Category: <span>Announcements</span>

Category: Announcements

NRCA Urges Consumers to Recognize National Roofing Week 2018, Identify Local Contractor in Preparation for Summer Storms

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Rosemont, Illinois – The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) is urging communities to recognize the significance of roofs to every home and business during National Roofing Week, which takes place June 3-9. NRCA also is reminding consumers National Roofing Week comes at the beginning of summer storm season and encourages them to prepare for severe summer weather by identifying a local roofing contractor before a storm hits.

Severe summer weather often is followed by fraudulent contractors who show up and attempt to prey on the emotions of homeowners and business owners whose roofs have been badly damaged by a tornado, hail storm or hurricane.

During National Roofing Week, NRCA is urging consumers to research and find a reputable local roofing contractor ahead of the storm. Having this information in advance will protect storm victims from also becoming the victims of a fraudulent contractor.

“National Roofing Week comes at a time when knowing your local roofing contractor is more important than ever,” says Reid Ribble, NRCA’s CEO. “Homeowners and business owners should protect themselves by putting their roofing contractor’s phone number on their refrigerator or in their cell phone in case of emergency.”

The roof is one of the most important components of a structure. It is the first line of defense against natural elements such as rain, snow or wind, yet it is often taken for granted until it falls into disrepair. During National Roofing Week, NRCA also encourages its members to participate by engaging in their communities and informing the public about the essential role roofs and professional roofing contractors play in every community.

NRCA will recognize National Roofing Week by highlighting the work, training and good deeds of its members and their employees on its various social media outlets.

Additional information about National Roofing Week can be found at www.nrca.net/roofingweek. To find a local roofing contractor in your area, visit NRCA’s consumer website at www.everybodyneedsaroof.com.

NRCA is one of the construction industry’s most respected trade associations and the voice of roofing professionals and leading authority in the roofing industry for information, education, technology and advocacy. It represents all segments of the roofing industry, including contractors; manufacturers; distributors; architects; consultants; engineers; building owners; and city, state and government agencies. NRCA’s mission is to inform and assist the roofing industry, act as its principal advocate and help members in serving their customers. NRCA continually strives to enhance every aspect of the roofing industry. For information about NRCA and its services and offerings, visit www.nrca.net

Join forces to support National Roofing Week

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To help members share in National Roofing Week, which will be held June 3-9, NRCA will be using Thunderclap, a crowdspeaking platform that allows people to tweet or post a Facebook message on the same day—and at the same time—to achieve the maximum effect and rise above the noise on social media. Think of it as an online flash mob in support of the roofing industry. NRCA is using Thunderclap to flood social media with a message promoting the roofing industry and National Roofing Week!

 

Thunderclap is safe, free and will post only one message on your behalf. Signing up for NRCA’s Thunderclap will take five seconds—just click here and choose “Support with Twitter,” “Support with Facebook,” “Support with Facebook page,” “Support with Tumblr” or all four! Then, add your name to the Thunderclap, and on June 3, the first day of National Roofing Week, everyone who signed up will have the same National Roofing Week message automatically posted on their Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr accounts: “It’s National Roofing Week! Share if you’re thankful for the roof over your head!”

All you need to do is sign up to show your support for the industry—Thunderclap will take care of the rest! With your support, on June 3, thousands of people will be speaking with one voice to celebrate the roofing industry and National Roofing Week!

RT3 Members Spend the Day on Capitol Hill

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By Shashi Bellamkonda, Surefire Local.

 

It is a good day when you can meet a group of technology thought leaders and exchange notes.  The occasion was the meetup of Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a consortium of thought leaders exploring emerging technology solutions for the roofing industry at the U.S. Capitol on March 6, 2018.

 

Showing the power of networking, Heidi Ellsworth of RoofersCoffeeShop.com  and co-founder of RT3, reached out to Sasha Bernhard, Legislative Aide to Senator Cantwell and created a program of talks from inspiring leaders. Thank you both very much. Of course, it wouldn’t have happened without the persistence of the amazing Laura Bartolozzi who made sure everyone got to this meetup in one piece and David Huval, both from National Roofing Partners (BTW, thank you to NRP for sponsoring the startup costs of RT3 and for the lunch and coffee, and RoofersCoffeeShop.com for sponsoring the reception.)

 

High level takeaways:

 

Sasha Bernhard – Legislative Aide to Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.

At a previous visit to the House and Senate a few years ago, I was amazed at the smartness, intelligence and enthusiasm of the staff of the House of Representatives and Senators. I am confident that this is a very good reason why America is such a great country. The people we elect for the most part surround themselves with excellent people. I was very impressed by Sasha’s talk where she laid out all the ways that a group like RT3 can influence the conversation both to the public, contractors, media and the legislature. Everyone can make their voice heard if they take the initiative to reach out.

 

Congressman John Delaney – D-MD, 6th District

Congressman Delaney
Congressman Delaney (D-MD)

Rep. Delaney launched the AI cause and acknowledged that there will always be disruption  “In my view, there is tremendous potential for AI to be a positive transformational force, but also understandable concern about the impact that disruption could have on existing jobs.”

 

This is a good position, almost every speaker acknowledged that the nature of jobs will change and it is important to think about how to “upskill” the workforce to make them suitable for the new jobs that will be created and some jobs will disappear.

 

Reid Ribble – Executive Director, National Roofing Contractors Association

Reid is the new executive director of the National Roofing Contractors Association and this week about 400 roofing professionals flew into Washington, D.C. to make their voices heard. Reid mentioned a few areas where roofing professionals can make changes. The perception of the roofing industry in the Congress and Senate is driven by the opinions in the media, homeowner complaints about a few bad players. In order to change the perception all around, all professionals have to join together. Showing up in strength definitely helps. Technology advancement in the roofing industry should be highlighted and professionals should think of more innovation. Reid mentioned a thought of how roofing contractors control the roofs where so much of rainwater touches. IF there was a way to collect and use this water this would help with such a rare resource in the world “water” ( Water according to Reid is costlier than oil)

 

Dr. Nicol Turner-Lee – Fellow, Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution

Heidi Ellsworth, Sasha Bernhard, & Nicol Turner-Lee
Left to Right: Heidi Ellsworth, Sasha Bernhard, & Nicol Turner-Lee

Dr. Turner-Lee started her talk with a stark truth that half the population on this earth is still not online. While there is a rapid change in digital platforms, predictive analytics, automation, and machine learning, small and medium businesses are finding it hard to keep up. Over 66% of the new jobs in the US are created by small and medium enterprises. The rise of automation and AI will dismantle jobs and render some positions obsolete. 

 

Specific to the roofing Industry:

Major goals are productivity and the application of innovation

  • Construction robotics
    • “Masonry robots” – speed up brick pattern courses
    • Wearable robotics, including exoskeletons for mobility to robotic arms for strength
    • Drones for equipment delivery and to check on inventory
  • Big data analytics
    • Jobsite efficiencies & optimized equipment
    • Weatherization
  • 3-D Printing
    • Showing up in cranes for improved layering of concrete
    • Mapping & design
  • Remote management and design
    • Pre-fabrication through digitization

 

Overall these speakers inspired the group to take back thoughts and work into their businesses and the community.

New Website Could Change the Game for Roofing Contractors

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This new website lets contractors read and leave reviews on customers.

With a few simple clicks of the keyboard, negative reviews on the internet can potentially destroy a business. Because of the simplicity and impersonal nature of web review sites like Yelp and Angie’s List, an unfair negative review could potentially cost a roofing contractor potential revenue, opportunities to work on future projects, and may lead to their need for a roofing lawyer to dispute these allegations.

New Website Looks to Warn Contractors

Although there is little a roofing contractor can do to prevent a person from writing damaging things about them or their business on the web, there is a new and interesting way for industry professionals to fight back. Hopefully, if a roofing contractor utilizes the right resources, they can avoid working with bad clients in the industry.

Building a Database for Bad Clients

If you are a roofing contractor, you do not want to work for a client that refuses payment at the completion of a project. You also do not want to work for somebody disrespectful or difficult to manage over the course of the project as well. With www.contractorscustomers.com, roofing contractors or construction industry professionals can access a paid website that allows them to review the customers they worked for and document any positive or negative issues with the client on the website. For example, if a plumber and electrician both complain about how a certain client refuses to pay in full at the completion of the project, a roofing contractor may feel inclined to pass on that potential project offer. However, if all the reviews are positive for that client, the contractor can move ahead with a little peace of mind.

Remember You Can Be Accused of Defamation

Although it’s nice to have a medium that gives you honest reviews of potential clients, it’s important for professionals to remember that they are liable for any posts that contain invalid or confidential information. It’s best to post anything on the web with great caution as it could potentially lead to a defamation claim. With that being said, if a contractor performs work to the expectation of the owner or their client, they should be compensated and their reputation should be protected as well.

Note: This article first appeared on Cotney Construction Law’s blog and can be viewed here.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Cotney Construction Law Supports the Roofing Technology Think Tank Through Donated Services

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The firm provided more than $20,000 in pro bono legal services to support and advance the roofing industry.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry announced that Cotney Construction Law, a leading national law firm for the construction industry, specialty trades, and OSHA defense, donated over $20,000 in pro bono legal services to help launch RT3 in 2017.

“We are truly humbled by the support and commitment of Cotney Construction Law to help establish RT3,” said co-founder Dale Tyler. “Trent Cotney’s support of this industry initiative and our organization demonstrates that both he and his firm are forward-thinking industry leaders that recognize the need for innovative technology solutions in roofing.”

“This donation of services is our investment in the future of the roofing industry,” said Trent Cotney, Principal of Cotney Construction Law. “Without implementing and embracing technology, we aren’t going to retain and attract the talent needed to advance the industry. We were honored to donate our services to help RT3 form and move forward.”

 

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. www.rt3thinktank.test.

 

About Cotney Construction Law, LLP

Cotney Construction Law, LLP is a construction law firm that provides national representation for general, roofing, HVAC and specialty contractors.  Experienced in the representation of businesses and professionals in construction disputes and transactions throughout the nation and with a proven track record in the state of Florida, Cotney is a well-known advisor and legal counsel in the construction industry.  The firm’s practice areas include construction law, litigation, arbitration, contract review & drafting, immigration, employment, OSHA defense, licensing defense, bid protests, lien law, bond law and alternative dispute resolution.  The firm has Florida offices in Tampa, Orlando, Tallahassee, Jacksonville, and Ft. Lauderdale, as well as locations in Nashville, Houston, Grand Rapids, and Mobile, Alabama.  For more information, visit www.cotneycl.com.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) Chooses Leadership

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RT3 has secured the services of veteran industry marketing communications professional Karen Edwards to advance the efforts of the organization.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry announced that it has chosen Karen Edwards as its communications and engagement leader.

In this role, Edwards will lead the RT3 membership in engagement activities that drive the group’s technology research, evaluation, testing and thought leadership to continue to promote the adoption of technology into the roofing industry. She will also manage all of RT3’s communication efforts, ensuring that the group’s message and efforts surrounding the adoption of technology are effectively shared with contractors, manufacturers, distributors and industry media.

“RT3 is very excited to work with Karen on moving the RT3 initiative forward and taking it to the next level,” said RT3 co-founder Dale Tyler. “Her background in the roofing industry combined with her understanding of how to introduce new technologies into the industry from her time spent as a marketing leader at EagleView bring the perfect skill set to RT3.”

Edwards has been a marketing professional for more than 25 years and has focused the past 15 years on marketing for the technology and construction industries. She led the contractor marketing program during her tenure at Carlisle SynTec and oversaw the marketing behind the company’s secondary brands including Versico, EcoStar, Insulfoam, Carlisle Coatings and Waterproofing and Carlisle Residential before moving on to lead marketing efforts at EagleView Technologies. As president and owner of Casimir Group, Edwards provides strategic marketing consulting for roofing manufacturers and contractors, she is also the editor for RoofersCoffeeShop.com and leads Marcomm activities for the Property Drone Consortium.

She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Millersville University of Pennsylvania and resides in the York, Pennsylvania area. When not working, she enjoys traveling, relaxing on a beach, partaking in good food and wine, taking long walks and yoga.

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. http://www.rt3thinktank.test.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) and SmartBrief Partner

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SmartBrief And RT3 Work Together To Promote Progressive Roofing Practices

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), an emerging technology-focused group of roofing industry thought leaders, and SmartBrief, a leading digital media publisher of targeted business news, are seeing success with their partnership to promote technology throughout the roofing industry.

Launched December 11th, Roofing Technology SmartBrief powered by RT3 is a subscription-only publication that provides essential technology and diversity news and thought-leadership content three times a week to over 11,000 roofing professionals.

“Partnering RT3 with SmartBrief is one of the best ways to share the technology information that this group is curating and researching,” stated Dale Tyler of National Roofing Partners.  “As a group, we are committed to the dissemination of information to the industry about technology advances and opportunities to improve the roofing process and business.  Our goal is to have the entire industry receive these informative newsletters.”

RT3 is focused on serving the needs of the roofing industry with ongoing education, research, and dissemination of their findings.  “The Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) is a consortium of thought leaders exploring emerging technology solutions for the roofing industry, striving to inform roofing contractors by bringing together progressive and disruptive solutions that help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry,” is the mission statement for the group.

Learn more and subscribe to Roofing Technology SmartBrief powered by RT3.  Additional information can also be found at https://192.241.168.40.

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About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)
Visualized by Dale Tyler of National Roofing Partners and Heidi Ellsworth of RoofersCoffeeShop.com and HJE Consulting, the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) is a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry.  The think tank 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 and advancement of information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry.  https://192.241.168.40

 

About SmartBrief
Serving nearly 6 million senior executives, thought leaders and industry professionals, SmartBrief is the leading digital media publisher of targeted business news and information by industry. By combining technology and editorial expertise, SmartBrief delivers the most relevant industry news – curated daily from thousands of sources – in partnership with leading trade associations, professional societies, nonprofits, and corporations. Using industry expertise and an engaged network of readers, SmartBrief’s content marketing offerings cut through the clutter and provide real solutions to targeted business needs.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) and BuiltWorlds Partner

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Thought-leaders working together to promote technology in the construction and roofing space

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), an emerging group of roofing industry thought leaders and BuiltWorlds, a community and network for forward-thinking leaders in the built environment (architecture, engineering, construction, real estate, and other buildings and infrastructure-related industries) announced their partnership to promote technology throughout the roofing industry.  The partnership will include joint promotion and knowledge sharing of cutting-edge technologies.

RT3 is focused on serving the needs of the roofing industry with ongoing education, research, and dissemination of their findings.  “The Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) is a consortium of thought leaders exploring emerging technology solutions for the roofing industry, striving to inform roofing contractors by bringing together progressive and disruptive solutions that help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry,” is the mission statement recently created by the group.

Matt Abeles of BuiltWorlds hosted the group for the inaugural meeting at their corporate offices in Chicago.  BuiltWorlds has taken technology leadership within the general contracting and architectural communities to a new level.  They believe in innovation through collaboration, to push the built industry forward.  Abeles shared, “The construction or built world is powered by our oldest industry — one that is slow to move and slow to change.  We are committed to working with all areas of the construction industry and RT3 provides the perfect platform to reach the roofing industry with innovative technology and ideas.”

“We are thrilled to be working with BuiltWorlds,” stated Dale Tyler of National Roofing Partners.  “They were a key inspiration for us as we developed the idea of RT3.  We can provide feedback on the roofing space through BuiltWorlds to the larger AGC community while sharing their knowledge with our industry.  RT3 is about thought leadership and bringing technology into the industry that can help with labor and the overall professionalism roofing.”

 

About Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)
Visualized by Dale Tyler of National Roofing Partners and Heidi Ellsworth of RoofersCoffeeShop.com and HJE Consulting, the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) is a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry.  The think tank 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 and advancement of information, RT3 will help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry.

About BuiltWorlds

Since its inception in 2014, BuiltWorlds’ mission — to be the catalyst for progress and innovation in the built environment — has never wavered. Today, it is a community and network for stakeholders in the many built sectors to come together and move the needle forward. Through its events, ecosystem, and supporting video and written content, BuiltWorlds is providing the tools, knowledge, inspiration, and connections to grow careers, companies, and the greater industry.

 

Shared from National Roofing Partners Blog.

Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) Announces Mission

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Roofing Industry Thought Leaders Talk Technology.

A group of roofing industry thought leaders gathered at the BuiltWorlds corporate offices in Chicago, IL to discuss the future of technology in the roofing industry.  Visualized by Dale Tyler of National Roofing Partners and Heidi Ellsworth of RoofersCoffeeShop and HJE Consulting, the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) is a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the roofing industry.

“Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), is a consortium of thought leaders exploring emerging technology solutions for the roofing industry, striving to inform contractors by bringing together progressive and disruptive solutions that help build the professionalism and appeal of the roofing industry,” was the mission statement agreed upon by participants.

Matt Abeles of BuiltWorlds (www.builtworlds.com) hosted the group at their corporate offices in Chicago.  BuiltWorlds has taken technology leadership within the general contracting and architectural communities.  They believe in innovation through collaboration, to push the built industry forward.  Abeles shared, “The built world is powered by our oldest industry — one that is slow to move and slow to change. With every connection, we make and every event we hold, we’ve seen the value of starting conversations and bringing people together, firsthand like we did today with the roofing industry.”

Future meetings will be held at innovative locations that will help enlighten the group on progressive technologies that can make a difference in the roofing industry.  “It is about education and initiative to understand and then disseminate new technologies into the roofing industry,” stated Heidi J. Ellsworth.  “One of the ways to attract the new generation and a diversified labor force is to incorporate the use of technology including robotics, software, cloud solutions and cutting-edge technologies that we are not even aware of yet.”

“The next generation of millennials will demand the use of technology,” agreed Dale Tyler.  “If we want to compete for talent as an industry, we will need to create an appealing workplace.  With our dwindling workforce, we need to be on the front end of new technologies that will automate the rooftop.  Labor is just one of the urgent business problems that can be addressed with technology.”

Industry thought-leaders who participated in the first meeting included Manny DeSousa of the Flynn Group of Companies, Alison LaValley of National Roofing Contractors Association, Dale Tyler of National Roofing Partners, Heidi Ellsworth of RoofersCoffeeShop.com / HJE Consulting, Laura Threlkeld of National Roofing Partners, Paul Belair of 10X CEO Coaching, LLC, Paul Feezel of FractionalCIOGroup.com, Steve Little of KPOST Roofing and Waterproofing, Tom Whitaker of Harness, Trent Cotney of Trent Cotney, P.A. Construction Law Group, Karen Inman of Antis Roofing, Geoffrey Stone of Metal Forming, David Prokop of Metal Forming, Nick Serelis of FCS, Rick Damato of Rick Damato Consulting, William Wilkins of Pointivo, Robert  Thompson of Metal-ERA, Josh Kelly of OMG Roofing Products, Rob Foote of Roofing Risk Advisors and Josey Parks of Cognitive Contractor.  Additional companies and individuals are expected to attend subsequent meetings.

 

 

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.