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
      • Enter Roofing Contractor of the Year
    • Top 100
      • Enter the 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!
ColumnsEditor's Note

Editor's Note: Grounds for Optimism

By Rick Damato
editor
February 1, 2012

While it is not routine for me to use this space to tell you about other editorial features in the magazine, I just cannot contain my enthusiasm over our annual State of the Industry Report. The process of preparing this report began months ago and involved many folks, not only from the Roofing Contractorstaff, but a number of other roofing industry professionals. The team at BNP Market Research conducted and tabulated the survey of roofing contractors that formed the basis of the report, which you will find on page 72 of this issue.

Roofing contractors are, by their nature, optimistic entrepreneurs. If not, they would not be in this business. But it was very encouraging to see that roofing contractors largely believe that the business in 2012 will improve, at least as far as sales go. The recession that has officially been over for nearly three years is being followed by such a long and slow recovery that finding optimism has been tough. Guess I just love good news, even if it is in the form of an opinion. And a majority of the roofing contractors we surveyed anticipate a year-over-year increase in sales in 2012.

The survey was not all sweetness and light. Roofing contractors are expecting a good number of challenges in the coming year. There are recurring issues such as attracting work and lowball pricing. This year, however, there is more than the average amount of concern among contractors about government regulations. Indeed, we should all be concerned.

Not only are we dealing with enhanced workplace safety rules — we seem to be dealing with enhanced enforcement of those rules. Many roofing contractors feel they are being targeted by the federal government and are moving forward with caution. I am no fan of government regulation, but hope that industry interests and government’s desire to change things will come together this year to bring about rules that make sense for workers and consumers alike.

One challenge that you may call optimistic or pessimistic, depending on your own take, is qualified labor. Over the course of the recession and slow recovery we have not been hearing a lot of noise about labor. The idea of immigration reform, which everyone seems to agree we need while not agreeing how to accomplish it, is still on the horizon. With an election on the way I do not believe it will happen anytime soon.

When the work starts coming back in at a good pace, labor may quickly move to topic “A.” If the most optimistic forecasts come true, competing for work and pricing may fall back on your to-do list in favor of finding the troops you need to get work done. It is my fondest desire that many of you roofing contractors will be challenged this way in 2012.

Chris King has done a remarkable job delivering a concise report on where we find ourselves in the roofing industry at the leading edge of 2012. I highly recommend you read the report to find out why I am so excited.

 

 P.S. — If you are interested in a copy of the entire State of the Industry survey, please contact Andrea Littles of BNP Market Research at littlesa@bnpmedia.com.

KEYWORDS: economic analysis entrepreneurs reports and studies US government workforce

Share This Story

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

Rick damato update
Rick Damato is the editorial director of Roofing Contractor. He has held a number of posts in the roofing industry since 1974 and has contributed to the magazine since its inception in 1981. He can be reached at 770-331-7858 or on Twitter @RoofsByRick.

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...
    Steep Slope Roofing
    By: Paul Scelsi
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • 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
  • 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

QXO closed its acquisition of Beacon Building Supply on April 29, 2025.

QXO Closes Beacon Acquisition, Rebrands Immediately; Jacobs to Ring NYSE Bell

New executive orders signed by President Trump will likely further constrict an already tight labor market for the construction industry.

New Executive Orders Will Further Squeeze Labor Force

President Trump’s trade war is causing real harm to the construction sector, including roofing contractors.

Trade War Fallout: Contractors Are Delaying Projects and Cutting Crews

Roofing Contractor Webinar

Events

May 22, 2025

Remote Teams 101: The New Way to Hire

Our industry experts will guide you through what remote hiring and outsourcing should look like, how it can help you grow, and why it’s easier (and less scary) than you might think. If you want to save time, find great talent, and grow your business, this is one session you don’t want to miss!

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

  • Editor's Note: Marketing for the Future

    See More
  • Editor's Note: Making the Case for Metal

    See More
  • Editor's Note: Suggestions for the Year Ahead

    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