In its 25 years of operation, PetersenDean Roofing and Solar Systems has designed and installed roofs and integrated roofing and solar systems valued at well over $2 billion. Since its founding in 1984, the company has grown to become the largest privately held integrated roofing and solar contractor in the country, employing 4,500 people and operating coast-to-coast in over 15 offices in five states.
Commercial Roofers Inc. is not only the largest, most experienced roofing contractor in the Las Vegas Valley, it is the Roofing Contractor 2009 Commercial Contractor of the Year.
“Do all the little things that no one else wants to do and then your success will follow,” said Tim Hershey, President of Thoroughbred Contractors of Shelbyville, Ky. He cited customer satisfaction as the goal of everything his company does.
Jim Stamer, President and co-owner of Prospect Waterproofing Company, serves the Washington/Baltimore metropolitan areas, but what he knows will help serve a nation of roofing contractors.
“Green is real to building owners today,” said Dr. James Hoff, Director of Research for the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing in Washington, D.C. He detailed ways contractors could use green programs and incentives to build their businesses in his session titled “Roofing Green.”
Roger Harper, Principal, Creative Dispute Resolutions, and Chris Dunn, Attorney, Walter Lansden Dortch & Davis LLP, know legal disputes can be expensive and time consuming. Their session on alternative dispute resolution detailed the benefits of lesser-known options such as arbitration and mediation.
“Why are we here?” attorney Doug Ehlke asked attendees at Best of Success. “You’re number four on the hit list of OSHA.” Ehlke, owner of Ehlke Law Offices in Federal Way, Wash., dispensed some tips on dealing with OSHA in the event of an accident on the jobsite and detailed the elements of the unpreventable employee misconduct defense.
Having passion for the roofing business is a Jim Bush trait; closing a deal takes a little more skill. Both were on display as Bush presented his seminar titled “Passion in Leadership and Sales.”
While everyone else is just catching on, Adam Quenneville, President, Adam Quenneville Roofing in South Hadley, Mass., has been ahead of the game when it comes to recycling roofing materials.
“The thing nearest and dearest to my heart is customer satisfaction,” said Andy Filer, President of Berkshire Home Solutions in Plymouth, Minn., as he kicked off his presentation on crew management. Since studies show the performance of the crew is responsible for 80 percent of a customer’s job satisfaction, crew performance should be a continual focus.
Rod Menzel is the founder and co-owner of GreatWay Roofing Inc. in Moorpark, Calif. After attending the Best of Success conference in 2007, he implemented several ideas that revolutionized his business, and this year he shared his experience with Best of Success attendees in a session titled “Rebranding: Expect a Great Experience.”
T.J. Daniels, President, Bright Roofing & Restoration, and Linda Daniels, Past President of the Metropolitan Detroit Building Superintendents Association, are not only a dynamic married couple but they also know the dynamics of managing properties.
Rooftop solar systems are garnering increased attention of late, and they are becoming less pie-in-the-sky and more mainstream in the public consciousness. Recognizing this trend and determined to stay on the leading edge of this potentially market-altering development is Michael Jacobazzi, who is convinced of the potential of photovoltaic (PV) systems.
They run their own business, and while they do not have employees, Berle and Kay Blehm have a highly sought-after commodity when it comes to the needs of the roofing contractor: they invent safety tools.
Attendees and sponsors hailed the 5th Best of Success conference as the best one yet. It also was the largest one to date, as a record-setting 225 attendees gathered at the Music City Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. on Sept. 21-22 to focus on improving their businesses.
Building owners and facility managers are now, more than ever, looking for ways to cut costs and save money. However, if they are taking an “out of sight, out of mind” approach to roof maintenance, they could miss an excellent opportunity to ensure one of their largest investments provides long-term dividends.
Hang around roofing contractors long enough and eventually you will come to understand the value in education. Education never really goes out of fashion in the roofing business. Today’s roofing contractors are faced with a mountain of educational needs.
If you are serious about building and running a service department that is a profit center for your company and not merely a necessary evil to support your installation work, there are business tools you can use to help ensure your success.
My clients often engage my services to write copy for their brochures and Web sites. Most contractors believe they are promising a customer-driven experience. This was the case with one client who I had to challenge on that belief. I noted that the webspeak of his Internet site told a very different story. “Webspeak” is the language and implied message of your Web site.
Even without a recession, running a business can be an endless battle and constant firefight. I wish I had a crystal ball and could tell you everything is going to be OK. Unfortunately, no one can predict the future. I do know that groaning and moaning about the economy is not going to help you.
In 2001, backed by the National Academy of Sciences research report, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Assistant Secretary Charles Jeffress stated to Congress that implementation of the recently passed Ergonomics Standard would prevent over 460,000 serious workplace injures and save the nation’s employers $9 billion each year.
A bizarre incident occurred near my community last winter that holds lessons for everyone in the business world. A suburban commuter train filled with hundreds of passengers during the morning rush was delayed for almost two hours while local police searched for a man aboard with a gun.
All of us have watched as the government has budgeted over $2 trillion to banks, insurance companies, federal and state governments, and struggling auto manufactures. Ever wonder where all this money is going or coming from? Of course, we will never see any “bailout” money gifted to support our small businesses, which drive job creation and pay the taxes to support the overall government and the economy. So what are small business owners to do?
Wintac is the all-in-one business management software for roofing contractors that combines the functionality of several programs in one easy-to-use, integrated system.
Digital Facilities Corporation (DFC) offers building management software, including RoofPro - a professional asset management program that features an organized database system, roof maintenance program, report generators, and roof condition rating system.
DEWALT launched its new line of heavy-duty one-half inch corded hammer drills (DWD525K and DWD520K) that feature a high-performance 10-amp motor, a mode collar adjustment, and a new mid-handle grip design on the DWD525K.
The Bosch PS70 is the lightest (3 pounds) and most compact (10 inches long) powered metal shear in its class, which translates to phenomenal maneuverability on the jobsite.
Custom Curb Flashings from Firestone are available in four designs for a variety of curb sizes, including four individual corners (four field welds), two-piece curb (two field welds), one piece split (one field weld) and one piece (no field welds).
Fiberglas Reinforced Felt Underlayment provides an extra layer of protection beneath the shingles to help prevent wind-driven rain from reaching the roof deck.
VELUX America Inc. introduces a totally redesigned skylight product line which will be shown for the first time at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas in January 2010. Major upgrades include advanced energy efficient glass and added protection against water penetration.
RooferPro is on online management tool designed especially for roofing contractors. It also enables bids for siding, windows, solar, skylights and any other additional services that contractors want to offer.
Tally Systems offers plan takeoff software for both digital and paper blueprints. Measure directly from plans provided on CD or downloaded from the Internet.
Garland Energy Systems Inc. recently released “Powering your Future,” a brochure quantifying the benefits of solar energy solutions that can be incorporated into new or existing commercial structures.
The Hilti TE 30 Rotary Hammer offers outstanding balance, ergonomic design and a perfect power-to-weight ratio of 850 watts to a weight close to 9 pounds.
ConTracker E Z is software designed to help low and steep slope roofing, and specialty contractors quickly estimate projects, accurately, with little typing, in an organized system.
Roofing professionals participating in the 2010 International Roofing Expo are encouraged to arrive in New Orleans a day early and roll up their sleeves to give back to the New Orleans community.
Roofing professionals looking for customized educational sessions to make their roofing business more competitive, productive and profitable should plan to attend the 2010 International Roofing Expo, Feb. 22-24, in the D & E Halls at the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La.
Two continuing education courses offered by Sika Sarnafil have been approved by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and are now certified to fulfill the AIA’s new Sustainable Design continuing education requirements.
The Dow Chemical Company introduced its DOW POWERHOUSE Solar Shingles, photovoltaic solar panels in the form of solar shingles that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials.
Englert Inc., a producer of rainware and metal roofing products and accessories, and Dawn Solar Systems Inc., a developer and manufacturer of solar thermal systems for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial structures, announced that Englert has become a stocking authorized distributor of Dawn Solar’s systems with installation and service being provided by a network of authorized Englert solar thermal installers.
The 19th annual METALCON International took place Oct. 6-8, and the conference and exhibition drew more than 5,600 architects, building owners, contractors, engineers, and municipal decision makers from 50 different countries to the Tampa Convention Center.
Allied Building Products Corp., a subsidiary of Oldcastle, Inc., the North American arm of CRH plc, and one of America’s largest distributors of residential and commercial roofing, siding, waterproofing and interior products, announced the expansion of its exterior products division through the opening of its two new Connecticut branch locations.
The Florida Roofing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association announced that the name of its official publication, the Florida Forum Magazine, will change on January 2010 to Roofing Florida, A publication of the FRSA – Florida ’s Association of Roofing Professionals.
