Conestoga Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd.
Celebrating 25 Years of Excellence

Conestoga Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd. marked a milestone in 2007. That year marked the company’s silver anniversary of providing excellence to the roofing industry.

Established during a recession in May 1982, reaching this auspicious occasion has been a testament to the company’s perseverance and determination to meet the challenges in a competitive industry. By 1983, Conestoga rooted in a strategic location along the 401 corridor that has ensured its ability to access its market efficiently and effectively.

Conestoga Roofing is an industrial and commercial flat roofing company. Its main focus is on roof replacements, repairs and maintenance, however new roof installations are also part of the company’s repertoire. Being proudly Canadian, Conestoga’s company logo and its vehicles all display the ‘mighty’ maple leaf.

“In an economy where some people are chasing price and not looking at quality, it can sometimes be very challenging to be competitive,” said Conestoga President, Dave Walden. “However, from the smallest service job to a recently-completed project spanning over 13 acres of roofing, Conestoga Roofing has not been willing to compromise on quality.”

The company bases its success on a “hands-on” management style. As a service-based organization, it is critical to take ownership for the work it completes. According to Walden, “We want quality work all the time and we stand behind our work.”

“Our employees are the company because we are in a service industry,” he said. “If your men aren’t doing a good job or they don’t take pride in their work, our customers suffer and, in turn, the entire company suffers. It’s as simple as that.”

Walden said that he has “fired” foremen for quality issues as “sloppy workmanship” is not tolerated at Conestoga.

“We expect the job to be done right because you’re only as good as your worst job,” he said. “Anyone can sell a roof or make a promise to a customer, but that’s not why we are here.”

The entire staff at Conestoga ensures that it provides customers with the solutions they require. Clients can be confident in the company’s knowledge and experience. From the initial meeting to the installation of a quality product to the assurance that the firm will stand behind its work and take ownership for any problems encountered, Conestoga is there to support its customers.

According to Walden, Conestoga employees have the experience and know-how to find the most difficult leaks. The strict adherence to quality workmanship obliges employees to critically assess their ability to provide the customer with a fair job for a fair price.
 

Fully-mechanized and operating with a full compliment of equipment – including a roll-off disposal system, odorless kettles, roof conveyors and power equipment – Conestoga has managed to stay on the forefront of technology and offer its customers superior service. Additionally, computerized systems and familiarity with day-to-day requirements make it possible to determine production, scheduling, material delivery and co-ordination of projects. Conestoga also keeps complete and detailed job histories with roof CAD drawings and digital photographs.

As the industry evolves and new legislation comes into play, Conestoga believes that constant training is mandatory. First Aid, safety, transportation of dangerous goods, WHMIS and individual product training are all critical elements in maintaining the level of service and expertise required in order to be competitive. As well, the popularity of “Green” roofing has also challenged the company to remain current and up-to-date in staff training programs.

Presently, many trades are suffering from a lack of skilled workers. The roofing industry is no different. Conestoga has been diligent in working toward a solution, and has been promoting the industry and training of good, qualified people to young people.

With the Ontario government’s recognition of the roofing industry as a trade, school initiatives have been gaining momentum. As such, the company has been part of the Skills Trade Career Days for the past five years. Recently, Conestoga established an annual scholarship for two students who have excelled at school and are entering a post secondary construction trade.

A commitment to giving something back to the industry has always been a priority to Walden. He has been president of the Ontario Industrial Roofing Contractors Association (OIRCA) and a director of the association for many years. Walden is currently the chairman of the OIRCA Technical Committee and has sat on this committee for over 30 years. As well, he is in his second year as the Ontario representative for the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association’s (CRCA) Technical Committee.

As the past president of the Grand Valley Construction Association and a current director, Walden continues to lobby for staff training and encourages Gold Seal Certification by the Canadian Construction Association. He is also a member of the Fast Forward Program in high schools which was established with the local board of education. This program encourages students to look at an apprenticeship or trade as a viable education option.

“It’s obvious that (Conestoga Roofing) believes it is important to make the industry better,” Walden said. “The dividends paid by this kind of thinking go far beyond monetary.”

The company has been honoured with numerous awards for service excellence and safety. It is a two-time winner of the Roofing Contractor Building Excellence Award by the Grand Valley Construction Association; recipient of the Roofing Contractor of the Year Award by the OIRCA; Small Business of the Year Award from the Waterloo Region Business Achievement and are most notably proud to have won the Business Integrity Award from the Better Business Bureau of Mid-Western Ontario. Additionally, Conestoga has received several Performance Index Awards by the Construction Safety Association and recently completed its fourth year in the Regional Safety Group. In working with other construction related industries, Conestoga establishes and maintains policies and procedures in order to make safe work sites and safe work practices a priority.

A driving will, and a commitment to quality and integrity have helped build Conestoga Roofing into the industry leader it is today. The company’s success can be summed up in a simple quote heard many times over the past 25 years – “We don’t want to be the biggest, we want to be the best.”

For more information, contact Conestoga Roofing & Sheet Metal Ltd. at (519) 623-7411, Toll Free: 1-888-518-7663, Fax: (519) 621-0139, e-mail: or visit the company’s web site at www.conestogaroofing.com.