Excellence in Single-Ply (ESP) is the annual award Carlisle SynTec Systems has used since 1998 to name the top ranks of its Authorized Applicator network, and Carlisle describes it as one of the most recognizable achievements in commercial roofing. ESP status is re-earned every year: standings are driven by the applicator's Carlisle installation volume and record - including workmanship and customer service - so the badge reflects a company that was recently among the manufacturer's strongest partners, not a legacy title.
The award comes with real infrastructure behind it. ESP applicators receive a premium ranking in Carlisle's own find-an-applicator directory, dedicated marketing support, and a seat at programs like Carlisle's Innovation Panel, where member contractors help shape the products and tools the network uses. Since 2025 the program has also carried an invitation tier: ESP Premier, reserved for roughly the top 20 Authorized Applicators in North America over a two-year term, requiring Perfection-level quality alongside adoption of Carlisle's newest systems.
It is worth reading ESP alongside Carlisle's other honors. The Perfection Award is a pure quality measure (top 5% warranty-claim performance), and the Hall of Fame counts perfect manufacturer inspections over a lifetime; ESP is broader - a best-overall-partner award where volume, loyalty, and quality all count. A company displaying ESP has an active, substantial Carlisle practice that the manufacturer itself chose to celebrate.
Calibration for building owners: an ESP applicator is a proven, high-throughput Carlisle installer with current manufacturer backing - a strong signal for a commercial membrane roof, especially where a Carlisle warranty matters. As with any manufacturer award it reflects the Carlisle relationship rather than an independent audit, so licensing, insurance, and references still deserve their own check.
