Here is the latest Contractor Corner interview with metal roofing and wall panel industry veteran Clyde Gillenwater, about his journey, business practices, and insights gained over decades of experience.
Can you tell us about your background and how you got into the metal roofing world?
I started by taking drafting in high school because I liked to design things. My first job was with a steel fabricator in Texarkana, where I worked for about five and a half years and became an engineering manager. After they went bankrupt, I moved to Nucor, which manufactured insulated metal wall panels. Through an old friend from school, I joined Corrugated Erectors Company, where I worked for several years.
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After a stint at Georgia Pacific as a design draftsman, I returned to Corrugated. In 1994, the owner, who was in poor health, gathered four principal players and encouraged us to start our own business. He offered to pay our salaries for a year while we finished his work, saying after that year, it was "sink or float." We started strong with two good postal service jobs in Topeka, Kansas, and that was the beginning of Corrugated Erectors, Inc.
What type of work does your company specialize in?
We operate in thirteen southern states, primarily doing government work, specifically military bases. We handle metal roofing, siding, and insulated metal wall panels. We do our shop drawings, estimating, and takeoffs. One key advantage is that we give manufacturers a purchase order with a cut list – they manufacture precisely what we tell them and send it to the job site.
How has the industry changed since COVID?
Things have become more challenging. Finding skilled people takes a lot of work. Many competent general contractors, superintendents, and people who know how to schedule work have either retired or gone by the wayside. The new generation needs at least five years of field experience before managing from behind a desk. While larger companies have training programs, many contractors still need to, which makes job completion more challenging.
What types of projects do you typically work on?
It varies by period. Sometimes, we do all standing seam metal roofing; sometimes, it mixes standing metal roofing and insulated metal wall panels. Right now, we have six contracts that are all metal wall panels. Most of our work is on military bases, where architects design elaborate buildings that only military personnel will see.
Are there common myths or misconceptions about metal roofs?
People often blame the product when they have issues with a metal roof, but I always tell them that all metal roofs are virtually the same – the only difference is the installer. You won't get a good metal roofing job if you don't have a good installer. Most sites require certifications, and while manufacturers like McElroy have excellent training schools, you still need competent people in the field to ensure proper installation.
How can people adequately be educated about metal roof installation?
Any owner or architect should do their due diligence by verifying contractor certifications. It's as simple as calling the manufacturer and asking about the contractor's history, experience, and callback rate.
What makes your company stand out in the industry?
While we're not the cheapest option, we have high-quality workers. Our metal roofing and insulated wall panel installations rarely leak. We've built a strong reputation for our work. In perspective, we've probably installed about 400,000 square feet of roofing, and in 20 years, we've only had one callback.
What advice would you give to someone starting in this business?
They need to work for somebody else first and learn all aspects of the business. You must be well-rounded in submittals, cost accounting, project management, and purchasing. You need education in several areas before venturing out on your own. Understanding all the parts and pieces that go into running a successful operation is crucial.
Listen to the episode with Corrugated Erectors on our podcast here.
About McElroy Metal
Since 1963, McElroy Metal has served the construction industry with quality products and excellent customer service. The employee-owned components manufacturer is headquartered in Bossier City, La., and has 14 manufacturing facilities across the United States. Quality, service and performance have been the cornerstone of McElroy Metal’s business philosophy and have contributed to the success of the company through the years. As a preferred service provider, these values will continue to be at the forefront of McElroy Metal’s model along with a strong focus on the customer.
Topics: Contractor Corner
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