This Distributor Grew from One State to National Prominence in a Matter of Years

By Karen L. Edwards, RCS Editor.

Founded at the height of the 2008 Great Recession, this company has thrived in the roofing industry.

The Great Recession was a period of economic downturn that lasted from 2007 – 2009, devastating the financial markets and the banking and real estate industries. New homebuilding ground to a halt and building owners put off roof replacements. It was perhaps the worst time to start a new business, but that is exactly what SRS Distribution, Inc. did.

Established in February of 2008, in the midst of the recession, SRS was formed to acquire the assets of Florida-based Suncoast Roofers Supply and its eight branches. By June of the same year, the company announced it was acquiring Southern Shingles, which had one location in Dallas, Texas and is now up to 39 branches across the state. 

The acquisitions continued throughout 2008 with the addition of Wilson Wholesale in the Chicago area, Rowe Supply in Savannah, Georgia followed by Stoneway Roofing Supply, a well-known supplier in the Pacific Northwest, making SRS a coast-to-coast distributor in a matter of months.

Continued growth

The company survived the Great Recession and twelve years later, according to their website, they continue to grow through their strategy of acquiring the “roofing distribution industry's most operationally sound companies as well as the opening of strategically positioned new locations.”

Their vision, as stated by the company’s executive chairman of the board, Ron Ross, is "…to form the strongest national network of independent roofing distributors with the industry's most talented team of people working together to deliver the industry's best products and service."

A strong culture for contractor success

Many companies that find the success and growth that SRS Distribution has experienced tend to struggle to retain their identity and culture. That is not the case with SRS Distribution. SRS focuses all efforts on creating success for contractors, while building and retaining the most engaged team in the industry. This is demonstrated every day through their mission to “Make Money, Have Fun, and Give Back.” We previously shared how the team at SRS is always exploring opportunities and initiatives that will help contractors find success.

In the spirit of creating success for contractors while Giving Back, SRS is helping contractors give a $250 Amazon gift card to first responder homeowners as a thank you for their service through their “One Family, One Fight” promotion.

Committed to giving back

In 2012, the management team at SRS founded the SRS Raise the Roof Foundation to give back to the communities where their team members live and work through supporting programs for veterans, disaster relief and community needs. The company says, “As one of the largest roofing distributors in the United States, SRS Distribution takes our responsibility of being a good corporate citizen to heart.”

A few years ago, SRS began holding a fundraiser concert in conjunction with the International Roofing Expo. CEO Dan Tinker recently shared with RoofersCoffeeShop® the plans for the 2021 concert event that will feature Darius Rucker and Little Big Town. Dan explained in a recent Roofing Road Trips with Heidi podcast that all proceeds from the 2021 event will benefit National Women in Roofing, the Roofing Alliance and the SRS Raise the Roof Foundation. “As we considered what to do during COVID and the racial tensions in our nation, we knew we had to move forward and do something big to bring our industry together. This is going to be an amazing event and all money raised goes directly to NWIR, Roofing Alliance and the SRS Raise the Roof Foundation,” explained Tinker.

Learn more about SRS Distribution in their RoofersCoffeeShop Directory.