International Roofing Community Gathers for IFD Congress 2019

THIS WEEK SEES the international roofing community coming together for the IFD Roofing Congress 2019 in Edinburgh, hosted by UK member, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC).

As members and guests of the International Federation of Roofing Trades (IFD), over 100 roofing professionals are gathering together from 21 member countries, including Europe, Asia and America and China on 25^th-28^th September.

International roofing

The IFD not only promotes the roofing industry globally, it sets common technical standards, tackles shared issues such as recruitment and training, supports research and fosters international relations between national roofing communities.

Based at the Radisson Blu hotel on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, the IFD Congress 2019 will discuss a range of roofing topics, from tolerances in facades, preparing for extreme weather events, to awareness of mental health. Highlights of the programme include a keynote speech from Roger Curtis of Historic Environment Scotland on the organisation’s worldwide influence, as well as Fire Protection for Historic Buildings.

Lively programme

There’s also a lively programme of social events, including a Traditional Scottish Evening at Edinburgh Castle on Thursday and a Gala Evening and Awards Ceremony for the winners of the IFD Awards 2019 on Friday.

On Saturday, the Congress will elect its new officers and a new President. Ex-NFRC President Graeme Millar, director of Bain & Irvine Ltd is standing for election as the next 3-year term IFD President, replacing outgoing President, Walter Bisig.

Graeme Millar, who is the IFD board member for technical matters, says, “It is our intention to accommodate more countries into our federation particularly those who have struggled with standards.

“The recent involvement and membership partnerships with the Chinese Waterproofing Association in China and the NRCA in the United States has proved beyond doubt that our organisation has moved on significantly from its original European roots to become a global player in the roofing marketplace.

“Our annual congress gives the opportunity for our worldwide membership to come together to network and discuss and listen to the roofing issues which are truly international.”

Sponsored by Velux and BMI, the IFD Congress 2019 features UK roofing showcase exhibitors, including ECIC, Welsh Slate, Tor Coatings, ALM, Kingspan, Ejot, Surveyroof and Buckleys.