GAF Materials Corporation

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Originally founded as the Standard Paint Company, GAF was established in 1886 in Bound Brook, New Jersey.{{Cite book |title=Sanitary and Heating Age |publisher=Sanitary and Heating Publishing |year=1904 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WDaLQvz1qg4C |pages=69}}{{cite news|url=https://nationalroofingmuseum.org/the-history-of-gaf/|title=The History of GAF|work=National Roofing Museum}} The company introduced the first ready-to-lay asphalt roll roofing product, known as “Ruberoid,” in 1892.{{cite news|url=https://schickroofing.com/what-type-of-asphalt-shingle-is-best-for-your-home-or-business/|author=|date=March 25, 2021|title=What Type Of Asphalt Shingle Is Best For Your Home Or Business?|work=Schick Roofing}} The Ruberoid product was further enhanced in 1898 when ceramic granules were added to Ruberoid rolls to increase durability and fire resistance. The company subsequently changed its name to The Ruberoid Co. in 1921.

In 1967, the company merged with General Aniline & Film and launched Timberline, the first-ever laminated shingle to be released.{{cite news|title=Two Chemical Company Boards Approve Merger|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=March 2, 1967|location=Portland, Oregon|page=31}}{{cite news|url=https://www.brownlawyers.ca/gaf-general-aniline-film-and-ruberoid.html#:~:text=Ruberoid%20and%20General%20Aniline%20%26%20Film,of%20their%20asbestos%20containing%20products.|title=GAF (General Aniline & Film) and Ruberoid|work=Brown Lawyers}} The following year, the company rebranded to GAF.{{cite news|last=Barton|first=Frank|title=New Name Merry-Go-Round|newspaper=The Sunday Oregonian|date=May 12, 1968|at=Section 1, p. 33|quote=General Aniline & Film .... changed its name to GAF Corporation at the annual meeting in Portland on April 23}}.

A new board of directors was established in 1983, with Samuel J. Heyman stepping into the roles of Chairman and CEO.{{cite web|url=http://www.law.harvard.edu/news/2009/11/09_heyman.html|title=Samuel J. Heyman '63 [1939—2009]|date=November 9, 2009|publisher=Harvard Law School|access-date=11 November 2009}}

In 2007, GAF merged with Elk Corporation, a manufacturer of asphalt felts and coatings.{{cite news|url=https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/83467-gaf-and-elk-announce-details-of-merger|date=April 10, 2007|title=GAF and Elk Announce Details of Merger|work=Roofing Contractor|access-date=January 15, 2024|archive-date=November 22, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20231122170632/https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/83467-gaf-and-elk-announce-details-of-merger|url-status=bot: unknown}} In 2011, GAF became the first roofing manufacturer to offer a Lifetime Limited Warranty on all laminated shingles.

GAF Energy, a sister company which offers affordable integrated rooftop solar options, was launched in 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/93729-report-gaf-energy-has-installed-hundreds-of-solar-roofs|author=Andrew Dietderich|date=May 24, 2019|title=Report: GAF Energy Has Installed ‘Hundreds’ of Solar Roofs|work=Roofing Contractor}} In 2020, the company released Timberline HDZ shingles with LayerLock Technology and began offering the GAF WindProven Limited Wind Warranty, the first wind warranty for roofing shingles with no maximum wind speed limitation on GAF shingles with LayerLock Technology when installed with the required combination of four GAF accessories.{{cite news|url=https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/94159-gaf-unveils-timberline-hdz-shingles-and-no-limit-wind-warranty|date=January 10, 2020|title=GAF Unveils Timberline HDZ Shingles and No-Limit Wind Warranty|work=Roofing Contractor}} That same year, GAF launched GAF Community Matters, a social impact initiative.{{cite news|url=https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/94195-gaf-introduces-community-matters-social-impact-initiative|date=January 23, 2020|title=GAF Introduces Community Matters Social Impact Initiative|work=Roofing Contractor}}

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In 2021, the company created the GAF RoofCycle Process, a patented recycling process that diverts post-consumer waste from landfills for reuse in the manufacture of new GAF shingles.{{cite news|url=https://www.residentialproductsonline.com/gaf-introduces-first-recycled-shingles-created-waste|author=Caroline Broderick|date=April 29, 2021|title=GAF INTRODUCES THE FIRST RECYCLED SHINGLES CREATED FROM WASTE|work=Residential Products Online}}

Alongside fellow Standard Industries company GAF Energy, the companies launched Timberline Solar, the world’s first nailable solar shingle, in 2022.{{cite news|url=https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/gaf-energy-review/|date=November 7, 2023|title=Timberline Solar by GAF Energy: A Solid Solar Roof Option|work=CNET}} GAF disclosed its 2030 Planet Goals that same year, which includes reduced carbon emissions, an 80% waste diversion rate across all manufacturing facilities, and establishing a circular economy into the roofing sector, including the introduction of the GAF RoofCycle process across North America.{{cite news|url=https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/96932-gaf-commits-to-reducing-environmental-impact-with-2030-planet-goals|date=April 22, 2022|title=GAF Commits to Reducing Environmental Impact with 2030 Planet Goals|work=Roofing Contractor}} In the summer of 2022, the company announced the expansion of its commercial manufacturing operations with two new locations in Peru, Illinois and Valdosta, Georgia.{{cite news|url=https://www.shawlocal.com/news-tribune/news/2023/01/30/gaf-construction-in-peru-takes-off-50-70-workers-on-site-daily/|author=Olivia Doak|date=January 30, 2023|title=GAF construction in Peru takes off, 50-70 workers on site daily|work=Shaw Local News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/roofing-company-gaf-opening-factory-valdosta-georgia|date=September 7, 2022|title=Roofing company, GAF, opening factory in Valdosta, Georgia|work=Fox Business}}

In January 2023, GAF announced the reengineering and relaunch of Timberline Ultra High Definition (UHD) as Timberline UHDZ shingles; new features include LayerLock technology and StrikeZone nailing area, making these shingles easy and fast to install.{{cite news|url=https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/97994-gaf-launches-timberline-ultra-hdz-line-of-laminate-shingles|date=February 28, 2023|title=GAF Launches Timberline Ultra HDZ Line of Laminate Shingles|work=Roofing Contractor}}

In 2024, GAF announced plans to build a new residential roofing shingle manufacturing facility in Kansas.{{cite news|url=https://www.roofingcontractor.com/articles/99274-gaf-to-expand-residential-roofing-operations-with-new-kansas-facility|date=March 21, 2024|title=GAF to Expand Residential Roofing Operations With New Kansas Facility|work=Roofing Contractor}}

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GAF products are manufactured at locations across the country which are distributed by national distributors and retailers, such as ABC Supply, The Home Depot, and Lowe’s, and are installed by independent roofing contractors.{{cite news|url=https://www.lowes.com/pl/Gaf--Roof-shingles-Roofing-Building-supplies/4294524358?refinement=4294513075|title=GAF Roof Shingles|work=Lowe's}}{{cite news|url=https://www.abcsupply.com/media-center/press-release/myabcsupply-and-gaf-quickmeasure-come-together-to-help-contractors-save-time-and-money/|date=June 8, 2021|title=MyABCsupply and GAF QuickMeasure Come Together to Help Contractors Save Time and Money|work=ABC}}{{cite news|url=https://www.homedepot.com/b/Building-Materials-Roofing-Roof-Shingles/GAF/N-5yc1vZc5rbZll|title=GAF Roof Shingles|work=Home Deport}} GAF has manufacturing operations across the United States:{{cite news|url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/roofing-company-gaf-opening-factory-valdosta-georgia|date=September 7, 2022 |title=Roofing company, GAF, opening factory in Valdosta, Georgia|work=Fox Business}}{{cite news|url=https://www.shawlocal.com/news-tribune/2022/07/14/peru-chosen-by-roofing-manufacturer-gaf-as-site-for-new-plant-creating-70-jobs/|author=Olivia Doak|date=July 14, 2022|title=Peru chosen by roofing manufacturer GAF as site for new plant, creating 70 jobs|work=Shaw Local News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.gaf.com/en-us/about-us|title=About Us|work=GAF}}

The company launched GAF Community Matters, a social impact initiative, in 2020. Since its launch, GAF Community Matters has partnered with Habitat for Humanity, Team Rubicon, and Good360, as well as other non-profit organizations.{{cite news|url=https://retrofitmagazine.com/gaf-participates-in-habitat-for-humanitys-carter-work-project/|date=October 16, 2023|title=GAF Participates in Habitat for Humanity’s Carter Work Project|work=Retro Fit Magazine}}{{cite news|url=https://teamrubiconusa.org/news-and-stories/roofs-to-get-raised-for-tornado-survivors-in-historic-selma/|author=Julie H. Case|date=January 17, 2022|title=Roofs to Get Raised for Tornado Survivors in Historic Selma|work=Team Rubicon}}

In 2022, Community Matters announced a partnership with Anthony Mackie to replace 500 roofs of families in need throughout the Gulf Region that were impacted by severe weather.{{cite news|url=https://lbmjournal.com/gaf-actor-anthony-mackie-repair-roofs-of-500-homes-in-gulf-region-devastated-by-natural-disasters/|date=September 22, 2023|title=GAF and actor Anthony Mackie repair roofs of 500 homes devastated by natural disasters|work=LBM}} In July 2022, GAF launched the Cool Community Project, which works to mitigate urban heat island effects by painting hot city surfaces (i.e. pavement) with GAF’s solar-reflective StreetBond pavement coating. The Cool Community Project has partnered with Climate Resolve, as well as other nonprofit partners.{{cite news|url=https://sustainablebrands.com/read/defining-the-next-economy/gaf-first-urban-heat-project-cool-results|author=Christian Yonkers|title=GAF's First Urban Heat Project Produces Cool Results|work=Sustainable Brands}}{{cite news|url=https://inhabitat.com/gaf-creates-innovative-cooling-solutions-for-overheated-cities/|author=Laura Cowan|date=August 2, 2023|title=GAF creates innovative cooling solutions for overheated cities|work=In Habitat}}

The Community Matters program also includes GAF Roofing Academy, which combines in-classroom and hands-on training to provide individuals with the necessary skills for an entry-level roofing position.{{cite news|url=https://roofingmagazine.com/gaf-partners-with-socal-contractors-to-bring-gaf-roofing-academy-training-and-employment-opportunities-to-local-communities/|date=October 17, 2023|title=GAF Partners with SoCal Contractors to Bring GAF Roofing Academy Training and Employment Opportunities to Local Communities|work=Roofing Magazine}} The GAF Roofing Academy offers commercial, residential, & solar training and works with contractors nationwide in order to provide trainees with job opportunities. The program has offered training to underrepresented groups, such as women, veterans, and prison inmates.{{cite news|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90471193/everybody-needs-a-roof-how-a-new-job-academy-plans-to-turn-roofers-into-millionaires|author=Pavithra Mohan|date=March 5, 2020|title=‘Everybody needs a roof’: How a new job academy plans to turn roofers into millionaires|work=Fast Company}}{{cite news|url=https://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/how-veterans-can-get-started-roofing-careers-two-weeks-free.html|author=Blake Stilwell|date=February 25, 2022

|title=How Veterans Can Get Started in Roofing Careers in Two Weeks – for Free|work=Military.com}}{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/02/28/women-roofer-academy-denver-santiago-vega/|author=Cathy Free|date=February 28, 2023|title=People doubt her as a female roofer: ‘We’re proving them wrong every day’|work=Washington Post}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-inmates-roofing-skills-sept-27-2023#:~:text=in%20the%20trade.-,Chesterfield%20County%20Jail%20stands%20out%20as%20one%20of%20the%20first,job%20placement%20easier%20upon%20release.|author=|date=|title=Chesterfield inmates learn roofing skills while in jail: 'They really just need an opportunity'|work=WTVR}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.gaf.com GAF - Roofing]
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070823014121/http://www.colorantshistory.org/IGFarbenAmerica.html I.G. Farben in America: The Technologies of General Aniline and Film]}}

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Category:Companies based in Morris County, New Jersey

Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1886

Category:Building materials companies of the United States

Category:Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey