Green Roof Industry Aggressively Grows 115% in 2011

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS--(Marketwire - May 1, 2012) -

Editors Note: There is a Bar Graph available with this Press Release.

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (GRHC) is pleased to announce the results of its 2012 Annual Industry Survey of Corporate Members. "The green roof industry grew by 115 percent over the course of 2011, up significantly from 28.5 per cent growth recorded in 2010," said Steven W. Peck, GRP, President of GRHC. "This great news comes on the eve of the launch of CitiesAlive: 10 Annual Green Roof and Wall Conference (www.citiesalive.org), which is being held in Chicago from October 17^th to 20^th, 2012."

"We are definitely beginning to see results from policy support that has increased over the past few years," said Jeffrey L. Bruce, GRP, Chair, GRHC. "The industry is also benefitting from the more than 500 accredited Green Roof Professionals (GRPs) in the market, who are committed to driving future industry growth."

In the Top Ten US Metropolitan Regions Rankings, Washington DC vaulted into first place, with more than 800,000 square feet of green roofs installed in 2011. "We are proud that the District's aggressive adoption of green infrastructure continues to pay off," said Washington, DC's Mayor Vincent C. Gray. "This is evidence that the District is moving toward my vision for a sustainable DC and will lead the nation in implementing green practices and growing a green economy. We are fully committed to being number one again next year."

The exceptional growth rate of the green roof industry is reflected in the experience of GRHC member companies across North America. "I continue to be excited by the opportunities we find in the green roof marketplace, looking at both the overall growth of the industry as well as the 200% growth for our company last year", said Vanessa Keitges, CEO of Columbia Green. "It is a great time to be part of the green roof industry!"

The City of Chicago is the undisputed green roof leader of the past decade. With a total of over five million square feet of installed green roofs, it is one million square feet ahead of any other metro region since the survey started in 2004. The City of Chicago is co-hosting CitiesAlive: 10^th Annual Green Roof and Wall Conference from October 17 to 20, 2012. The event features expert speakers, professional training, Awards of Excellence, a trade show with industry leaders, and more. Media passes are available. The early bird deadline for delegate registration is May 15^th. See www.citiesalive.org for details.

Background:

Green Roofs for Healthy Cities is a membership-based industry association whose mission is to develop the green roof and wall industry in North America. To obtain a copy of the Annual Green Roof Industry Survey for 2011, go to www.greenroofs.org.

To view the "Top 10 North American Green Roofs Markets 2011 Bar Graph," please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20120430-top10_800.jpg.