Conexión con la comunidad latina en la cumbre GAF Latinos in Roofing 2024

Como contratista de techado, comprendes la importancia de la ventilación adecuada. Sin un flujo de aire adecuado, un hogar se enfrenta a un mayor riesgo de daños por calor y humedad, moho y formación de diques de hielo en el invierno. Todos estos riesgos pueden obstaculizar el desempeño del techo al causar deterioro prematuro. Los productos de ventilación posibilitan que el ático de un hogar capte aire fresco y facilitan la salida del aire cálido y húmedo, lo cual es una función esencial para el desempeño óptimo del sistema de techo. Para lograr un flujo de aire equilibrado para un hogar, deben elegirse los productos de ventilación adecuados. No todas las soluciones de ventilación funcionan para cada hogar, por lo que es importante seleccionar el respiradero adecuado al estilo de techo. La calidad y el desempeño también son importantes, motivo por el cual no hay un mejor equipo que las personas dedicadas que se esfuerzan todos los días por fabricar la línea completa de productos de ventilación para ático Master Flow™ y accesorios para el techo en el pequeño pueblo de Burgaw, North Carolina. Conoce la familia de la planta de fabricación de Burgaw Burgaw fue fundado en 1879 como un pueblo ferroviario y es conocido por su encanto como pueblo pequeño, repleto de rostros amigables y familias con profundas raíces en la comunidad. El pueblo es conocido por su festival anual del arándano, que atrae a miles de personas a la zona para celebrar los arándanos que se cultivan en los condados circundantes. No obstante, para quienes viven allí todo el año, es el hogar de la instalación de fabricación de GAF, que brinda oportunidades laborales y sustento para muchos de los residentes del pueblo. De hecho, GAF emplea a 250 personas en este pueblo de tan solo 3,000 habitantes, por lo que contribuye de forma significativa a la economía y a la comunidad local. Uno de esos miembros de la familia de GAF de Burgaw es Steve Boehling, gerente general de GAF de Burgaw, quien explica que la compañía ha estado fabricando productos de ventilación allí desde principios de la década de 1990. A lo largo de los años, el equipo ha producido miles de productos premium de GAF, y la planta se ha convertido en un pilar de la comunidad circundante. "La planta se construyó en 1994, y GAF compró la instalación en 1998", afirma Boehling. "Es una instalación grande, de alrededor de 400,000 pies cuadrados, que emplea a alrededor de 250 personas". En un pueblo con una población de poco más de 3,000 habitantes, ha tenido un gran impacto en las vidas de la comunidad local. Boehling describe la planta como "una gran familia de GAF", con personas que han hecho toda su carrera profesional allí. "Estamos muy involucrados en esta comunidad. Tenemos empleados que han trabajado en esa instalación desde su apertura, lo que es un fiel reflejo del tipo de cultura que hemos creado", explica. "Las personas no hacen eso si están a disgusto con su compañía. Las personas desarrollan su vida aquí". Todd Christiansen, vicepresidente de ventas de Master Flow™ en GAF, se hace eco de este sentimiento: "Como uno de los líderes de la instalación de fabricación de GAF en Burgaw, me enorgullezco del impacto positivo que generamos todos los días, no solo por los productos que fabricamos y entregamos al mercado, sino también por los medios de subsistencia que apoyamos y las comunidades locales que fortalecemos". Soluciones Master Flow™ de GAF: hechas con orgullo y precisión La planta de GAF en Burgaw fabrica todas las soluciones Master Flow™ de la compañía, que incluyen ventilaciones mecánicas y accesorios para el techo, como tapajuntas para funda de tuberías Pivot™. El diseño totalmente metálico de este producto es estéticamente atractivo y brinda una protección superior; puede soportar lluvia impulsada por el viento de 110 mph y cuenta con resistencia a los impactos UL2218 clase 4. Christiansen explica que la planta también produce Tapas Versa Master Flow™, que son ideales para conductos de chimeneas y pilas calientes. Estas soluciones de ventilación Master Flow™ son fabricadas con precisión por artesanos hábiles en la planta, quienes consideran al pequeño pueblo de Burgaw su hogar. Muchos miembros del equipo han hecho toda su carrera profesional allí y se enorgullecen de la contribución que hace su pueblo para ayudar a proteger lo más importante. El equipo de producción comprende la importancia de la ventilación en los sistemas de techos, y sus miembros se entusiasman al hablar acerca de los productos que producen, especialmente cuando observan que están ayudando a los contratistas a encontrar las soluciones de ventilación adecuadas para sus clientes. Entre todos los productos fabricados en la planta de Burgaw, uno de los más populares para profesionales de techo es la rejilla para techos con dorso superinclinado Master Flow™ SSB960. El respiradero posibilita la salida de calor y humedad del ático, y funciona bien en techos con líneas de caballete limitadas. Su diseño de dorso inclinado protege contra condiciones climáticas rigurosas, y se ofrece en diversos colores para complementar las tejas elegidas para el techo. "La rejilla con dorso superinclinado es la más popular en el ámbito de los contratistas", asegura Christiansen. "Te proporciona 60 pulgadas cuadradas de área libre neta (NFA), que constituye alrededor de un 20 % más en comparación con otras marcas. Es una buena solución para cualquiera que busque ventilar con el flujo natural del aire". Quienes buscan soluciones de ventilación mecánica pueden confiar en los respiraderos para ático mecánicos serie ERV Master Flow™. Christiansen explica que poner el foco en componentes de calidad y seguridad es lo que diferencia esta línea de productos de las ofertas de los competidores. "Usamos un motor mejorado para todas nuestras unidades, no solo las de alta gama", observa. "También contamos con garantías relacionadas con la seguridad, que incluyen suavizar el domo de la unidad para que, si alguien la toma por el domo, los bordes no queden tan filosos". Asimismo, Christiansen destaca que los respiraderos serie ERV usan un sistema de soporte de más alta calidad en comparación con otros modelos en el mercado, lo que evidencia el compromiso del equipo de Burgaw de brindar los productos de la más alta calidad. Recientemente, GAF también reforzó su línea de ventilación mecánica con el lanzamiento de distintos modelos, como el respiradero Master Flow EZ Cool™, que puede enchufarse en un tomacorriente estándar de 110 voltios; esto elimina la necesidad de un electricista en el sitio durante la instalación. Experimentación de la diferencia de Master Flow™ Además del desempeño y la calidad superiores, los productos de Master Flow™ se destacan porque son elegibles para la cobertura en virtud de las garantías residenciales mejoradas de GAF. "Al instalar un sistema de techo completo, lo mejor es que todos los componentes provengan del mismo fabricante", indica Christiansen. "Tener que hacer solo una llamada telefónica da mucha tranquilidad a los propietarios". Al fabricar su propia línea de soluciones de ventilación, GAF tiene control sobre la calidad, el desempeño y el servicio al cliente inherentes a los productos. No obstante, eso no sería posible sin un equipo talentoso y muy hábil en Burgaw que respalda la producción de estas soluciones. ¿Tienes curiosidad por ver la línea completa de productos que se fabrican en la planta de North Carolina? Explora la página de accesorios para techo de GAF para obtener más información.

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.

A group of local GAF employees in Burgaw, North Carolina, is making a difference for veterans and the community as a whole. In 2024 alone, Veteran Involvement Brings Excellence (VIBE) has undertaken several initiatives to give back to Burgaw as well as all who live and work there.Bill Price, GAF production supervisor II at the Burgaw manufacturing plant, is the champion for the group. He recently sat down to discuss VIBE's latest projects and share insight into its motivations.What Is the VIBE ERG at GAF?VIBE is an employee resource group (ERG) available for all GAF employees. It focuses on the needs of veterans who work at GAF, provides a place for employees to share their experiences, and helps foster opportunities for them to give back to their communities.Each GAF plant has a VIBE group and facility leader that organizes the team. GAF leadership supports each group and its community efforts.The VIBE ERG's mission is to create a supportive environment for veterans and active duty members from all military branches. The group's core values are integrity, duty, honor, and respect. VIBE provides personal support for members and helps them manage the realities of being a veteran, such as applying for benefits.Each VIBE group can work on or be involved in whatever projects they wish. While their primary focus is to support veterans, they also strive to give back to the local communities they live and work in.VIBE Projects in BurgawThe VIBE ERG at the Burgaw plant meets regularly to discuss the activities they want to get involved in. This year, the group has participated in several projects:17 GAF-employed veterans volunteered for the second annual Habitat for Humanity veteran's build, which GAF donated roofing materials for.Team members participated in a food and clothing drive for a local women's shelter.A local veteran service officer visited the plant to help workers learn about-and gain access to-benefits and resources.In honor of Memorial Day, VIBE provided an opportunity for volunteers to place flags at veterans' tombstones at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery and Wilmington National Cemetery.That's not all the group has planned for. Future initiatives include hosting Toys for Tots at the plant, adopting a highway in honor of veterans, representing GAF at a booth for the Burgaw Blueberry Festival, and continuing to support local veterans in need.How VIBE Impacts GAF and the CommunityThe Burgaw facility, which employs about 247 people, has one of the largest veteran groups within GAF, totaling 28 members. The facility manufactures ventilation products, such as roof vents, foundation vents, turbines, and heating and cooling ductwork."The group has brought the veterans at the plant together to work toward a common goal and also given everyone the comradery they were accustomed to from when they were in the service," Price says. "I think this has had an impact not only on the employees involved but also on the plant as a whole. All of us involved enjoy being part of the team and giving back to those in need."Price notes that each project the group has been a part of has been well received. "We received many thanks from the families that were receiving assistance from the Habitat build and also from the staff at the local women's shelter during the food and clothing drive," he says. "I have no doubt that as we continue to be involved with more events within the community, it will only get better."Giving Back While Looking AheadGAF believes in giving back to its employees and the communities they work in. VIBE is just one of seven GAF ERGs making a difference in team members' lives and those most important to them.Curious to learn more about the opportunities and culture at GAF? Visit our GAF Careers page.