By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter. 

In honor of Women's History Month, we celebrate some women-led businesses in the roofing.

Roofing is an overwhelmingly male occupation. Whether contractor or crew, the majority of workers are typically men. The U.S. Department of Labor considers roofing a male-dominated profession, but that doesn’t mean women in roofing are unicorns. Take Marianne Sumter, owner of Wil-Mar Products, as proof of how women are not only present in the roofing industry, but are essential to its success.  

With a desire to continue her husband’s legacy, Marianne became the owner of Wil-Mar Products, stepping into a leadership role in a male-dominated industry. And she has successfully led the company with strength and expertise. To this day, Marianne continues to provide excellent customer service, meet the demands of the industry and develop lasting relationships with women. 

And there are even more stories of women revolutionizing the roofing industry. Women now fill positions ranging from roofing, marketing and sales to consulting, manufacturing and research. Female professionals are also stepping into leadership roles at roofing manufacturing companies and starting their own roofing companies. Read on as we highlight women leading the roofing industry! 

Ethelmae Humphreys has been a trailblazer for women in roofing since the 1940s. She had just graduated from high school in 1944 and her parents moved to Joplin, Missouri to start TAMKO Building Products. Ethelmae headed to college at the University of Kansas, earning a bachelor's degree in liberal arts. Upon graduation it became clear that her father’s failing health meant he would need assistance running the company, so she came home and helped out, and was named the executive vice president of TAMKO. Together with her husband, she grew the company into one of the largest privately owned roofing manufacturers in the country. After her husband’s death in 1993, she took over as CEO until her son took on the role of president and CEO the following year. 

Associations 

Plenty of roofing associations pride themselves on being women-led or having women in high-ranking positions. The Roofing Alliance, celebrating 25 years as the foundation of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), has appointed Alison LaValley as the new executive director and recently has made Kelly Van Winkle the first female vice president. 

Additionally, Lisa Pate serves as the executive director of the Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA), Tracey Prociw is the executive director and board secretary of The Roofing Contractors Association of Washington (RCAW) and Suzie Boyd is the current president of the Colorado Roofing Association (CRA). With female leadership, these associations have prospered and grown; these women have paved the path to a better roofing industry.  

Plus, there are plenty of women in roofing who hold leadership positions. Johns Manville is proudly led by a team of women who represent their Roofing Systems Leadership, including: Director of Human Resources Brandi Duncan, Director of Product Management and Marketing Jennifer Ford-Smith, Owner Services Leader Mandy Schweitzer, Director of Commercial Services and SIOP Tesha Kroll and Director of Technology Zebonie Sukle. 

Many women have started their own businesses in the industry too. Art Unlimited is a women-owned business, with the second-generation leadership of Anna Anderson and Elizabeth Chapman taking the company’s digital and marketing expertise to a national stage. 

RoofersCoffeeShop® is women owned and led too! Established in 2002 by Vickie Sharples, the Coffee Shop is “where the industry meets.” Heidi J. Ellsworth became a partner in the company with Vickie in 2015 and today the RCS crew is led by Heidi, who also has her own marketing and consulting business, HJE Consulting.  

RCS COO Karen L. Edwards has helped Heidi grow the website and push boundaries in this male-dominated industry that is slow to change. She is also the Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3)’s communications and engagement leader and owns her own marketing and sales company, Casimir Group. Studies show that women who support other women are more successful. Research conducted by Harvard Business Review found that having a network of close female contacts helps females land executive positions.  

According to Forbes, these inner circles provide necessary support and recommendations when their peers are faced with challenges and cultural bias, especially in male-dominated industries like roofing. As the president of RoofersCoffeeShop, Heidi has exceled in empowering other women to be successful within the roofing industry, fostering employees at all levels within the company to build a strong network that is both diverse and supportive of all people, brining then into the trades for an opportunity of a great career. 

Furthermore, organizations like National Women in Roofing, of which Heidi is a founder, are providing opportunities and support for women in the roofing industry. Today, with the efforts of many in the roofing industry, NWIR has created a new understanding, interest and demand for diversity. Women are more prevalent than ever in the field and at trade shows, meetings and board meetings. Through mentoring, education and networking, women have more support than ever to find a rewarding career in this industry.   

There is more than enough space on the roof for women in this industry. With so many female role models and female-led roofing initiatives, the future of roofing looks female! 

Stay up to date with the latest roofing industry news when you sign up for the RCS Week in Roofing e-news.

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter.  

Why your logo is an important part of what your company tells its customers. 

While a logo might seem small in the grand scheme of everything else going on with your company, it is the single-most definitive way consumers are going to connect with your brand. Your logo, after all, appears on everything — your website, your business card, promotional items, and most importantly your customer’s mind. 

A vital part of building your company and your brand is building a logo. A good logo will illustrate everything you are as a company, as it will be reflected on everything you create. The logo is an important representation of who you are as a company, brand, and what you can offer your clientele.  

Consider ICP’s new logo for example, which communicates their guiding principles of connections that endure by using their name to complete a square. Through this rebranding ICP clearly articulates their relationships with their customers, their logo cleanly communicates the company’s future under a strong, unified visual identity. 

Successful branding is about telling a story that your customers can emotionally tap into. Consider Wil-Mar's logo, which is made up of a combination of the owner's first initials; their history and legacy of the business is told through this logo. W.R. “Bill” Merrin started Wil-Mar Products in 1990, named after the first half of his name combined with the first half of his wife's. Sadly, in 1995, Bill passed away as his products were beginning to take off. His wife Marianne took over the business and continues to run it today. Their logo embodies their story and drives home their commitment to being a family run business built on providing a unique product solution.  

Another great example is SOPREMA’s logo of the mammoth, which not only reminds customers of the strength and longevity of their products but harkens to the history of the company. The name of the first membrane created by their founder, Charles Geisen, was the MAMMOUTH. 

A logo can also represent commitment to the customer. It says that you plan to be around a long time. Companies like Sherwin-Williams have used the same logo for over a hundred years. In doing so, they invite customers to remember their history of reliability and quality. 

Conclusion 

Fantastic logos create a staying impression from their very first interaction with potential customers. It not only provides the brand with a distinguished identity, it evokes positive emotions, tells a story, and depicts the core values of the company at a glance.  

A logo is important because it tells your customers everything they need to know about your company without you saying a word. A logo establishes a connection formed  between the customer and the company, becoming a symbol of success that customers will look for in the future, augmenting brand loyalty and overall helping grow a business. 

Stay up to date with the latest roofing industry news when you sign up for the RCS Week in Roofing e-news.

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

An innovative pipe collar that is easy to install and prevents leaks. 

Since its inception in 1990, Wil-Mar Products Inc. has been satisfying customers with their top-of-the-line products. One of their most unique and popular products is the Pipe Collar, a permanent weathertight vent pipe counter flashing.  

The Pipe Collar is made from an EPDM rubber that meets ASTM D-2000 standards. This means that it is resistant to high and low temperatures, sunlight, oil and ozone. More importantly, the way the pipe collar is designed eliminates any need for mastic, taping and caulking in the installation process. 

The collar’s unique design makes it easy to slide down any type of pipe. Whether it’s copper or plastic, it will stay attached to the collar and the seal stays weatherproof. The pipe collar is not attached to the flashing, so it won’t get worn out or pull the flashing away from the roof. And if you aren’t sure if you want to buy it right away, RoofersCoffeeShop can send you a sample product to try before you buy! 

Wil-Mar's Pipe Collar can be used on both pitched and flat roof systems. It’s available in sizes ¾'’, 1’’, 1 ½'’, 2’’, 3’’ and 4’’. Watch this helpful video to learn how to properly install the pipe collar:

Visit the product page for more information about the Wil-Mar Pipe Collar and other products! 

Learn more about Wil-Mar Products in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.wilmarproducts.com.  

About Wil-Mar Products 

For over 32 years, Wil-Mar Products, Inc. has been providing three unique products, the Pipe Collar, the Roofer’s Saw and the Solar and Equipment Mounting System, to meet the needs of roofing and solar contractors. They offer sustainable roofing solutions that meet the needs of the roofing industry and can provide personalized services to any interested contractor. Wil-Mar is dedicated to enabling roofing contractors to perform at the highest level with their job-enhancing products.

By Evelyn Witterholt, RCS Reporter. 

The direct order feature on Wil-Mar Products’ website makes ordering easy and user friendly! 

Wil-Mar Products Inc. has been offering unique products for roofing contractors for over 30 years. Now, it’s easier than ever to order products like The Pipe Collar on their website with their direct order feature! 

This feature can be found easily on the front page of the website (pictured above) and by hitting the button in the top right corner. With the press of a button, you can place an order for their famous Roofers’ Saw or their solar and equipment mounting system.   

The direct order feature is great for contractors who cannot find a distributor of Wil-Mar Products in their area. Just fill out the order form with your name, contact information, address and the products you want, and you’re done! 

If you’d rather fax them the order form, they have that option as well! Just print out the order form and fax it to: 408-516-9713. They do require all payments to be done through PayPal or by Advance Check. All the prepaid invoices include the UPS shipping charge as well. 

Once the order has been reviewed, you will receive a confirmation email and a payment receipt from PayPal. After they receive confirmation of your processed payment, they will ship your material straight to you!  

If you have any questions about the products, you can either read their product brochures or email any questions you have to sales@wilmarproducts.com. 

Try out their direct order feature here today! 

Learn more about Wil-Mar Products in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.wilmarproducts.com.  

About Wil-Mar Products: 

For over 28 years, Wil-Mar Products, Inc. has been providing three unique products, the Pipe Collar, the Roofer’s Saw and the Solar and Equipment Mounting System, to meet the needs of roofing and solar contractors. They offer sustainable roofing solutions that meet the needs of the roofing industry and can provide personalized services to any interested contractor. Wil-Mar is dedicated to enabling roofing contractors to perform at the highest level with their job-enhancing products.

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter. 

These mounts are versatile, easy to install and strong enough to use without a sleeper.  

Demand for solar energy has been steadily increasing over the years, with interest in solar installations jumping to 21% in the first few months of 2020, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BloombergNEF) research. The buzz doesn’t stop there though, contractors are starting to realize the opportunity solar energy presents to them to diversify business and bring in new revenue.  

Following the success of the Wilmar Pipe Collar, W. R. “Bill” Merrin saw the benefits of solar and worked with Michael Steele to develop their patented Equipment and Solar Mounting System.  

The system consists of two parts: an equipment channel and the deck mount. The equipment channel is available in with either a fixed and adjustable channel and the deck mount comes in a flat or pitched version. The pitched mount can also be special ordered for any pitch of roof. 

This system installs easily on flat or pitched roofs of all material types and eliminates the need for sleepers directly on the roof. Designed to be used for either residential or commercial applications, this system was designed to be strong, water-tight and save time and money on installation.  

Your customers will love this less expensive option to mount a solar PV system by retrofitting of a solar panel system on an existing pitched roof. This mounting system can also be used for Swamp Coolers, HVAC, Wind/View screens, walkways, signs and decks.  

 Bill was also known for inventing other smart rooftop solutions, try a Pipe Collar for free! 

Learn more about Wil-Mar Products in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.wilmarproducts.com. 

About Wil-Mar Products:

For over 28 years, Wil-Mar Products, Inc. has been providing three unique products, the Pipe Collar, the Roofer’s Saw and the Solar and Equipment Mounting System, to meet the needs of roofing and solar contractors. They offer sustainable roofing solutions that meet the needs of the roofing industry and can provide personalized services to any interested contractor. Wil-Mar is dedicated to enabling roofing contractors to perform at the highest level with their job-enhancing products.

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter. 

Experts say that bringing your dog to work is good for almost everyone, here is why your co-workers are pro-puppy. 

It might sound like we are trying to trick you into letting your coworkers mooch off of that puppy love — and we totally are — but dogs in the workplace are actually proven to serve a positive purpose for the company.  

Dogs make everything better 

According to a May 2017 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, dogs in the workplace create more social support for employees and that feeling of being cared for,  which serves as “a key factor in whether people with serious mental illness return to work or remain employed.” 

Many studies conducted on the benefits of bringing your dog to work repeatedly find that bringing a dog to work boosts employee morale, which ultimately boosts the bottom line. A study conducted by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) found that dogs in the workplace helped reduce stress in their owners and made work more satisfying for other employees with whom the dogs came in contact. 

Another study by Nationwide Pet Insurance in partnership with the Human-Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) reinforces VCU’s findings: More than three times as many employees at pet-friendly workplaces report a positive working relationship with their boss and coworkers — significantly more than those in non-pet-friendly environments. 

Everyone wants to pet your dog 

Further, dogs in the workplace offer more opportunities for coworkers to interact in a positive way. Jennifer Fearing, the co-author of “Dogs at Work: A Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly Workplaces,” says that furry four-legged pals provide opportunities for collaboration across departments. “You discover, when walking across the office to pet a cute dog, cross-pollination between your work,” Jennifer told Time. “You really wouldn’t have had the idea to work together, but because you struck up a conversation about the dog, you discover an opportunity that produces some synergy that wouldn’t have otherwise existed.” 

Dog-friendly workplaces attract and retain top talent 

Studies find that Millennials and Generation Z value a pet-friendly work environment, and dog-friendly companies are more successful at attracting and retaining employees. Dog-friendly policies can be added to the list of workplace benefits made to attract and maintain talent.  

The above study found that dog-friendly environments not only attract people to your company, but that these employees are most likely to stay with your company long-term. The study finds that 90% of employees in pet-friendly workplaces feel highly connected to their company’s mission, are fully engaged with their work, and are willing to recommend their employer to others. In contrast, less than 65% of employees in non-pet-friendly workplaces made the same claims. 

Your dog wants to come to work 

Logistically, having a dog come to work with you keeps the dog happier too. Instead of being left alone all day, the dog can happily curl up at your feet.  

Wil-Mar has two office dogs, Morrie and Molly, who like to hang out in their office while their mom, Marianne Sumter, is busy at work. She writes, “We are Yorkshire Terriers, are 1 year old and love relaxing and being close to her!” If only these two lovable Yorkies could get it straight that pipe collars are different than those that take them on a walk! 

Plus, employees who bring their dog to work can regularly work longer hours and have less absent days because they don’t have to rush home to feed, walk or care for their pup. There is also a financial benefit for your employees, who can save money they would have otherwise spent on doggie daycare or dog walking services.  

Overall, there are many benefits to implementing a pro-pup policy for your office. Check out our photo contest of beloved roofing pets for more inspiration to let the dogs in. 

Stay up to date with the latest roofing industry news when you sign up for the RCS Week in Roofing e-news.

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter. 

Marrianne Sumter speaks about taking on the business of her late husband and how the empowerment from women in the industry granted her so much success. 

In this episode of Roofing Road Trips, RoofersCoffeeShop® Partner Heidi J. Ellsworth visits with the owner of Wil-Mar products Marianne Sumter, manufacturer of roofing accessory products including the Wil-Mar Pipe Collar. They discuss how to carry on a business after losing a partner and the importance of relationships in the roofing industry. 

Marianne got into the roofing business in 1995, following the death of her husband who was a roofing contractor with his own business. She made the decision to take over what he had started when his idea for Wil-Mar was only which was five years new. “There was a lot to do and learn, but it worked out really good,” said Marianne. “I had a lot of friends that were very helpful and helped me with a lot of things that got to be a bit overwhelming, because I had a lot of things to do as far as closing down the roofing company, and then getting really going with Wil-Mar.”  

Marianne gained a great deal of freedom enlisting a fulfillment company to handle her product, warehouse it and ship orders, but attributes most of her success to the importance of friends. She discusses meeting Vickie Sharples and starting a 25-year-long connection that has blossomed into a beautiful and supportive friendship that helped her nurture her business.  

The biggest piece of advice Marianne has for people joining the industry or finding themselves in her position is to “be open, and if you need some help, reach out to your friends. There's a lot of people that are willing to help you with whatever you might need.” At the end of the day, Marianne stresses that the industry is all about the relationship: “having a good comfortable conversation with people, and sometimes they like to open up and then you have the next thing you know, you got yourself a nice new friend, or somebody that's comfortable to talk to...really that's kind of where it's at.” 

Marianne finishes out the podcast with the story of how Wil-Mar's Pipe collar was invented by her late husband, Bill. “He knew that how they were flashing that pipe that came out the roof was not a good thing. It was with mastic and tape, and then it would deteriorate, and then they have to go back. They get leaks and whatever. So, he came up with this idea, and he started using it on his own roofs. And then, of course, he had contacts with roofing distributors that he had purchased roofing material from for his jobs, and he got some of them to carry his product. And it just went on from there.” says Marianne. “They're really important on the roof. I mean, they're a very simple part of the roof and not very costly. Go to RoofersCoffeeShop® and request a free sample. That's just the biggest thing, get yourself a free sample of this pipe collar from us, and then you'll have it in your hands, and you can see what it's all about.”  

Listen to the entire podcast to learn more about the Wil-Mar Pipe Collars and women supporting each other in the roofing industry. 

By Colin Sheehan, RCS Reporter.

You wouldn’t buy a car without a test drive, so why would you purchase a product without first seeing if it will meet your needs?

Most contractors will not purchase a product they’ve never used. Similarly, customers are drawn to products that offer a risk-free trial with an option to send it back if the product does not meet their needs.

Wil-Mar Products has been allowing contractors to test out the Pipe Collar for decades. RCS Influencer Mandy McIntyre said that her company, 1st Choice Roofing Company, decided to add the Wil-Mar Pipe Collar to all of their service trucks after trying out some free samples. They discovered that with the Pipe Collar they could turn a two-hour service visit into a 20-minute job.

“This is one of the reasons we spend time on RoofersCoffeeShop,” said Mandy in an article available on RoofersCoffeeShop®. “Manufacturers typically offer free samples of their products on the site and, like I said before, who doesn’t love free? Don’t just tell us how good the product is or how it will save time, show us.”

The Pipe Collar does just that. You can try one out for free and see for yourself why it has become such a popular product among roofing contractors all over the nation. By attaching the Pipe Collar to the pipe and not the roof flashing, you easily eliminate problems that arise when sealing a vent pipe to  flashing. With a Pipe Collar, there is no need for tape or mastic that will eventually wear out, break or pull the flashing from the roof, causing expensive roof leaks.

Try a Pipe Collar for free!

Learn more about Wil-Mar Products in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory or visit www.wilmarproducts.com.

About Wil-Mar Products:

For over 28 years, Wil-Mar Products, Inc. has been providing three unique products, the Pipe Collar, the Roofer’s Saw and the Solar and Equipment Mounting System, to meet the needs of roofing and solar contractors. They offer sustainable roofing solutions that meet the needs of the roofing industry and can provide personalized services to any interested contractor. Wil-Mar is dedicated to enabling roofing contractors to perform at the highest level with their job-enhancing products.

By Colin Sheehan, RCS Reporter.

You may have the brightest ideas and killer ambition, but do you know how to cultivate and maintain relationships?

Well-built relationships with customers, manufacturers, employees and business partners are essential for success. Like a personal relationship with a friend or relative, it is vital to develop and continuously nurture these business-related relationships over time.

Marianne Sumter, owner of Wil-Mar Products has excelled in the art of maintaining positive relationships. In a Roofing Road Trips podcast, Marianne talks about how her relationships with people has helped her sustain a successful business for more than 30 years.

“I find that having a good comfortable conversation with people is key,” said Marianne. “Sometimes they like to open up and then the next thing you know, you got yourself a nice new friend.”

Marianne and Heidi J. Ellsworth, RoofersCoffeeShop® partner, continued to discuss the influence of technology on sales and marketing and the negative implications they have on relationship building. COVID-19 has shifted how contractors interact with customers, which now takes place via phone call or through a virtual meeting platform. Regardless of how contractors and customers of manufacturers interact with customers, good relationship communication remains an essential element for all businesses.

“When I see somebody's name come up on my phone, that's calling me from ABC Supply or wherever they're calling from, and I know them, it just gives a little special spark to that phone call. And they love it also when you remember them, because I'm sure they talk to a lot of people. They're just an order giver and whatever. But I don't feel that way,” said Marianne.

A few key factors that help build positive relationships include:

• Use and remember names. Keep track of who’s who and write down the person’s name as well as their company or other significant descriptions that will help you remember them for future calls and meetings. 

• Connect on social media. Utilize platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook to stay in contact with distributors, customers and other professionals. This also allows you to review some information about a person before a meeting or call.

• Show your appreciation. Always thank your customers and make sure your manufacturers, distributors and employees know you appreciate their hard work and cooperation.

The most successful organizations know that having deep rooted relationships with customers, manufacturers, distributors, employees and anyone else creates long-term success. Great customer relationships garner client loyalty and positive word-of-mouth referrals. Excellent relationships with manufacturers and distributors ensure that the materials you use and the products or services you offer continue smoothly. All of this leads to increased sales and business expansion.

Learn more about Wil-Mar Products in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory.

By Colin Sheehan, RCS Reporter.

When the world changes, so do consumers. Keep your company flourishing by adopting these two business characteristics.

Only 15 years ago, people were sending emails on blackberries and wondering if they should allow their kids on a new internet site called YouTube. Five years later, in 2010, the iPad was introduced marking a quintessential shift in technology use, as people adopted emerging technologies for personal use faster than they did for business. Now, in 2020, the coronavirus has forced all businesses to adapt to virtual platforms and remote working styles, completely redirecting the evolutionary track of technology towards faster internet speeds and better personal tech for a future of virtual work.

Most roofing contractors were operating on an in-person basis prior to COVID-19 and had to adapt quickly to new methods. Here is how one manufacturer has adapted to withstand the test of time, staying relevant and understanding their customers’ needs.

1 – Be adaptable

Marianne Sumter, owner of Wil-Mar Products, has seen and withstood the drastic changes in technology since the company’s inception in 1990.

“When I was working on my other job at GE, we had just basically gotten computers given to us to use as a tool, and now look. Now we're Zooming and we're doing whatever we do. It's just crazy. So, you have to be open to whatever is out there and just work with it, because if you don't, they're going to pass you by,” said Marianne in a Roofing Road Trips podcast with RoofersCoffeeShop® (RCS) partner, Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Marianne emphasizes the importance of working with the change, rather than against it. Being adaptable simply means being open to different and unexpected solutions to workplace challenges. When you're thinking without limitations, challenges faced by the coronavirus or any other future obstacles become an opportunity to prove your own skills and develop new ones.

2 – Know your customers

Bill Merrin was the roofing contractor who started Wil-Mar Products with Marianne in 1990. During his time as a contractor, he realized contractors needed to be able to seal the vent pipe to a roof flashing to eliminate excess mastic and taping. He invented the Pipe Collar to provide weathertight vent pipe counter flashing that lasts the life of the roofing system. Bill, with co-designer Michael Steele, also developed the Solar Mounting System and the Roofers’ Saw before his untimely death in 1995.

Bill’s story emphasizes the importance of knowing your customers because he was his own customer and saw firsthand what roofing contractors needed to be more productive. The Pipe Collar, along with his other inventions, have stood the test of time because they were crafted to genuinely enhance the roofing industry and assist roofing contractors for years to come.

The undisputable fact is that consumer tendencies have changed and will continue to do so. For contractors looking to stay in business throughout it all, adaptability and customer knowledge become two foundational skills that serve to build and maintain a company.

Learn more about Wil-Mar Products in their RoofersCoffeeShop® Directory.