that can make a difference in the roofing industry, including Renovate Robotics, MTL Holdings, Texas A&M, Boxabl, 3M Innovation Center and Roofing Granule Lab, OMG Roofing Products, Vanderbilt Wond’ry, Microsoft Innovation Lab, Georgia Tech, BuiltWorlds and the U.S. Capitol. 

The next live meetup is planned for the fall 2024. RT3 contractor members will also be participating in educational panels during industry tradeshows to share tips and resources that help contractors successfully adopt and implement technologies that not only help their businesses but also contribute to recruiting their future workforce.  

Stay up to date with RT3 news and events by signing up for the RT3 SmartBrief e-Newsletter at www.rt3thinktank.com. Listen to the RT3 podcast on your favorite listening platform.

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 Member Mycocycle Raises $3.6 Million to Transform Waste into Sustainable Raw Materials with Fungi

Seed extension comes as company triples R&D footprint and raises production capacity to 40 metric tons of material treated per month.

CHICAGO, May 08, 2024 — Mycocycle, a nature-inspired, woman-owned biotechnology company that uses fungi to transform organic waste into reusable materials, today announced an oversubscribed $3.6 million Seed extension. Closed Loop Partners’ Ventures Group led the round with follow-on investment from the TELUS Pollinator Fund for Good and participation from U.S. Venture, Inc. and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity INVENT Fund.

The funding brings Mycocycle to $7.3 million raised to date and follows the company’s announcement of a $2.2 million Seed round one year ago.

Mycocycle will use the funding to deepen relationships with existing partners for waste materials, further scale its waste-to-value chain, and make key leadership hires for marketing, technology, and operations teams.

Compared to May 2023, Mycocycle now completes over 10 times as many mycelium-based treatments per month. The company’s bioremediation process blends the treatment with built environment waste (asphalt shingles, rubber, gypsum boards, insulation lining, and old textiles) and transforms it into non-toxic, high-quality raw materials.

This circular waste-to-value system diverts some of the roughly 145 million tons of construction debris sent annually to landfills and decarbonizes a sector responsible for nearly a third of annual U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

Mycocycle also helps reduce emissions that are associated with a company’s value chain but outside of its direct control. These emissions, called Scope 3 emissions, come from upstream activity (like raw material production and transport) and downstream activity (like waste disposal). Scope 3 emission reduction is a critical piece of zero-waste corporate responsibility programs.

“Mycocycle helps decarbonize the construction material supply chain through a cost-effective, sustainable process that produces useful raw material for the building industry,” said Joanne Rodriguez, founder and CEO of Mycocycle. “Further, the unique characteristics of mycelium lead to materials that are lightweight, thermally insulating, fire-retardant, and water-repellent.”

There are two main parts of Mycocycle’s circular business model:

Mycelium treatment: Mycocycle helps its customers use fungi to break down and detoxify waste materials at their own demolition or construction sites. Some waste types, like carpet, are treated at the same cost of incineration and other environmentally harmful disposal methods.

Raw material production: Mycocycle produces harvestable raw materials that can go into products like industrial fillers, fibers, or foams. Because they require less energy to go to market, these materials are more sustainable than their counterparts made from plastic polymers or petroleum chemicals.

“Mycocycle embodies Closed Loop Partners’ advancement of a truly circular economy and paints the vision for how rapid decarbonization of the construction supply chain can be profitable for companies today,” said Aly Bryan, Investor at Closed Loop Partners’ Ventures Group. “We are excited to partner with the Mycocycle team in the next phase of growth for the business and to ultimately enable more circular and local processing and production technologies for materials in the built world.”

Treated gypsum waste sits ready for use in industrial fillers and foams. Image Credits: Mycocycle

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 drives circularity in the construction supply chain and divert wastes from landfills. Mycocycle blends lab-cultivated fungi with debris at the point of waste generation to transform waste into new raw materials. To learn more, visit http://www.mycocycle.com.

Roofing Technology Think Tank Announces 2023 Innovator of the Year

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.

RT3 Member Owens Corning Recognizes Quality Discount Roofing, LLC with Pinnacle Innovation Award

The company received the award for their innovative technology that has benefitted the industry. 

Quality Discount Roofing, LLC, a residential & commercial contractor specializing in roofing, siding and gutters, was awarded the 2023 Owens Corning Pinnacle Innovation Award at the company’s annual North American Platinum Preferred Contractors Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Quality Discount Roofing, LLC has utilized an assortment of technology offerings to create an innovative experience for not only homeowners but their employees as well. From an online onboarding program to virtually train new employees, an automated messaging system to notify customers through the project timeline and the implementation of a state-of-the-art estimating tool that with automation as well, simplifies the estimating process for the sales employees and saves paper along the way. These processes have saved time and money for the business while increasing the overall experience on both sides and led to an increase in overall customer satisfaction.

“We have always tried to be early adopters of new technologies in the marketplace. We study other industries away from the construction industry to give us insight into what technology can help us to continue our growth. If customers experience technology from Amazon, they will desire to feel the same elsewhere where they make a purchase. Our goal has been to save time while also increasing the customer experience. New technologies shouldn’t only be for our customers but also for our employees. We found a way for them to benefit everyone,” said Stephen Knuth, Director of Sales for Quality Discount Roofing, LLC.

Jimmy Soderlund, Owner & CEO of Quality Discount Roofing, LLC says, “These technologies are available from industry leading providers. Our goal is always to provide top quality customer service, technology has been a tool that makes that process easier in todays changing world.”

“Owens Corning cares about technology and always being the best. They have the same focus on technology that we do and that is one of the reasons why we love having them as a partner,” says Stephen Knuth.

About Quality Discount Roofing, LLC

Quality Discount Roofing, LLC has been in business since 2011. They exist in the Northern Florida market and are proud to be partners with Owens Corning Roofing to provide an excellent product to their customers. QDR has won the 2020 Owens Corning Roofing MVP Award and voted the Bold City Best Roofer 5 of the last 7 years by Jacksonville.com. 

RT3 Member Roofing Contractor Magazine Announces Roofing Supply Pro to Support Roofing Distribution Industry

Roofing Contractor Magazine and its parent company, BNP Media, are proud to announce Roofing Supply Pro, a publication dedicated to serving professionals in the roofing distribution industry.

Set to launch during the 2023 International Roofing Expo in March, the online publication will deliver content crafted for the unique business needs of roofing supply professionals. Readers will enjoy coverage on a wide array of topics, ranging from news and products to operations, branch management, sales, logistics, and more. 

“As these past few years have demonstrated, supply and distribution are critical to the roofing industry,” said Jill Bloom, publisher of Roofing Contractor and Roofing Supply Pro. “As the premier publication for commercial, residential and industrial roofing contractors, we are excited to expand our coverage of the roofing industry to serve roofing supply professionals.”

Roofing Supply Pro is for owners, sales representatives, branch managers, credit managers, fleet managers and everyone else involved in this essential industry. Readers can subscribe for free at www.roofingcontractor.com/RSP-Sign-Up as well as sign up for eNewsletters that will send the latest news, videos, podcasts and more directly to their inboxes. Readers can also find Roofing Supply Pro on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to stay on top of the latest news.

For more information, visit www.roofingcontractor.com/RSP-Sign-Up.

About Roofing Contractor

Roofing Contractor, a BNP Media publication, is the premier media publication for roofers in North America, and the businesses that supply and support them. Roofingcontractor.com covers the latest news and information impacting the roofing industry on a daily basis. In addition, every month RC publishes a newly-redesigned eMagazine that delivers articles, contractor profiles, product information, and insights into the latest business, legal and safety concerns that contractors face every day. Our editorial reaches an international audience covering all aspects of residential, commercial, industrial and institutional roofing. 

About BNP Media

Founded in 1926, BNP Media is a fourth-generation, family-run media enterprise headquartered in Troy, Mich. Millions of B2B professionals worldwide rely on BNP Media for superior information in a variety of trusted formats. Their magazines, websites, events, custom media, webinars, continuing education coursework, and market research insights are known for helping industry professionals succeed in business and get closer to their customers.

Roofing Technology Think Tank Announces 2022 Innovator of the Year

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

York, Pennsylvania, December 6, 2022 –- Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, awarded the 2022 Innovator of the Year award to Joe Hoffman, owner and president of Hoffman Weber Construction The award was announced during the 2022 Best of Success Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“Joe is a true innovator who recognized the online shift in consumer buying habits and developed the technology to allow Hoffman Weber Construction to sell roofs to homeowners online,” stated Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited, Award Task Team Leader and past RT3 Board President. “The technology that Joe created, known as Roofle, has changed the landscape for purchasing residential roof systems.”

Hoffman Weber Construction has been a leader in using technology for decades.  As an early adopter of EagleView, AccuLynx and Xactimate, Joe Hoffman has led Hoffman Weber in the adoption of technology that has propelled their business while inspiring them to create software that roofing contractors need for growth into the future.

With the development of Roofle, homeowners can enter their property address and within seconds receive price quotes for good, better and best roofing systems from their choice of manufacturer. Hoffman is making this technology accessible to other roofing contractors who want to increase transparency and bring their roofing businesses into the 21st century.

Congratulations to Joe Hoffman and Hoffman Weber Construction on being named the 2022 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.

RT3 member AccuLynx, recognized as Best SaaS Product for the Construction Industry

International Software Awards Program announces initial shortlist for Best SaaS Product for the Construction Industry.

AccuLynx, the leading provider of all-in-one business management software for roofing contractors, today announced it has been recognized in the 2022 SaaS Awards program shortlist for Best SaaS Product for the Construction Industry.

The SaaS Awards program, which celebrates software innovation across the US, Canada, Australasia, EMEA, and the UK, annually recognizes the best solutions in each category. AccuLynx demonstrated its leadership position in the roofing industry through years of innovative software development and proven success across thousands of customers.

“The shortlisted candidates announced today have proven to be truly innovative thinkers in the SaaS industry,” said James Williams, Head of Operations for the SaaS Awards.
“We are delighted to be recognized by the SaaS Awards program as one of the best SaaS products for the construction and roofing categories,” said Mike Stein, CEO of AccuLynx. “We’ve continued to put innovation and customer satisfaction at the forefront, and this award underlines those efforts.”

This recognition follows a stream of recent awards for AccuLynx’s roofing software in the Construction Management Software and Construction Management CRM categories from large software review sites including Capterra, GetApp, and Software Advice. To read more about the SaaS Awards and other recognized solutions, visit the awards page.

About AccuLynx
AccuLynx is the leading provider of cloud-based business management software for roofing contractors. Recognized as a pioneer in the industry, AccuLynx has helped thousands of companies—from rapidly-growing start-ups to multi-location operations—streamline their processes and grow their business. Used by more contractors than any other roofing software, AccuLynx’s simple business management tools include CRM, estimating, production scheduling, project management, aerial measurements, material ordering, photo sharing, payment processing, custom reporting, and homeowner financing, and more. AccuLynx has direct integrations with Beacon Building Products, SRS Distribution, ABC Supply, QuickBooks, HomeAdvisor, GAF, GreenSky, EagleView Technologies, and others. For more information, visit acculynx.com.

Roofing Technology Think Tank Announces New Board Members and Officers

The board supports the RT3 mission and leads the organization in its efforts to educate and advance technology in the roofing industry. 

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry, announced Jeremy Dickmann, CEO, Appollo Primm Commercial Roofing, Forest Park, Georgia and Jon Gardner, National Training and Development Leader, Owens Corning, Toledo, Ohio as its newest board members.

“We are looking forward to having Jon and Jeremy join the board,” said Karen Edwards, RT3 director. “They have both been active members of RT3 and will help us continue to educate and advance the roofing industry by working to share how technology can elevate us all.”

RT3 would also like to extend its gratitude to Anna Anderson of Art Unlimited and Tracey Prociw, former director of RCAW, for their commitment to the organization. “Anna and Tracey both played important roles in the growth and evolution of RT3. Anna continues to volunteer her time as a member of the tactical task team as well as the awards task team. We wish Tracey the best in her retirement,” said Edwards.

Other board members include:

  • Deryl Kratzer, President/COO, National Roofing Partners, will serve as RT3 president
  • Wendy Marvin, CEO, Matrix Roofing & Home Solutions, will serve as RT3 treasurer
  • Andrew Centauro, COO and Director of Marketing, Elmer W. Davis, Inc. Commercial Roofing
  • John Kenney, CEO, Cotney Consulting Group

The Think Tank meets throughout the year, with a combination of virtual and live meetups that focus on learning about new and emerging technologies.  Past live meetups have been held at innovative locations that help educate the group on progressive technologies that can make a difference in the roofing industry, including Texas A&M, Boxabl, 3M Innovation Center and Roofing Granule Lab, OMG Roofing Products, Vanderbilt Wond’ry, Microsoft Innovation Lab, Georgia Tech, BuiltWorlds and the U.S. Capitol. 

The next live meetup is planned for the fall 2022. RT3 contractor members will also be participating in educational panels during industry tradeshows and appearing on podcasts and webinars to share tips and information to other contractors about how using technology is helping them recruit their future workforce.  

Stay up to date with RT3 news and events by signing up for the RT3 SmartBrief e-Newsletter at www.rt3thinktank.com. Listen to the RT3 podcast on your favorite listening platform.

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 member RoofersCoffeeShop® Announces MetalCoffeeShop™

RoofersCoffeeShop launches second Coffee Shop focused on Metal, brought to the industry by Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings.

RT 3 member RoofersCoffeeShop®, celebrating 20 years as the award-winning website where the industry meets for technology, information and everyday business announces a new website for the industry, MetalCoffeeShop™.  Offering the same resources as RoofersCoffeeShop (RCS), the new site will focus on metal construction including roofing, walls, gutters, HVAC and more.

MetalCoffeeShop offers a one-of-a-kind educational, informational and community experience for metal contractors and the metal industry – brought to you by Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings.  This new Coffee Shop delivers the same industry-leading content wholly focused on metal construction while creating a unique online community for metal professionals overall.

“For twenty years RoofersCoffeeShop has offered one of the strongest online communities for roofing professionals,” stated Heidi J. Ellsworth, RCS president.  “Working with Sherwin-Williams, we are thrilled to launch MetalCoffeeShop.com for the metal construction industry.  We are proud to have metal associations including Metal Construction Association (MCA), Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) and METALCON, the leading metal conference, on the site where we can share their information along with thought leadership from manufacturers, distributors and service providers daily.”

“Sherwin-Williams is committed to helping contractors grow their businesses within the metal market and this new online community is the ideal platform for us to help them achieve success,” said Christian Zimprich, Marketing Manager for Sherwin-Williams Coil Coatings. “We were drawn to creating this digital community with RoofersCoffeeShop because of their construction knowledge and expertise, along with their demonstrated ability to bring news, information, education and learning opportunities to the industry. This will be a unique online community that will expand the knowledge of metal building products to the overall market.”

In conjunction with Sherwin-Williams, leading metal construction product and service providers will share information for metal-focused contractors on new products, initiatives and services that improve the industry.  With a focus on providing education for the growth and success of metal construction companies, the site offers thought leadership for ongoing metal construction business success.  Supported by metal-focused social media and eNews, MetalCoffeeShop is opening a brand-new opportunity to build community, business and networking for metal contractors.

About RoofersCoffeeShop

As an award-winning website and online community, RoofersCoffeeShop is committed to being a roofing professional advocate by supplying consistent information, education and communication avenues for all roofing professionals, and especially contractors, while promoting the positive growth, education and success of the roofing industry overall. Visitors to the site continue to find excellent opportunities for sharing information while participating in important ongoing conversations concerning new technologies, safety and the overall roofing trade. From the rooftop to the board room, RoofersCoffeeShop is “Where the Industry Meets!” For more information, visit www.rooferscoffeeshop.com.

About MetalCoffeeShop

MetalCoffeeShop is committed to being an advocate and supporter of the metal construction industry.  With Sherwin-Williams and industry thought leader’s contributions, the site supplies consistent information, education and networking avenues for all metal construction professionals.  Visitors to the site will not only find education and information but thought-leading editorial, multimedia and Influencer content that elevates the metal construction industry.  Like RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop is “Where the Metal Industry Meets!”  For more information and involvement opportunities, visit www.metalcoffeeshop.com.