All Under One Roof: Collaborative Partnerships Between Suppliers and Roofing Contractors

By Adam Cabrera. 

In the rapidly evolving world of roofing, staying ahead of the curve with the latest techniques and technologies is crucial for contractors.  

Companies like Polyglass are playing a critical role in educating, offering support and training for those in the field. During a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips, host Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Jimmy Akins, national technical services and warranty manager at Polyglass, to discuss this dynamic partnership between suppliers and contractors. 

With over 23 years at Polyglass, Jimmy has been a key figure in the company's expansion from two manufacturing plants to four asphalt plants and two coating facilities. He shared insights into the growth of the business, supported by strong leadership, strategic initiatives and a keen focus on technical support and training. 

"The support is there to help set a standard for the contractor. It's an attainable standard, one where they continue to work on their practice, their applications," Jimmy said. 

At the heart of Polyglass's efforts is Polyschool, a hands-on educational program that equips contractors with the know-how to work with various roofing products and applications. From torch-down membranes to coatings, Polyschool aims to maintain a high level of expertise among contractors, ensuring product quality, reducing callbacks and fostering long-term relationships with customers.  

The program also aids in employee retention and minimizes liability for contractors, contributing to the overall success of the industry. “It's frontline risk management, if you will. You're reducing the liability for the contractor, you're supporting them because you're helping them understand what they want to do,” Jimmy explains. 

He also underscored the importance of collaboration in the roofing industry and the importance of relationships with manufacturer representatives. “At the end of the day, no matter what name is on the front of the shirt,” Jimmy says. “It is kind of a family, and everybody takes care of each other.” Strategic partnership between suppliers like Polyglass and contractors creates a community where knowledge is shared, quality is prioritized, and the success of one is seen as the success of all. 

Listen to the full Roofing Road Trips episode to learn more about what Polyglass is doing to provide support to contractors in the field.