search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube instagram Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify Podcasts Apple Podcasts
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • TOPICS
    • Cool Roofing
    • Event News
    • Latinos in Roofing
    • Low Slope
    • Legal
    • Metal
    • Project Profiles
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Roofing Safety
    • Steep Slope
    • Sustainable Roofing
    • Technology
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Best of Success
    • Contractor Profile
    • IRE Show
    • Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
    • Young Guns
    • State of the Industry
    • Century Club
  • MULTIMEDIA
    • Videos
    • Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Roofing Quizzes
    • IRE Videos
    • Webinars
    • Photo Galleries
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products
    • Featured Products
  • COLUMNS
    • Editor's Note
    • Exit Planning
    • Legally Speaking
    • Safety Advice
    • Technical Details
    • Guest Column
  • EVENTS
    • International Roofing Expo
    • Webinars
    • Best of Success Conference
    • Industry Events
  • DIRECTORY
    • Associations
    • Distributors
    • Manufacturer/Supplier
    • Business Services
    • Get Listed
  • MORE
    • Roofing Contractor eNews
    • RC Store
    • Roofing Supply Pro
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Company Spotlights
    • Classifieds
      • Auctions
      • Business For Sale
      • Business Opportunities
      • Equipment For Sale
      • Positions Available
      • Products
      • Safety
      • Software
      • Services
      • Training
    • Contact Us
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Advertise
      • Media Kit
      • Editorial Calendar
      • Contact
    • Archive Issues
  • SIGN UP!

Duro-Last Celebrates 25 Years

September 3, 2003
The year 2003 marks the silver anniversary of Duro-Last Roofing Inc., Saginaw, Mich.



The year 2003 marks the silver anniversary of Duro-Last Roofing Inc., Saginaw, Mich. The company’s yearlong recognition of this milestone was kicked off in February at Duro-Last’s national sales seminar in Clearwater, Fla., with over 800 of the company’s contractors, employees and corporate personnel taking part in the celebration.

The company’s history began in the mid-1970s when founder John R. Burt came up with an inspiration. Burt, who then owned a swimming pool liner business, realized that if a vinyl liner kept water inside a swimming pool, it could keep water out, as well. From that simple premise, the Duro-Last roofing system was created in 1978. During the ensuing 25 years, Duro-Last has been the pioneer and largest manufacturer of custom prefabricated single-ply roofing systems.

In 1981, Duro-Last moved into its present Saginaw location, home to both the firm’s world headquarters and a manufacturing facility. To accommodate Duro-Last’s national expansion, a manufacturing facility was purchased in Grants Pass, Ore., in 1987. That operation moved to a larger location in 1995. Additional roofing manufacturing locations were opened in Jackson, Miss., in 1992 and in Sigourney, Iowa, in 1996. In that same year in Saginaw, a calendering and knitting operation opened, which manufactures the thermoplastic membrane used in the Duro-Last roofing system.

The calendering and knitting operation is part of Plastatech Engineering Ltd. In addition to the membrane used in the Duro-Last roofing system, Plastatech manufactures geomembranes, coated supported and unsupported vinyl, triple-ply laminated PVC films and substrates, single-ply laminates, calendered PVC films, weft-inserted knitted substrates, gravured printing, PVC expanded suedes, and air-supported and tension structures.

Duro-Last’s approach to the roofing market is that every project is prefabricated to fit every roof precisely. By performing 80 to 85 percent of membrane seaming in a controlled factory environment, the company reduces the potential for rooftop installation errors and leaks that can occur with other roof systems. Also, custom-fabricated stacks and curb flashings eliminate nearly 100 percent of rooftop labor from the most critical roof areas — transitions and changes of plane. Custom prefabrication allows Duro-Last to issue a strong commercial warranty, which does not exclude ponding water or consequential damages.

Another key reason for Duro-Last’s success is the solid, long-term relationship the company enjoys with top roofing contractors around the country. In addition, to address growing trends in the buildings industry, Duro-Last has recently introduced two new brands. First is The Cool Zone™ roofing system, with the highest solar reflectivity of any single-ply membrane (based on the EPA’s Energy Star roof products testing criteria). Second is The Duro-Shield™ metal retrofit roofing system, which can be installed over an existing metal roof without an expensive tear-off.

Duro-Last and Plastatech Engineering are part of the JRB Enterprises family of companies, along with several other businesses. Oscoda Plastics Inc., in Oscoda, Mich., opened in 1993 to produce accessories for the Duro-Last roofing system. Today, Oscoda Plastics uses recycled plastics and vinyl to produce injected and extruded plastic parts for the roofing industry, specialty flooring systems and vinyl expansion joints. TIP-TOP Screw Manufacturing Inc., also based in Oscoda, manufactures fasteners for the Duro-Last roofing system. Established in 1975, Tri-City Vinyl Inc. manufactures pool and pond liners, pool covers, water tubes and pillows as well as cistern liners. And finally, JRB Enterprises’ newest business venture is EXCEPTIONAL™ Metals, which manufactures metal edge details for the Duro-Last roofing system.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Roofing Contractor Group Publisher Jill Bloom

    Physics, the Power of Authenticity and You

    In February's Publisher's Note, Jill Bloom describes a...
    Columns
    By: Jill Bloom
  • The Family Food Fare supermarket in Midland, Mich.

    ‘Rooftop Ninja’ Discovered Living on Roof, Inside Grocery Sign

    A bizarre tale out of Midland, Mich.: a woman dubbed the...
    Roofing News
    By: Bryan Gottlieb
  • A before and after heat measurement comparison

    How Hot is Too Hot in the Attic?

    If the ventilation is working, how hot should the attic...
    Sustainable Roofing
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • eMagazine Subscription
  • Sign Up for the eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Roofing Contractor audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Roofing Contractor or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • An overhead view of a residential block
    Sponsored byCBIZ CompuData

    From Spreadsheets to Strategy: How Roofing Companies Can Transform Financial Operations

  • Snow Guard Solutions for Metal Roofs by S-5!
    Sponsored byS-5!

    Safeguard Your Building: How Snow Guards Prevent Costly Roof & Property Damage

  • A hand holding a wooden block that reads 'EVOLVE'
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Embracing Change: A New Era for the Roofing Industry

Popular Stories

Agentes de ICE arrestaron a casi una docena de empleados de una empresa de techos en Lowell, Massachusetts. Los arrestos son parte de una redada federal más amplia contra la contratación no autorizada y las violaciones migratorias en Boston.

ICE Redondea a Equipo de Techos Afuera de Boston

Florida has become the focal point for construction-site raids, attracting national attention and altering labor dynamics throughout the industry.

Florida Emerges as the Epicenter of ICE Raids

QXO CEO Brad Jacobs will share the company’s strategic vision today at the Wolfe Research Global Transportation & Industrials Conference in New York following its acquisition of Beacon Roofing Supply..

QXO’s Brad Jacobs Charts Growth at Wolfe Research Conference

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

December 3, 2025

The Premier Roofing Conference: Best of Success

Join roofing professionals from across the nation at the 2025 Best of Success conference, the ultimate destination for roofing professionals seeking the latest industry insights and networking opportunities. Pick up strategies for critical challenges like workforce shortage with innovative solutions, explore the latest advancements in roofing technology and sustainable practices, and gain valuable insights from industry leaders on navigating the evolving roofing landscape.

View All Submit An Event

Related Articles

  • ABC Supply Celebrates 25 Years of Service to the Industry

    See More
  • DECRA Celebrates 50 Years of Strength

    See More
  • Roofmaster Celebrates 50 Years

    See More
×

Be in the forefront of the roofing industry!

Join thousands of professionals today. Shouldn’t you know what they know?

JOIN NOW!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing