GAF Materials Corporation

GAF Materials Corporation
Company typeManufacturing company
IndustryRoofing
Founded1886 Edit this on Wikidata
Headquarters
United States Edit this on Wikidata
Key people
John Altmeyer (CEO)
ProductsAsphalt shingles
TPO, ISO, PVC
Roofing accessories
Coatings
Number of employees
4,000+
ParentStandard Industries

GAF is an American manufacturing company based in Parsippany, New Jersey.[1] Operating as a subsidiary of Standard Industries, GAF is the leading roofing and waterproofing manufacturer in North America, with 30 locations across the U.S. GAF produces both commercial and residential roofing products, as well as pavement coatings. John Altmeyer is the company’s current CEO.[2][3]

History

[edit]
Residential Roofing Process

Originally founded as the Standard Paint Company, GAF was established in 1886 in Bound Brook, New Jersey.[4][5] The company introduced the first ready-to-lay asphalt roll roofing product, known as “Ruberoid,” in 1892.[5][6] The Ruberoid product was further enhanced in 1898 when ceramic granules were added to Ruberoid rolls to increase durability and fire resistance.[5] The company subsequently changed its name to The Ruberoid Co. in 1921.[5][6]

In 1967, the company merged with General Aniline & Film and launched Timberline, the first-ever laminated shingle to be released.[5][6][7][8] The following year, the company rebranded to GAF.[8][9]

A new board of directors was established in 1983, with Samuel J. Heyman stepping into the roles of Chairman and CEO.[10]

In 2007, GAF merged with Elk Corporation, a manufacturer of asphalt felts and coatings.[11] In 2011, GAF became the first roofing manufacturer to offer a Lifetime Limited Warranty on all laminated shingles.[5][6]

GAF Energy, a sister company which offers affordable integrated rooftop solar options, was launched in 2019.[12] In 2020, the company released Timberline HDZ shingles with LayerLock Technology and began offering the GAF WindProven Limited Wind Warranty, the first wind warranty for roofing shingles with no maximum wind speed limitation on GAF shingles with LayerLock Technology when installed with the required combination of four GAF accessories.[13] That same year, GAF launched GAF Community Matters, a social impact initiative.[14]

Commercial Roofing Process

In 2021, the company created the GAF RoofCycle Process, a patented recycling process that diverts post-consumer waste from landfills for reuse in the manufacture of new GAF shingles.[15]

Alongside fellow Standard Industries company GAF Energy, the companies launched Timberline Solar, the world’s first nailable solar shingle, in 2022.[16] GAF disclosed its 2030 Planet Goals that same year, which includes reduced carbon emissions, an 80% waste diversion rate across all manufacturing facilities, and establishing a circular economy into the roofing sector, including the introduction of the GAF RoofCycle process across North America.[17] In the summer of 2022, the company announced the expansion of its commercial manufacturing operations with two new locations in Peru, Illinois and Valdosta, Georgia.[18][19]

In January 2023, GAF announced the reengineering and relaunch of Timberline Ultra High Definition (UHD) as Timberline UHDZ shingles; new features include LayerLock technology and StrikeZone nailing area, making these shingles easy and fast to install.[20]

In 2024, GAF announced plans to build a new residential roofing shingle manufacturing facility in Kansas.[21]

Operations

[edit]
Tampa Manufacturing Facility

GAF products are manufactured at locations across the country which are distributed by national distributors and retailers, such as ABC Supply, The Home Depot, and Lowe’s, and are installed by independent roofing contractors.[22][23][24] GAF has manufacturing operations across the United States:[25][26][27]

Residential Roofing Plants

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  • Tuscaloosa, AL
  • Stockton, CA
  • Shafter, CA
  • Fontana, CA
  • Tampa, FL
  • Cumming, GA
  • Savannah, GA
  • Michigan City, IN
  • Mount Vernon, IN
  • Baltimore, MD
  • Minneapolis, MN
  • Burgaw, NC
  • Myerstown, PA
  • Wind Gap, PA
  • Chester, SC
  • Dallas, TX

Commercial Roofing Plants

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  • Arkadelphia, AR
  • Stockton, CA
  • Fontana, CA
  • Cumming, GA
  • Savannah, GA
  • Statesboro, GA
  • Valdosta, GA
  • Peru, IL
  • Mount Vernon, IN
  • New Columbia, PA
  • Gainesville, TX
  • Cedar City, UT

Coatings

[edit]
  • Gum Springs, AR
  • Phoenix, AZ

Community Matters

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The company launched GAF Community Matters, a social impact initiative, in 2020.[14] Since its launch, GAF Community Matters has partnered with Habitat for Humanity, Team Rubicon, and Good360, as well as other non-profit organizations.[3][28][29]

In 2022, Community Matters announced a partnership with Anthony Mackie to replace 500 roofs of families in need throughout the Gulf Region that were impacted by severe weather.[30] In July 2022, GAF launched the Cool Community Project, which works to mitigate urban heat island effects by painting hot city surfaces (i.e. pavement) with GAF’s solar-reflective StreetBond pavement coating. The Cool Community Project has partnered with Climate Resolve, as well as other nonprofit partners.[31][32]

The Community Matters program also includes GAF Roofing Academy, which combines in-classroom and hands-on training to provide individuals with the necessary skills for an entry-level roofing position.[33] The GAF Roofing Academy offers commercial, residential, & solar training and works with contractors nationwide in order to provide trainees with job opportunities. The program has offered training to underrepresented groups, such as women, veterans, and prison inmates.[34][35][36][37]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "GAF | Contact GAF". GAF.com.
  2. ^ "GAF Certified Roofing Contractor". RRS. Archived from the original on June 3, 2019. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Shari Rudolph (September 15, 2021). "GAF and Good360 Partner to Strengthen Storm Response in the Southeast". Good 360.
  4. ^ Sanitary and Heating Age. Sanitary and Heating Publishing. 1904. p. 69.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "The History of GAF". National Roofing Museum.
  6. ^ a b c d "What Type Of Asphalt Shingle Is Best For Your Home Or Business?". Schick Roofing. March 25, 2021.
  7. ^ "Two Chemical Company Boards Approve Merger". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. March 2, 1967. p. 31.
  8. ^ a b "GAF (General Aniline & Film) and Ruberoid". Brown Lawyers.
  9. ^ Barton, Frank (May 12, 1968). "New Name Merry-Go-Round". The Sunday Oregonian. Section 1, p. 33. General Aniline & Film .... changed its name to GAF Corporation at the annual meeting in Portland on April 23.
  10. ^ "Samuel J. Heyman '63 [1939—2009]". Harvard Law School. November 9, 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  11. ^ "GAF and Elk Announce Details of Merger". Roofing Contractor. April 10, 2007. Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. Retrieved January 15, 2024.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  12. ^ Andrew Dietderich (May 24, 2019). "Report: GAF Energy Has Installed 'Hundreds' of Solar Roofs". Roofing Contractor.
  13. ^ "GAF Unveils Timberline HDZ Shingles and No-Limit Wind Warranty". Roofing Contractor. January 10, 2020.
  14. ^ a b "GAF Introduces Community Matters Social Impact Initiative". Roofing Contractor. January 23, 2020.
  15. ^ Caroline Broderick (April 29, 2021). "GAF INTRODUCES THE FIRST RECYCLED SHINGLES CREATED FROM WASTE". Residential Products Online.
  16. ^ "Timberline Solar by GAF Energy: A Solid Solar Roof Option". CNET. November 7, 2023.
  17. ^ "GAF Commits to Reducing Environmental Impact with 2030 Planet Goals". Roofing Contractor. April 22, 2022.
  18. ^ Olivia Doak (January 30, 2023). "GAF construction in Peru takes off, 50-70 workers on site daily". Shaw Local News.
  19. ^ "Roofing company, GAF, opening factory in Valdosta, Georgia". Fox Business. September 7, 2022.
  20. ^ "GAF Launches Timberline Ultra HDZ Line of Laminate Shingles". Roofing Contractor. February 28, 2023.
  21. ^ "GAF to Expand Residential Roofing Operations With New Kansas Facility". Roofing Contractor. March 21, 2024.
  22. ^ "GAF Roof Shingles". Lowe's.
  23. ^ "MyABCsupply and GAF QuickMeasure Come Together to Help Contractors Save Time and Money". ABC. June 8, 2021.
  24. ^ "GAF Roof Shingles". Home Deport.
  25. ^ "Roofing company, GAF, opening factory in Valdosta, Georgia". Fox Business. September 7, 2022.
  26. ^ Olivia Doak (July 14, 2022). "Peru chosen by roofing manufacturer GAF as site for new plant, creating 70 jobs". Shaw Local News.
  27. ^ "About Us". GAF.
  28. ^ "GAF Participates in Habitat for Humanity's Carter Work Project". Retro Fit Magazine. October 16, 2023.
  29. ^ Julie H. Case (January 17, 2022). "Roofs to Get Raised for Tornado Survivors in Historic Selma". Team Rubicon.
  30. ^ "GAF and actor Anthony Mackie repair roofs of 500 homes devastated by natural disasters". LBM. September 22, 2023.
  31. ^ Christian Yonkers. "GAF's First Urban Heat Project Produces Cool Results". Sustainable Brands.
  32. ^ Laura Cowan (August 2, 2023). "GAF creates innovative cooling solutions for overheated cities". In Habitat.
  33. ^ "GAF Partners with SoCal Contractors to Bring GAF Roofing Academy Training and Employment Opportunities to Local Communities". Roofing Magazine. October 17, 2023.
  34. ^ Pavithra Mohan (March 5, 2020). "'Everybody needs a roof': How a new job academy plans to turn roofers into millionaires". Fast Company.
  35. ^ Blake Stilwell (February 25, 2022). "How Veterans Can Get Started in Roofing Careers in Two Weeks – for Free". Military.com.
  36. ^ Cathy Free (February 28, 2023). "People doubt her as a female roofer: 'We're proving them wrong every day'". Washington Post.
  37. ^ "Chesterfield inmates learn roofing skills while in jail: 'They really just need an opportunity'". WTVR.
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