The past year has been one for the books regarding roofing distribution. From industry-changing acquisitions to artificial intelligence’s rapid development, Roofing Supply Pro readers were attuned to the biggest developments in 2025.

This year’s most-read stories reveal the issues that captured the attention of distributors and those in the roofing industry at large: the state of products in a tough economy, billion-dollar acquisitions of major companies, and even the emotional toll it all takes on workers.

Below are the top 10 most popular articles from RSP. Except for one article on this list, we didn’t include stories related to the QXO-Beacon acquisition, as we already discussed them in a different roundup story.

10. ARMA Report: Shingles Popular Despite Interest in Alternative Roofing Materials

Photo courtesy of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association

Reported in early 2025, readers were curious as to how 2024 ended. A report from the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association showed asphalt roofing shipments dipped in Q4 2024, continuing a seasonal trend, but the year saw record highs in several categories.

9. Brad Jacobs to Step Down as Chairman at XPO, GXO Logistics

Photo courtesy of QXO

In late 2025, QXO CEO and Chairman Brad Jacobs announced he would step down as chairman of the boards at XPO Inc. and GXO Logistics Inc., effective Dec. 31, 2025, to focus on growing QXO and Jacobs Private Equity. 

8. Home Depot to Acquire GMS in $5.5B Deal Through SRS Distribution

Image by Bryan Gottlieb/Roofing Contractor | Elements: Adobe Stock, THD, GMS

In June 2025, Home Depot revealed it acquired specialty products distributor GMS for $5.5B through its SRS Distribution unit, creating a 1,200-location network aimed at delivering faster service and expanded offerings to contractors.

7. Carlisle Companies Announces New President, Vice Chair

Image by Chris Gray. Photo courtesy of Carlisle Companies

Manufacturer Carlisle Companies Inc. announced in November 2025 that Jason Taylor would join the company as its new president of Construction Materials. Taylor previously held several key leadership roles at QXO, including most recently serving as president of the West Division.

6. The Roofing Consolidation Boom—and Its Impact on Workers

Image by matdesign24/iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty Images | Mas / stock.adobe.com

As private equity activity continued well into 2025, the impact on the industry went beyond consolidation. Experts provided insights into the emotional toll that mergers and acquisitions take on companies and their workers.

5. Analysis: The Future of Roofing Distribution

Photo by Tiger Lily via Pexels.

At the beginning of 2025, roofing distribution professionals gazed into their crystal balls and provided insights into how the industry is changing due to acquisitions and changes in technology and demographics.

4. Exploiting Security Gaps, Roofing Becomes Ensnared in Massive Fentanyl Bust

Photo courtesy of the Drug Enforcement Administration

A disturbing case in early 2025 showed that roofing isn’t immune to the nation’s opioid crisis, with the Drug Enforcement Administration's Phoenix East Valley Drug Enforcement Task Force uncovering hidden fentanyl pills in factory-sealed roofing products.

3. Kingspan Flirts with Disrupting the U.S. Shingle Market

Photo courtesy of Building Enclosure

Among all the other blockbuster acquisitions and developments taking place in 2025, Kingspan Group made waves when it revealed it was considering moving into residential asphalt shingle production.

2. UPDATE: Home Depot Pushes QXO Out of GMS Pursuit

Image by Bryan Gottlieb/Roofing Contractor | Elements: Adobe Stock, PngTree

Referenced earlier in this list, a potential bidding war between QXO and the Home Depot over acquiring GMS Inc. caught the interest of the industry.

1. QXO's AI-Driven Plans for the 'New' Beacon Bldg. Supply

Image by Bryan Gottlieb/Roofing Contractor | Elements: Adobe Stock, Beacon

Naturally, a story that encapsulates much of what occurred in the roofing distribution industry in 2025 received the most views from readers. The $11-billion acquisition of Beacon by QXO meant big changes, including how the AI-focused approach from QXO CEO Brad Jacobs could revolutionize distribution.