b'Technical & ResearchWhat is T&R, Where Did T&R Come From, and Where is T&R Going!T&R Chairman, Steve Weinert of Crafts, Inc.The MRCA Technical & Research Committee is foremost ouris doing a diligent review of suggested study projects and has organizations lead effort at exploring the new technologies,been coordinating with other industry partners where potential emergent problems, and best practices of roofing.T&R, oftenprojects need more than the MRCAs support to study.Around in collaboration with other associations, product producers,the time you read this, T&R will be meeting in Omaha at the industry consultants, and other industry partners, spearheadsMRCA Spring Meeting to review the shortlist of potential projects the MRCAs investigation into what makes a good roof good,and monitor ongoing work.what are the reasons and solutions to roof problems, and whereT&R is in process of soliciting proposals for several new studies, the art of roofing is heading in the future. details of which will be published when partners are selected. Comprised of MRCA Board Members, invited industry participantsWe also have a bit of housekeeping for T&R to catch up on, as and aided by MRCA staff, the T&R Committee is currentlywe have gained access to a half ton of archived MRCA and comprised of: T&R documents stretching back some 50 years. T&R Chairman, Steve Weinert of Crafts, Inc. Looking to the future of roofing, T&R is dedicating efforts to CERTA Chairman, Randy Adams of R. Adams Roofing, Inc. understanding trending technology, systems innovation and the evolution of work techniquesall to help our MRCA Members Rick Birkman of Texas Roofing Co. be on the forefront of industry innovation and profitability.Jim Ramser of Highland Roofing Co., Inc.Josh Wolford of R. Adams Roofing, Inc MRCA WOMEN IN ROOFING(continued from pg 14)Mark Langer of Langer Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. professional as well as helping others on this quest for knowledge MRCA Board Liaison, Kevin Gwaltney of Diamond Roofing and position.Because of the duration of most T&R projects, committeeIn order for this group to have value, we need to be clear about members serve five year terms. its purpose.This isnt a womens group.Its a group for the support of roofing contractors that happen to be female.There For much of its decades as a separate MRCA committee,are many who will provide valuable input.We need owners and T&R had engaged in-house consultancy to have continuityCEOs of course, but there are also those who are in other areas and best access to industry testing labs.In 2017, T&R startedof management and may one day become owners.We all have the transition towards a more open approach to engaging aa perspective of the challenges of running a roofing business to wider range of consultants and test labs, in recognition of theshare that can help someone else.changed complexion of the roof consultants industry and the diversification between various test labs of specific tests. We can help each other better if we are able to gather in a group specifically tasked with supporting the women in management Past longtime T&R Chairman, Randy Adams, has remainedof roof installation companies.When we share our combined involved in T&R.Randys participation is especially helpfulknowledge and resources it helps others quickly find solutions as he maintains our MRCA presence at numerous technicalto their challenges.It is a comfort to know others face similar meetings such as ASTM sub-committee meetings where thechallenges and that no matter how difficult the problem there MRCA is a participant. is help to be found.It is also rewarding to be able to help The T&R Committee was an embodiment of the associationsomeone else whose challenge you have met and found success need to help members get to the bottom of material, systems,overcoming. and application problems, and developed to incorporateMRCA has facilitated many valuable relationships used for solving noteworthy studies and publications over the years.As an authorvarious roofing industry challenges and for researching business I was perhaps just learning how to read when the first industrytransition methods. This association offers access to hundreds of challenge was published by the MRCA (on roof drainage).years of contractor experience covering a large geographical That type of taking a measured stance for best practices, evenarea and a network through which industry resources can quickly if perhaps seen as contrary to then accepted roofing ideas,be found. The support of this association is a great asset for the became the Good Science basis for MRCAs T&R Committee. Women in Roofing.Recently the T&R did a series of surveys to identify immediateI thought I didnt have time to attend conferences and education, industry problems that roofers felt T&R should consider for study.but now I know how it has helped not only to quickly find information It is a tribute to the maturity of the roofing industry that there ison a daily basis, but also to renew the excitement of being involved so little low hanging fruit for selection of the next series of T&Rthis business.It is a business of great opportunity as well as great projects.Committee members recently reviewed a 30-pageliability.The MRCA is proud to promote the professionalism of the list of T&R suggested projects and committee needs at ourindustry as well as to help educate members of the liabilities to be Winter Meetings. aware of.Ignorance is bliss but better suited to a different industry.So what future course does that put T&R onto?Presently, T&R 30 www.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer'