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January 4, 2013

News for the roofing industry

Top Story

Fabric roof on Mich. stadium taken down as part of overhaul
The half-moon fabric roof of the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan has been deflated to clear the way for renovation work. The 100-panel roof is costly for the facility to maintain during winter when all 23 fans work 24/7 to keep it inflated. It will be replaced with a fixed roof that could also feature solar panels, said Alex Loewy, events coordinator for the arena. The Daily Tribune (Royal Oak, Mich.) (1/3)

News & Trends

Construction sector adds 30,000 jobs in December
Nonfarm payrolls increased by 155,000 in December, according to data released this morning by the Labor Department. This is down slightly from an upwardly revised 161,000 added in November. The unemployment rate for the month was at 7.8%. Construction was a winner during the month, adding 30,000 jobs. Average hourly earnings were up 0.3%. WDBJ-TV (Roanoke, Va.)/The Associated Press (1/4), MarketWatch (1/4), Bloomberg (1/4)

Roof replacement, asbestos removal at Mass. school to cost $1.2M
A project to replace the 50-year-old rubber roof on the Mulready Elementary School in Hudson, Mass., will cost about $1.2 million, including the cost to remove asbestos. The school district has asked the state to shoulder half of the cost of the project, and it hopes to raise the rest of the money at a future Town Meeting, said Len Belli, facilities director. MetroWest Daily News (Framingham, Mass.) (1/4)

Energy & the Environment

Experts: Expect green-building expansion globally in 2013
Green building in the U.S. is expected to rebound this year, after Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design projects represented 20% of all new put-in-place construction in 2012, experts say. The greatest expansion of green building will be in retrofits, they predict. Other expected trends in green building for 2013 include automation of building management through the cloud, greater use of solar power, growing awareness of freshwater supply problems, the increasing presence of zero-net-energy buildings, and an acceleration of green building in places such as China, Singapore, the EU and Brazil. Sustainable Industries (1/1)

Column: Reflective roofs not for everyone, nor for every climate
Roofs painted white can reflect heat and reduce warm-weather energy use, but they can also have disadvantages, writes Briana Davis. In colder climates, reflective roofs can drive up the cost of heating during winter. They also require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure they work efficiently, Davis notes. Living Green Magazine online (1/3)

Roofing system at Tokyo school employs variety to save energy
A roofing system measuring about 86,700 square feet takes on different features to address lighting and energy needs at Teikyo University's Elementary School in Tokyo. The south-facing roof has varying slopes to maximize sunlight exposure for the school's roof-mounted solar heating system. The structure also has longer eaves for areas that need more shade, and shorter eaves for rooms that need more light. EarthTechling.com (1/3)

In the Office

10 tips for boosting your business this year
You can improve your business in 2013 by listening to employees' ideas, identifying new ways to generate income and focusing on the aspects of running your company that you are passionate about, experts say. "If you don't love what you're doing, you're never going to work hard enough to be one of the best," said Ken Blanchard, co-author of "The One Minute Manager." Entrepreneur online (1/2)

Let employees take over key duties to spur business growth
To grow a small business, owners must be able to hand key responsibilities to trusted employees, writes Curt Finch. When passing on duties, clearly explain the goals and expectations to the employee, and get it in writing so both you and the employee can measure productivity. "As a business owner, it can be difficult to let someone else take care of your baby, but it is almost always in the business's best interest to create a team with diverse and useful skills to improve processes," Finch concludes. Small Business Trends (1/2)

Government & Regulatory

What the "fiscal cliff" deal means for small-business owners
Some small-business owners will see their taxes rise now that Congress has passed a "fiscal cliff" deal that allows rates to rise for people who exceed a certain income threshold. "The fiscal cliff deal will make me spend more time working in the business rather than on the business," said Bill Westrom, whose financial-consulting firm has five employees. The Wall Street Journal (1/3), The Wall Street Journal (1/2)

NRCA News

Learn about OSHA and safety through NRCA University webinar
NRCA University will offer Business Management Residential Series Webinar: OSHA, Fall Protection and Residential Work Jan. 9, at 2 p.m. CST. Learn how to identify potential Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations within the roofing industry; how to ensure safety for your employees, particularly when they perform residential work; and simple ways to develop a culture of safety among your employees, among other topics. The webinar will be presented by Ed Foulke, a prominent labor law attorney who was the head of OSHA during President George W. Bush’s administration. The member price for the webinar is $55, and the retail price is $75. Learn more, and register.

NRCA offers insurance guide

Insurance Guide for Professional Roofing Contractors, Third Edition, helps roofing contractors evaluate their insurance needs, establish programs and monitor programs’ effectiveness. The guide provides information about insurance coverage types and serves as a valuable reference tool to fully prepare roofing contractors for conversations with their insurance agents or brokers. The member price for the insurance guide is $125, and the retail price is $250. Buy the guide.

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