DOT Metals Continues a Tradition of Excellence

By Heidi J. Ellsworth, RCS Partner.

Employees believe in the highest customer service experience.

For more than 50 years, DOT Metals products have been trusted for quality and tested for strength.  Well known for the strength of their metal products, the company is also known for a strong and thriving employee culture.  Since the company’s foundation in 1958, DOT Metal Products has grown into a leading manufacturer of metal building products with driven leadership that believes in a company culture of excellence in customer service. 

In 1997, Gibraltar Industries acquired the company, uniting the quality product line of DOT Metal Products with the nationally respected brand name of Gibraltar.  As a member of the Gibraltar Industries family, DOT Metals is part of a network of sister manufacturers from across the country.  With the support and backing of the Gibraltar Building Accessories Division, DOT Metals remains the name that contractors can trust for quality metal building products.

Their mission statement is to be the market leader in roofing accessories while creating a diversified product offering for the residential and commercial construction contractor.  They are committed to offering unsurpassed delivery, service, and quality, backed by integrity, innovation, and operational excellence.  These core values shine in the quality of the leadership within DOT Metals.  When interviewed this is what four DOT employees had to say about their company.

Diana Pearson a Customer Service team member at DOT shared that her favorite part of working at DOT is being a part of an organization where you are not just a single employee but an extension of something much bigger than yourself.  “It is an organization that runs on a system where we are all very dependent on one another and it very quickly begins to feel like family,” stated Pearson.  “Therefore, systematically when we accomplish our daily goals we do so as a team.  And this is my favorite part of working at DOT.”

Matt Kuttel agrees that it is the cohesiveness of the team at DOT that is special.  “It is a long tenured group of employees who work well together to ensure customer satisfaction,” commented Kuttel.  “Also, as Purchasing Manager, I enjoy the strong relationships we have with our numerous suppliers, which also helps us meet our customer’s expectations.”

James Lea, Manufacturing Engineer at DOT Metals is proud of the excellence of the company.  “Providing solutions for customer needs by quoting parts, determining best manufacturing methods, and assisting with machine design and troubleshooting in the facility is the best part of my job and of working at DOT.” 

That was echoed by Carmen Rivera, Customer Service Manager, at DOT Metals who loves being able to talk to customers, both wholesale and retail, in different areas of the region while assisting them complete their projects and in turn help their customers.

When asked “What is your best customer story?” Pearson shared, “My personal belief is the customer service experience is highlighted more so by what happens in the groundwork of making a satisfied customer.  And that story begins with every essential employee here at DOT, from the production floor who has worked tirelessly in making each product, to the warehouse team who works on getting the product to each customer in a timely manner.  There are so many other important team members that work on the same goal to bring the customer DOT’s best every time we deliver.”   

Rivera’s best customer story is similar, “I was able to assist with a delivery to meet a customer’s deadline to finish a large apartment complex.  We had to order the items from our sister company to ship direct for the contractors to install and meet the inspection deadlines.  Together we did it.”

“I’m going to say in general our ability to assist customers in the challenging environment that has been the year 2020,” continued Kuttel.  “We have seen unprecedented challenges on numerous fronts, and as a result demands have been difficult to forecast for both our customers and the company.  But the DOT team has worked hard to rise to the 2020 challenges while supporting our customers.”

The importance of taking care of the customers long-term as a team resonates in the DOT culture along with manufacturing high-performance building products that last.  Lea shared his favorite story around this goal, “I spoke with a customer from Louisiana who wanted a metal roof. I inquired how long he would need the panels. He replied, “For a long time I am building a barn!”

These four DOT team members are excited about the future.  “This year DOT Metal Products was hit with many challenges, but through it all, we overcame.  The future of DOT is thriving, and I am happy to be a part of this successful organization,” concluded Pearson. 

James Lea agrees, “Personally, I have experienced 29 years of company growth from a company which was started in 1958 by the farmer across the creek.  Today it has become a leader in the market and is being traded on the NASDAQ.  That is exciting.”

Rivera and Kuttel are both excited about continued company growth with a .com expansion and new customer initiatives for both wholesale and retail DOT customers.

DOT Metals’ strong focus on excellence means their customers can expect unsurpassed delivery and service of superior products every time they call.  Producing over 3,000 galvanized, steel and aluminum building components while specializing in metal roofing, ventilation, trims, flashings, steel framing, storm panel systems, corner bead and drywall accessories enables them to meet the growing needs of customers.  As noted by DOT employees the fact that every product is precision engineered and manufactured to the highest standards is a point of pride.  They will continue to deliver the customer services and strong relations that match the great durability and structural integrity of their metal products.

Learn more about Construction Solutions in their RoofersCoffeeShop Directory or visit their website at www.gibraltarbuildingproducts.com.