Rising to the occasion – the importance of low-slope training for contractors

By Anna Lockhart.  

Training programs provide confidence for both up-and-coming contractors and those who are looking to refresh their product and technology knowledge. 

In a recent episode of the Roofing Road Trips podcast, host Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Kyle Stavish and Chris Kuykendall of Mule-Hide Products to discuss the importance of participating in training programs such as the Roofing Installation and Systems Education (RISE), one of the company’s coatings training programs. 

Undergoing proper training is crucial for roofing contractors in making sure that they know how to do their job safely and correctly. Kyle shared that while Mule-Hide is a low-slope manufacturer, the brand’s big claim to fame is the training opportunities they offer their customers. He explained that one of the major goals of the company is to help their customers grow and learn the art and trade of the low-slope industry, and through these training courses, they’re accomplishing that.  

Through their training program, Mule-Hide is able to not only educate participants once, but they’re forming a relationship that lasts a lifetime. “It’s a continuing education thing,” Kyle explained, elaborating that they want to bring those same people in again and again as new products, technologies and methods enter the market.  

From the seeing the contractors going through the program, Chris shared that the increase in their confidence afterwards is noticeable. “When you're trying to grow your business, especially in an economy like ours it's daunting... I think a lot of the success that we have is, in some ways, functioning as sort of a coach, and a cheerleader and a trainer, and all of that at the same time for contractors that are trying to take this big step in the evolution of their companies.” 

Chris added that being a leader in providing low-slope contractors with the knowledge and confidence to do their jobs has been rewarding. He shared, “It's not uncommon for us to hear, ‘Mule-Hide helped us get started in low slope.’ We take a lot of pride in that. You were faced with this growth opportunity, and you had someone that was there with you to guide you through it.” 

Read the transcript or Listen to the episode to learn more about Mule-Hide's training programs.