There are numerous issues affecting our industry and our world, and it is often difficult to choose which one to target in this column. This month I could boil it down to no less than two. So, in the spirit of springtime and the return of baseball, here is a double-header for you.
Julien Benjamin Jr. was the first to hire me into the roofing industry and was a mentor of mine far beyond the time we spent working together. He was darn good at what he did and he always ran a first-rate shop. One of the first lessons he taught me comes to mind at this point in the world of commercial roofing: "Never be ashamed to make a profit."
The current leadership of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) led by president Reid Ribble would like for you to consider joining the association as they work to improve your roofing business and the roofing industry in the United States as a whole.
Believing that NRCA membership is good for roofing contractors and the industry, Roofing Contractor sought to answer the question of why many roofing contractors have not joined the one association that has represented them consistently for 120 years. It appears that that many roofing contractors do not really know who the association is or what the association does for them.
A Renaissance on the Roof of the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center
Low-slope roofing involves a lot of science to achieve great results. From multiple materials technologies to the design, engineering, and estimating to the planning that it takes to perform the work, the variables are complex and intertwined. When it comes down to actually performing the work of demo and replacement, however, there is often a considerable amount of artistry on display. Roofing Contractor was invited to bear witness as Ben Hill Roofing and Siding Co. Inc. of Douglasville, Ga., painted a masterpiece atop the main building of the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center.
This year you may need to put a renewed focus on one of the most important ingredients in your roofing business: the cash you need to operate. Roofing contractors seeking to provide their clientele with excellent products and services while maintaining growth and profitability may find themselves lacking in this precious commodity.
The dawning of a new year marks a time to evaluate last year's successes and challenges while looking ahead to new possibilities. This year is very special to those of us who bring you Roofing Contractor, as we celebrate our 25th year in 2006.
Inspired and supported by our advertisers and readers like you, the parent of Roofing Contractor sponsored one of the more than 200 homes built in Michigan during Habitat for Humanity's 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project (JCWP) this summer.
Never, never stop marketing yourself and your firm. Marketing your company in a great economic climate is necessary for several reasons, but primarily because a swift downturn always has the potential of being closer than we think.
Changes to California's Title 24 recently became effective that require, among other things, significant enhancements to the reflectivity of roof coverings on many building and retrofit projects. Many other state and municipal building authorities will be watching as they prepare to make changes to codes that could affect your life in the near future.
My first introduction to the E-Myth came by way of roofing contractor Joel Thompson of Anthony Roofing, LTD. Roofing Contractor had the opportunity to spend some time visiting with Joel and his world-class roofing operation some six or seven years ago. After the reviews of the facilities and roofs and the interviews were over, Thompson handed me a book with a recommendation that I read it. The book was The E-Myth Manager by Michael Gerber.
