b'Presidents Message OIRCABoard of DirectorsPresident Tony Pocobene Atlantic Roofers Ontario Ltd.First Vice President Doug Maikawa Trio Roofing Systems Inc.Past President Mark Mollison Conestoga Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd.Treasurer Peter Serino Soprema Inc.Director John Petrachek Atlas-Apex RoofingDirector Ian Moriarty Carlisle SynTecDirector Joel Dandele I Still Do Not WantDantech Building Technologies Inc.Director Darcy Beites Douro Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Ltd.Director Mark Agius Flynn Canada Ltd.to Write AboutDirector Stephen Patti Flynn Canada Ltd.Director Ron Foran Forans Roofing & Sheetmetal Ltd.Director COVID-19, but ONTARIOJeff Roy French Brothers Roofing (Belleville) Inc.Director Mike Godfrey Godfrey Roofing Inc.ROOFING NEWS is a market-ing and information periodical published for the By Tony Pocobene, President, OIRCA Ontario Industrial Roofing Contractors Association by MediaEdge Publishing. Advertising in ONTARIO ROOFING NEWSis restricted to the member companies of OIRCA.Published for:I n the spring issue of ORN I found myself reluctantly writing aboutWe all must accept that some new realities are going to stay with usOntario Industrial Roofing Contractors AssociationCOVID-19. When preparing that column, it was near the end offor a long time, if not forever. OIRCA members pride themselves on March, so it was in the early days of the pandemic. I was searchinghaving very high standards when it comes to quality of work, while940 The East Mall, Suite 301for answers to many questions. I found myself scrambling for directionEtobicoke, ON l M9B 6J7at the same time maintaining stringent health and safety policies andTel: (416) 695-4114 l Toll Free: 1 (888) 33-OIRCAand dealing with the pressure to lead my company through all these newprocedures. The Ministry of Labour and safety organizations such asoirca@ontarioroofing.comunknowns. With the assistance of our Executive Director, Don Marks, Ithe Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) have pub- www.ontarioroofing.comwas able to pen some thoughts. His leadership and knowledge becamePublished by:an asset not only at that time but throughout the last several months. lished new guidelines. These new guidelines and protocols promoting As I sit down to write this communication it is now mid-June, andproper hygiene, cleaning, distancing, additional PPE, and traveling to although we do have some answers to our initial questions, we stilland from job sites are now mandatory and are here to stay. We all33 South Station St. l North York, ON l M9N 2B2Tel: (866) 480-4717 l Email: robertt@mediaedge.cahave many unknowns. I am amazed at how our world has changedknow that we cannot continue to be business as usual. New policies 531 Marion St. l Winnipeg, MB l R2J 0J9overnight. We are truly facing a new reality. and procedures must be followed to keep everyone healthy and safer. Tel: (866) 201-3096 l Fax: (204) 480-4420Our province has been in the process of re-opening the economy.With all these new policies, protocols and procedures, it is inevi- www.mediaedgepublishing.comAs the COVID-19 numbers continue to decline, most of the provincetable that there will be an impact on productivity and work schedul- President currently finds itself in the Stage 2 category, except for Toronto, PeelKevin Browning. Projects will take longer to complete. Smaller workforces may beSenior Vice President l Publisher region (which includes Mississauga) and Windsor. Over the next sev- required to maintain proper distancing. Availability of materials fromRobert Thompsoneral weeks and months we hope to all be in Stage 3 or possibly Stage 4.Director, Business Development But what is currently happening in the roofing industry? And, insuppliers and manufacturers and delays in delivery of materials may beMichael Bellan issue. This may all lead to slower production. Contractors shouldBranch Manager particular, to OIRCA contractors? In surveying my fellow members,Nancie Privmost indicated that business was initially down 40-60 per cent dur- consider these time restraints and delays when quoting on projects.Editor ing the early stages of the pandemic. Recent discussions indicate thatOwners, architects and consultants must understand that projects willJustyne EsseryGraphic Designer most of our members are getting closer to normal volumes. A coupletake longer then before the pandemic. Hopefully, this will not be inMarisa Giesbrechtof reasons for this may be the backlog the pandemic initially created;the long term. Sales Executive owners have been moving ahead with postponed projects. Because ofPat JohnstonWe must adapt to our new reality. We will eventually overcomeAll rights reserved. The contents of this publication may this, combined with the good weather we have been experiencing thisCOVID-19, but I suspect this may not be the last health threat ournot be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, spring and early summer, most contractors seem to be busy again. without the prior consent of the publisher. Nonetheless,therearestillmanyunknownsinournewreality.world will see in our lifetime. As with all other trades in the construc- Published July 2020What will the future economy look like? Is this current demand fortion industry, we in the roofing sector will persevere. The OIRCA isPublication Agreement #40787580filled with many strong leaders that are innovators, thinkers and doers.Ontario Roofing News is printed on 10%roofing going to continue? Will a second wave of COVID-19 return topost-consumer FSC certified paper using soyabased inks. When necessary to mail an issueput a stop on everything again? Once more I find myself asking a lotBeing part of this association makes me confident that my questionsin an enclosure, we use an environmentally-of questions and searching for the answers. will continue to be answered. Stay safe, and enjoy the summer months. friendly,100% oxo-degradable poly-wrap.6ONTARIO ROOFING NEWSISSUE 2 2020 THE ONLY SOURCE FOR PROFESSIONAL ICI ROOFING CONTRACTORS IN ONTARIO ORN'