VILPE Named as a 2026 People’s Choice Innovative Product Showcase and Award Program Winner by the International Roofing Expo
Press release February 13th, 2026
The annual awards program celebrates the most innovative solutions in roofing and exteriors materials, equipment, tools, and services across eight categories.
The International Roofing Expo® (IRE) announces VILPE as a People’s Choice winner in the Innovative Product Showcase and Awards Program. The awards program, powered by the International Roofing Expo, is an industry recognition program that celebrates cutting-edge solutions that are available in the roofing and exteriors industry today.
“Receiving the innovative products recognition at the International Roofing Expo is a proud moment for the whole VILPE team. Innovation is at the core of everything we do, and this award not only validates our technology but also confirms strong market demand for the VILPE Sense system. It reinforces that the industry is ready for smarter, data-driven solutions, and we see this as a clear call to accelerate our market expansion across North America. The exhibition has already proven to be an excellent platform for initiating discussions around numerous commercial opportunities, further strengthening our confidence in the market’s readiness. We’re honored to be recognized by industry leaders on such a global stage”, says Ville Hellström, CEO of VILPE USA.
“Unseen moisture escalation is the real roof cost driver”
VILPE won the People’s Choice Award in the category Business & Technology Software & Services for their VILPE Sense smart roof technology.
“Unseen moisture escalation is the real roof cost driver. Early detection is the most cost-effective lever to reduce total roof lifecycle costs. VILPE Sense, our award-winning continuous monitoring system extends the lifespan of roofs and turns roof portfolios into data-managed assets. Our system is used in data centers, advanced manufacturing facilities, retail locations, logistics and warehousing, residential and in life sciences and critical infrastructure. Compared to existing current technologies on the market, such as electronic leak detection (ELD), we are both more cost-efficient and technologically advanced while providing a continuous actionable data flow from your building envelope”, says Tuomas Saikkonen, CEO of VILPE Oy.
The biggest investment in the company’s history
VILPE’s operations in the US began in January 2026.
“Our U.S. market expansion is the biggest commitment in our 51-year-old family-owned company’s history. We are currently investing $7 million into the United States with on-going negotiations to invest a further $15 – $20 million into our U.S. manufacturing capability by the end of this decade. Overall, in the next eight years we are looking to invest close to $90 million into the United States. This award further demonstrates the strong market demand for our system and confirms that demand is already exceeding our initial projections” says Saikkonen.
Industry professionals at the recent 2026 International Roofing Expo, that took place January 20-22 in Las Vegas, were able to view the products and services on display and cast their votes for the People’s Choice Award across eight categories.
“We would like to thank all the companies that participated in our inaugural Innovative Product Showcase and Awards program this year and to those that voted. It’s important for the industry to honor the products and services that are pushing the limits in our market today,” said Rich Russo, Show Director for the International Roofing Expo.“Congratulations to the 2026 award winners!”
More information
Tuomas Saikkonen
CEO
VILPE Oy
tel. 050 537 6724
Ville Hellström
CEO
VILPE USA
tel. +358 50 558 3229 // +1 (513) 313-6812
About VILPE
VILPE has led the way in the roofing and ventilation industry since 1975. The second-generation family business combines decades of expertise with a passion for innovation. Every VILPE product is designed in Finland, built to last, and backed by comprehensive warranties that reflect the company’s commitment to quality and performance. Today, that commitment extends from Europe to the United States, where VILPE operates locally to serve the North American market.
About International Roofing Expo
The International Roofing Expo® is the premier event for both the commercial and residential roofing and exterior construction industries. The IRE brings the professional community together to help them stay current on trending knowledge and to see the largest selection of products and services. The event helps professionals improve their business through education, exhibitions, and networking. The International Roofing Expo is owned and operated by Informa Markets. The official show sponsor is NRCA and the official show publication is Roofing Contractor. For more information, please visit www.theroofingexpo.com