Global learning and industry pride: NRCA explores innovation at Dach + Holz in Germany

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

International collaboration brings new ideas home.

The Coffee Shops™ were proud to participate in the 2026 National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) Study Tour to Cologne, Germany and Brussels, Belgium. The tour began in Cologne where the global roofing community gathered for Dach + Holz International, one of the world’s premier roofing trade shows. Industry leaders, manufacturers and contractors from around the world came together to share ideas, showcase new technology and discuss best practices shaping the future of roofing. 

Participants on the NRCA 2026 Study Tour represented a diverse cross section of the roofing industry including contractors, consultants and manufacturers. Attendees included John Chan and Gary Howes of The Durable Slate Company; Matt Dupuis of SRI Consultants; Ruben Gonzalez of AIS Construction Inc.; Ron Harriman, retired from Benchmark, Inc.; Alex Hernandez of Clark Roofing Company; Dean Jagusch of Wagner Roofing Company; Sherri Miles of J.D. Miles & Sons, Inc.; Lorna Rojas of National Women in Roofing and Tremco CPG; Jason Stanley and Jamie Treglio of IB Roof Systems; Joe Zale of Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.; Abad Zarate of AzaPro Roofing and Heidi J. Ellsworth of The Coffee Shops. Together the group represented a broad range of expertise and perspectives from across the roofing industry. 

The purpose of the NRCA 2026 Study Tour was to provide participants with valuable insights into international roofing practices while exploring best practices, gaining a deeper understanding of global trends and establishing meaningful connections with professionals from around the world. By bringing contractors, consultants and industry leaders together in an international setting, the tour created opportunities to exchange knowledge and experience firsthand how roofing technologies and practices differ across markets. 

During the event, NRCA CEO McKay Daniels spoke about the importance of international engagement for roofing professionals. One of NRCA’s priorities, he explained, is helping contractors make tomorrow better than today by creating opportunities to see how roofing is practiced in different regions of the world. 

“Part of our role is bringing contractors and industry professionals to international events like this so they can see how others are approaching roofing,” McKay said. “Different climates, different building methods and different technologies all influence how roofing is done. There’s no monopoly on good ideas.” 

For many attendees on the NRCA 2026 Study Tour, the experience of walking the Dach + Holz show floor was eye opening. From waterproofing technologies to solar integration and green roofing systems, international manufacturers showcased innovations that offered a glimpse of where the industry may be heading. Seeing these developments firsthand allows U.S. contractors to better understand how global markets are evolving and how those ideas may influence roofing practices at home. 

The agenda for the NRCA 2026 Study Tour included the Dach + Holz Trade Show along with site visits, facility tours and group dinners designed to encourage discussion and collaboration among participants. The tour also included a visit to the Derbigum manufacturing facility in Belgium. Derbigum, a Kingspan company, provided attendees with a behind-the-scenes look at manufacturing processes and product development. A highlight of the visit was learning about the company’s commitment to sustainability through its “No Roof to Waste” initiative, a dedicated program that collects and recycles old roof membranes and installation waste, reducing the need for new raw materials. 

Together, these experiences provided a unique opportunity to broaden perspectives and bring back valuable knowledge that can help strengthen roofing businesses and organizations across the United States. Events like Dach + Holz have long served as a hub for global roofing innovation, bringing together manufacturers, contractors and craftspeople from around the world. For U.S. contractors attending with NRCA, the goal was not only to observe but to return home with new ideas and perspectives that can help advance the industry.