Setting a Standard
Leaders in roofing technology embark on journey to standardize aspects of different technology platforms entering the industry
Standards and codes are a way of life for roofing contractors in any market. Missing big on either category and the results — and penalties — could be catastrophic, not just for a single project, but possibly the entire company. So, it’s understandable that many roofers consider municipal codes and industry standards a potential nemesis, an obstacle to profitability and peace of mind.
But the attitudes toward standardized codes and technology in the roofing space are shifting, as they should be. Contractors are constantly looking for new tools and techniques to make crews more efficient, workflow more seamless and collecting less of a headache. In recent years, the marketplace has flooded with innovations and opportunities that show much promise but can still be costly to implement and apply.
The recent infusion has prompted some roofing contractors to make systemic changes to improve how they do business. But many aren’t ready to embrace it yet or don’t recognize when and how to approach it correctly. Members of the Roofing Technology Think Tank, or RT3, are out to change that.
Formed in 2017 by a group of progressive roofing professionals focused on technology solutions for the industry, the group meets regularly, exploring innovations and brainstorming ideas that could bring substantive, positive change. In March, the group's most recent meeting was hosted at the new SRS Distribution headquarters in McKinney, Texas, a day before the 2023 International Roofing Expo. A few dozen roofing professionals representing companies and organizations across the trade toured the new facility. Members met with company leaders driving the technology side of the growing business and gained a new appreciation for what’s ahead for the industry.
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EDITOR'S
Art
AISNER
Members of RT3 gathered at SRS Distribution's headquarters. SRS President Dan Tinker spoke with RT3 about the latest in roofing technology.
“Each year, multiple industry-leading associations and manufacturers show up in Washington, D.C., to help protect and enhance all our businesses.”
The new four-story facility is home to the company’s IT network, which is growing in capability and importance as SRS continues to expand and where innovation is actively underway. From their multi-screened, collaborative cubicle clusters, software engineers are developing new capabilities for the Roof Hub platform while improving SRS’ overall digital infrastructure. Not far from their workstations is a secured innovation lab, where a handful of research projects focusing on worker safety and inventory security are underway.
“We are leaning in on talent and we are leaning in on technology,” SRS President and CEO Dan Tinker told the group. “We are certainly a company that is forward-thinking on where we want to take the industry. We don’t have to hide all our technology, or hide the neat things we’re working on.”
That became the perfect backdrop for the RT3 group discussion and brainstorming on defining roofing technology standards. The goal is to help create resources and a process for roofing contractors to benchmark their progress on implementing technology and better evaluate their needs for incorporating more.
The journey is just getting underway and will continue at the next RT3 meeting this spring at the Oracle Industry Lab just outside of Chicago.
“May we understand the art of possible,” said Anna Anderson, CEO of Art Unlimited and former RT3 board member. “Through this exercise we strive to expand our perspective to imagine new innovation and technology that fuels the future.”
Like Anna, I can’t wait to see what’s next.
Art Aisner
Editor-in-Chief
Roofing Contractor/
Roofing Supply Pro
