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<channel>
<title>RoofersCoffeeShop</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/</link>
<description>Roofing Forum, Classifieds, Galleries and More!</description>
<language>en-us</language><item>
<title>Meet your metal industry toolbox</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/meet-your-metal-industry-toolbox</link>
<description>meet-your-metal-industry-toolbox</description>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 03:00:00 PDT</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/02/sherwin-williams-meet-your-metal-industry-toolbox.png'
            alt='Meet your metal industry toolbox'
            title='Meet your metal industry toolbox'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Jenny Yu.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Sherwin-Williams&#39; MetalVue gathers all the tools, resources and training contractors need to break through in the metal space.&nbsp;</h2>

<p>For contractors, nothing is more valuable than having the right resources and support. <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/sherwin-williams">Sherwin-Willams</a> wants to see more metal across buildings and rooftops, so they&rsquo;re doing their part to help contractors succeed.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/directory/sherwin-williams-metalvue">MetalVue</a> is a carefully curated suite of services to help newcomers and metal veterans alike as they grow and scale their businesses. &ldquo;Anyone that wants to start offering metal, increase their metal offerings or maybe move away from asphalt to metal &mdash; whatever scenario it is, we want to make sure that they feel supported, and that they have the right resources needed to be successful in the metal space,&rdquo; Junny Lee, market segment manager for MetalVue, shared <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rlw/grow-with-metal-win-with-roofing-passport">in this RoofersCoffeeShop RLW&reg;</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Heather McGinnis, MetalVue&rsquo;s contractor sales representative, likened MetalVue to an expert contractor&rsquo;s toolbox, complete with visualizers, CRMs and business solutions. &ldquo;We&#39;ve done the homework for you, put it in a nice toolbox and you can reach in that toolbox anytime you need to,&rdquo; Heather explained. &ldquo;There are different tools for each part of what you do. You can take what pertains to your business and what your business needs are. We went out and got the best of the best.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Some &ldquo;tools&rdquo; included in the toolbox include:&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li><strong><a href="https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/directory/renoworks">Renoworks</a>:</strong> An advanced AI-powered web visualizer&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong><a href="https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/directory/the-stonegate-group">The Stonegate Group</a>:</strong> A veteran business solutions and consulting firm&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong><a href="https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/directory/eagleview">Eagleview</a>:</strong> A leading provider of aerial imagery and asset intelligence&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong><a href="https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/directory/giddyup">GiddyUp Roofing Software</a>:</strong> A cloud-based CRM and canvasser&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong><a href="https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/about-us">MetalCoffeeShop&reg;</a>:</strong> A one-of-a-kind educational, informational and community experience for metal contractors&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Associations like <a href="https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/directory/mra-metal-roofing-alliance">Metal Roofing Alliance</a>, the <a href="https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/directory/metal-construction-association-mca-2">Metal Construction Association</a> and <a href="https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/directory/nwir">National Women in Roofing</a> for networking opportunities&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong><a href="https://industrial.sherwin-williams.com/na/us/en/coil-extrusion/metalvue/roofing-passport.html">Roofing Passport</a>:</strong> Sherwin-Williams&#39; roof takeoff and estimating software.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p>&ldquo;If we want to be industry leaders in our industry, we want to make sure the people that we work with are also leaders in their respective space,&rdquo; Junny said to the caliber of the hand-picked partners that make up MetalVue. &ldquo;We&#39;re always trying to figure out ways to bring value to contractors.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>So far, contractors have benefited from the value provided by MetalVue, providing positive feedback about the program&rsquo;s impact on their businesses. &ldquo;It has given them their time back that they would have spent bidding and estimating and researching these things. We&#39;ve already done it for you,&rdquo; Heather offered, adding that there&rsquo;s only more opportunity ahead. &ldquo;The growth benefits are huge for metal. We see it everywhere, and we would love to partner with anybody that wants to either grow their business or get started in it.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/tackling-metal-estimates-with-ease-and-precision">Read the first article in this series</a>, <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/rlw/grow-with-metal-win-with-roofing-passport">Listen to the conversation</a> or <a href="https://youtu.be/9QqsyGxqXE4?si=8kDt8nbD-q2cCbf7">Watch the presentation</a> to learn more about how you can take advantage of the value the MetalVue program creates for metal contractors.&nbsp;</strong></p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>MCA releases 2025 Annual Report</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/mca-releases-2025-annual-report</link>
<description>mca-releases-2025-annual-report</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 10:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/02/mca-mca-releases-2025-annual-report-website.png'
            alt='MCA releases 2025 Annual Report'
            title='MCA releases 2025 Annual Report'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><h2>This annual report reflects the dedication and collaboration of MCA members and sets the stage for what&rsquo;s ahead.</h2>

<p>The Metal Construction Association (MCA) has released its <a href="https://metalconstruction.org/2025-annual-report" target="_blank">2025 Annual Report</a>. Read, download and share the report now to see MCA&rsquo;s key achievements throughout the year and the industry leaders who made them possible.</p>

<p>The 2025 Annual Report comprises four sections based on MCA&rsquo;s priorities:</p>

<ul>
	<li><strong>Creating demand for metal: </strong>MCA promotes metal to architects, building owners&nbsp;and other decision-makers, growing the industry to create new opportunities for our members.</li>
	<li><strong>Educating members and the industry: </strong>MCA also educates industry stakeholders through live events and digital resources to ensure metal performs exactly as it should.</li>
	<li><strong>Growing membership: </strong>MCA&rsquo;s growth is driven by the value it offers members. That growth, in turn, fuels the delivery of impactful resources and amplifies our voice.</li>
	<li><strong>Industry leadership:</strong> Led by professionals actively working in the field, MCA reflects the industry to ensure association priorities, initiatives&nbsp;and investments are shaped by real‑world experience and focused on advancing shared goals.</li>
</ul>

<p>&ldquo;This annual report reflects the dedication and collaboration of our members, and it also sets the stage for what&rsquo;s ahead,&rdquo; MCA Executive Director Jeff Henry said. &ldquo;MCA&rsquo;s progress is driven by members who step up, share their expertise and help shape what comes next. Now is a great time to get involved with MCA so that your company benefits from our shared achievements.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Learn more at <a href="https://metalconstruction.org/membership" target="_blank">https://metalconstruction.org/membership</a> and <a href="https://metalconstruction.org/2025-annual-report" target="_blank">https://metalconstruction.org/2025-annual-report</a>.</p>

<p><strong>About the Metal Construction Association</strong></p>

<p>MCA exists to advance metal construction. Through MCA, a diverse group of companies involved in metal roof and wall systems come together to expand understanding of metal&rsquo;s performance, durability and design potential through education, research and advocacy. By working collectively, MCA members create market demand, shape best practices and support better building outcomes.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>MRA Execute Director Renee Ramey receives top honors for driving residential metal roofing growth, adoption</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/mra-execute-director-renee-ramey-receives-top-honors-for-driving-residential-metal-roofing-growth-adoption</link>
<description>mra-execute-director-renee-ramey-receives-top-honors-for-driving-residential-metal-roofing-growth-adoption</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 10:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/01/mra-mra-execute-director-renee-ramey-receives-top-honors-for-driving-residential-metal-roofing-growth-adoption-pr.png'
            alt='MRA Execute Director Renee Ramey receives top honors for driving residential metal roofing growth, adoption'
            title='MRA Execute Director Renee Ramey receives top honors for driving residential metal roofing growth, adoption'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><h2>This top honor is bestowed upon an outstanding industry professional for their contributions to the success of the association and the betterment of the metal construction industry.</h2>

<p>Renee Ramey, executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA), recently received one of the Metal Construction Association&rsquo;s (MCA) highest honors &mdash; the Larry A. Swaney Award &mdash; at MCA&rsquo;s 2026 Winter Meeting held in San Antonio, Texas.</p>

<p>Ramey was honored with the Larry A. Swaney Award for her leadership role in working to grow the residential metal roofing market. In the U.S. alone, market share for metal roofing has risen from 3% at MRA&rsquo;s inception to now capturing over 17% of the overall residential roofing market. This top honor is bestowed upon an outstanding industry professional for their contributions to the success of the association and the betterment of the metal construction industry.</p>

<p>In her role, Ramey guides MRA&rsquo;s focus on rigorous quality and uniformity standards and helps drive consumer and homeowner awareness and adoption in the U.S. and Canada by promoting the many benefits of high quality metal roofing. MRA works together with contractors, manufacturers, roofing coalitions and industry partners to highlight the advantages of residential metal roofing as a sustainable, long lasting and resilient option. Ramey has served as executive director of the MRA since 2017 and has long been recognized for her leadership role in the metal industry.</p>

<p>MCA also recognized long-time MRA member Rob Haddock, CEO and founder of S-5!, by awarding him the Patrick R. Bush Service Award. This award honors the outstanding volunteer contributions of an individual from an MCA member company. This award was created to commemorate Patrick R. Bush, a significant and long-serving member of the MCA board.</p>

<p>Haddock&rsquo;s legendary career as a renowned metal roofing expert, inventor and industry pioneer spans nearly four decades, earning him a long list of honors including an early induction into the Metal Construction Hall of Fame.</p>

<p>Previous MCA service award recipients can be seen here: <a href="http://www.metalconstruction.org/index.php/events/other-awards" target="_blank">www.metalconstruction.org/index.php/events/other-awards</a></p>

<p><strong>About Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA)</strong></p>

<p>Representing the residential metal roofing industry in the United States and Canada, the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA) was formed to help educate consumers about the many benefits of metal roofing. For more information about MRA membership, residential metal roofing resources and tools, visit MRA at <a href="http://www.metalroofing.com" target="_blank">www.metalroofing.com</a>.</p>

<p><strong>About the Metal Construction Association</strong></p>

<p>Founded in 1983, MCA represents over 100 member companies that manufacture and distribute products for the metal construction industry. The association&rsquo;s mission is to promote the use of metal in the building envelope. Member volunteers collaborate on projects to educate contractors and architects about best practices for metal design and installation, while also ensuring compliance with evolving building codes and standards that support safety, sustainability and performance. Companies involved in MCA benefit greatly from activities focused on research, codes and standards, market development and technical programs. For more information, visit <a href="http://metalconstruction.org" target="_blank">metalconstruction.org</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>MCA honors Rob Haddock and Renee Ramey with service awards</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/mca-honors-rob-haddock-and-renee-ramey-with-service-awards</link>
<description>mca-honors-rob-haddock-and-renee-ramey-with-service-awards</description>
<pubDate>Sat, 24 Jan 2026 16:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/01/mca-mca-honors-rob-haddock-and-renee-ramey-with-service-awards-website.png'
            alt='MCA honors Rob Haddock and Renee Ramey with service awards'
            title='MCA honors Rob Haddock and Renee Ramey with service awards'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><h2>The awards were announced on January 14 during MCA&#39;s 2026 Winter Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.</h2>

<p>The Metal Construction Association (MCA) presented its Patrick R. Bush Service Award to Rob Haddock of S-5! and its Larry A. Swaney Award to Renee Ramey of the Metal Roofing Alliance. The awards were announced on January 14 during MCA&#39;s 2026 Winter Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.</p>

<p>The Patrick R. Bush Award honors the outstanding volunteer contributions of an individual from an MCA member company. This award was created to commemorate Patrick R. Bush, a significant and long-serving member of the MCA board.</p>

<p>This year&rsquo;s recipient is Rob Haddock, founder of S-5! Rob entered the industry at just 19, founding a company that erected pre-engineered steel buildings. Today, his legendary career has earned him an early induction into the Metal Construction Hall of Fame. A renowned metal roof expert, inventor and industry pioneer, Rob created an entirely new market for non-penetrating roof attachments and holds numerous patents. He is also the director of the Metal Roof Advisory Group, a global consulting firm serving clients since 1989.</p>

<p>A contractor-turned-consultant, Rob developed innovative solutions for attaching rooftop ancillaries, such as snow guards and HVAC equipment, which led him to found S-5! in 1992, where he serves as CEO. Under his leadership, S-5! products have been installed on more than 3 million roofs in 76 countries, supported by 217 patents and over 50 roof manufacturer endorsements. A lifetime honorary member of the Metal Construction Association since 1985, Rob has dedicated nearly four decades to advancing the industry through extensive volunteer and leadership service. Rob is the author of many articles and white papers, as well as a teacher and top-rated presenter. Rob&rsquo;s years of service to the industry earned him MCA&rsquo;s Larry A. Swaney Award in 2015.</p>

<p>The Larry A. Swaney Award is bestowed upon an outstanding industry professional for their contributions to the success of the association and the betterment of the metal construction industry.</p>

<p>This year&rsquo;s honoree is Renee Ramey, executive director of the Metal Roofing Alliance (MRA). Under her leadership, metal roofing&rsquo;s residential market share grew dramatically from 3% at the alliance&rsquo;s inception to 17%. She has guided MRA&rsquo;s focus on rigorous quality and uniformity standards, including wind-resistance testing for flashings and trim, helping drive broader adoption across manufacturers and installers.</p>

<p>Renee partners with contractors, manufacturers, roofing coalitions and industry partners to promote increased metal adoption, maintain high-quality standards and encourage ongoing knowledge-sharing. She also leads MRA&rsquo;s annual residential market research, providing members with valuable insights into market trends, and is a strong advocate for sustainable, resilient building practices, highlighting metal roofing&rsquo;s infinite recyclability.</p>

<p>Previous MCA service award recipients can be seen here: <a href="http://www.metalconstruction.org/index.php/events/other-awards" target="_blank">www.metalconstruction.org/index.php/events/other-awards</a></p>

<p><strong>About the Metal Construction Association</strong></p>

<p>Founded in 1983, MCA represents over 100 member companies that manufacture and distribute products for the metal construction industry. The association&rsquo;s mission is to promote the use of metal in the building envelope. Member volunteers collaborate on projects to educate contractors and architects about best practices for metal design and installation, while also ensuring compliance with evolving building codes and standards that support safety, sustainability and performance. Companies involved in MCA benefit greatly from activities focused on research, codes and standards, market development and technical programs. For more information, visit <a href="http://metalconstruction.org" target="_blank">metalconstruction.org</a>.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Thriving in 2026: Key strategies for success</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/thriving-in-2026-key-strategies-for-success</link>
<description>thriving-in-2026-key-strategies-for-success</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/01/mca-thriving-in-2026-key-strategies-for-success-canva.png'
            alt='MCA Thriving in 2026: Key strategies for success'
            title='MCA Thriving in 2026: Key strategies for success'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By The Coffee Shops&trade;.</p>

<h2>At the 2026 MCA Winter Meeting, Alex Chausovsky delivered a powerful message about navigating a year of modest growth and heightened uncertainty. &nbsp;</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/alex-chausovsky" target="_blank">Alex Chausovsky</a>&rsquo;s insights for the <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/metal-construction-association-mca-2" target="_blank">Metal Construction Association&nbsp;(MCA)</a> centered on adaptability, proactive planning and leveraging relationships to build resilience. Here&rsquo;s what leaders should take away from his presentation.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Data over emotion&nbsp;</h3>

<p>Alex stressed that decisions must be grounded in facts, not fear or speculation. &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t allow your fear, emotion, anxiety or water cooler talk drive decisions. Look at the data, understand what is reliable, what is not and then make your decisions based on that.&rdquo; In a volatile environment, data-driven strategies are the foundation for success.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Growth won&rsquo;t come to you&nbsp;</h3>

<p>For companies satisfied with 1&ndash;2% volume growth, the market will likely deliver that by year-end. But for those aiming higher, Alex was clear: &ldquo;You&rsquo;ve got to actually get out there and take it. You gotta hustle.&rdquo; &nbsp;</p>

<p>Market share gains and new customer acquisition will be essential for outperforming in 2026. Leaders must actively pursue opportunities rather than wait for them to appear.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Plan for multiple futures&nbsp;</h3>

<p>One of Alex&rsquo;s most strategic recommendations was scenario planning. &ldquo;Probably the biggest strategic thing that you can start doing long term is not just have one plan. Have multiple plans for multiple scenarios and be willing to pivot depending on what happens.&rdquo; Flexibility and readiness to adapt will separate thriving businesses from those that struggle.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Communication is your competitive edge&nbsp;</h3>

<p>In a complex market, strong relationships matter more than ever. Alex advised doubling communication with customers and supply chain partners. &ldquo;If you double the rate of communication, that really elevates the relationship from a transactional one to a value-added partnership.&rdquo; &nbsp;</p>

<p>Sharing insights and asking for feedback builds trust and creates resilience when conditions turn challenging.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Control what you can&nbsp;</h3>

<p>While external factors remain unpredictable, businesses can control their internal actions. Protect margins, pivot toward out-performing sectors and embrace nimbleness. &ldquo;Doing business as you&rsquo;ve always done is probably not going to get you to where you need to be,&rdquo; Alex warned. Leaders must be willing to rethink traditional approaches.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Invest in productivity&nbsp;</h3>

<p>Finally, Alex urged companies to evaluate their efficiency by asking, &ldquo;Are we doing things in the smartest, most efficient, most productive way possible?&rdquo; Technology investments and process improvements can deliver significant performance gains even when the market is stagnant. Research potential ROI and implement changes that drive measurable results.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The bottom line? 2026 may not be a year of explosive growth, but it can be a year of strategic wins. By focusing on data, hustling for new opportunities, planning for multiple scenarios, strengthening relationships and investing in productivity, businesses can position themselves to thrive in uncertainty.&nbsp;</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Tariffs in 2026: A new era of trade policy and global risk</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/tariffs-in-2026-a-new-era-of-trade-policy-and-global-risk</link>
<description>tariffs-in-2026-a-new-era-of-trade-policy-and-global-risk</description>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 Jan 2026 16:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/01/mca-tariffs-in-2026-a-new-era-of-trade-policy-and-global-risk-canva.png'
            alt='MCA Tariffs in 2026: A new era of trade policy and global risk'
            title='MCA Tariffs in 2026: A new era of trade policy and global risk'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By The Coffee Shops&trade;.</p>

<h2>Understanding how tariffs will impact the metal construction industry is important for business leaders to plan for success. &nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p>At the 2026 <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/metal-construction-association-mca-2" target="_blank">Metal Construction Association</a> Winter Meeting, economic analyst <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/alex-chausovsky" target="_blank">Alex Chausovsky</a> delivered a sobering assessment of the evolving U.S. tariff landscape under President Trump&rsquo;s second term. His remarks highlighted a dramatic shift in strategy compared to Trump&rsquo;s first term, with far-reaching implications for businesses and global alliances.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>A lone-wolf approach to tariffs&nbsp;</h3>

<p>&ldquo;The biggest difference in my view,&rdquo; Alex explained, &ldquo;is that he [Trump] no longer cares or even desires to get anyone&#39;s support or backing on this course of action. He&#39;s decided, &#39;I&#39;m going to go at it alone.&#39;&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Since January 2025, the administration has implemented roughly 75 tariff actions, all through executive orders. This unilateral approach even bypasses traditional party support. &ldquo;He doesn&rsquo;t even need the backing of his own Republican Party,&rdquo; Alex noted. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s just saying, &#39;Executive order, I decided, I&rsquo;m gonna do this.&#39;&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>One recent example: a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran, announced via tweet. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s very difficult to actually answer, well, what does &lsquo;doing business with Iran&rsquo; mean? How do you apply that?&rdquo; Alex said, underscoring the ambiguity and complexity of enforcement.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Tariffs as a geopolitical tool&nbsp;</h3>

<p>Unlike Trump&rsquo;s first term, which focused on reducing trade deficits, tariffs now serve broader geopolitical aims. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re talking about things like critical minerals for the Chinese, immigration and drug trade in North America, NATO defense spending and even internal politics in Brazil,&rdquo; Alex explained.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This expansion of negotiating points introduces significant risks. &ldquo;The biggest risk factor we&rsquo;re facing right now,&rdquo; he warned, &ldquo;is an alienation of our traditional allies&hellip; pushing them into the very welcoming and open arms of our main adversaries, namely countries like China and Russia.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>He cited India&rsquo;s recent overtures toward Beijing and Moscow as an alarming example saying, &ldquo;Prime Minister Modi was seen at a summit in Beijing recently, being very friendly &mdash; beyond normal levels &mdash; with President Xi and President Putin. That is not the kind of thing we want to maintain over time.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Legal challenges and what&rsquo;s next&nbsp;</h3>

<p>Currently, three major tariff categories dominate U.S. trade policy:&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li><strong>IEEPA tariffs:</strong>&nbsp;Country-specific, via executive order</li>
	<li><strong>Section 232 tariffs: </strong>Product-specific, requiring congressional investigation</li>
	<li><strong>Section 301 tariffs:</strong> Targeting anti-dumping practices, primarily against China</li>
</ul>

<p>But the legal foundation of IEEPA tariffs is under scrutiny. &ldquo;We could have an imminent ruling from the Supreme Court that says IEEPA tariffs are unconstitutional,&rdquo; Alex revealed. If overturned, the government faces a logistical nightmare, he says. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve collected something like $130 billion worth of tariffs, and there is no process that exists right now for the government to pay that money back.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Impact on businesses and inflation&nbsp;</h3>

<p>For companies hoping tariffs will disappear, Alex was blunt. &ldquo;They&rsquo;re not going anywhere. 2026 is going to just have an evolution of the tariff landscape.&rdquo; Expect new tariffs on critical sectors like semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, robotics and industrial machinery &mdash; categories that could significantly affect manufacturing and construction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The economic ripple effect is clear. &ldquo;My expectation is, we probably end the year somewhere in that 3% to 5% range for inflation,&rdquo; he said, citing the shift from companies absorbing tariff costs to passing them on to customers. &ldquo;The bulk of the impact of tariffs is still out in front of us.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<h3>The bottom line&nbsp;</h3>

<p>Alex&rsquo;s advice to businesses is to focus on profitability, not just revenue growth. &ldquo;You don&rsquo;t want to have customers and business opportunities where it&rsquo;s actually costing you money to do business,&rdquo; he cautioned. With tariffs reshaping global trade and inflationary pressures mounting, vigilance and adaptability will be critical for survival in 2026.&nbsp;</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>AI and automation: Revolutionizing metal construction and manufacturing</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/ai-andautomation-revolutionizingmetalconstructionandmanufacturing</link>
<description>ai-andautomation-revolutionizingmetalconstructionandmanufacturing</description>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2026 15:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/01/karen-article-for-mca-ai-andautomation-revolutionizingmetalconstructionandmanufacturing.png'
            alt='AI and automation - Revolutionizing metal construction and manufacturing'
            title='AI and automation - Revolutionizing metal construction and manufacturing'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By&nbsp;The Coffee Shops&trade;.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Technology&nbsp;isn&rsquo;t&nbsp;just changing today&rsquo;s workflows&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;it&rsquo;s&nbsp;laying&nbsp;the foundation for a smarter, more efficient future in metal construction and manufacturing.&nbsp;</h2>

<p>At the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/metal-construction-association-mca-2" target="_blank">Metal&nbsp;Construction&nbsp;Association (MCA)</a>&nbsp;2026 Winter Meeting, Denver Riggleman, founder of RIIG Technology&nbsp;and former U.S.&nbsp;Congressman, delivered a compelling talk on how&nbsp;artificial&nbsp;intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming industries&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;including metal roofing,&nbsp;construction&nbsp;and manufacturing. His insights revealed not only the potential of AI but also practical examples of how companies can&nbsp;leverage technology to stay competitive.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Why AI&nbsp;matters for&nbsp;metal construction&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3>

<p>AI is not just about futuristic robots or science-fiction scenarios.&nbsp;Denver&nbsp;emphasized that AI&rsquo;s real power lies in automation and data integration, stating, &ldquo;Automation across multiple channels creates&nbsp;efficiencies.&nbsp;No matter the industry&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;technology transfer works the same way.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>For metal roofing and manufacturing, this means:&nbsp;</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><strong>Faster&nbsp;estimation and&nbsp;bidding:&nbsp;</strong>AI can process drone imagery to generate&nbsp;accurate&nbsp;roof measurements and job estimates automatically.&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong>Error&nbsp;reduction:&nbsp;</strong>By&nbsp;consolidating&nbsp;fragmented CRMs and historical data, AI minimizes manual mistakes.&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong>Labor&nbsp;optimization: </strong>Companies can scale productivity without scaling headcount, freeing skilled workers from repetitive tasks.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h3>Real-world&nbsp;examples of AI&nbsp;impact&nbsp;</h3>

<p>Denver&nbsp;shared a striking example from the healthcare industry, saying,&nbsp;&ldquo;One orthopedic practice was losing north of $5 million per month in insurance verification and claim issues. AI fixed that.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Similar inefficiencies exist in&nbsp;construction&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;slow&nbsp;RFQ responses, manual data&nbsp;entry&nbsp;and compliance challenges. AI can automate these processes, saving time and money.&nbsp;He also highlighted the potential for drone-based automation, saying,&nbsp;&ldquo;If I can take a picture of a roof and have AI generate an estimate and job approval without a human, why wouldn&rsquo;t I?&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Investment and ROI: What&nbsp;are&nbsp;companies&nbsp;spending?&nbsp;</h3>

<p>According to&nbsp;Denver, companies are investing 1&ndash;2% of annual revenue in automation initiatives. While that may sound significant, the returns are compelling,&nbsp;&ldquo;Saving money is earning money. If you can&nbsp;eliminate&nbsp;manual errors and speed up processes,&nbsp;you&rsquo;re&nbsp;not just cutting costs&mdash;you&rsquo;re&nbsp;creating competitive advantage.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<h3>Beyond AI: Building the right tech stack&nbsp;</h3>

<p>Denver&nbsp;cautioned that AI alone&nbsp;isn&rsquo;t&nbsp;enough. As Denver put it,&nbsp;&ldquo;There&rsquo;s&nbsp;no way everything is going to be AI. You need full-stack developers, data scientists and engineers who understand microservices, Kubernetes and relational databases.&rdquo;&nbsp; This&nbsp;holistic approach&nbsp;ensures that automation layers are secure,&nbsp;scalable&nbsp;and adaptable to future changes.&nbsp;</p>

<h3>The future: Energy,&nbsp;data&nbsp;and&nbsp;compliance&nbsp;</h3>

<p>As AI adoption grows, so does the demand for data centers and energy.&nbsp;Denver&nbsp;warned, &ldquo;Data centers will pull&nbsp;more and more&nbsp;energy off the grid. We need solutions&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;SMRs, natural gas, offshore&nbsp;power.&nbsp;It&rsquo;s&nbsp;all coming.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>He also noted that compliance is another critical area where AI can&nbsp;help, adding, &ldquo;Do you know what rulemaking or legislation is coming out in state and federal right now&nbsp;that&rsquo;s&nbsp;going to affect your business? AI can help predict that.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Key&nbsp;takeaways for&nbsp;metal&nbsp;roofing and manufacturing leaders&nbsp;</strong></p>

<ol>
	<li><strong>Start small, think big: </strong>Identify&nbsp;pain points&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;RFQs, compliance, estimation&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;and explore automation solutions.&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong>Invest&nbsp;wisely: </strong>Budget 1&ndash;2% of revenue for AI and automation to stay competitive.&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong>Build&nbsp;expertise: </strong>Hire or train AI engineers and data specialists;&nbsp;don&rsquo;t&nbsp;rely solely on off-the-shelf tools.&nbsp;</li>
	<li><strong>Plan for&nbsp;power and&nbsp;policy: </strong>Engage in local energy discussions and&nbsp;monitor&nbsp;regulatory changes.&nbsp;</li>
</ol>

<p>Denver&nbsp;summed it up best, sharing, &ldquo;When you look at your companies,&nbsp;you&rsquo;re&nbsp;already successful. The question is&nbsp;&mdash;&nbsp;how successful do you want to be?&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>Fundador y CEO de S-5! es reconocido con el MCA’s Patrick R. Bush Service Award</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/fundador-y-ceo-de-s-5-es-reconocido-con-el-mcas-patrick-r-bush-service-award</link>
<description>fundador-y-ceo-de-s-5-es-reconocido-con-el-mcas-patrick-r-bush-service-award</description>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2026 03:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/01/s-5-fundador-y-ceo-de-s-5-es-reconocido-con-el-mcas-patrick-r-bush-service-award-pr.png'
            alt='S-5! Fundador y CEO de S-5! es reconocido con el  MCA’s Patrick R. Bush Service Award'
            title='S-5! Fundador y CEO de S-5! es reconocido con el  MCA’s Patrick R. Bush Service Award'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><h2>Este premio, creado en honor a Patrick R. Bush, reconoce el liderazgo y el servicio que contribuyen al avance de la industria de la construcci&oacute;n met&aacute;lica.</h2>

<p>S-5! anunci&oacute; que su fundador y director ejecutivo, Rob Haddock, ha sido galardonado con el Premio Patrick R. Bush al Servicio, otorgado por la Metal Construction Association (MCA). El reconocimiento fue entregado el 14 de enero durante la Reuni&oacute;n de Invierno 2025 de la MCA, celebrada en San Antonio.</p>

<p>El <a href="https://metalconstruction.org/index.php/events/other-awards" target="_blank">Patrick R. Bush Service Award</a>&nbsp;reconoce las contribuciones voluntarias sobresalientes de una persona perteneciente a una empresa miembro de la MCA. Establecido en honor a Patrick R. Bush, miembro durante muchos a&ntilde;os del consejo directivo de la asociaci&oacute;n, este premio distingue el liderazgo y el servicio que impulsan el avance de la industria de la construcci&oacute;n met&aacute;lica.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Los a&ntilde;os de servicio de Rob a la industria le llevaron al Premio Larry Swaney de la MCA en 2015&rdquo;, se&ntilde;al&oacute; LeeAnne Slattery, presidenta de la MCA. &ldquo;Ahora, en reconocimiento a sus amplias contribuciones a la asociaci&oacute;n &mdash; incluyendo autor&iacute;a t&eacute;cnica, educaci&oacute;n y liderazgo &mdash; me enorgullece presentar a Rob Haddock con el Premio Patrick R. Bush 2026&rdquo;.</p>

<p>Haddock ha sido un colaborador activo de la MCA durante d&eacute;cadas, participando en numerosos comit&eacute;s, consejos e iniciativas t&eacute;cnicas. Ha formado parte del Roofing Task Group, Fasteners Task Group, Accessories Council y Wall Council de la MCA. Asimismo, desempe&ntilde;&oacute; un papel clave &mdash; junto con Tom Black y la National Coil Coaters Association &mdash; en la creaci&oacute;n de la Metal Roofing Alliance, una iniciativa nacional que contribuy&oacute; de manera significativa al avance de los objetivos de la MCA dentro del sector de la construcci&oacute;n residencial.</p>

<p>Adem&aacute;s, Haddock ha sido autor de numerosos documentos t&eacute;cnicos para la MCA, abordando temas clave de la industria como retenci&oacute;n de nieve, integraci&oacute;n de sistemas solares en techos met&aacute;licos, compatibilidad de anclajes, protecci&oacute;n contra rayos, resistencia al granizo y est&aacute;ndares para fijaciones en techos met&aacute;licos. Su trabajo ha contribuido al progreso del sector mediante una mejor educaci&oacute;n, pruebas t&eacute;cnicas y estandarizaci&oacute;n.</p>

<p>Con una trayectoria de cinco d&eacute;cadas en la industria de los techos met&aacute;licos, su carrera comenz&oacute; como t&eacute;cnico de campo y evolucion&oacute; a trav&eacute;s de roles como contratista, consultor en diagn&oacute;stico t&eacute;cnico, autor t&eacute;cnico, educador, innovador, fundador de empresas y CEO. Conocido en toda la industria como &ldquo;el evangelista de los techos met&aacute;licos&rdquo;, es fundador de <a href="https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/directory/s-5" target="_blank">S-5!</a>&nbsp;y<a href="http://rmhaddock.com/" target="_blank"> Metal Roof Advisory Group, Ltd.</a>&nbsp;Sus innovaciones &mdash; protegidas por m&aacute;s de 200 patentes &mdash; han dado origen a una categor&iacute;a de productos completamente nueva dentro del sector de los techos met&aacute;licos.</p>

<p>Haddock fue incorporado como miembro inaugural del Metal Construction Hall of Fame en 2012. Su empresa ha participado como expositor en METALCON durante 33 a&ntilde;os consecutivos, y &eacute;l colabora de forma regular como ponente destacado. Adem&aacute;s, participa anualmente como conferencista en la International Roofing Expo y se desempe&ntilde;a como profesor adjunto en la Facultad de Ingenier&iacute;a de la Universidad de Wisconsin.</p>

<p>Tambi&eacute;n fue nombrado Miembro Ejecutivo Honorario Vitalicio tanto de la MCA como de la Metal Building Contractors &amp; Erectors Association. Ha recibido reconocimientos adicionales por parte de la Metal Building Manufacturers Association, el Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, ASTM International y el Construction Specifications Institute.</p>

<p>M&aacute;s all&aacute; de sus logros profesionales, Haddock es un firme impulsor de la mentor&iacute;a, la participaci&oacute;n activa en la industria y la filantrop&iacute;a, apoyando a m&aacute;s de 20 organizaciones sin fines de lucro a trav&eacute;s de sus empresas relacionadas y su fundaci&oacute;n ben&eacute;fica.</p>]]></content:encoded>
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<title>S-5! founder and CEO honored with MCA’s Patrick R. Bush Service Award</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/s-5-founder-and-ceo-honored-with-mcas-patrick-r-bush-service-award</link>
<description>s-5-founder-and-ceo-honored-with-mcas-patrick-r-bush-service-award</description>
<pubDate>Sat, 17 Jan 2026 19:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/01/s-5-s-5-founder-and-ceo-honored-with-mcas-patrick-r-bush-service-award-pr.png'
            alt='S-5! founder and CEO honored with MCA’s Patrick R. Bush Service Award'
            title='S-5! founder and CEO honored with MCA’s Patrick R. Bush Service Award'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><h2>Established in honor of Patrick R. Bush, the award celebrates leadership and service that advance the metal construction industry.</h2>

<p>S-5! announced that its Founder and CEO, Rob Haddock, has received the Patrick R. Bush Service Award from the Metal Construction Association (MCA). The honor was presented on January 14 during the MCA 2026 Winter Meeting in San Antonio.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://metalconstruction.org/index.php/events/other-awards" target="_blank">Patrick R. Bush Service Award</a> recognizes outstanding volunteer contributions by an individual from an MCA member company. Established in honor of Patrick R. Bush, a longtime MCA board member, the award celebrates leadership and service that advance the metal construction industry.</p>

<p>&ldquo;Rob&rsquo;s years of service to the industry earned him the MCA&rsquo;s Larry Swaney Award in 2015,&quot; said MCA Chair LeeAnne Slattery. &quot;Now, in recognition of his extensive contributions to the MCA, including technical authorship, education and leadership service, I am proud to present Rob Haddock with the 2026 Patrick R. Bush Award.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Haddock has been an active contributor to the MCA for decades through participation in numerous committees, councils and technical initiatives. He has served on the MCA Roofing Task Group, Fasteners Task Group, Accessories Council and Wall Council. He also played a key role &mdash; alongside Tom Black and the National Coil Coaters Association &mdash; in the creation of the Metal Roofing Alliance, a national initiative that successfully advanced MCA&rsquo;s goals within the residential construction sector.</p>

<p>In addition, Haddock has authored numerous technical white papers for the MCA, addressing critical industry topics including snow retention, solar and metal roofing integration, fastener compatibility, lightning protection, hail resistance and standards for metal roof attachments. His work has helped move the industry forward through improved education, testing and standardization.</p>

<p>A five-decade veteran of the metal roofing industry, his career began as a laborer and progressed through roles as a contractor, forensic consultant, technical author, educator, innovator, enterprise founder and CEO. Known throughout the industry as &ldquo;the Metal Roofing Evangelist,&rdquo; he is the founder of <a href="https://www.s-5.com/" target="_blank">S-5!</a> and <a href="https://rmhaddock.com/" target="_blank">Metal Roof Advisory Group, Ltd.</a> His innovations &mdash; protected by more than 200 patents &mdash; have created an entirely new product category within metal roofing.</p>

<p>Haddock was inducted as an inaugural member of the Metal Construction Hall of Fame in 2012. His company has exhibited at METALCON for 33 consecutive years, and he regularly participates as a featured speaker. He also speaks annually at the International Roofing Expo and serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Wisconsin&rsquo;s College of Engineering.</p>

<p>Haddock was named a Lifetime Honorary Executive Member of both the MCA and the Metal Building Contractors &amp; Erectors Association. He has received additional recognition from the Metal Building Manufacturers Association, Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, ASTM International and the Construction Specifications Institute.</p>

<p>Beyond his professional achievements, Haddock is a strong advocate for mentorship, industry engagement and philanthropy, supporting more than 20 non-profit organizations through his related enterprises and charitable foundation.</p>]]></content:encoded>
</item><item>
<title>A sneak peak of the MCA Winter Meeting 2026</title>
<link>https://www.rooferscoffeeshop.com/post/a-sneak-peak-of-the-mca-winter-meeting-2026</link>
<description>a-sneak-peak-of-the-mca-winter-meeting-2026</description>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 Jan 2026 09:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<content:encoded><![CDATA[
		<img src='/uploads/media/2026/01/mca-a-sneak-peak-of-the-mca-winter-meeting-2026.png'
            alt='A sneak peak of the MCA Winter Meeting 2026'
            title='A sneak peak of the MCA Winter Meeting 2026'
            class=''
            style=' '  loading='lazy' /><br><p>By Jenny Yu.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2>This year&rsquo;s gathering will provide members with opportunities to learn, engage and explore.&nbsp;</h2>

<p><a href="https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/podcast/mca-winter-meeting-looking-ahead">In a recent episode of MetalCast&trade;</a>, Karen Edwards spoke with Jeff Henry, executive director of the <a href="https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/directory/metal-construction-association-mca-2">Metal Construction Association (MCA)</a>, about MCA&rsquo;s upcoming Winter Meeting taking place on January 13-15, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>With speakers and networking opportunities lined up, the Winter Meeting is gearing up to be the must-attend event for starting the year on a strong note. One keynote speaker will be economist Alex Chausovsky. &ldquo;He&rsquo;ll be talking about the state of the industry, the economy, where construction is headed, what will be happening in the arena for metal and the entire geopolitical environment as well,&rdquo; Jeff shared. &ldquo;He&rsquo;ll give some insights about how to do business in an age of uncertainty, which is a timeframe that we exist in at the moment.&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Another voice that will be sure to spark ideas and conversation is Denver Riggleman, former Air Force intelligence officer and former congressman. Denver is also the CEO and founder of Riggleman Information &amp; Intelligence Group (RIIG) &mdash; HOOTL (Humans Out of the Loop), a company focused on developing AI-driven tools for healthcare and insurance automation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>&ldquo;Technology is changing, especially with AI. It&#39;s changing so fast that we barely have time to plan for how we&#39;re going to incorporate it and use it,&rdquo; Jeff stated. &ldquo;Denver has some really interesting takes about the use of AI and its implications, and how to develop strategies for informed adoption of AI. He&rsquo;ll provide some interesting insights and considerations for members to reflect upon as they approach their internal policies and applications of that technology.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Along with these esteemed speakers, the Winter Meeting will shed light on MCA&rsquo;s developing programs for its members, like their contractor and installer training program. &quot;We&#39;re in the midst of developing an online interactive curriculum,&rdquo; Jeff said. &ldquo;We hope to roll out phase 1 in late 2026, and that&#39;ll address standing seam, through-fastened panels, metal shingles &mdash; both painted and stone-coated. It will be robust.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Providing such educational support reflects MCA&rsquo;s priorities for the new year and beyond. &ldquo;We want to be the resource for understanding and providing best practice guidelines for the installation of the products that our members sell,&rdquo; Jeff stated. &ldquo;We&#39;re excited about that opportunity.&rdquo;&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.metalcoffeeshop.com/podcast/mca-winter-meeting-looking-ahead">Listen to the podcast</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFh0jfWsoNQ&amp;embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.metalcoffeeshop.com%2F">Watch the recording</a> to learn more about what the MCA Winter Meeting 2026 will hold!</strong></p>]]></content:encoded>
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