Why You Should Join an Industry Trade Association

Western Colloid Industry Trade Association

December 28, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.

By Western Colloid.

Western Colloid shows support for multiple trade associations, here’s why you should too!

For years, we here at Western Colloid have been members of multiple industry trade associations for a variety of reasons and we believe you should become a member too! Aside from the obvious networking benefits of belonging to a trade association, we also believe that associations play a vital role in the growth of our industry.

We believe that associations constantly uphold good practices, laws and product regulations that strengthen our industry. They help professionalize the roofing industry as a whole by developing standards and practices and offering training and resources to members of this industry. They also work at a local and national level to keep our state and federal laws and regulations fair, specifically for employment, environmental, transportation, codes, safety, and immigration.

For example, we are members of the Roof Coating Manufacturers Association (RCMA) alongside 70+ other manufacturers of roof coating products. It’s important to be a member of the RCMA because they provide members with up-to-date information on building codes and technical developments.

When you join an industry association, you also have the opportunity to work with governing agencies of said industries. Our General Manager, Hal Leland, for example, lends his technical expertise as a subcommittee chair and voting member at ASTM International, as co-chair of the Codes and Standards Task Force for the RCMA and in his position on the Board of Directors for the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC).

As another example, our President, Greg Hlavaty, is a past president of the RCMA among other notable association positions. By helping develop standards through these associations, we ensure that the products you are staking your reputation on adhere to basic quality standards.

For contracting businesses, trade associations are available at many levels. Associations on the local level can bring educational resources plus a sense of community. Greg Hlavaty, states, “My father started the first roofing association in California’s central valley. My support of the roofing industry and my belief in the importance of these kinds of organizations runs deep as it does with Western Colloid’s company culture.”

However, local associations may not be the avenue for you. There are state and multi-state organizations out there with different agendas. We encourage you to do your research and check out what exactly they all can do for you. Larger organizations can offer training resources, safety information and insurance options, and let’s not forget about the conferences.

Joining an organization is not for everyone. Many contractors are wary as to their effectiveness or time commitment. But we do believe the right affiliation is out there and it will be worth your time and can greatly benefit your business.

We thank the countless volunteers that take the time and work to protect the roofing industry on our behalf. We also understand the need to financially support these associations and when possible, encourage you to do so also. Collectively we have the power to change our industry for the better.

Here are a few of the associations we support: