Why contractors are getting involved

By The Coffee Shops™. 

Experts discuss RCMA’s role in the industry and the value of contractor participation. 

In the field, contractors consistently navigate evolving codes, technical standards, product innovation and legislative changes. Staying competitive requires access to reliable education, industry advocacy and collaboration with peers across the market. For Chris Huettig and Cody Wilson, both active members of the Roof Coatings Manufacturers Association (RCMA), staying involved with associations is essential for maintaining a network of support. In a recent episode of CoatingsCast™, they discussed why RCMA expanded membership opportunities to contractors and how the organization is helping strengthen the coatings industry. 

From technical resources and regulatory guidance to networking and peer collaboration, here’s what you need to know about the value of joining RCMA.  

Q: Why did RCMA decide to open membership to roofing contractors? 

Chris Huettig, vice president of technical services and client relations at KARNAK, gave some context to this decision:  

We have a lot of knowledge within ourselves and we wanted to make sure that knowledge was being shared with coating applicators...And [to be the best resource] we need to have the voice of those in the field who are applying it every day, who are applying for the bids, who are putting the coating down and having to meet the certain building codes and expectations of that particular region, state, whatever it may be in our organization.  

Q: How does RCMA help contractors stay ahead of code changes and legislation affecting roof coatings? 

Chris elaborated:  

We have a couple of committees within RCMA [to keep our members up to date]. The first one is the Government Affairs Committee, and we have the Technical Affairs Committee. Government Affairs really deals with relevant information about government bodies, codes and regulatory impacts throughout the country that happen...We have a great technical director, Dr. Paroli, who is very involved in ASTM International.  

The Technical Affairs Committee provides technical application information, information for building owners and contractors. They deal a lot with changes or things in testing, fire codes, best practices, technical bulletin, etc. 

By bringing the industry together through RCMA, contractors gain access to centralized resources and up-to-date technical information that can help elevate application practices and strengthen coatings’ position as a trusted low-slope roofing solution. 

Q: Why is collaboration between contractors, manufacturers and suppliers so important in the coatings market right now? 

This collaboration is key to the future of the market as consumer interest in coatings continues to grow exponentially. Chris explained:  

We need a unified voice so we can all work together to promote and grow the coatings market... It's such a big, expanding field and it's blowing up. With more going on, we need more collaboration. 

Cody Wilson, president of Unicoat Industrial Roofing, added some thoughts from a contractor’s perspective: 

We wanted to have that voice like Chris mentioned as far as what's going on in the industry with manufacturers and the code changes and also the opportunity to meet with other contractors in a group setting where everybody can talk about what's going on...RCMA was the obvious choice for us as they have been up on the front lines trying to make sure that they're protecting our industry. 

As coatings continue to expand, manufacturers, suppliers and contractors need a shared forum where technical knowledge, field experience, regulatory concerns and peer insights can come together to strengthen the industry’s collective voice. 

Q: How can contractors benefit from joining an industry association like RCMA? 

According to Cody, joining RCMA was a no-brainer decision:  

As a licensed roofing contractor in the state of Florida, RCMA has always helped us over the years with things like navigating legislation change. So, as soon as we heard it was opening up to contractors, we wanted to be a part of it because it really gives us a voice with what's going on in the industry. 

He also emphasized how being a part of RCMA gives his team a unique collaboration opportunity:  

It also gives us the opportunity to meet with other contractors in a group setting...You learn a lot from your peers in this industry — not just the new products that are coming out, but different techniques, different markets and what's going on that way. 

RCMA offers contractors a seat at the table, keeping them informed, helping them strengthen industry relationships and shaping the future of roof coatings. As regulations evolve and the coatings market continues to expand, associations like RCMA play an important role in connecting professionals with the education and support they need to succeed. 

Listen to the full episode to learn more about RCMA membership and the future of the roof coatings industry.