If you’re going to launch a roofing company, it helps if your name is synonymous with roofing. When Todd Lehman formed Lehman Roofing, Inc., in Evansville, Ind., he was a 15-year veteran of the industry who had followed in the footsteps of his father and his three older brothers. When they all decided to join the Lehman Roofing team, they brought a wealth of experience with them, along with a reputation for quality work.

Lehman Roofing is a union shop specializing in commercial and industrial roofing as well as architectural sheet metal work. The company did well right out of the gate, doing a little less than $1 million in its first eight months. In 2007, the company’s first full year of business, they reached $3.9 million in net sales.

“Our immediate success as a startup company six years ago was due to our reputation for quality,” said Todd Lehman, the company’s president and owner. “The link between the name Lehman and roofing was established by my dad, my three brothers and myself, roofing in the tri-state community for many years. We had a total of 130 years combined experience prior to our startup in 2006.”

The fact that quality roofs start and end with quality people was something Todd Lehman had recognized all of his life. After he graduated from Purdue with a degree in construction management, he went to work for a large industrial contractor doing estimating and project management. He moved over to the roofing division and worked under his father, Dan Lehman, then ran the roofing division for eight years after his dad retired. When he decided it was time to start his own company, he soon persuaded his three brothers — Danny, Nick and Scott — to join him, and they all serve key roles in the company today.

Danny Lehman is the company’s field superintendent. Nick Lehman handles service and maintenance work, and Scott Lehman oversees major projects. Tony Goode and Todd Lehman handle estimating and project management, and Goode oversees sheet metal projects. There are already two members of the next generation of the Lehman family in the business: Danny’s son Jesse and Scott’s son, Scott Jr.

Todd is thankful that he persuaded his dad, Dan Lehman, to come out of retirement to help them get started. “He was a huge asset with all of his estimating, management, and general roofing knowledge,” said Todd. “He is now 72 years old and still works here part time. He is not only great to have around because of his knowledge, but he’s fun to be around. I think that is how he has made such good relationships over the years. Lots of people still ask about him and tell me how much they enjoy working with him. His honesty and reputation for caring about the customers’ needs has carried over to how we operate our business.”

Recent high-profile projects include the New Ford Center in Evansville and facilities for Bristol Myers Squibb, ALCOA, the University of Southern Indiana, Hoosier Energy and Vincennes University.

A re-roofing job at the Booneville Library showcased the company’s skilled sheet metal division, which removed and installed 38,200 square feet of standing seam metal roofing. The job also included 4,000 square feet of steel siding panels and the replacement of the entire gutter system.

Last year the company was recognized for its quality work by both Firestone and Carlisle. “It all comes back to our foremen,” said Todd. “They go above and beyond to make sure the roofs last as long as possible. They put their name on it. It’s a personal thing for our guys.”

He summed up his goals for the future this way: “We want to be recognized for quality, maintain our reputation, run a profitable company, and attract quality people. To have people want to come to work here is very rewarding.”

 “Our reputation got us here, and now we have to live up to the expectations that people have,” he continued. “When people call Lehman Roofing, they know they are going to get a quality job done in a professional manner. As we continue to grow, our focus remains on maintaining customer satisfaction by providing quality service with an experienced team.”