By Jesse Sanchez. 

CertainTeed’s education programs help contractors expand their services while maintaining installation quality. 

During a live Roofing Road Trips® podcast from CertainTeed’s Business Builders Workshop in San Diego, Joe Thompson, senior manager of exterior products training, shared how contractor education supports business growth. With experience in commercial roofing, technical services and inspections, Joe now focuses on training professionals in residential roofing, siding, commercial roofing and solar solutions. 

What makes CertainTeed’s contractor training program different? 

Joe said education serves as the foundation of CertainTeed’s contractor credentialing and engagement programs. Rather than limiting instruction to centralized facilities, the company uses multiple training formats to reach contractors across the country. 

“Everything is education based. I have a team spread throughout the country. They have what we call CTM TVs. They are training trailers that are spread throughout the country. We really want to focus on meeting the contractor where they are.” 

Training is available at dedicated centers, through mobile training trailers and in customized sessions at contractors’ locations. Joe said the goal is to ask contractors what support they need and tailor the education accordingly. 

How can training help roofing contractors diversify? 

As contractors look for ways to build longer relationships with homeowners, Joe encouraged them to consider the needs of the entire property rather than focusing only on the service that prompted the initial call. He shared: 

“If you're called out by a homeowner, don't just focus on the original request. If they say, ‘I need a new roof,’ ‘I need a flat roof,’ ‘I’m interested in solar’ or ‘I’m interested in siding,’ look at the entire structure.” 

By learning additional systems, contractors can serve homeowners beyond an initial roofing project. Joe encouraged companies to consider siding, solar and other exterior opportunities while building long-term customer relationships. 

Why does system integration matter? 

Diversification also creates a greater need for contractors to understand how different exterior systems connect. Thompson said transition points can become especially challenging when separate companies handle the roof and walls. He shared, “Transitions are a big pain point. If you're working on the wall and someone else takes over the roofing portion of the construction, that's two different people.” 

Education helps contractors understand how roofing, siding and waterproofing components connect. Joe said CertainTeed tests its components for compatibility, giving installers guidance for managing critical transition points. 

For contractors, diversification requires more than adding products to a sales presentation. It requires the knowledge to install complete systems correctly and confidently. 

Listen to the entire podcast or Watch the conversation to learn more about contractor training and business diversification! 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

CertainTeed Business Builders Workshop brought contractors together for education, networking and business-building conversations. 

At Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, contractors gathered for the CertainTeed Business Builders Workshop, an intimate, education-focused event designed to help roofing professionals strengthen their skills, expand their networks and identify new ways to grow their businesses. 

The event brought together contractors, manufacturers, vendor partners and territory managers for hands-on learning and direct connection. Throughout the day, attendees moved between classrooms, vendor areas and conversations centered on practical business development, technical knowledge and long-term growth. The setting created space for contractors to step away from daily operations and focus on the strategies, relationships and credentials that can help move their companies forward. 

According to Jessica Bravo, En Español program coordinator, the workshop highlighted how CertainTeed credentials can help contractors level up and grow their businesses. It also gave contractors valuable opportunities to connect directly with territory managers, strengthening relationships that support both immediate needs and future business goals. 

The event’s smaller, more personal format encouraged meaningful networking. Contractors attended classes on topics including marketing and business growth, showing that even experienced professionals are looking for ways to improve. Many attendees came ready to learn, recognizing that no matter how well versed they are in the industry, there is always someone smarter in the room and always more to gain from continued education. 

That focus on learning was echoed by Brian Drominer from APC Roofing, who said, “The classes are very informative, with lots of information and a lot of takeaways. It’s very beneficial for the roofing industry for sure.” 

Beyond the classroom, vendor partners and territory managers helped extend the educational experience through one-on-one conversations. Contractors were able to ask questions, explore solutions and build connections that could support their teams in the field and in the office. 

As a whole, the CertainTeed Business Builders Workshop reflected a growing commitment across the roofing industry to continuous education, stronger partnerships and practical business growth. 

Watch the conversation to learn more about how industry events like the CertainTeed Business Builders Workshop are helping contractors strengthen skills, build connections and grow their businesses!

Por Alberto Torres. 

Las conexiones y la capacitación pueden ayudar a los contratistas a cambiar su mentalidad y hacer crecer sus negocios. 

Durante un episodio de La Voz de los Ruferos, grabado en vivo desde el Business Building Workshop (BBW) de CertainTeed en San Diego, Jessica Bravo conversó con Jason Jimenez de Gasper Roofing sobre la importancia de participar en los eventos, seguir capacitándose y crear conexiones con otros profesionales de la industria. 

Para Jason, uno de los retos que enfrentan muchos contratistas es encontrar el tiempo para salir del trabajo diario y enfocarse en otras áreas importantes para el crecimiento de la empresa. “Tenemos que cambiar esa mentalidad de trabajador a dueño de negocio,” explicó. Aunque para algunos contratistas puede ser muy difícil dejar el trabajo por uno o dos días para asistir a una capacitación o evento, Jason considera que siempre existe algo que puede ayudar al negocio. “Puedes escoger uno o dos tips de todo el evento, o puedes hacer una conexión,” compartió. También explicó que estos eventos permiten conocer diferentes recursos y socios que pueden ayudar en áreas donde la compañía necesita mejorar. 

Uno de los mayores beneficios de asistir a estos eventos son las conexiones. Algunas de las personas que ha conocido se han convertido en contactos de muchos años con quienes puede hablar sobre los retos del mercado, compartir experiencias y conocer qué estrategias o herramientas les están funcionando. Estas conexiones también permiten que los contratistas puedan compartir información con más confianza, especialmente cuando trabajan en mercados diferentes y no compiten directamente. Para Jason, compartir experiencias y conocimiento es una forma de ayudar a que toda la industria siga creciendo. “Yo creo que al final tenemos que crecer como industria, no solo como compañía, porque si crecemos como industria vamos a ayudar al cliente mejor,” señaló. 

Además de crear conexiones, Jason recomendó aprovechar todos los recursos disponibles a través de los fabricantes como Contractor’s Edge y otros socios de la industria. Desde capacitaciones hasta herramientas para diferentes áreas del negocio, existen muchas oportunidades que los contratistas no siempre utilizan. “Hay que apalancarse y sacarle provecho porque hay muy buena información,” recomendó Jason. “no le estamos sacando el provecho al 100%.” 

Tomarse el tiempo para asistir a una capacitación, conocer a otros profesionales o aprender algo nuevo puede ser difícil cuando hay proyectos y clientes que atender. Sin embargo, para Jason, esas experiencias también son parte de construir y hacer crecer un negocio. 

Escucha o mira el video de este episodio para conocer más sobre la experiencia y consejos para contratistas.

Por Emma Peterson, traducido por Alberto Torres. 

Participa para tener la oportunidad de acceder a sesiones educativas de primer nivel, eventos para establecer contactos, almuerzos y una de las exposiciones comerciales más importantes de la industria. 

RoofersCoffeeShop® se ha unido a Western Colloid para enviar a cinco profesionales a la Western Roofing Expo (WRE). Reconocida como uno de los principales eventos regionales de techado e impermeabilización en Estados Unidos, la WRE es una exposición organizada por la Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). El evento se llevará a cabo del 27 al 29 de septiembre en el hotel Paris Las Vegas y contará con educación, oportunidades para establecer contactos y mucho más.

Los cinco (5) afortunados ganadores de nuestro concurso recibirán un paquete con valor de $500.00 para asistir al evento (viaje y hospedaje no incluidos). Este paquete incluye acceso a: 

• Sesiones de Western Roofing en español: ¡Este año, el evento contará con cuatro seminarios y dos sesiones de almuerzo y aprendizaje impartidas en español! Los temas van desde cómo contratar al equipo de techado adecuado hasta cómo maximizar las reclamaciones de seguros comerciales. Además, la increíble lista de presentadores incluye a Amparo Sancen de Latinos En Roofing, Monica Vornbrock de The GLO Group e Imelda Perez de CertainTeed. 
• Sesiones educativas: En cuanto a las sesiones educativas en inglés, el evento de este año contará con cuatro bloques diferentes. 
  • El primer bloque (de 8:45 a.m. a 10:00 a.m. el lunes 28 de septiembre de 2026) contará con una variedad de presentadores, incluida Heidi J. Ellsworth de The Coffee Shops™. 
  • Entre los aspectos destacados del segundo bloque (de 10:15 a.m. a 11:30 a.m. el lunes 28 de septiembre de 2026) se encuentran la sesión sobre estimaciones de John Kenney de Cotney Consulting y la clase sobre mitigación de riesgos de Trent Cotney de Adams and Reese. 
  • En el tercer bloque (de 8:45 a.m. a 10:00 a.m. el martes 29 de septiembre de 2026), no querrás perderte la mesa redonda sobre techado del Comité de Jóvenes Profesionales de Roofing de WSRCA, dirigida por Rachel Garcia de Malarkey Roofing Products, así como la charla sobre salud mental de Paul Reed de Roofers in Recovery. 
  • Y en el cuarto bloque (de 10:15 a.m. a 11:30 a.m. el martes 29 de septiembre de 2026), nuestros amigos Mindy Dahlquist (TRA Snow and Sun), Brian Chamberlain (Carlisle Construction Materials) y Tracey Donels (Service First Solutions) presentarán sesiones informativas y dinámicas. 
• Piso de exhibición: Como siempre, el piso de exhibición promete ser una gran oportunidad para conocer las últimas innovaciones y las tecnologías más recientes de la industria, con demostraciones de productos cada hora. Y, como ya es tradición, los profesionales del techado podrán recorrer el piso de exhibición de manera gratuita, lo que lo convierte en una oportunidad inigualable para conectar con otros profesionales de la industria. 
• Almuerzo legislativo: El primero de los dos almuerzos que se llevarán a cabo durante el evento de este año estará a cargo de Craig Brightup de The Brightup Group y Chad Collins de la National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). Durante esta sesión se analizarán cambios y acontecimientos importantes que están ocurriendo en Washington, D.C., y que tienen un impacto en la industria del techado. 
• Almuerzo anual: En cuanto al segundo almuerzo, esta será tu oportunidad de escuchar a la conferencista principal de WRE 2026, Shereen Thor. Shereen es una comediante que se convirtió en coach profesional, y su conferencia será un gran recurso para profesionales y dueños de negocios en cualquier etapa de sus carreras. 

¿Quieres tener la oportunidad de ganar acceso a todo esto e impulsar tu negocio en WRE 2026? ¡Participa en el concurso Spin to Win de RoofersCoffeeShop y Western Colloid! El concurso cerrará el 22 de agosto de 2026 y los ganadores se anunciarán en vivo durante el episodio de Weekly Blend del 24 de agosto de 2026. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Enter for an opportunity to access top-tier educational sessions, networking events, luncheons and an industry-leading trade show floor. 

RoofersCoffeeShop® is partnering with Western Colloid to send five professionals to the 2026 Western Roofing Expo (WRE)! Known as the premier regional roofing and waterproofing event in the United States, WRE is a trade show hosted by the Western States Roofing Contractors Association (WSRCA). The show, which runs September 27-29 at the Paris Las Vegas, features education, networking and more. 

The five (5) lucky winners of our contest will be given an all-inclusive package ($500.00 value, travel and hotel not included) to the show. This package includes access to:  

• Western Roofing en Español sessions: This year’s show will have four seminars and two lunch-and-learn sessions taught in Spanish! Topics range from hiring the right roofing team to maximizing commercial claims. And the incredible speaker list includes Amparo Sancen of Latinos En Roofing, Monica Vornbrock of the GLO Group and Imelda Perez from CertainTeed. 
• Educational sessions: As for the English-language education sessions, this year’s show boasts four different blocks of session.  
  • The first block (8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026) will feature a variety of speakers including The Coffee Shops™’ own Heidi J. Ellsworth!  
  • Some highlights of block two (10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Monday, September 28, 2026) include John Kenney of Cotney Consulting’s estimating session and Trent Cotney of Adams and Reese’s risk mitigation class.  
  • In block three (8:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026), you’ll want to make sure to catch the WSRCA Young Roofing Professionals Committee’s roofing roundtable, led by Malarkey Roofing Products’ Rachel Garcia as well as Paul Reed of Roofers in Recovery’s mental health talk.  
  • And in block four (10:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2026), our friends Mindy Dahlquist (TRA Snow and Sun), Brian Chamberlain (Carlisle Construction Materials) and Tracey Donels (Service First Solutions) will all be hosting informative and engaging sessions. 
• Trade show floor: As always, the trade show floor promises to be a great opportunity to see the latest innovations and newest technology in the industry as product demos will be hosted on the hour. And, per tradition, roofers will walk free on the show floor – making it an unmatched opportunity for peer-to-peer networking.  
• Legislative luncheon: The first of the two luncheons that will be held at this year’s show, the legislative luncheon will be hosted by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group, and Chad Collins, National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). It will dive into key changes and developments happening in Washington, D.C. that relate to roofing. 
• Annual luncheon: As for the second luncheon, this is your opportunity to hear from the WRE 2026 keynote speaker – Shereen Thor. Shereen is a comedian turned coach whose keynote will be a great resource to professionals and business owners in all parts of their careers. 

Want a chance to win access to all that and boost your business at WRE 2026? Enter the RoofersCoffeeShop and Western Colloid Spin to Win contest! The contest will close August 22, 2026, and announced live on the August 24, 2026 Weekly Blend episode. 

Por Alberto Torres. 

Desde estrategias de negocio hasta innovación, estos fueron los favoritos de nuestros lectores. 

Cada mes en RoofersCoffeeShop®en español compartimos los artículos más leídos. Junio no fue la excepción con este artículo, “Un socio, tres pilares para el éxito,” donde APOC compartió los tres pilares que ellos ofrecen a contratistas para hacer crecer sus conocimientos y negocios. Estos programas educativos como: Contractor Pro Program, Los Programas de Garantia y Certified Applicator Program son herramientas que han ayudado a contratistas a elevar sus negocios. 

Otro tema que destacó durante junio fue Marketing. En un episodio de La Voz de los Ruferos, Jason Jimenez de Gasper Roofing compartió sobre la importancia de entender el marketing como una herramienta clave para tener un negocio competitivo. En este episodio que fue grabado en el Business Building Workshop (BBW) de CertainTeed, Jason explico la importancia de seguir aprendiendo sobre marketing y crecimiento empresarial. Este contenido llamo la atención por ofrecer información relevante para profesionales que buscan mantenerse actualizados en una industria que continúa evolucionando. 

La capacitación también siguió ocupando un espacio importante entre nuestros artículos, Luis Ramos de MuleHide nos recordó en un episodio de La Voz de los Ruferos, como la importancia de seguir aprendiendo y aprovechar los recursos de fabricantes como MuleHide ponen al alcance de los contratistas para fortalecer sus negocios. Junio también nos dejó espacio para conocer historias y tendencias de las líneas de colores de shingles que TAMKO ofrece, ya que esa innovación sigue vigente y está evolucionando día con día. 

Por último, Monica Vornbrock de The GLO Group y Lorna Rojas de Tremco, miembros de National Women in Roofing (NWIR), hablaron sobre lo que vivieron en Roofing Day en Whashington, D.C. recordando a los profesionales la importancia que tiene el hacer que se escuche su voz. Esta participación fortalece a toda la industria y ayuda a impulsar decisiones que benefician a contratistas, fabricantes y trabajadores.  

Agradecemos a todos nuestros lectores por seguir haciendo de RoofersCoffeeShop® En Espanol un espacio para aprender, compartir y mantenerse informados. Si aun no has leído alguno de estos artículos, te invitamos a descubrir porque fueron los favoritos del mes de junio. 

5. Roofing Day se trata de representar a la comunidad y a la industria

4. Innovación inspirada en la naturaleza: Una apuesta audaz en la estética del roofing

3. El verdadero valor de un representante del fabricante

2. Marketing y aprendizaje

1. Un socio, tres pilares para el éxito

Top projects across the U.S. and Canada recognized for redefining drywall innovation, craftsmanship and design excellence.

CertainTeed, a leading North American manufacturer of building materials, has announced the 2026 regional winners of its Gypsum Trophy Awards, recognizing standout drywall and finishing projects that push the boundaries of design, performance and sustainability.

Selected from a competitive pool of entries across Canada and the U.S., this year’s regional honorees represent the best in modern construction showcasing exceptional craftsmanship, creative problem-solving and advanced use of CertainTeed and Saint-Gobain products and solutions. These winning teams will now advance to compete at the North American Gypsum Trophy Awards this September, where top honors will be awarded across multiple categories.

“This year’s regional winners are a reflection of where our industry is headed; bold in design, precise in execution and deeply committed to performance and sustainability,” said Carmen Bodden, president of interior products group. “Each project demonstrates how drywall continues to evolve as both a structural and architectural medium, delivering solutions that meet today’s complex building demands.”

Held biennially, the Gypsum Trophy Awards celebrate excellence in drywall installation and finishing, evaluating projects on criteria such as technical difficulty, innovation, craftsmanship and use of CertainTeed & Saint-Gobain Solutions. The North American event taking place in San Diego, California, September 29 – October 1, 2026 will bring together the region’s most accomplished contractors to recognize category winners and overall leaders.

From the September competition, select winners will go on to represent the US and Canada at the prestigious Saint-Gobain Gypsum International Trophy Awards in Madrid, Spain in April 2027, where they will compete alongside top projects from around the world highlighting global innovation and craftsmanship in the built environment.

2026 Regional Winners

US Winners

• MidWest Drywall: Oral Roberts University Media Arts Center; Tulsa, Oklahoma
• OCP Contractors: Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute; Cleveland, Ohio
• Performance Contracting Inc.: Lindner Family Tennis Center; Cincinnati, Ohio
• Reliance Interiors: COSM at Centennial Yards; Atlanta, Georgia
• Swinerton Builders: Hotel del Coronado – Victorian Building Renovation; Coronado
• T.J. McCartney, Inc.: Enterprise Research Campus Buildings 3 & 5; Boston, Massachusetts

Canadian Winners

• Alpha Drywall LP: First United; Vancouver, British Columbia
• Daharpro Construction Inc.: Musée national de l'histoire du Québec Pavillon Camille-Roy- Séminaire de Québec; Quebec City, Quebec
• DMD Triangle Drywall & Acoustics, Ltd.: University of Toronto Sam Ibrahim Building Instructional Centre 2; Toronto, Ontario
• GEBA Interiors LTD: Glenbow Revitalization Capital; Calgary, Alberta
• Piché Walls & Ceilings, Inc.: Airdrie Public Library; Airdrie, Alberta
• Select Drywall & Acoustics: Limberlost Place-George Brown College; Toronto, Ontario

“As we look ahead to September, we’re excited to bring the industry together to celebrate these teams and the incredible work they represent,” added Matthew Byrne, vice president of sales. “Their projects not only raise the bar for drywall craftsmanship in North America but also set the stage for global recognition at the international level.”

To learn more about the CertainTeed Saint-Gobain Gypsum Trophy Awards and follow the journey to this year’s North American and international competitions, visit www.certainteed.com/trophy.

About CertainTeed

With innovative building solutions made possible through its comprehensive offering of interior and exterior products, CertainTeed is transforming how the industry builds. As leaders in building science and sustainable construction, CertainTeed makes it easier than ever to create high performance, energy-efficient places to live, work and play, so that together we can make the world a better home.  A subsidiary of Saint-Gobain, one of the world's largest and oldest building products companies, CertainTeed has more than 6,900 employees and more than 60 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States and Canada. www.certainteed.com

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services adapted to the residential, non-residential and infrastructure markets. Its integrated and innovative solutions provide sustainability, performance and well being for its customers.

By Emma Peterson. 

We had a great time sharing stories and photos over social media with our roofing community!  

National Roofing Week is an annual event hosted by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) that aims to raise awareness of the roofing professionals who keep our communities safe and secure. The event also acts as a way to build community with other professionals, both near you and across the country.  

Participation in National Roofing Week is primarily conducted online by posting photos and videos through the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag. And NRCA has created themes for each day of National Roofing Week to guide posts.  

Sunday – Kickoff  

The week kicked off with posts about the importance of roofers. NRCA started everything with a post sharing the schedule for the week and some highlights from last year’s National Roofing Week! Here at The Coffee Shops™ we joined in the fun on all our social media pages, making sure to thank the coating installers, roofing professionals and contractors who make our community amazing. 

Monday – Signature projects 

For the Monday theme, NRCA invited National Roofing Week participants to share photos showcasing their company’s signature residential and commercial projects. There were too many amazing projects posted to put them all here, but some that stood out to us came from QXO, Sika and Eagle Roofing Products!  

QXO’s post was a carousel of some of their customers projects, including one from Toitures Scott, one from Nedlaw Group and one from RUHS in California. Likewise, Eagle Roofing Products’ post showcased signature projects featuring their concrete roof tiles from across the country.  

As for Sika, they took the opportunity to shine the spotlight on their 2025 Sika Project of the Year award winners, which includes stunning projects like the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center project in Los Angeles, California and the South Station Tower project in Boston.  

Tuesday – Charitable projects 

The next day of National Roofing Week was all about giving back, and the National Women in Roofing (NWIR) Oregon Council stole the show with a free roof!

The replacement went to a community member in need, which is an incredible reminder of the power our industry has to do good.

They put it best in their post:  

Seeing contractors, manufacturers, distributors and industry partners come together with a shared purpose — without competition, without agendas, and focused solely on helping someone else — is truly inspiring. For one day, company names and logos took a back seat to teamwork, generosity and service. 

Projects like this showcase the heart of our industry. The relationships we build, the willingness to lend a hand, and the collective impact we can make when we work together are some of the best parts of being in roofing. 

NWIR extended huge thanks to industry partners, like Malarkey Roofing Products, ABC Supply, SRS Building Products, Owens Corning, Bliss Roofing and Raindrop Roofing NW, for making this incredible charitable project possible. 

Wednesday – Employee appreciation 

The midpoint of the week was all about the people who get things done – the employees that keep our industry moving. For this theme, the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag was flooded with pictures and appreciations for hardworking workers around the country. 

Drexel Metals posted some behind-the-scenes of their team hard at work, captioning it, “To everyone who continues to show up ready to learn, teach and push the industry forward: thank you. Your commitment is what drives stronger partnerships, better projects and continued progress year after year.” 

IKO Industries and CertainTeed also posted, shouting out the ROOFPROS who get the job done every day and recognizing the “craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication of the teams who help bring CertainTeed products and solutions to life” respectively.  

Thursday – Training and learning 

For Thursday, NRCA chose training as the theme, inviting contractors and companies to share the ways they keep learning and growing on the job. For this theme, GAF joined the party, sharing an incredible milestone from their GAF Roofing Academy – since 2020, the tuition-free program has helped more than 3,000 individuals find employment in the roofing industry!  

And this is just one of the many stories added to the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag! The Durable Restoration Company posted about the hard work their craftspeople put into their apprenticeship program and QXO shared how they connect their team with everything from stand downs to plant tours. 

Friday – Celebration 

And you can’t have National Roofing Week without taking the time to celebrate the amazing industry we are all a part of! For this theme, the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) took their followers on a trip down memory lane, sharing the “conferences, tournaments, regional events and industry gatherings where Texas roofing professionals connect, learn and celebrate together.”  

Drexel Metals also posted, sharing a common sentiment of thanks related to the power of the industry, “From the shop floor to the jobsite, your dedication, craftsmanship and collaboration are truly what make a lasting impact. We’re proud to be part of an industry built on innovation, resilience and strong partnerships.” 

Saturday – Wrap up 

Overall, this year’s National Roofing Week was a resounding success. From everyone that posted to event sponsors like International Roofing Expo, Georgia-Pacific Building Products, SRS Distribution, Roofing Alliance and SOPREMA, it was all made possible thanks to the incredible roofing community.  

The Coffee Shops crew already can’t wait for next year’s roofing week! As Atlas Roofing put eloquently in their final #NationalRoofingWeek2026 post, “This week gave us the opportunity to celebrate the people, organizations and partnerships that make the roofing industry such a rewarding one to be part of. Here’s to another year of collaboration, innovation and success.” 

By Jenny Yu. 

Learn how this company is setting the standard for sustainability, innovation and care in the roofing world. 

For CertainTeed and its parent company Saint-Gobain, “green” is more than just a buzzword. As one of the leading manufacturers of building materials, CertainTeed is also leading the industry in its sustainability efforts. Jonathan Schulz, district sales manager for commercial roofing at CertainTeed, shared, “Being a good steward of the environment is a pillar for Saint-Gobain. It's a pillar for CertainTeed. This is where we stand. Our goal is to create a better home, and how we create a better home is by taking care of the home that we're in.” 

To meet this goal, CertainTeed has a sustainability commitment that aims to reduce their greenhouse emissions to meet Saint-Gobain's net zero carbon target by 2050. “We are asked every day to be more efficient in how we do our business,” Jonathan said. “How can we be more efficient in how we produce our products, how we ship our products, the materials we use for our products? Instead of 20 rolls, can we do 25 rolls on a pallet? How can we produce a product that is more recyclable? What can we do to help the planet on a local level? It starts down from the territory managers to us.” 

This effort shines through in CertainTeed’s CoolStar Ultra family of products. Their Flintlastic® GTA CoolStar® Ultra and Flintlastic GTA-FR CoolStar Ultra cool roof products both meet California’s Title 24 and Title 31 requirements, which ensures a product is designed to make roofs cooler and more efficient. And they’re not stopping there. In the next months, you can expect to see even more products, like Flintlastic SA Cap CoolStar Ultra and Flintlastic SA Cap FR CoolStar Ultra that meet critical environmental and energy efficiency standards for cooler, more weather-resilient roofs.  

Alongside this commitment to the planet, CertainTeed prioritizes the wellbeing of the people in their communities. “I've never been part of an organization that not only cares about the environment, but cares about their employees,” Jonathan expressed. “There's genuine care about every one of their employees and the betterment of their lives, which is just really refreshing. We care about your community, and as a corporation, we care about this planet that we live in.” 

CertainTeed hopes to spread this culture of care throughout the entire roofing industry. “We are constantly pushing the limit of what we can do to be a good steward of the planet that we live in,” Jonathan stated. “The roofing industry is an old industry, but it's ripe for innovation, and I think Saint-Gobain and CertainTeed are right there in the forefront of that innovation.” 

For Jonathan, being a steward of the planet hits home. “I have four daughters that are 11 through 16, and I want them to have a beautiful life,” he shared. “If I can be part of creating that, even if it's just one roof at a time, then that's awesome.” 

Learn more about CertainTeed’s commitment to sustainability and how their CoolStar Ultra family of products is helping to make our world a more energy-efficient place. 

Por Alberto Torres. 

Contratistas comparten como las relaciones, la colaboración y el apoyo mutuo están impulsando el crecimiento dentro de la comunidad hispana. 

Durante este episodio de La Voz de los Ruferos, grabado en vivo durante el Business Building Workshop (BBW) de CertainTeed en Miami, la conversación tomo un rumbo que va más allá de certificaciones y capacitación. Ana María Pulido, gerente del programa Contractors Edge en español y Víctor Alfonso Huipio, dueño de Monarch Roofing and Construction, compartieron como la comunidad y las relaciones dentro de la industria están ayudando a los contratistas latinos a crecer juntos. 

Uno de los puntos importantes fue el valor de los espacios donde los contratistas pueden compartir experiencias y aprender unos de los otros. Ana explico que muchos de estos programas incluyen créditos educativos y eventos donde los asistentes intercambian métodos de trabajo y continúan conectados incluso después de terminar los talleres educativos. “Queremos tratar de crear una comunidad,” compartió Ana. “Se juntan entre ellos, son generosos y comparten las mejores prácticas.”  

Para Víctor, esa colaboración cambia completamente la manera de pensar dentro de la industria. Muchas veces los contratistas ven a otros negocios como competencia directa, pero su experiencia le ha demostrado lo contrario. “Hay mucho trabajo,” comento. “Todos tenemos los mismos problemas y cuando nos juntamos nos vemos de otra manera.” 

Parte esencial de este crecimiento también ha sido desarrollar relaciones con fabricantes, distribuidores y representantes de la industria. Ana destaco la importancia de mantener cercanía con los territory managers y distribuidores, ya que son quienes acercan a los contratistas a entrenamientos, talleres y activaciones en español para la comunidad latina. “Este es un negocio de relaciones,” explico. “Hay que estar cerca y conocer quién es tu territory manager de CertainTeed.” 

La conversación también se enfocó en el papel de la mentoría dentro del crecimiento profesional. Cuando se le preguntó qué consejo daría a los subcontratistas que desean convertirse en contratistas, Víctor enfatizó la importancia de establecer metas claras, especializarse y no desanimarse ante los errores. “No se agüiten,” compartió. “Aprender de sus errores no está mal; lo importante es levantarte y seguir mejorando.” 

Sin embargo, ambos coincidieron en que crecer también incluye ayudar a otros. Recordaron la importancia de no olvidar los inicios y extender apoyo a quienes vienen detrás. “Cuando eres generoso tu negocio todavía crece más,” mencionaron durante la conversación. En una industria donde las relaciones tienen más peso como el trabajo realizado, construir comunidad puede convertirse en una de las herramientas más valiosas para el crecimiento. Porque al final, el roofing no solo se trata de techos; también se trata de las personas que ayudan a construirlos. 

Escuchar o ver el video de este episodio para descubrir más de la experiencia y consejos para contratistas.