Tecta America Carolinas LLC
Greening Roofs Across the Mid-Atlantic

Produced by Lea Garneau & Written by Camila Osorno

Tecta America Carolinas LLC (TAC) has been a leader in roofing solutions serving the Mid-Atlantic region since 1964. Originally founded as a building supply company after World War II, the company eventually became Cyclone Roofing and was invited to join the Tecta America family in 2005. Today, the company still maintains traditional roofing operations, but has branched into green roofing solutions as well as BUR, single-ply and metal roofing systems. “We really don’t do residential work anymore,” explains Clifton R. Winecoff, president of TAC. “We mainly concentrate on commercial work and governmental clients. We have been well known in years past for our roofing work. In addition to that operation, we have moved into green roofing and more eco-friendly roofing solutions.”

The company installed the largest green roof in the state of North Carolina. “We just finished up work at the Federal Reserve Building here in Charlotte,” says Winecoff. “It’s the largest intensive vegetative roof in the state that replaced 72,000 square feet of existing roofing.” The vegetative roofing technology was project to cost 20 percent more than a traditional roofing system. This green roof will not only outlive a traditional roof, it will also reduce the building’s energy consumption by six to eight percent annually. It will also enhance the building’s appearance by creating a lovely rooftop garden for employees to enjoy.

Sticking to Its Principles

TAC demonstrated its commitment to sustainability in 2009 through the donation of solar panels to the U.S. National Whitewater Center. “We donate a 5 kW system to the Whitewater Center so they could use it to educate visitors about how solar panels work,” says Winecoff. “We installed the panels on the roof. The panels come equipped with monitors that will display in the exhibit where kids and visitors can interact with them and learn. It was a great project for us, even if it was smaller than our normal jobs, because this is where many of the Olympic Whitewater athletes train,” Winecoff continues. The panels use low-light technology, capable of capturing and producing more energy than any other panel on the market, and are expected to produce energy savings for the center.

TAC can effortlessly handle complex green roofing systems in addition to the traditional. In addition, the company has earned a reputation for tackling even the most logistically challenging projects on the market. “In 2010, we reroofed four dorm buildings at the Butler Federal Prison in Raleigh, N.C. It was a fully operational prison. So it was very challenging to coordinate with the staff to ensure there weren’t any security breaches while we were working,” laughs Winecoff. “Nobody did get out… and we were working there for almost eight months.”

Part of the firm’s success, especially in recent years while combating a hostile bid market, is owed to TAC’s strong professional relationships with its subcontractors. “We work with many of The 8(a) Business Development Program. As well as HUB businesses, tribal businesses and other minority-owned business, which sometimes helps those contractors to secure contracts which they could not handle themselves,” explains Winecoff. “We had a less than stellar year in 2008 and are on track to recovering now. Our relationships with these groups have really helped us to maintain our presence in government work.”

Bigger and Brighter

One of the biggest challenges the company faces today is not just the economic climate, but the ability to secure enough qualified employees. “Roofing is a real craft and a trade. It seems like the technology jobs are more attractive at the moment, at least more attractive than roofing. Even though this is a great craft and a very valuable skill, it seems like the roofing industry is having a tough time finding enough people who want to make this their career and not just a job. So it has been hard for us to be able to find the right people and enough of them to work with us, which will only get harder as the older guys start retiring,” says Winecoff.

Winecoff remains optimistic and is expecting, and planning for, a full recovery and ultimately some growth for TAC. “In our area, we are definitely seeing a recovery. The bid market in North Carolina is much stronger than what it was and people are starting to spend money again. Of course, it’s not the same across the country because some of our sister branches are hurting,” says Winecoff. “But we are anticipating growth. My goal for this office is to be a $20 million branch and that’s what we are working toward.”

TAC proudly services the North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee markets. The company provides extensive experience with building owners, property managers, and facility engineers combined with professional roof repairs and re-roofing services ensuring customer satisfaction. With over 36 years of industry experience and a strong foothold in sustainable and eco-friendly roofing systems, Winecoff is sure to steer Tecta America Carolinas LLC onto bigger and brighter days.