How COVID Changed Roofing: Real Talk with Trent Cotney

GAF is expanding its footprint with new manufacturing facilities, increasing its plant network to over 30 locations nationwide.Summer 2024 is kicking off with the construction of a 275,000-square-foot residential shingle plant in Newton, Kansas—the first GAF location in the state. In Peru, Illinois, the new polyiso plant recently sent out its first shipment of GAF EnergyGuard™ Polyiso Insulation, the new TPO plant in Valdosta, Georgia, is gearing up to begin production this year, and in Avon Lake, Ohio GAF partnered with a third-party plant to support the research, development, and production of silicone products.New state-of-the-art facilities such as these allow GAF to continue innovating and "meet growing customer demand for our market-leading roofing product," says GAF CEO John Altmeyer. These developments also offer benefits to the surrounding areas. For instance, regional plants can help shorten product haul times (benefiting customers and the environment) as well as bolster local economies and support the communities where GAF employees live and work.Expansion to Help Meet Increasing Customer DemandThe Newton, Peru, and Valdosta plants will help meet ever-growing residential and commercial market demand, enhance best-in-class GAF service to customers, and help strengthen the overall construction industry by increasing manufacturing capacity.Currently, one in four US homes is protected by a GAF roof. To better meet residential demand, the GAF shingle plant in Newton will produce Timberline HDZ®—America's best-selling roof shingle—and Timberline® AS II shingles. Timberline HDZ® offers homeowners a high-definition look with patented GAF features like the StrikeZone™ nailing area, GAF Time-Release algae protection, and LayerLock™ Technology. For hail-prone markets, the Timberline® AS II is a UL2218, Class 4 impact resistant shingle that can also help protect roofs from wind, and algae discoloration.To better meet commercial and residential demand, the GAF plant in Valdosta, Georgia will manufacture TPO, one the most popular products for low-slope roofs. Nearly 2 billion square feet of TPO are installed annually, making up over 50% of single-ply roofs installed today.Meanwhile, the plant in Peru is helping to better serve commercial customers by manufacturing a full line of EnergyGuard™ Polyiso Insulation and EnergyGuard™ NH Polyiso Insulation. Additionally, the plant will soon offer new composite polyiso insulation boards. Polyiso Insulation is used on more than 70% new and retrofit commercial buildings, and is the highest R value per inch of any board stock insulationThe Opportunity for Economic and Social BenefitsGAF expansions can generate local, good-paying jobs and empower surrounding areas through meaningful community involvement. These benefits have been seen in the locations where GAF currently manages its workforce of 4,800, and the organization hopes to continue its progress. GAF actively invests in community resilience through its Community Matters initiatives. Community grants, in-kind donations, and hands-on support through employee volunteer efforts allow GAF Community Matters to build meaningful area relationships and help address the area's unique needs.Another benefit of adding manufacturing plants closer to end markets is the potential to reduce operational carbon emissions. Shipping products shorter distances and with fewer packing materials could positively impact energy efficiency and further support GAF sustainability commitments.Here's a look at how GAF is having a positive impact on its newer communities with the expansions.Newton, KansasIn the city of Newton, Mayor Rod Kreie notes the greater region is "excited about the significant economic and community impact this GAF expansion will bring." In addition to the jobs created through the investment GAF is making in Newton, the plant is anticipated to stimulate broader growth."We believe that this [plant] could possibly spur more development," says Erin McDaniel, director of communications for the city of Newton. "GAF is going to be a high-quality corporate partner for Harvey County and make a big positive difference in our community."The Newton plant is expected to have far-reaching impacts across the state. "The career opportunities this [plant] will provide for Kansans right now—and for future generations—will help us continue our unprecedented economic growth by keeping more of our young talent right here at home," notes Kansas State Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland.With construction work underway, shingle production is anticipated to begin in 2027 and reach full capacity by mid-2029.Valdosta, GeorgiaGAF commercial roofing operations continue to grow alongside the residential roofing business. In Valdosta, GAF has committed to purchasing 130 acres for a future GAF thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofing manufacturing plant. The plant will bring 135 jobs to Lowndes County over the next six years—adding to its Georgia operations in Savannah, Statesboro, and Cumming that collectively employ 225 residents."We are dedicated to creating a more innovative future for Georgians," says Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson. "GAF is a great partner and addition to our community, creating new opportunities for residents and the region for years to come. We deeply appreciate the collaboration from Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority and Georgia Power on bringing GAF to Valdosta.""GAF strives to become an integral part of the communities in which we operate, and supporting the city and its residents is a top priority for GAF," explains Daniel Duston, plant manager at the Valdosta facility. For example, during the 2023 Thanksgiving for Thousands, 22 GAF employees volunteered with Second Harvest Food Bank to help distribute pantry boxes to over 865 cars and direct traffic to help keep everyone safe. Many local residents were greatly impacted by Hurricane Idalia in 2023, and participating in the food bank distribution alongside other community volunteers helped local folks who were still "displaced from their homes or recovering from the damage," Duston says.Peru, IllinoisGAF bought over 100 acres of land for the facility site in Peru and ensured over 70 advanced manufacturing and engineering jobs new to Bureau County, Illinois. Today, the 450,000-square-foot polyiso plant in Peru manufactures EnergyGuard™ polyiso products. These polyiso products have all received GREENGUARD Gold certification, verifying they have low emissions of volatile organic compounds."As a leader in modern manufacturing, we know GAF will be a great asset to this community bringing high-quality jobs and a true commitment to innovation that will benefit the city for years to come," Peru Mayor Ken Kolowski notes."GAF is dedicated to becoming a proud member and employer within the community and is excited to support the positive work happening in Peru," says Gary Ashley, plant manager at the Peru facility. One way GAF has demonstrated its commitment is through a donation to Maitri Path to Wellness in October 2023. Wellness and Recovery with Maitri is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing individualized, quality care for individuals struggling with addiction and mental health issues. GAF donated all the roofing materials needed for the installation of new roofs for the facility and its addition."GAF's involvement is catalyzing profound change in the lives of those on their recovery journey," explains Kelly Jones, LCSW CADC at Maitri Path to Wellness. The new roofs will help protect the facilities where the organization "offers individuals the chance to access support, cultivate relationships with peers, secure employment, pursue education, and flourish within their own community," says Jones.GAF team members in Peru have also hosted meet-and-greet community events with local nonprofit organizations within the community and continues to explore future partnership opportunities.Silicone Production in Avon Lake, OhioGAF recently partnered with a third-party plant in Avon Lake to support the research, development, and production of silicone products, expanding GAF roof coatings manufacturing capabilities. In addition, GAF is creating a CARE Training room at the site to help equip participants with hands-on skills, product knowledge, and business expertise.As North America's largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, we are committed to our brand promise to protect what matters most in the communities where we live and work. "Bringing world-class manufacturing plants online strengthens our ability to deliver best-in-class service and innovative solutions across the country," said John Altmeyer, CEO of GAF.Learn more about the products we manufacture, the culture of our people, and the communities we call home with this interactive map.

"Everyone deserves a roof," says roof raiser Dior Vass of Dior Construction, "and we want to give it to them."Thanks to hard work, a commitment to community service, innovative technology use, and ongoing contributions to the roofing industry, Dior's been nailing that goal since 2010. Learn how this GAF Master Elite Contractor* and his northern New Jersey company are raising the roofing game.Raising the Roofing WorkforceEncouraging future roofers is one way Dior raises up the industry. At a recent GAF Roofing Academy course held at GAF headquarters in Parsippany, New Jersey, Dior shared industry insights and advice with an all-female class from Edison Job Corps.Women are vastly underrepresented and underutilized in the industry and only comprise about 4.6% of roofers. Dior is helping encourage a new wave of skilled laborers by supporting the Roofing Academy as it teaches the necessary skills to enter the roofing industry."Making roofing more appealing and friendly to women opens up a whole new level of opportunities from a business perspective," says Dior. Whether they're going to install shingles, manage projects, or sell jobs, "not actively seeking women out is one of the biggest mistakes a business can make."Dior is excited to see and support GAF making roofing more accessible to women through job training. "GAF Roofing Academy is really creating jobs and building the industry more than I've seen anyone else do," says Dior.As an industry leader, Dior knows the learning never ends. He regularly has GAF come out to teach his staff and notes that "GAF is the world's largest roofing manufacturer and still takes the time to create programs that educate existing roofers."Sharing the Keys to SuccessHow has Dior built such a successful company? Communication. "We've come to learn nothing is possible without it," he says. Along with strong internal and external communication, he attributes Dior Construction's success to people and processes.Dior has a well-planned approach to hiring the right team members and implementing the right processes. "Without the right people, processes will never be followed," he says. And without the right processes, "you can have great people, but they might be on the wrong seat on the bus and not have the opportunities they need to excel in their lives and careers."With solid communication, people, and processes, Dior's teams can provide "the highest level of quality and best service possible."Advancing with AI TechnologyTo stay ahead of the curve, Dior Construction has been using artificial intelligence (AI). One example is its use of AI chatbots to provide instant answers to employees who need technical data. This saves his employees time and his company money."There are thousands of technical bulletins and guides and code books," says Dior. Instead of an employee needing to dig into online manufacturer libraries or search hard copies at the office, Dior uploads roofing resources into an AI database. "Now, the employee can ask detailed and technical questions to the AI like it's a real person, and the AI chatbot will search thousands of papers and quickly provide the correct answer."Dior also uses AI to screen job applicants. "It costs us—and the applicant—time and money if we hire someone who's not the right fit," he says. Based on Dior's parameters, an AI program efficiently filters through job applicants, does a preliminary interview with them, and scores their resumes before they can progress to in-person interviews. "It's amazing," says Dior. "We wouldn't be who we are without our team. That's why it's so important to get the right candidate on board."Giving Back to the CommunitySince the company started in 2010, it has been involved in several programs to help provide safe, affordable housing to those in need. Some of these efforts are in partnership with GAF and Habitat for Humanity, where GAF donates roofing materials and a System Plus Limited Warranty, and Dior donates time and labor for the Habitat for Humanity roofing project.Dior has also helped provide added rebates for US military troops. The GAF Roofs for Troops program offers a $250 rebate when eligible military troops install a qualifying roof system. Dior Construction then matches the GAF rebate, providing local military members with $500 savings total for their new roof.Getting InvolvedDior is a true leader in roofing, from community service to empowering the industry and innovating new strategies for business success. Are you a contractor feeling inspired to get involved, too? Contact your local territory manager to see how you can help support your community, and look for a GAF Roofing Academy class in your area to help inspire future generations of roofers.*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products.

Mark Rutherford is one of the founders and current co-owner of Atlanta Roofing Specialists, where he's responsible for production and commercial sales. The company provides new roofs and repair services for residential and commercial buildings in the Atlanta area, and has been a part of the community for 30 years.Rutherford started his journey in roofing at age 17 when he began working for his then-girlfriend's, now wife's, father's roofing company. He worked there after school and on weekends until he joined the Army. Rutherford was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, so he was able to continue doing roofing work on weekends and days off.In May of 1993 after completing his military service, he formed Atlanta Roofing Specialists with his uncle Kevin King. They started the company with the goal of providing top-quality work and service, using superior products. Rutherford recently discussed his experience as a roofing professional and business owner as the company celebrates its 30 year anniversary.Q: What Do You Wish You'd Known before You Started?I wish I'd known how much work it was starting your own business. I knew the roofing business was hard, difficult, backbreaking work at times, but running a business is a whole other level of difficulty. Especially meeting all the government and state regulations we have to meet.In the early days, we were working 12 to 14 hours a day, six days a week—and sometimes seven if times required. It's a lot more work than I realized it was going to be, but it's all worked out pretty well.I'm the kind of person that has to learn things hands-on, and by doing all of these things by myself, I learned by trial and error. What was the easier way? What lasted longer? I feel like if I hadn't done the hands-on part myself for so long, I wouldn't have come up with the process that we have now.Q: How Did You Become a GAF Master Elite® Contractor?We already liked GAF products and were familiar with them when GAF developed their certified contractor program*. We were one of the very first contractors in the Atlanta area to participate in the program when we became certified in 1997.Q: What is it Like Being a GAF-Certified Contractor?First, they provide a lot of resources that help us run our business properly. For example, they provide plenty of training that helped us learn about GAF products and installation techniques and procedures. In addition, as a GAF Master Elite® contractor, we're able to offer the strongest GAF warranty available — the Golden Pledge Limited Warranty, which provides 25-years of workmanship coverage on qualifying GAF roofing systems**.They've been an innovator with products and warranties. I think they offer better-looking products than some of their competitors. They're always testing and coming up with new technologies. I think that they're leaders and innovators in the industry.Q: How Has GAF Supported Your Business Growth?We have regular meetings with our sales rep where he asks us what we're doing and where we want to be and if there's anything they can do to help us get there. They distribute all types of product literature and samples, plus they have great marketing that helps us advertise their products.We have to take the GAF certification test every year and they offer refresher training, both online and in person. They also have a variety of training opportunities through GAF CARE, which is the Center for Advancement of Roofing Excellence. They have all types of instructional videos on everything from how to install a better roof to how to run a company better. So, there's lots of support.Q: What Classes or Education That GAF Offers Have Been the Most Beneficial?The CARE program is great. They even have YouTube videos that I can distribute throughout my sales force by just hitting the share button. A good example is with some of the shingles that we don't apply every day, some of the really high-end products that we might install only a few times a year. I always have my workers, the foreman, and the supervisor go over the videos for those products the day before and go through the installation instructions to make sure that they are following all the procedures. This is pretty important. If we're going to be offering their warranties, we want to make sure the products are installed correctly.Q: What Advice Do You Have for Those Interested in a Roofing Career?Buckle up and hang on because it can be a wild ride at times, but it's worth it. I would say get involved in the industry, learn everything you can to be the best you can be, and try to make the industry better for everybody.Also, stay humble. Don't concentrate on making money. I say concentrate on being the best at what you're doing, and the rewards will come.Grow Your Roofing CareerIf you're interested in starting a rewarding career in either commercial or residential roofing, there's room for you—with 19,000 new jobs expected by 2028! To start your roofing career journey, explore classes with the GAF Roofing Academy for training, along with a pathway to new opportunities. And if you're already in the roofing trade, check out what a GAF certification could mean for your business and its future growth.*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products.** See GAF Golden Pledge Limited Warranty for complete coverage and restrictions.