In 2026, The Polymeric Exteriors Products Association (PEPA) approved the historic expansion of its membership to include its first downstream partner category: Distributors.
Soon after the category opened, PEPA signed two industry leaders as its first distributor members:
- Lansing Building Products. Headquartered in Richmond, VA, they are a leading provider of exterior building materials nationwide.
- QXO. Headquartered in Greenwich, CT, they are the fastest growing publicly traded distributor of building products in North America.
These companies need no introduction to anyone who works in the homebuilding industry, so PEPA is thrilled to celebrate them as new members and the massive growth they represent to the association’s mission.
What Downstream Membership Means for PEPA
PEPA has always had a membership for ingredients and equipment suppliers in addition to their primary building product manufacturing members. Extrusion equipment manufacturers, tin stabilizer producers and suppliers of raw materials (like resins, colors or any ingredient that goes into the vinyl siding or polymeric roof tiles) are all upstream providers that have always been able to join.
“With the addition of distributors to our membership, we now we have full integration by having downstream partners in our trade association,” said Kate Offringa, President & CEO of PEPA.
According to Kate, the PEPA team is excited to be working with their new distributor members on addressing key industry needs as well as strengthening their knowledge and relationships with downstream players.
“By joining forces with the expanding association, distributors will make a tremendous impact on three key pillars of the PEPA mission: workforce development, advocacy and sustainability,” Kate said.
New PEPA Members Can Transcend Existing Partnership with Installer Training and Other Workforce Development Programs
Distributors have been involved with PEPA’s workforce development program for a long time, providing VSI-certified training for customers at their locations.
“The distributors are the best network in the field,” Kate noted. “They can help PEPA reach more contractors and give us more perspective on what contractors are saying, especially with regard to workforce development needs.”
Powerful Allies for PEPA’s Advocacy Efforts
PEPA’s advocacy efforts at the state level focus primarily on legislative reforms that prohibit local governments and municipalities from banning vinyl siding and polymeric exteriors. Eight states have resulted in “free markets” as a result of PEPA’s efforts. Distributors want fair market opportunities – especially when vinyl siding and other polymeric exteriors offer affordable solutions – so that they can better serve their contractor customers.
“When [PEPA’s Vice President, Government Affairs and Advocacy] Alex Fernandez is going into a new state to build a coalition, the distributors have boots on the ground and local networks,” Kate said. “We are looking forward to mobilizing with our new downstream industry partners to educate stakeholders.”
PEPA Sustainability: Distributors are Crucial to Revinylize Growth
The Revinylize Recycling Collaborative has achieved explosive growth since PEPA and other industry partners launched the mission in December 2023, achieving 30 million pounds of post-consumer vinyl siding recycled in 2025 when the goal for the year was 5 million pounds. Developing a national recycling program has been one of the primary goals of PEPA’s sustainability initiatives.
“In some of the new market launches, distributors have played an important role in making rigid vinyl recycling possible,” Kate said. “They help connect contractors with recyclers by serving as collection sites. Now that PEPA has expanded to include distributors, the new members in this category can be a valuable resource in helping Revinylize develop new networks throughout the country.”
A Bright Future Full of Possibilities
There is a host of other leading distributors eligible for PEPA membership. Wholesale distributors represent nearly 25% of the U.S. homebuilding and remodeling market.[i] Having industry leaders like QXO and Lansing Building Products is a positive first step in promoting polymeric exteriors and homebuilding partners throughout the value chain, as well as attracting new members and new member categories.
“Distributors play a critical role in connecting manufacturers with contractors and builders across the country,” Kate said. “By bringing distributors into our membership, we create new opportunities to advance shared industry priorities.”
[i] “New data analyzes where builders, remodelers buy most,” LBM Journal, April 15, 2025
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Don Browne is a writer, entrepreneur and local legislator who believes that the power of words can change the world. He provides unique writing services for clients in the construction, health care, IT and hospitality sectors. He has a passion for small business and start-ups, as well as writing about Irish history, family and corporate biographies. As a homeowner and father of four who is passionate about community development, Don looks forward to writing more about the exciting possibilities of creating traditional neighborhoods and more sustainable communities using modern materials.