LYNCHBURG, Va. (June 20, 2006) -- N.B. Handy Company of Lynchburg, Va., one of the nation’s leading distributors of commercial roofing products, as well as, architectural metals and sheet metal fabricating equipment, announces that it has entered into an agreement with Johns Manville (JM) to become the exclusive sales representative and distributor in Florida for Johns Manville single ply roofing products.

According to Mitchell W. Reaves, president and CEO of N. B. Handy, Johns Manville’s expansive product line and reputation for quality makes the supplier the ideal resource for commercial roofing applications in Florida.

"We extensively researched our supplier options and chose Johns Manville because we truly believe that they make a superior product,” says Reaves. “Like N.B. Handy, Johns Manville has been in business well over 100 years and both of our companies are committed to excellent customer service."

Palmer Young, general manager of N.B. Handy’s Orlando, Fla. distribution center, added that the combination of N.B. Handy’s more than 25 years of experience in the single ply roofing market, along with Johns Manville’s strong commercial roofing background, is a powerful combination for contractors in the Florida market.

"Strong, dependable roofing membrane is in high demand in Florida because of the predominance of flat, reflective roofs that must withstand hurricane forces and high-heat conditions,” says Young. “We’re very pleased to be carrying Johns Manville products which perform exceptionally well under these conditions."

Tom Tesoriero, eastern sales manager for JM Roofing Systems, stated, "We are excited about working with N. B. Handy. Their proven service culture aligns well with JM’s emphasis on increased services to our contractors."

Johns Manville markets a wide range of single ply materials and supplies, including 50 mil to 80 mil PVC Fleece Backed Membranes, high performance PVC products specially suited for Florida’s demanding climate. As the sole distributor in Florida, N.B. Handy will carry JM’s complete line of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) membranes and supplies.

Reaves says that Johns Manville inventory has been stocked at the N.B. Handy central Florida distribution center in Orlando. Additional sales positions have been added and training programs are underway for N.B. Handy personnel. Incentive programs will be available to commercial contractors during the program launch.

N.B. Handy is one of the country’s largest wholesale distributors of HVAC Equipment and Supplies for Residential, Commercial, and Industrial use, Commercial Roofing and Waterproofing supplies, and Precision Metal Fabricating Machinery, including on-site repair and service. Headquartered in Lynchburg, Va., the company has 14 strategically located, full service sales and distribution facilities in Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Tennessee. For more information about N.B. Handy Company sales and service, call 800-274-6244.

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