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!
Roofing Contractor Profile

Contractor Profile: Royalty Companies Inc.

Sponsored by Duro-Last Roofing Inc.

By Chris King
Royalty SS1

Most of Andy Royalty’s free time is spent with his family: wife Misty, daughters Taylor (17) and Kennedy (6), and sons Drew (13) and Alex (11). He also coaches Varsity girls Cross Country and Track at Trinity Lutheran High School in Seymour, Ind., and helps coach his kids’ basketball and baseball teams.

Royalty SSlogo
Royalty SS1
Royalty SSlogo
November 4, 2011

Asked what makes his business successful, Andy Royalty is quick and to the point: “Our people. Our people and the products we use.”

Royalty is the president of Royalty Companies Inc, headquartered in Seymour, Ind. His two-pronged approach of building strong relationships with his employees and his manufacturer partners results in the type of quality workmanship and excellent customer service that garners repeat business and great word of mouth.

“There are several things that set our company apart from our competitors, but the number one thing is our people,” Royalty told Roofing Contractor. “I have been blessed with some of the very best people to work with every day. They are more like family than employees. We have very little turnover, and most of the staff in both the office and the field have been with the company for over 12 years. I am fortunate to be surrounded with smart and talented people, which makes my job and life much easier.”

Royalty started his business right out of high school in 1986. He had two crews working for the company as he continued his education at Indiana State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Technology. He believes that the secret to success is to treat people not as employees, but rather as co-owners of the business. “It’s my name on the door, but I want them to feel it is their business, too — not just my business,” he said.

But in order to ensure customers are well taken care of, the contractor has to install top-quality products the right way. That’s where manufacturers come in. “The second thing that I know sets us apart is the products we install,” Royalty said. “I do not believe in installing every product on the market. I believe in partnering with the best quality manufacturers that offer the best quality, service and warranties. We have been installing Duro-Last on our low-slope work for 17 years and GAF on our steep-slope work for 12 years. We believe that in order to offer the customer the very best service, you need to find the best products and be proficient at installing those products to ensure the highest quality.”

Ongoing training is another important element in the mix, and manufacturers can help. “We bring manufacturers in for in-house training,” said Royalty. “Duro-Last is often in here providing training for all of our sales and field employees. We have mock-ups in our facility for flat roofs and steep roofs.”

The company’s strategy was put to the test in the recent economic downturn, but Royalty and his management team rose to the challenge. 2011 is shaping up to be one of the company’s greatest years ever. Royalty chalks it up to a combination of pent-up demand, his company’s continued marketing efforts, and of course his talented staff. It also helps if you avoid the crucial mistakes contractors often make during a recession. “When things start getting tight, the first two things most construction trades do is get rid of skilled and seasoned staff and cut the marketing budget,” he said. “In my opinion, those are the two worst things you can do because they are two of the most important parts of a successful business.”

Royalty made sure he was in position to capitalize on business opportunities when they came around by keeping the marketing budget flowing and maintaining his seasoned workforce. “A lot of people in the last two years stopped marketing and cut back on staff,” he said. “We stayed focused on marketing and kept our relationships with people. We did not lay anyone off during the economic downturn. We kept everyone on board. When the projects came though, they knew how to find us and we had the manpower to handle it. We didn’t have to hire and train new employees.”

Royalty believes his manufacturer partners and his motivated, empowered, and well-trained “co-owners” are the key to surpassing customers’ expectations.

“Your people are the key to success,” he said. “You need good people around you. You’re only as strong as your weakest employee.”

KEYWORDS: business management

Share This Story

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

Chris King is editor of Roofing Contractor. He can be reached at 248-244-6497.

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...
    Editor's Note
    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...
    Columns
    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

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

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

Kingspan’s planned 100-acre roofing campus in Oklahoma is under consideration as the new location for asphalt shingle production.

Kingspan Flirts with Disrupting the U.S. Shingle Market

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

  • contractor

    Contractor Profile Mark Steiner Care Roofing and Remodeling Inc.

    See More
  • bruce

    Contractor Profile: Bruce Bartholomew

    See More
  • cot feature

    Contractor Profile

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • sur.png

    Contractor's Survival Manual Revised Book

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • February 27, 2025

    2025 State of the Industry Report: Roofing Contractor

    On-Demand This webinar is a must-attend for all roofing contractors who are looking to understand market insights related to current and future installation trends.
View AllSubmit An Event
×

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