As 2025 comes to a close, McElroy Metal takes a moment to say thank you — to our loyal partners, dedicated contractors, architects, and the employee-owners who make it all possible. In this special year-end episode, we reflect on project highlights, milestones, and the power of collaboration that continues to shape the metal roofing and building products industry.
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Notable Quotes
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Credit Department Representative: "I want to say thank you to the other departments that we work with. You guys make it easy, communicate well, and respect our decisions. Even though it's not always the answer that you want, you understand it's our job to protect McElroy Metal."
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Employee-Owner on ESOP Culture: "Being an owner in the company has kind of completely changed my mindset of how I work at McElroy. I'm not just thinking about my department, I'm thinking about everything going on within the company, because I want the company to be as strong and as profitable and as valuable as possible."
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Sales Representative on Customer Relationships: "Relationships are very important to me, so I thoroughly enjoy meeting with our customer base and potential new customers with our sales team, to work on solutions and be a value-add to them."
What You'll Learn
- How McElroy Metal's credit department balances customer service with protecting company interests
- The importance of interdepartmental communication and mutual respect in a manufacturing organization
- How employee ownership through ESOP changes individual perspectives on company-wide success
- McElroy Metal's growth plans for 2026 include new Metal-Mart locations and service centers
- The role that relationship-building plays in metal construction sales and customer retention
- Why a culture of gratitude strengthens both internal teams and external customer partnerships
Key Timestamps
[0:00] Introduction to the Building with Metal Podcast, presented by McElroy Metal
[0:30] Credit department representative expresses gratitude to customers, interdepartmental colleagues, and credit team members
[1:15] Reflection on successful 2025 and anticipation for 2026 initiatives
[1:45] Sales representative discusses excitement for customer visits and relationship-building in Region 541
[2:30] Houston plant representative thanks customers and shares growth expectations for 2026
[3:00] Overview of McElroy Metal expansion plans including Metal-Marts and service centers
[3:30] Regional representative thanks customers for support throughout 2025
[4:00] Employee-owner discusses how ESOP participation transformed their approach to work and company success
[4:45] Brief reflection on improved retirement outlook through employee ownership
[5:00] Episode closing and invitation to subscribe
Mentioned Resources
Episode Deep Dive
McElroy Metal Team Shares Gratitude and Vision for 2026
As 2025 draws to a close, the McElroy Metal family is taking a moment to reflect on a year of growth, partnership, and shared success. In a special holiday episode of the Building with Metal Podcast, team members from across the organization came together to express their appreciation for customers, colleagues, and the unique culture that makes McElroy Metal more than just a manufacturer.
The episode opens with a heartfelt message from the credit department, setting the tone for an episode centered on gratitude and forward momentum. "First, I just want to say thank you to all our customers," the representative shared. "It's because of you guys we have a job to come to, and we're able to provide for our families." This sentiment echoed throughout the episode, as team members acknowledged that customer loyalty forms the foundation of everything the company accomplishes.
What stood out in the credit department's message was the emphasis on interdepartmental collaboration. In many organizations, the credit department can find itself at odds with sales teams eager to close deals. At McElroy Metal, the dynamic appears notably different. "You guys make it easy, you guys communicate well, and you guys respect our decisions," the credit representative noted. "Even though it's not always the answer that you want, you understand it's our job to protect McElroy Metal." This mutual respect between departments suggests a corporate culture where long-term stability takes precedence over short-term gains.
The focus on relationships extended beyond internal operations to customer interactions. One sales representative spoke passionately about plans for the coming year, particularly the opportunity to spend more time with customers in Region 541. "Relationships are very important to me, so I thoroughly enjoy meeting with our customer base and potential new customers with our sales team, to work on solutions and be a value-add to them," they explained. In an industry where technical specifications and pricing often dominate conversations, this commitment to personal connection and problem-solving partnership distinguishes companies that earn lasting loyalty.
Representatives from the Houston plant shared their optimism for expanding the customer base in the coming year, while others outlined concrete growth initiatives. McElroy Metal has ambitious plans for 2026 that include opening additional Metal-Mart locations and service centers to better serve contractors and building owners across their market territories.
Perhaps the most compelling perspective came from an employee-owner reflecting on how participation in McElroy Metal's ESOP has transformed their approach to work. "Being an owner in the company has kind of completely changed my mindset of how I work at McElroy," they explained. Rather than focusing narrowly on departmental responsibilities, ownership creates a broader awareness of company-wide success. "I'm not just thinking about my department, I'm not just thinking about the things that I directly impact, I'm thinking about everything going on within the company, because I want the company to be as strong and as profitable and as valuable as possible."
This ownership mentality represents more than a financial arrangement. It creates alignment between individual success and organizational health that benefits everyone from front-line employees to customers who receive more attentive service. When asked about the tangible results, one employee-owner offered a simple but telling observation about their retirement outlook looking considerably better.
The episode closed with sincere commitments to customer care in the year ahead. "We try to be here for you and do a great job for you and everything, and you guys continue to support us and are always here, and we will continue to take care of you in 2026," one representative promised. In an industry built on long-term building performance and contractor relationships that span decades, these are more than holiday pleasantries. They represent the ongoing commitment that has built McElroy Metal's reputation in the metal roofing and siding industry.
As the metal construction industry looks toward 2026, McElroy Metal enters the new year with a clear vision for growth, a culture of employee ownership that drives engagement and accountability, and most importantly, deep appreciation for the customers and partners who make it all possible.
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