Roofing contractors have relied on their manufacturing partners for training and guidance for decades. But in recent years, improved training initiatives have also taken on important roles in retaining roofing crews while recruiting new employees to join them on the rooftop. 

RC Publisher Jill Bloom recently asked Chuck Chapman, President, Tecta America, Arizona, and member of the Western Roofing Contractors Association Hall of Fame about what distributors need to know about working with roofing contractors. 

In his experience, Chapman said it comes down to relationships with local distributors and reliability when contractors get in a bind.

“Local distribution is really the lifeline for you, the local contractor,” Chapman said. “You really need to have that partnership with local distributors because, quite frankly, when you need a bucket of screws or caulk, or a shovel… on a Saturday, you need that local support.”