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 Technology

Q&A: Jon Gardner on How Owens Corning is Assisting Roofing Contractors in the COVID-19 Crisis

By Chris Gray
jon-gardner-900

Jon Gardner, Owens Corning national training and education leader

May 13, 2020

Like others in the roofing industry, Owens Corning reacted to the COVID-19 crisis by putting in place precautions to keep its employees safe, from working remotely to robust cleaning procedures, social distancing and employee health screenings at all of it facilities.

As a manufacturer that works closely with roofing contractors, Owens Corning is also aware of the struggle contractors are facing to keep revenue flowing. RC spoke with Jon Gardner, national training and education leader, about what he’s heard from contractors and what his company is doing to assist them through this crisis.

RC: What are some of the top concerns you’re hearing from contractors?

JG:  One is 'how can I take advantage of the CARES Act — what is it, how does it work, help me get through the minutia, how do I plug and play' — and then number two is 'how do I continue to generate leads,' knowing that so many of the bigger players like Google have changed the rules; they’ve suspended reviews.

RC: How has the mindset of the contractors you work with changed since the pandemic?

JG: People are still very hungry to learn how to invest in their business and I think more than ever they’re looking at this from a mindset of ‘I have to do this now,’ and they’re reaching out to Owens Corning and other manufacturers…to say ‘What do you have for me to help me through this crisis?’

RC: What was one of the first steps Owens Corning took once the pandemic hit?

JG: We said ‘Let’s create a full virtual sales kit for our contractors to immediately implement into their business.’ It really goes from the ability for the contractor to virtually set up their calendar invite to setting up an opportunity to speak with the homeowner via Zoom to utilizing all the tools and resources that Owens Corning already had in place with regard to presenting what a good roofing system is.

Moving along that food chain, (it goes) right into paying for that project in the most efficient way, which would obviously be through a solid financing program, and then being able to virtually sign for that contract.

None of that in itself is extraordinary, but what was unique and that we didn’t see in the market was a full kit from beginning to end that a contractor could take, so we built that out and put it into a format that is easy to understand.

RC: What type of costs can contractors expect when going virtual?

JG: We have to remember there are contractors, small, medium and large, that don’t really have the bandwidth to invest in anything that’s super expensive, so we tried to be cost effective as well as providing the tools and resources in this kit that any contractor could put together.

RC: What other adjustments did Owens Corning make to help contractors?

JG: Prior to COVID, Owens Corning was going around the country with 12 to 15 of our business service partners and allowing contractors to learn in the classroom setting as well as an expo setting to have a one-on-one experience.

We’ve extended our Business Building Days virtually with our contractors so that hopefully we can continue to teach our contractors about ways in which they can continue to invest in their business, take their business to the next level, and in light of what is going on today, pick the most pertinent services that make the best sense for them.

RC: What are you proud of that Owens Corning has accomplished during the crisis?

JG: Our area sales managers, without skipping a beat, were able to pivot and continue to have conversations and help contractors in their local markets in ways they were doing before, it was just virtually. We already had the tools in place with Owens Corning University.

RC: How do you think the COVID-19 crisis will change the industry going forward?

JG: The feedback that we’re getting from contractors is homeowners are okay with (virtual sales) because the technology that is available with drones, the technology that is available with financing solutions, the technology that Owens Corning invested in with Build Your Roof…in a way, this whole virtual process has enabled some contractors to beef up their own sales presentations and beef up the ways in which they’re presenting, from soup to nuts, what they’re going to be doing for homeowners, so I see this staying.

KEYWORDS: COVID-19 Owens Corning Owens Corning University roofing technology

Share This Story

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

Chrisgray
Chris Gray is the editor of Roofing Contractor and Roofing Supply Pro. He has worked in the fields of journalism and copywriting for nearly 20 years, ranging from local print newspapers to the multi-media promotion of international artists.


Reach him at 248-244-6498 or grayc@bnpmedia.com.

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

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

  • EagleView technologies

    VIDEO: Roofing Contractors Reveal How EagleView, Technology Can Improve Business During the COVID-19 Crisis

    See More
  • QA-Huntsman

    Roofing Contractor Q&A: Huntsman Building Solutions Merges Through COVID-19 Crisis

    See More
  • How to Maximize Relief Efforts in a Crisis

    VIDEO: How to Maximize Relief Efforts in a Crisis

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • revisited.png

    Markup & Profit: A Contractor's Guide Revisited

  • performance

    Performance-Based Building Design: From Below Grade to Floors, Walls, Roofs, and Windows to Finishes, 2nd Edition

  • building

    Building Construction Illustrated, 7th Edition

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.
  • April 17, 2025

    Homeowners Survey: A Roofing Customer’s Journey

    On-Demand Roofing contractors can use this information to better understand what factors influence a homeowner's contractor selection process. At the same time, they'll explore ideas to improve customer communication and operational efficiency that grow profits.
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