b'RCABC UPDATEWhiletheflurryofhomeowner-drivenrenovationshasand slowness has been compounded by limited availability cooled substantially, the depletion of inventory has not recov- of constituent compounds and materials, such as fibreglass ered in step, and this slow recovery has been exacerbated by(used to reinforce asphalt shingles and some membranes). several climatic events beyond Canadas borders. First, thereSome of the late winter slowness in the U.S. economy may was the winter storm in February 2021, which disabled nearlybe affecting the Canadian and British Columbia industry as the entire electrical power grid in Texas and severely inter- shortages across the border impact the supply of made-for-rupted the manufacturing of key roofing materials like poly- Canada imports.ethylene, polypropylene, PVC and MDI (methylene diphenylFinally, shortages have been exacerbated by stalled trans-diisocyanatean isomeric compound used in the productionportationsectors.TheportofVancouverexperienceda ofrigidfoamplasticinsulation,spraypolyurethanefoamsbacklog from the late summer wildfires, which shut down rail and some adhesives). While some manufacturing plants hadtransportation through B.C.s interior (The Maritime Executive, their own on-site natural gas-powered generators, natural gasPort of Vancouver Reports Congestion Delays as Rail Service supplies in Texas were also affected by the prolonged freezeResumes;July8,2021,www.maritime-executive.com).The (The Wall Street Journal, Texas Freeze Triggers Global Plasticsbacklog continues because of container capacity at Canadian Shortage: March 17, 2021, www.wsj.com). ports, according to the Financial Post (Financial Post, Container Then came the recent string of hurricanes over the summercrunchcouldaddtopricepressures,PortofVancouver months, exacerbating supply issues and diverting some mate- warns: September 24, 2021, www.financialpost.com). Similar rials toward recovery efforts in affected states. In the past,backlogs are slowing down the re-supply of goods across the hurricanes have led to short-duration disruptions in materialsUnited States, partially driven by too few port workers, but manufacturing,buttheTexasblackoutsofFebruaryhavealso by limited hours of operation (Wall Street Journal, Cargo slowed production well beyond normal expectations, and thisPilesUpasCaliforniaPortsJostleOverHowtoResolve isadverselyaffectinginsulationandroofingmanufacturers Delays: September 26, 2021, www.wsj.com).in Canada.Steel and other metals are also in shorter supply, thanks toThe impact on roofing cannot be understated. While steel the global COVID-19 pandemic. Certainly, this has impactedshortages may slow down the construction of steel-framed the larger construction industry with higher material prices,buildings,roofingmaterialsshortagesmayinterruptthe but it has also meant that key roofing components such asprojected schedules of every project; beyond the construc-screw fasteners, used to construct Building Code-complianttion of a building framework, most other work (electrical, roof systems, are in short supply. Other industries, like theplumbing, mechanical, finishing, to name a few) cannot begin automotive industry in North America, are also feeling theuntil a waterproofed roof assembly has been constructed.pinch in metal supplies. No economic forecasts appear to agree on a timeline for According to the National Roofing Contractors Associationthese shortages, and they may continue beyond the end of (NRCA) in the U.S., some of the current shortage is the result2021. The RCABC, together with its members, is committed of slower than normal off-season production, driven in parttoworkingwithdesignerstoachievecreativesolutionsto by uncertainty in the U.S. economy and a general reluctancethe shortages. For more on how your roofing project might in the roofing industry to place large orders. Production atbe affected and what you can expect, talk to your RCABC the start of the 2021 roofing season has been slow to recover,roofing contractor. Were all in this together. Roof Consulting, Design & InspectionRoof Forensic, Surveys & AuditsThermo-graphic ReportingRoof Specification & TenderingRESIDENTIALCOMMERCIALINDUSTRIALPlumbing and HeatingStructural SteelFlat and Steep RoofingCladding Steel Fabrication and InstallationHVACMechanical ContractingEngineeringIndustrial ConstructionIndustrial MaintenanceMons Aase245 - 3rd Street, Kitimat, BC V8C 2N8Mons AaseMons Aase Ph: 250-632-6859|Fax: 250-632-2101 Serving BC & Western Territories President, RRO, TQ, IPEmail: 101first@cimsltd.comPresident, RRO, TQ, ,I PIPPresident, RRO, TQ (250)6143369(250)61461433693369RCABC - Accepted Observation Firm (250) aaseroof@outlook.com www.101industries.comIIBEC - Member aaseroof@@outoutlook.look.comcom aaseroof Toll Free: 1-877-632-685912lROOFINGBC l FALL 2021'