By Emma Peterson. 

National Roofing Week 2026 will be June 7-13 and it’s the perfect time to show your roofing pride! 

Each year, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) hosts an event called National Roofing Week. The goal of this event is to raise awareness of the “essential role roofs and professional roofing contractors play in every community.” 

How do you participate? It’s as simple as sharing your story! NRCA invites professionals across the industry to share photos and videos through the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag. NRCA has created a week-long guide of themes to post about:  

• Sunday: National Roofing Week kickoff 
• Monday: Signature projects — share photos showcasing your company’s signature residential and commercial projects 
• Tuesday: Charitable projects — share photos that demonstrate your company’s charitable giving 
• Wednesday: Employee appreciation — share photos of your company’s employees 
• Thursday: Employee training — share photos that demonstrate how you train your workers 
• Friday: Celebration — share photos showing us how your company celebrated National Roofing Week 
• Saturday: Wrap-up 

Not only does participating through social media help build community and give you an opportunity to brag about your incredible team, but it also helps raise visibility of the industry and the critical role roofing professionals play in protecting people and properties. Want to go the extra mile in support? Get your crews National Roofing Week T-shirts! Supplies are limited, so order soon! 

This year’s National Roofing Week is made possible by a variety of industry sponsors: International Roofing Expo, Georgia-Pacific Building Products, Hanover Architectural Products, SRS Distribution, Roofing Alliance, SOPREMA, OMG Roofing Products and Tuffwrap. 

Learn more at www.nrca.net/news-events/national-roofing-week. 

Under Tim Kersey, SOPREMA U.S. grew more than sixfold, completed four strategic acquisitions and advanced plans for new U.S.-based manufacturing facilities to support long-term growth and customer demand.

SOPREMA U.S. announced a planned leadership transition effective July 1, marking the next chapter in the company’s continued growth and investment in the North American market. After more than 14 years as chief executive officer, Tim Kersey will step down from the CEO role to prioritize time with his family in Arkansas, while remaining deeply engaged with the organization as chief technical officer.

During his tenure, Kersey played a central role in shaping SOPREMA U.S.’s culture of safety, excellence and continuous improvement while leading significant business expansion. Under his leadership, the U.S. organization grew more than sixfold, completed four strategic acquisitions and advanced plans for new U.S.-based manufacturing facilities to support long-term growth and customer demand.

In his new role as chief technical officer, Kersey will leverage his deep technical expertise and executive experience to strengthen technical selling efforts, support key strategic initiatives and continue serving as an industry ambassador for SOPREMA U.S. He will also act as a technical and strategic resource to senior leadership.

Greg Morgan, currently chief operating officer, has been appointed chief executive officer of SOPREMA U.S., effective July 1. Morgan joined SOPREMA in 2000 and brings more than 25 years of experience with the organization. As COO, he has led critical areas of the business including operations, supply chain, inventory management, warehousing and elements of the sales organization.

With more than three decades of experience in the building materials industry, Morgan brings a practical, hands-on leadership approach shaped by operational and industry expertise. He holds a bachelor’s degree in management information systems and business, an MBA in international business and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).

As CEO, Morgan will continue to build on SOPREMA U.S.’s strong foundation while guiding the organization through its next phase of growth, innovation and investment.

About SOPREMA

SOPREMA delivers high-performance solutions for roofing, waterproofing, wall protection and civil engineering, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation, sustainability and product excellence. The comprehensive building envelope portfolio includes SBS and APP-modified bitumen, PMMA/PMA liquid-applied membranes, synthetic PVC membranes, STPE and PU sealants and adhesives, air and vapor barriers, below-grade waterproofing, vegetative roofing and indoor SOPRANATURE BioWall solutions, silicone and acrylic roof coatings, and accessories. With a legacy of proven performance, SOPREMA sets the standard for durability and reliability in the building industry.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Join RCMA this October in Atlanta for the 2026 Fall Meeting.

At The Coffee Shops™, we are committed to sharing timely industry information while supporting the associations that move roofing forward. Organizations like the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA) play a vital role in advancing education, advocacy and innovation, and we are proud to help promote their work and encourage membership across the industry. 

That momentum is clear in 2026. Under the leadership of President Josh Poole, RCMA continues to expand its impact through growing contractor engagement, strong technical initiatives and new leadership guiding the association forward. 

RCMA recently welcomed new board leadership, including George Daisey of Dow Chemical Company as supplier vice president, along with Brent Crenshaw of EPS Materials and Jayne Rollason of Polyglass USA, Inc. as directors. Their experience and commitment reflect the strength of leadership shaping the future of roof coatings. 

A key focus continues to be RCMA’s growing Contractor Membership, bringing applicators into the conversation around codes, standards and best practices. This inclusion ensures that real-world insights are helping guide the industry while giving contractors access to technical resources, education and valuable industry connections. 

RCMA is also advancing technical excellence with resources like Coatings Tech Note 6 on white roof coatings, providing practical guidance on performance, application and energy efficiency. At the same time, member companies are driving innovation across the industry, with SOPREMA USA and Fluid Applied Roofing (FAR) recognized at the 2026 International Roofing Expo (IRE) for their award-winning technologies. Collaboration remains at the core of RCMA’s success, with new members like BITEC® and AB Specialty Silicones strengthening the association’s network and expertise. 

Looking ahead, the RCMA 2026 Fall Meeting, taking place October 7–8 in Atlanta, Georgia, will bring together industry leaders, technical experts and decision-makers for two days of collaboration and forward-thinking discussion. For contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, this is the time to get involved.

Plan to attend the Fall Meeting and be part of the conversations shaping the future of roof coatings. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Ryan Knippel shares insight into the roofing skill shortage, and the role training and education have in solving it.  

As one of SOPREMA’s business development managers, Ryan Knippel has a front-row seat to the how coatings are reshaping the modern roofing industry in everything from building envelope performance to a shifting labor landscape. To learn more about the labor landscape, he joined us for a CoatingsTalk™ to share his thoughts on how we can solve the current skill shortage issue.  

We’ve heard about the challenges the labor shortage has presented to the market, but one of the most pressing issues resulting from the shortage is skill loss due to retirement. Ryan shared, “We are seeing a lot of key people who really paved the way for this market to retire. And as they take that well-deserved step out, we are not only losing workers in the field, but we’re also losing their knowledge, the tricks of the trade, that back-of-hand knowledge.” 

It is more important now than ever to bring young people into the trade while there are still some of these key individuals still working to teach them what they know. Ryan explained, “First, obviously we need to get new people into the workforce. But we cannot forget that we need to educate them properly when they get here. We have to give them an understanding of everything that's made available and readily accessible to solve a problem.” 

This type of education is something that Ryan and the team at SOPREMA are supporting through programs like their applicator training. Ryan shared a bit about this training in particular, saying, “Our applicator training is for contractors who want to gain that back-of-the-hand knowledge, who want to know the all the ins and outs, and odds and ends, and all the fun little things about coatings. Not only do they teach you about our product offerings, but they also create a space to share information and learn from other professionals.” And creating spaces like that is one of the best ways to retain industry knowledge even as our trailblazers retire.  

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording of the podcast to hear more of Ryan’s insights into labor and skill shortages. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Celebrate your crew and share your story with NRCA this June. 

Roofing is the hidden hero in many people’s lives; roofs protect their homes, families, businesses and possessions from the elements. To raise awareness about the significance of roofing and the important work of professionals across the roofing industry, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) will be hosting their annual National Roofing Week from June 7-13, 2026. 

During the week, NRCA will be sharing stories from professionals around the industry across their social media platforms. NRCA encourages members to “share their stories of charitable giving, crew and staff appreciation and signature roofing projects” by using the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 tag.  

Another great way to show your support for this initiative is by decking your crew out in National Roofing Week swag! These shirts are a great way to show your roofing pride with style. You can find more detailed information about participation and National Roofing Week assets to use in your photos and videos online. 

This year’s event is sponsored by a variety of industry-leading companies, including Georgia-Pacific, SRS Distribution, International Roofing Expo, Hanover Architectural Products, OMG Roofing Products, Roofing Alliance, SOPREMA and TuffWrap. If you need more information on National Roofing Week, contact NRCA Director of Communications Krista Berns (847-493-7531 or kberns@nrca.net) or NRCA Social Media Manager Madison Mahoney (847-493-7548 or mmahoney@nrca.net). 

Join the NRCA in celebrating the essential work your crew does each day and promote the importance of hiring professionals!

In this CoatingsTalk™, Megan Ellsworth sits down with Ryan Knippel, a business development manager from SOPREMA, to explore how modern roof coatings are reshaping the roofing industry, from extending roof life and boosting energy efficiency to reducing costs and waste for building owners. Ryan will break down when coating restorations make sense versus full re-roofs, what warranties and system compatibility look like and how technical reps guide those decisions in the field. Plus, he’ll dive into the shifting workforce, training challenges and the next wave of coating innovations. Join us as we uncover how coatings are reshaping the roofing landscape — and what’s next for contractors, building owners and the industry at large.

Listen to the podcast.

Watch the CoatingsTalk.

By Jenny Yu.  

The National Women in Roofing’s Central Oregon Council’s first reroof event gifted a local veteran with a free new roof. 

For their first reroof event, The National Women in Roofing’s Central Oregon Council gave a local veteran a new roof in Redmond, Oregon.  

The event, titled “Raise the Roof for a Hero,” gathered more than a dozen businesses that donated their time, materials and labor to support veteran Larry Moyer.  

“The National Women in Roofing is a giving group,” Larry told KTVZ News. “They’re a wonderful bunch of people from all different businesses. It’s really something.” 

The NWIR is a volunteer-based organization that supports and advances the careers of women roofing professionals. Its Central Oregon chapter launched early 2025, and this reroof showcased its core value of impact: seeking to make a difference and contributing positively to the lives of others.  

“We are able to do something really special just by coming together and volunteering whatever it is that our strength is, and this is the result,” Amy Cashman, NWIR social media manager, stated. 

Another NWIR core value is connection — building and maintaining meaningful relationships — and the event brought to the forefront the power of bringing many different people and companies coming together for a shared cause.  

“CertainTeed and I are more than happy to support Oregon Band of Brothers, NWIR and, of course, the veteran we have here today,” said Jack McDonnell, territory manager of CertainTeed. “My grandfather is a veteran. He was a Marine in Vietnam, so that motivates me to a significant extent.” 

Other sponsors of the NWIR Central Oregon chapter and the Raise the Roof event included SRS Distribution, GAF, RESISTO by SOPREMA and RoofersCoffeeShop®.  

For Larry, this experience served as an affirmation and a reminder about how to live. “They’re trying to give back to the community, and that’s what I do a lot,” Larry stated, emphasizing the duty we all have to one another. “It’s an important thing for all of us — I don’t care who you are or where you’re from. Take care of each other.” 

Photo source: National Women in Roofing

In this CoatingsTalk™, Megan Ellsworth sits down with Ryan Knippel, a business development manager from SOPREMA, to explore how modern roof coatings are reshaping the roofing industry, from extending roof life and boosting energy efficiency to reducing costs and waste for building owners. Ryan will break down when coating restorations make sense versus full re-roofs, what warranties and system compatibility look like and how technical reps guide those decisions in the field. Plus, he’ll dive into the shifting workforce, training challenges and the next wave of coating innovations. Join us as we uncover how coatings are reshaping the roofing landscape — and what’s next for contractors, building owners and the industry at large.

Listen to the podcast.

Watch the CoatingsTalk.

By International Roofing Expo (IRE).

Congratulations to all of the 2026 IPSA winners – Their innovations are set to transform and shape the future of our industry!

The votes are in, and the future of roofing has been decided! Meet the winners of the 2026 International Roofing Expo® Innovative Product Showcase and Awards Program (IPSA) – the game-changing innovations that are officially taking our industry to new heights.

After an incredible response from roofing professionals who cast their votes both online and on the show floor in Las Vegas, these groundbreaking solutions have risen to the top, proving they're not just products – they're the tools that will reshape how we work and drive our businesses forward. From cutting-edge materials to revolutionary tools and services, these winners represent the very best of what's possible when our industry comes together to celebrate innovation.

The People’s Choice

People’s Choice is determined by the industry, roofing professionals casted their votes both online and onsite at IRE 2026, early January through February 5th. Here are this year's winners: 

• Business, technology software and services: VILPE Sense Leak Detectors by VILPE Oy
• Coatings, caulks and sealants: FiberSeal Base by Fluid Applied Roofing
• Gutters and roof drains: Sasquatch Structural Gutter Protection System by E-Z Gutter Guard
• Roofing products: Elevate Max PVC Single-Ply Roofing Membrane by Elevate
• Safety and fall protection: LifeGrab Upper and Lower Ladder Stabilizers by On Top Safety
• Siding and insulation: ThermaThin™ 7 by Carlisle Syntec Systems
• Solar panels and products: KAST Connect by KAST
• Tools, equipment and machinery: Burro Volt by Donkey Forklifts
• Water proofing, flashing, vapor barriers, underlayments and insulation: AeroNet by Benjamin Obdyke

The Experts’ Choice

The Experts’ Choice award winners were selected by industry experts. The winners stood out from the competition in their ability to boost performance, drive sales, enhance customer satisfaction, improve worker safety or establish a new industry standard in the field. 

• Seal Bond® FlexCurb™ Universal Curb Kit by Seal Bond
• Duro-Last PVC to TPO Tie-In by Duro-Last
• LifeGrab 360° Roof Bracket and LifeGrab Elevated Roof Bracket by On Top Safety
• ThermaThin™ 7 by Carlisle Syntec Systems
• SOPREMA MINI-MACADEN® by SOPREMA
• AeroNet by Benjamin Obdyke

Learn more about these incredible products!

By Emma Peterson. 

Ryan Knippel discusses industry trends and what a major brand integration means for SOPREMA this year.  

In a recent CoatingsTalk™, Megan Ellsworth sat down with Ryan Knippel, business development manager from SOPREMA, to talk about the state of the coatings industry and what SOPREMA has been up to so far in 2026.  

The state of the coatings industry 

In the last few years, coatings have steadily grown more popular as a preferred roofing solution. One of the biggest reasons for this rise in interest is the cost-effective nature of these products. Ryan explained, “There’s a lot of savings in coatings. Even for a full coating restoration, it’s way more cost effective than a full tear off. A lot of those savings come from material and labor costs, but you also get savings from avoiding landfill use and other smaller things that add up.”  

But these initial savings are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of working with a roof coating. A lot of coatings also offer long-term benefits such as easier maintenance with less inhabitant disruptions and better energy efficiency when working with cool coatings. Overall, as Ryan put it, “When you look at the big picture, coatings really are just a great offering.”  

SOPREMA’s role in the industry 

For contractors who want to either continue or start offering coatings and their many benefits to their customers, SOPREMA is a great resource. They have a broad portfolio of roofing products, including coatings. In fact, this year they made a huge leap in expanding their product line through a brand integration with Tropical Roofing Products (TRP). Ryan shared a bit about what this integration means for the brands and their products:   

You’ll see things like the flagship 924 coating, which comes from TRP, under the SOPREMA label now...To be clear, all the great numbers, performance and technology of 924 are still there, they’ve just gotten some new packaging and now have the great SOPREMA brand supporting them. 

Overall, this integration is a powerful move to support the growing interest and demand for roof coating systems across the market. Ryan shared, “This integration puts everything under one umbrella and gives TRP the stability, the strength and everything that comes with the brand recognition of SOPREMA.” Ultimately, TRP’s integration with SOPREMA gives more contractors access to the high-performance coatings they need to stay competitive with the rising coatings market.  

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to learn more about SOPREMA, their offerings and the state of the coatings industry.