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January 11, 2013

News for the roofing industry

Top Story

States, cities anticipate growth in hiring, construction
State and local governments still face fiscal challenges. However, they are expected to hire new employees in 2013 and to spend about 1.8% more on construction this year, according to Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. "The bloodletting on the state and local government level has finally passed," says Jim Diffley, chief U.S. regional economist for IHS Global Insight. "They’re no longer subtracting from growth." Bloomberg Businessweek (1/10)

News & Trends

Operator of collapsed crane has license suspended by NYC
The man who was running the crane that collapsed at a construction site in New York City on Wednesday has had his crane operator license suspended by the city's Department of Buildings. The crane's 170-foot-long boom collapsed when it was lifting a load that weighed nearly 24,000 pounds, more than twice its rated capacity, resulting in the injury of seven workers. Yahoo/The Associated Press (1/10)

Cost to fix roof of Ohio college building could reach $100K
The cost to repair the roof of the Research and Technology Center at Ohio University could reach about $100,000. The roof was damaged by fire last November and had to be repaired temporarily to protect the facility from heavy rains. The university is still looking to hire a contractor to do permanent repairs. The Athens Messenger (Ohio) (1/10)

Energy & the Environment

Add more insulation to reduce thermal transfer
You can maximize the R-value of existing insulation by adding more of it. Which kind to use depends on what's already there, writes Dwight Barnett. Loose-fill materials should be added to loose-fill materials, but either batts or loose fill can be added to existing batts. However, make sure the insulation doesn't touch the roof decking so as to prevent problems, he adds. East Valley Tribune (Mesa, Ariz.) (1/9)

NRECA: Cool roofs maximize energy efficiency in warm climates
Cool roofs can help maximize energy efficiency in houses that use more energy for cooling than heating, according to this article on the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association website. The roofs help reduce energy use by reflecting the sun's rays and removing additional heat through thermal emission. New materials and manufacturing processes make cool roofs available in several colors and even for pitched roofs. ECT.coop (1/10)

In the Office

6 tips for smart business planning
If you're charting a course for your company, it's important to focus on people and results, Tim Berry writes. "Agree on performance goals and how to measure them. Make them numerical, objective, so you can track the results and the results will stand for themselves," he advises. Entrepreneur online (1/7)

How to select new employees and start them on the road to success
When looking at prospective employees, you should choose from a large pool of candidates, focus on their potential and get excited about new ideas they bring to the table, Ed Powers writes. Once you've made a hire, you should teach him or her about the business and encourage him or her to make suggestions. Inc. online (free registration) (1/8)

Government & Regulatory

Pentagon plans huge spending cuts amid budget deadlock fears
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has ordered cuts to military spending because he has grown pessimistic about the chances of the White House and Congress agreeing to avert $52 billion in cuts to the Pentagon budget this year. Defense agencies have been told to freeze civilian hiring and to scale back spending on office expenses, training and travel. They've also been given authority to fire temporary workers. The Washington Post (1/10), The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (1/10), Government Executive (1/10)

NRCA News

The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress adds new members
Barr Roofing Co., Abilene, Texas, and National Roofing Partners, Dallas, have joined The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress, which now has 128 active members. The Alliance was established in 1996 within the National Roofing Foundation, a separate-but-related educational and research organization of NRCA, to address critical industry issues. Learn more.

Wage and hour guide is available

The National Roofing Legal Resource Center has released A Comprehensive Guide to Wage and Hour Regulations Affecting Roofing Contractors, which addresses regulations governing the minimum wage and overtime pay requirements, as well as Fair Labor Standards Act regulations that set forth the rules for travel time pay, which often are misunderstood. The NRCA member price for the guide is $125, and the retail price is $250; the publication is free for NRLRC members. Purchase the guide.

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