Built to Last: The Forces that Guide Women Manufacturing Leaders

As a roofing contractor, you understand the importance of proper ventilation. Without adequate airflow, a home faces an increased risk of developing heat and moisture damage, mold, and ice dams in the winter. All of these risks can hinder the roof's performance by causing premature deterioration.Ventilation products allow a home's attic to intake fresh air and provide a way for hot, moist air to escape—an essential function for the roofing system's optimal performance.Achieving balanced airflow for a home means choosing the right ventilation products. Not every ventilation solution works for every home, so it's important to select the right vent for the roof style. Quality and performance matter too, which is why there is no better team than the dedicated people who work hard each day to manufacture the full line of Master Flow™ attic ventilation products and rooftop accessories in the tiny town of Burgaw, North Carolina.Meet the Burgaw Manufacturing Plant FamilyBurgaw was established in 1879 as a railroad town and is known for it's small-town charm that is filled with friendly faces and families that have deep roots in the community. The town is known for it's annual Blueberry Festival that draws thousands to the area to celebrate the blueberries that are grown in the surrounding counties. But for those who live there year-round, they know it as the home to GAF's manufacturing facility, which provides career opportunities and a livelihood for many of the town's residents. In fact, GAF employs 250 people in this town of just 3,000 residents, making it a significant contributor to the local economy and community.One of those Burgaw GAF family members is Steve Boehling, General Manager at Burgaw GAF, who explains that the company has been manufacturing ventilation products there since the early 1990s. Over the years, the team has produced thousands of premium GAF products, and the plant has become a pillar of the surrounding community."The plant was built in 1994, and GAF purchased the facility in 1998," Boehling says. "It's a large facility, about 400,000 square feet, and employs around 250 people." In a town with a population of only a little over 3,000, it's made quite an impact on locals' lives.Boehling describes the plant as "one big GAF family" with people who have spent their entire careers there. "We are very involved in this community. We have employees that have worked at that facility since it was first opened, which says a lot about the type of culture we have created," he explained. "You don't do that with companies you don't like. People are building their lives here."Todd Christiansen, Vice President of Sales for Master Flow™ at GAF, echoes this sentiment: "As one of the leaders of the GAF Burgaw manufacturing facility, we take pride in the positive impact we create every day - not just in the products we manufacture and deliver to the market but in the livelihoods we support and the local communities we strengthen."GAF Master Flow™ Solutions: Made with Pride and PrecisionThe GAF plant in Burgaw manufactures all the company's Master Flow™ solutions, including power vents and rooftop accessories like the Pivot™ Pipe Boot Flashing. This product's all-metal design is aesthetically appealing and delivers superior protection; it can withstand 110 mph wind-driven rain and has UL2218 Class 4 impact resistance. Christiansen explains the plant also produces Master Flow™ Versa Caps, which are ideal for chimney flues and hot stacks.These Master Flow™ ventilation solutions are manufactured with precision by the skilled craftspeople at the plant who call the small town of Burgaw home. Many members of the team have spent their entire careers there and they take pride in the contribution that their town is making to help protect what matters most. The production team understands the importance of ventilation in roofing systems and its members are excited to talk about the products that they produce, especially when they see that they are helping contractors find the right ventilation solutions for their customers.Among all the products manufactured at the Burgaw plant, one of the most popular among roofing professionals is the Master Flow™ SSB960 Super Slant-Back Roof Louver. The vent allows heat and moisture to escape the attic and works well on roofs with limited ridge lines. Its slant-back design protects against strong weather, and it comes in various colors to complement the chosen roof shingles. "The super slant-back is our most popular louver in the contractor world," Christiansen says. "It gives you 60 square inches of NFA, or net free area, which is about 20% more than other brands. It provides a good solution for anybody looking to ventilate through the natural flow of the air."Those looking for powered ventilation solutions can count on the Master Flow™ Power Attic Vents ERV Series. Christiansen explains that a focus on quality components and safety differentiates this product line from competitors' offerings. "We use an upgraded motor for all our units, not just the high-end ones," he notes. "We also have safety-related assurances, including hemming the dome of our unit so if somebody picks it up by the dome, it won't be as sharp on the edges."In addition, Christiansen points out that the ERV Series vents use a higher-quality bracketing system than other models on the market, a nod to the Burgaw team's commitment to delivering the highest-quality products. GAF also recently enhanced its powered ventilation line by launching models such as the Master Flow EZ Cool™ vent that can be plugged into a standard 110-volt outlet, eliminating the need for an electrician to be onsite during the installation.Experiencing the Master Flow™ DifferenceBeyond superior performance and quality, one of the things that makes Master Flow™ stand out is that the products are eligible for coverage under GAF residential enhanced warranties."When you look at putting on a full roofing system, you want to have all the components coming from the same manufacturer," Christiansen says. "It gives you a lot of peace of mind as a homeowner to only have to make one phone call."By manufacturing its own line of ventilation solutions, GAF has control over the quality, performance, and customer service that comes with the products. But it wouldn't be possible without the talented and highly skilled team in Burgaw that stands behind the production of each of these solutions.Curious to see the full line of products they make at the North Carolina plant? Explore the GAF rooftop accessories page to learn more.

Durante los últimos años, GAF ha organizado la Expo Latinos in Roofing para reconocer, celebrar y empoderar a los contratistas e instaladores de techos latinos. Este foro proporciona un entorno cómodo y acogedor en el que es posible establecer contactos, recibir formación y adquirir conocimientos, todo en español.En su tercer año, la cumbre se ha convertido en un recurso confiable para la comunidad de contratistas de habla hispana que aspiran a obtener conocimientos sobre cómo mejorar y crecer sus negocios de construcción y mantenimiento de techos. Las sesiones educativas abarcan temas esenciales para el éxito empresarial, como ventas, restauraciones a cargo de aseguradoras, construcción y mantenimiento de techos comerciales, liderazgo, mercadotecnia y productos para techos.La primera Expo Latinos in Roofing de 2024 se celebró los días 21 y 22 de junio en Los Ángeles y contó con la asistencia de cientos de profesionales del sector. Este evento, en el que se hizo hincapié especial en el fomento de la comunidad, incluyó una serie de propuestas, como una sesión de mercadotecnia antes de la recepción y la oportunidad de asistir a un partido de los Dodgers de Los Ángeles en compañía de los nuevos contactos allí establecidos.Este es un resumen de lo que el evento ofreció a los asistentes y de las experiencias que éstos compartieron.Traspasar las barreras lingüísticasAlan López, capacitador de GAF CARE, explica que los eventos Latinos in Roofing se desarrollaron cuando notó que una mayor cantidad de contratistas de origen hispano asistían a los eventos de GAF organizados en inglés. Para muchos de ellos, el inglés era su segunda lengua, por lo que era más difícil aprender y asimilar toda la información, ya que parte de ella se perdía en la traducción. López recurrió a los directivos de GAF, quienes se entusiasmaron con la idea de ofrecer recursos para los contratistas latinos, y organizaron la primera exposición en 2019.Abad Sarate, director general de Asa Pro Roofing en Seattle (Estado de Washington), considera que el hecho de que la conferencia se desarrollara íntegramente en español fue fundamental para aprender y comprender la información presentada. "Para nosotros es muy importante entender el contenido en nuestro idioma principal. Es esencial", afirma. "Y contar con este tipo de conferencias para muchos contratistas latinos nos llena de orgullo", agrega. Y añade: "Cada vez son más los latinos propietarios de empresas de construcción de techos y, la verdad, me alegro mucho. Además, como latino, me siento muy orgulloso".Luis Velásquez, de Entrenando Latinos in Roofing, concuerda en que el hecho de que la cumbre se presentara en español fue importante para el éxito logrado entre los asistentes. "Nosotros, los latinos de primera generación, que no fuimos a la escuela y que venimos de países pobres, tenemos un obstáculo: no entendemos el inglés al 100 %, no somos totalmente bilingües", señala. "Por eso, cuando logramos entender lo que vemos y cómo podemos ponerlo en práctica, la ganancia es completa", indica y concluye: "Cuando pongamos conocimiento en nuestra cabeza, la cabeza pondrá dinero en nuestros bolsillos".Crear una tradición anual para los profesionales del techadoLa adquisición de conocimientos para el éxito empresarial fue uno de los temas clave de la edición de este año. Las sesiones informativas, las conferencias magistrales y las demostraciones sirvieron para que los asistentes conocieran nuevos productos y obtuvieran nuevos conocimientos, al tiempo que se relacionaban con otros latinos del sector de la construcción y el mantenimiento de techos. Muchos asistentes reiteraban su visita, lo que confirma el valor de este evento.Abad Sarate, quien ya ha asistido dos veces, explica que la reunión anual ha sido fundamental para el desarrollo de su empresa: "Ha sido una parte excepcional de nuestro crecimiento gracias a todo el conocimiento que adquirimos aquí", comparte. "Regresamos a casa con mucho más conocimiento. Y, a fin de cuentas, el conocimiento es poder. Incorporar ese conocimiento a la empresa nos ha beneficiado mucho", señala.Para Marcos Sierra, de Sierra Group Roofing & Solar, es ya la tercera vez que acude a la exposición por las oportunidades de establecer contactos y de formación que ofrece. "La razón por la que vuelvo es, primero, para ver a mis colegas de otras partes de Estados Unidos. En segundo lugar, porque cada vez que vengo aprendo algo nuevo. Y, en tercer lugar, para perfeccionarme, perfeccionarme y perfeccionarme para poder hacer crecer nuestro negocio", afirma.Apoyo a los contratistas más allá de la ExpoGAF puso en marcha la iniciativa Latinos in Roofing con el objetivo de crear recursos y una comunidad para contratistas e instaladores hispanohablantes. Desde su creación en 2017, la empresa ha visto prosperar a cada vez más miembros de la comunidad hispana.Los contratistas que asisten a las exposiciones Latinos in Roofing tienen acceso a las herramientas comerciales de GAF, con las que pueden aumentar sus márgenes de beneficio y reducir riesgos. También pueden trabajar para obtener la certificación de GAF y unirse al programa de contratistas certificados de élite. De este modo, cuando trabajen con clientes potenciales, pueden ofrecer la garantía de GAF, que aportará un valor añadido a sus propuestas.Los contratistas alcanzan el éxito gracias al apoyo que reciben, ya sea aumentando sus beneficios, desarrollando sus carteras de clientes o logrando la independencia financiera. Sarate puede dar fe de cómo la asistencia a estas exposiciones ha ayudado a su negocio. Se siente agradecido por todo el apoyo que GAF le ofrece.Unirse a la comunidadSi está listo para formar parte de una comunidad que realmente entiende sus necesidades, le ayudará a hacer crecer su negocio y le proporcionará recursos en su idioma preferido, visite GAF Latinos in Roofing. Podrá informarse sobre los recursos disponibles y las clases en línea, unirse al programa de fidelidad de GAF, obtener la certificación de GAF e inscribirse para asistir a futuros eventos.

As part of its effort to build resilient communities, GAF provides students across the country with opportunities to gain work experience and hands-on training. The GAF co-op program offers participants autonomy and leadership in project management, engineering design, budgeting, project installation, and more.Over the years, the GAF co-op recruiting program has helped students advance academically, grow professionally, and earn competitively while working full time with North America's largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer.How the GAF Co-Op Program WorksThe program gives students high-impact, hands-on experience in the manufacturing sector. They perform meaningful work alongside supportive GAF mentors and senior leadership while earning a competitive wage. Participants can also receive credits from their university, which they can apply to their coursework.Differences between a Co-op and an InternshipInternships and co-ops have a few notable differences. At GAF, the main difference is the length of time. Internships at GAF usually last 10 weeks, but the co-op program is six months. While internship programs often allow students to stay enrolled in school and complete coursework as they gain professional training, co-op participants must take a semester off to gain full-time work experience.Not all companies pay internship participants for their work. However, at GAF, both interns and co-op students are paid competitive hourly wages. GAF also offers financial relocation assistance for qualifying co-op program candidates.Finally, participants in the GAF programs are there to learn real skills that will help them advance their future careers. GAF interns and co-op students are given the same responsibilities, and chances to collaborate on major projects, as full-time employees.Recent GAF Co-Op Success StoriesMin U, a mechanical engineering student at the University of Maryland, says he "fell in love with manufacturing" thanks to his placement on an engineering project. The experience gave him a firsthand account of the role engineering plays in manufacturing safety, profit, and operations. This ultimately led him to shift his career goals from construction management to manufacturing engineering.When Dante Stellar, an industrial engineering student at Virginia Tech, met GAF representatives at a career fair, he says he didn't expect to become a self-proclaimed "nerd for shingles" and develop a passion for manufacturing. However, that's exactly what happened. And that newfound passion paid off when Dante won Student of the Year from Virginia Tech's Cooperative Education and Internship Program. Dante notes he's now eager to return to GAF and aspires to become a manufacturing leader in the world of shingles.Michael Hesseltine, an electrical engineering student at Texas A&M University, chanced upon a GAF co-op recruiting listing online. After a series of interviews, he landed a project engineering co-op in Ennis, Texas. Working with the Ennis team on major projects solidified his manufacturing engineer career goals.Co-Op Students Complete Meaningful WorkStudents in the GAF co-op program are involved in meaningful projects and get to see their work's impact on day-to-day operations.During his time in Ennis, Michael designed a baler that compacts fiberglass scrap, reducing site disposal trips and costs. He also oversaw renovations of the site's maintenance mechanical break room from start to finish. He notes that his favorite contribution was helping design the electrical system for a dewatering press.In Baltimore, Min's core project was ensuring site compliance with state regulations for discharging stormwater runoff. Min managed all the project contractors and budget with his manager's and mentor's support. Throughout his time there, Min was exposed to Lean methodologies, 5S, risk mitigation, insurance compliance, cost control, and procedure standardization. He gained an overall understanding of manufacturing equipment and business.At the Tampa plant, Dante worked on a rock pad storage expansion project and installed a starwheel machine guarding the manufacturing line, among other important projects. According to Dante, the defining moment of his co-op experience was his granule silo refurbishment project, which involved replacing eight silos, including floor plates and support beams.Dante explains the trust and opportunities his mentors provided were key to his success. "At GAF, I was given the chance to interact with contractors, and immerse myself in the plant, which accelerated my learning," he says.Co-Op Students Build Professional RelationshipsThrough "lunch and learn" sessions, leadership speaker series, meetings with senior leadership, and mentorship, co-op students build long-term professional relationships.Dante was given the chance to showcase the coordination and safety efforts involved in his granule silo project to the GAF executive leadership team in Parsippany, New Jersey.For Min, getting the right feedback to grow meant having the right relationships. He notes the mentorship from his manager Alex Smith and engineering manager Mike Kloda was key to his progression. As advice to future co-op participants, he explains that "everyone is here to help... but it's up to you to drive that forward."Meanwhile, the autonomy and leadership opportunities program leaders gave Michael allowed him to grow technically and professionally. "I was often the go-to person for projects, managing contractors and ensuring everything was on track," he says.Joining an Industry Filled with OpportunityThe GAF co-op program helped Min, Michael, and Dante start and solidify their careers in manufacturing engineering. Following their experience, each student was excited and motivated by the autonomy, responsibility, and growth opportunities they were given. In fact, Min has since accepted a full-time role as a project engineer at the GAF plant in Baltimore. His expected start date is July 7, 2025.GAF is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. It believes a talented and diverse organization can drive innovation, growth, and transformation more effectively. To further bolster inclusivity, GAF offers academic and merit scholarships, partners with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to recruit from the nation's most diverse talent at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions, and reaches out to candidates at career fairs nationwide.Bright and motivated minds who want to explore manufacturing have plenty of opportunities. From shingles to solar to environmental impact, GAF offers many exciting career paths.Are you ready to do work that matters and be empowered to explore a leadership role? Discover the co-ops, internships, and job opportunities available at GAF.