The fourth quarter of 2008 was a tumultuous time, to say the least. A presidential election was taking place. Commodity prices were volatile. As the economy was in turmoil and bailouts and loans seemed the only ways to salvage the financial and automotive sectors of the economy,Roofing Contractorand Architectural Roofing & Waterproofingmagazines turned to contractors to take the pulse of the roofing industry in an exclusive survey sponsored by GAF Materials Corporation.

The fourth quarter of 2008 was a tumultuous time, to say the least. A presidential election was taking place. Commodity prices were volatile. As the economy was in turmoil and bailouts and loans seemed the only ways to salvage the financial and automotive sectors of the economy,Roofing ContractorandArchitectural Roofing & Waterproofingmagazines turned to contractors to take the pulse of the roofing industry in an exclusive survey sponsored by GAF Materials Corporation.

The publications partnered with Clear Seas Research to conduct a research study to gauge roofing contractors’ sense of the commercial and residential roofing markets. We also wanted to see how contractors expected the market to react over the next 12 months and the next three years. Tune in this Friday, January 30, 2:00 pm EST to get a sneak peek at the survey results and get some tips on ensuring profitability in a tough economy.

We’ll present key findings on expected sales volumes for 2009 and the next three years at the seminar, but there’s a wealth of data in the survey that should prove interesting.

For example, nearly one-third of the roofing contractors’ total sales volume is derived from steep-slope asphalt products, while one-fourth of total sales involve single-ply roofing products. Roughly two-thirds of contractors surveyed sell steep-slope asphalt and single-ply roofing products.

In 2008, more roofing contractors have seen significant increases as opposed to decreases in their single-ply and metal roofing sales. Almost 40 percent of contractors sold more single ply over the past year, while 25 percent sold less.

To register for the webinar, please go to:w.on24.com/r.htm?e=126504&s=1&k=DB1A83EE9054A4EEB49CF779A241B3F9&partnerref=blog

Tune in on Friday for our webinar to get some other key data on the market. We’ll also have an article summarizing the survey results in our February issue. The State of the Industry Study was conducted by Clear Seas Research, a division of BNP Media, which is also the parent company of Roofing ContractorandArchitectural Roofing & Waterproofingmagazines. For more information about this study or to find out more about Clear Seas Research services, please contact Sarah Turner atturners@clearseasresearchor visitwww.clearseasresearch.com.