UCF Arena Roofing Decision is a Slam Dunk

"Performance, long life and the company that stands behind the product" are the main reasons Peter Newman gives for steering Florida's largest undergraduate university toward FiberTite roofing systems to protect the majority of their facilities. Newman introduced FiberTite to the University of Central Florida when he joined the administration as Director of Facilities 16 years ago. He has since been involved with the decisions to install FiberTite roofs on more than 60 buildings on the university's 1,400-acre campus, which accommodates 49,000 students.

In September, UCF celebrated the grand opening of the new UCF Arena at Knight's Plaza in East Orlando. A FiberTite roof covers this tremendous entertainment and sporting facility that has the capacity to host over 10,000 people. The UCF Arena will be the destination for UCF Knights basketball games and graduations and for fans of popular entertainment stars like Elton John, Reba McEntire and the rising pop punk band, Fall Out Boy.

We talked with Newman to learn more about what led the university to become a repeat buyer of FiberTite.

Explain your role in the decision-making process for new and replacement roofs at the University of Central Florida.

Various committees are involved in the process. People at Facilities Planning sit down with the architects and engineers on the project and with people from our physical plant. We also weigh in the opinion of our roofing consultant. We begin with the question, "Do we want to go with a modified bitumen roof or with FiberTite?" There is a lot of going back and forth between all of us, and as the project progresses, we decide. There is always a debate until we reach consensus.

How do you determine which product is best suited for your facilities?

Ultimately we want a roof that will last a very long time - at least for the 20-year warranty period. When we look at the drawings for the facility, we look at the whole facility, not just the roof. We consider the windows, the doors and the design and integrity of the whole structure. It's critical that we don't have any water intrusion. Water leads to mold - you can't get rid of that. Cost, durability and the experience of the people involved in the decision are other factors we consider.

What are the challenges that a roofing system faces on your facilities and in your environment?

Ultra violet radiation from sun and great temperature swings in Florida. From day to night, temperatures can vary widely. Torrential rains and heavy winds are also an issue. Our weather can really compromise a roof. That's why we need products that are durable.

What do you expect from the company that manufactures the roofing products you buy?

We want a roof that will perform and we want a company that stands behind its product's warranty. We don't want any excuses. Our roofs take a beating. If there is a roof failure and the company doesn't pay for it, we are in trouble. We don't have the funds to cover these problems.

When did you first become familiar with FiberTite?

Years ago I worked for an outfit called Betz Architects, back in 1985 or 1986. We used FiberTite on a project with good success and that was the first time I ever saw the product. When I came to the University of Central Florida in 1991, I suggested that we take a look at it. We've been using it ever since.

How does FiberTite compare with other products that UCF uses?

We don't use any other single ply besides FiberTite. Most of the other roofs on campus are modified bitumen roofs. Some of the older architects we work with are accustomed to using mod bit and they stick with it. It endures roof traffic well. We like both products. They both have performed very well. But most of our buildings have FiberTite.

Have you had to have the FiberTite roofs serviced?

Very seldom. The main thing we do to keep our roofs in good shape is to get up on them and make sure there aren't any penetrations that we don't know about. We also make sure that the stoppers are in working order and that any debris is removed.

What specific qualities of the FiberTite roofing system have led the University to continue choosing it?

Performance, long life and the company that stands behind it. I know that if we have a problem, Seaman Corporation will be there. That is absolutely critical to us.

Seaman Corporation extends a special thanks to Peter Newman for participating in this interview and for his loyal support of the FiberTite product. The company would also like to thank Roofing Technology, the Orlando, Florida based manufacturer's representative that has provided years of excellent service and support to UCF.

2007 Brings FiberTite Another Record Year of Sales

The close of Seaman Corporation's 2007 Fiscal Year on September 30th signaled another record-breaking year of sales for the FiberTite roofing business. Since 2003, the growth in sales of the FiberTite product has increased overall by 95 percent. Annual increases over the past five fiscal years have varied, reaching as high as 33 percent.

"FiberTite has been around for almost 30 years," commented Richard Seaman, the company's President and CEO. "It is a very good quality product for the roofing market and its outstanding performance history has helped drive the tremendous growth in sales we've seen in recent years."

Just as important, according to Seaman, is the excellent team of sales associates and representatives that are selling FiberTite across the country.

"Our team of regional and national leaders in the sales and marketing of the FiberTite product is strong," he said. "They have helped us build on our product's performance history. Because of the quality and experience of these individuals, we expect to sustain growth at a double digit percentage rate for the foreseeable future."

Nick Kesslering, FiberTite's National Sales Manager, added, "Our achievements over the past several years are genuinely the result of a true team effort between sales and marketing, technical service, customer service and manufacturing. We have realized significant improvements in all of these areas."

The company plans to stay focused on sales opportunities with owners that recognize and are willing to invest in a quality product that will provide them with decades of performance.

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