Strategic Partnerships Podcast

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

Owens Corning shares the importance of developing partnerships with suppliers and how they can help differentiate your company.

For almost 25 years, Jon Gardner has been in the roofing industry and hasn’t looked back.  He proudly explains, “Once you’re in the industry, you’re always in the industry.”  He has worked with Owens Corning® Roofing for nearly 10 years where he is currently the National Training Leader.  Jon sat down with Dave Sullivan, host of The Roofer Show, to have a conversation about the importance of developing partnerships with your suppliers to help your business stand out.

The “biggest benefit for a contractor is helping them to differentiate themselves and leverage the manufacturer’s brand recognition to help build trust in the brand,” Jon reveals.  Owens Corning Roofing, a major manufacturer, has been in business for over 75 years and they’re a Fortune 500 company.  Partnering with a company like that, who wants to serve their customers and has years of experience and expertise proves your own company is trustworthy.”  

Having a partner who has invested time to help contractors communicate effectively and help homeowners understand a roofing system is extremely beneficial. This is especially true for homeowners who might not comprehend the complexity of roofing systems or may have been misled in the past.  Having that training and those resources at your disposal help to differentiate your company because it proves to the homeowner that you care, and you’re experienced.   

These partnerships can help with your brand awareness too.  The Owens Corning logo is easily recognizable by people of all ages.  When they see the Pink Panther™, it can be the “...tipping point in terms of making a decision for someone to work on your roof,” Jon shares.  People recognize the Pink Panther, know they can trust the company behind the logo, and therefore trust you and your services.

Besides building trust, suppliers have access to other programs and benefits that might otherwise be unavailable to your company.  “Contractors in the Owens Corning Roofing Network can provide a variety of enhanced warranties that extend the coverage period...,” Jon explains.  They also offer a training program for field workers and launched Owens Corning University on demand, allowing contractors and their employees to continue learning and training at their convenience.  Having access to these opportunities sets you apart from other companies that don’t provide similar services.

Partnerships provide businesses with tools they don’t already have.  And in a competitive marketplace, it’s important for contractors to differentiate their business.  Suppliers like Owens Corning are dedicated to helping their contractors do just that while also helping them build their businesses.  These partnerships benefit your company, your employees, and your clients.  

Listen to the podcast to hear more about the benefits your company can gain from partnering with suppliers.  Check out the RoofersCoffeeShop® podcast page for even more.