Bradco Supply Corp., a leading national distributor of roofing, siding, windows and building materials, opened its newest location, in La Marque, Texas. This is the second Bradco location within the Greater Houston and Gulf Coast Texas area. It is being opened to service the area around Galveston, Harris, Brazoria and surrounding counties.

“We believe our new La Marque location will enable us to better meet the needs of the entire Galveston area as it rebuilds after the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike. We are manning the office with an experienced staff that has a combined track record of more than 100 years in the building materials industry,” says Brad Segal, president of Bradco.

Mark Donaldson heads the La Marque facility.

ATAS International offers specification program
ATAS International, a Metal of Honor winner, announced the addition of specification program software to its website at www.spec.atas.com.

This software will write specifications for ATAS roofing and wall products as chosen by the specifier.

Using the ATAS specification program, specifiers must answer questions regarding the products they are looking to use on the project. The answers are inserted into a three-part specification and produced as a Microsoft Word document, which may be modified. The created document includes specific product information as well as test references for both steep slope and low slope roofing applications.

The unique function of the specification writing software is it includes the recommended usages and limitations of the ATAS product line. Therefore, the answers to each of the questions determine the questions asked in the next section and will virtually guarantee the proper usage when the spec is used exactly as generated. A bonus feature of the ATAS spec program includes detailed “help” sections that explain in depth why a question must be answered and the benefits and recommendations for each option available.

“In addition to offering helpful tools for our customers, ATAS is also very interested in education,” says Jim Bush, the vice president of ATAS. “This spec writing tool will allow ATAS products to be specified with their appropriate usages and will include many helpful tips in order to enact the proper decisions for each project.”

SFS intec offers AIA approved presentation
SFS intec announced its Corrosion Prevention in Constructing Fastening Systems presentation was approved by the American Institute of Architects as a sustainable design credit beginning in January 2009. SFS intec is one of the first companies to offer the new sustainable design credit.

The presentation, abbreviated as CORR1A, will fulfill a portion of AIA members’ continuing education requirements. The corrosion prevention presentation provides the design professional with the knowledge to determine which materials are appropriate in order to achieve sustainable design goals for differing building life cycles.

In addition to the corrosion prevention presentation, SFS intec offers four other AIA continuing education seminars. Program summaries for all AIA courses can be found on the SFS website at www.sfsintecusa.com.

Whirlwind offers solar
Whirlwind Steel Buildings announced the creation of Whirlwind Solar Energy Systems. Whirlwind Solar offers a renewable energy alternative for metal roof and metal building applications.

Whirlwind’s Solar Energy System is an amorphous photovoltaic peel and stick system that is factory or field applied to standing seam roof panels. 

Whirlwind’s SES is available in seven pre-designed packages ranging from 3 to 120 kilowatts. Benefits of the system include being a true building integrated photovoltaic system (penetration free), lightweight (less than one pound per square foot), lower LCA cost and is “grid tied.” In addition, Whirlwind will provide the necessary electrical drawings, wire sizing, equipment sizing and specifications for the system. 

Whirlwind Solar offers a free return on investment analysis available on its website (www.whirlwindsteel.com) which will provide all available incentives, break even year, square footage of roof area required, budgetary cost and kW hours generated per year.

Garland receives awards
The Garland Company was the recipient of two regional and one national awards honoring its contributions in a variety of areas. As a first-time member of Inc. magazine’s Inc. 5000, Garland was one of only 67 Ohio companies recognized as one of the nation’s fastest growing private businesses.

The City of Cleveland Department of Economic Development in cooperation with the Cleveland Citywide Development Corporation honored Garland Industries with its Brownfield Redevelopment Award. This recognizes accomplishments in assisting the local economy. Garland’s CFO Chuck Ripepi explains, “Our decision to invest in this property, adjacent to our corporate headquarters, is evidence of Garland’s on-going commitment to help grow the economy of Cleveland, where many of our workers reside.”

For the ninth consecutive year, Garland Industries, Inc. was selected by the Employers Resource Council as one of the top 99 places to work in Northeast Ohio.

AMSI clip receives UL approval
AMSI is pleased to announce UL classification of its 158-FCU-24-G fixed clip.

The 158-FCU-24-G is classified by UL for UL580 Class 90 wind uplift applications and is designed to fit a variety of 1-1/2-inch mechanically seamed roof panels. The 158-FCU is manufactured using only high quality AZ-50 or AZ55 Galvalume coated steel.

Englert offers ‘environmental’ solutions for customers
Englert, a leading manufacturer and supplier of standing seam metal roofing systems and rainware, announces Englert Environmental, a provider of renewable resource solutions where metal roofing and rainware systems play a critical role in collecting solar electric and thermal energy.

Englert Environmental has partnered with key technology and service providers including leading photovoltaic, inverter and mounting solution providers and solar thermal suppliers to provide world leading, best-of-breed technology, products and services to insure highest productivity, financial savings and return on investment.

“Englert Environmental’s goal is to lead the development and implementation of integrated roofing technologies, now and in the future, that can cost effectively reduce fossil fuel energy usage and air pollution and better manage our dwindling water resources — all with an ROI to the customer,” says Tom Dyszkiewicz, senior vice president of business development. “Metal roofing by itself is the most environmentally sound material — easily meeting standards of recyclability, reuse, manufacturing and energy savings. The key now is to stay abreast of new technologies that work hand-in-hand with metal to set new levels of energy savings and cost efficiency in a building.”

Through its strategic relationships, a single Englert Environmental-sponsored project utilizing all of its metal roofing, rainware and solar photovoltaic and thermal technologies can earn more than 15 U.S. Green Building Council LEED credits. Englert Environmental projects will also qualify for federal renewable energy investment tax credits, state-specific financial incentives including rebates, incentives, grants and state credits, accelerated depreciation tax benefits, Renewable Energy Credits and net income from electric power purchase agreements.

For more information about Englert Environmental, contact Dyszkiewicz at 732-826-8614.

Macsteel opens service center
Macsteel Service Centers USA expanded its business operations with the opening of a new 100,000-square-foot service center in Portland, Ore. A formal plant opening and ribbon-cutting event is planned for the spring of 2009.

The Portland plant will service the Pacific Northwest region including Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The service center will process and stock carbon, stainless and aluminum flat rolled and wide flange beams. Future plans call for the product line to include channels, angles, tubes and plates.

James L. Rapae has been named manager of plant operations at the new facility.

BPD updates customer service
Building Products Development, Inc. announces a new ordering process for all standard clip orders. Customers will now place orders directly with Marisa Brugh, the BPD Customer Service Representative, at Logan Stampings.

Brugh, who has two years of experience with Logan Stampings and three years previous customer service experience, will assist with shipping options and provide flexibility for increasing or changing orders prior to ship date. Since the success of BPD and Logan Stampings” partnership depends on excellent customer service, Brugh has made it her personal goal to be as responsive as possible to customer needs.

General Manager at BPD, April Yarholar, will continue to work with new and existing customers to answer technical questions, set up new customers, accept credit applications, provide pricing and product lists, and maintain customer profiles.

Trimline releases specs
Trimline now has architectural specifications available for its newest products: VariaVent Ridge Vent for Metal and Tile Roofs, VariaBlock Variable Closure Solution for Hip/Ridge on Tile and Metal Roofs.

The specifications are written in complete CSI 3-part architectural specs that can easily be downloaded from its website www.trimline-products.com. The specifications can be customized for residential or commercial projects and included in a master spec.

Firestone makes donation to MRCA Foundation
Firestone Building Products donated $5,000 to the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association Foundation during the MRCA National Convention in Grapevine, Texas. Including this year’s donation, Firestone has donated more than $70,000 to MRCA Foundation scholarships since 1995.

“We are grateful for Firestone’s latest donation to the MRCA Foundation,” says Bob Swanda, MRCA Foundation president. “Firestone’s financial contributions prove its ongoing commitment to the instruction and training of future roofing professionals.”
Established in 1987, the MRCA Foundation provides financial assistance to students pursuing a career in the construction industry.

Firestone Metal Products selected College Park, Ga., as the home of its newest metal products plant and distribution center. The state of the art facility, which began operations in July, hosted an open house yesterday to show its customers the range of Una-Clad by Firestone products now manufactured locally, including architectural metals in coils and flat sheets, in addition to factory fabricated roofing systems.

The new facility also includes a light gauge cut to length line with corrective leveling, coil slitting, and roll forming capabilities.

The company also operates metal production sites in Anoka, Minn., Miramar, Fla., Warren, Mich., Reno, Nev., Jackson, Miss., and Morrisville, Pa.

Metal Tech-USA moves into new facility
Metal Tech-USA moved to a new, much bigger facility to better serve the needs of its customers.

“Moving into our new facility has given us the ability to expand upon the products and services we offer”, says Nils Simonsen, president of Metal Tech-USA. “This is a huge advantage not only for us, but for all of the contractors, designers and architects in the United States who depend on us for all their metal needs. Our new building also benefits our environment which we are proud of, as Metal Tech is the industry leader in building materials that are LEED certifiable.”

The move to a new facility also gave Metal Tech the opportunity to make a huge leap forward in terms of design and engineering. They have expanded their capabilities to include millimeter-accurate CNC machinery, meaning the company can produce intricate embossings, perforations, and engravings in any material in their product line.

Metal Tech partnered with Clark Rheem & Associates to accommodate Colorado and Wyoming customers with top notch service and products. 

Clark Rheem & Associates provides exterior architectural solutions for commercial buildings.