— By Jenn Poultney — Best practices for stopping roof leaks before they start. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure and that couldn’t be truer when it comes to managing facilities, especially on the roof. Keeping up with preventive maintenance and performing routine inspections can significantly reduce roof leaks and improve the health and longevity of a roof. Most roof warranties require scheduled maintenance or housekeeping to keep the warranty in good standing. Neglecting these activities or not properly documenting these activities can void a roof’s …
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Saginaw, Mich. — Duro-Last, a member of Holcim Building Envelope, has appointed Chris Warner as its new vice president of operations. With more than 20 years of experience in operational leadership and a strong background in lean manufacturing and strategic process optimization, Warner will be instrumental in enhancing Duro-Last’s operational excellence and advancing its commitment to safety and superior customer service. “I am honored to join Duro-Last and contribute to the legacy of excellence that has made the company a trusted leader in commercial roofing,” says Warner. “Duro-Last’s reputation for …
Holiday Prep for Retail Success: Why Maintenance Matters Before Black Friday
The holiday season can present an existential challenge for retailers, testing the skills and endurance of marketing and sales teams in a six-week race to reach revenue targets by the end of the year. It is not a time to inconvenience customers and staff with building maintenance or repairs. “There’s a reason they call it Black Friday,” says Bill Schaphorst, vice president of business development at MaintenX, a commercial facility maintenance and repair company. “Because of the surge in traffic and sales on the fourth Friday in November, that typically …
Smart Roofing Strategies Help Retail, Restaurant Facility Owners Trim Costs
For retail and restaurant facility owners, a proactive roofing maintenance strategy is essential to prevent costly issues down the line, says Bill Earl, director of roofing operation at MaintenX. “You just spent $200,000 on a roof. Preventive maintenance is about protecting that investment,” he explains. Many roofing issues are not caused by material failures but by external factors like mishandling equipment or damage from storm debris. Earl emphasizes that routine maintenance can prevent small problems from escalating into major repairs. For restaurants, where foot traffic on roofs is common, damage …
Saginaw, Mich. — Duro-Last, a member of Holcim Building Envelope, has appointed Albert Frattaroli as its new vice president of finance. In this role, Frattaroli will oversee Duro-Last’s financial strategy and operations, driving initiatives to enhance profitability, streamline financial processes and support continued growth. Frattaroli brings more than 20 years of experience in finance, having held leadership positions with global organizations such as Amcor, Owens Corning, Ally Bank, Honeywell International and PricewaterhouseCoopers. His expertise spans financial planning and analysis, operations finance, internal controls, acquisition integration and team leadership. “We are …
Retailer Disaster Planning Speeds Timeline to Restored Operations
The increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters pose a growing threat to many restaurants and retailers. All too often, unprepared businesses struggle to contend with property damage, power interruptions and repair delays that can plague communities for months in the wake of a catastrophic wildfire or storm. “Businesses that have stores operating in hurricane-prone areas like Florida or other regions threatened by natural disasters need to have a plan in place, with committed assets or a vendor to support them in an emergency,” says Bill Schaphorst, vice president of …
Checklist for 2024 Hurricane Preparation
People and businesses across the United States are bracing for what could be the most active hurricane season on record. Forecasts predict that the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season alone is predicted to have five major hurricanes — those of Category 3 or greater, with sustained winds of at least 111 miles per hour. Compare this to 2023, when there were only three major hurricanes in the United States. The potential for storm damage to homes and businesses is greater in 2024’s especially active hurricane season. “While the development of technology …
Keep Facility Maintenance on Track
Business owners have a lot on their plate; it’s a full-time job to survive in the ultra-competitive fields of restaurants and retail. In this challenging environment, facilities management often takes a back seat. Yet, diligent maintenance not only showcases a business’s care for its premises but also fosters opportunities for success by attracting clientele. Plus, a proactive maintenance strategy can identify necessary repairs long before they escalate into significant issues. A clean, well-maintained facility can bring customers to a store or restaurant, says MaryAnn Velez, a sales executive at Colt …
Oak Brook, Ill. — National parking lot contractor Let’s Pave, as well as its commercial roofing division, Let’s Roof, have recently launched the VIBE Women’s Empowerment Group. Established by Lana Halzel, business development manager, and Ashley Kuzlik, project coordinator, VIBE provides a platform for female colleagues to network, share experiences and support each other personally and professionally. “Paving and roofing are male-dominated industries,” says Halzel. “Let’s Pave and Let’s Roof have a unique advantage in that our team is 42% women and counting. The ladies in our organization bring valuable …
Western Specialty Contractors Restores Rooftop Parking Deck at Luxury Mall in Palm Beach
St. Louis — Western Specialty Contractors’ Fort Lauderdale, Fla., branch has completed restoration of the rooftop parking deck at The Esplanade shopping mall in Palm Beach, Fla. The project took 5 months. Located at 150 Worth Ave. just steps away from the Atlantic Ocean, the luxury retail destination is home to some of the world’s most sought-after luxury brands including Carolina Herrera, Akris, Pucci, Hublot, Lugano Diamonds and Saks Fifth Avenue. Its on-site parking facility supports surrounding businesses, restaurants, hotels, beach visitors and events. Western’s craftsmen began work to restore …