Indianapolis, IN May 2, 2013 – When North American Roofing, one of the largest commercial and industrial roofing companies in the United States, exhibits at the annual BOMA Indianapolis Trade Show next week, it will be a homecoming of sorts.
North American Roofing, which has been in continuous operation since 1979 and has installed and serviced more than 950 million square feet of roofing on more than 19,500 facilities across the country, had its humble beginnings in the Indianapolis area.
Founder Carl Verble located to Indianapolis after college. After a stint with RCA, he made a career change that began in residential construction, which led to commercial strip centers. On projects in Florida he began experimenting with materials other than asphalt and gravel – then the materials of choice – due to premature cracking from the extreme heat. With EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) liners, Carl found the roof seams could go together more easily and the material was well-suited for roof repairs. Plus, this was the 1970s, when oil embargoes tightened gasoline supplies and refineries changed formulations for asphalt. Though Carlisle was already installing EPDM in the mid-70s, it was under Carl’s guidance and experience that convinced Firestone (now Firestone Building Products) to join in the EPDM business.
“The early experimental work with EPDM and the partnership with Firestone grew the business quickly,” Brian Verble, third generation CEO of the company said. “They began roofing education through the International Council of Shopping Centers and that led them to nationwide expansion.”
Today, North American Roofing and Firestone Building Products continue their successful generations-long relationship, with North American Roofing most recently honored with the prestigious Firestone Building Product’s Master Contractor Award, the third year in a row. Only 100 contractors qualified and received recognition in 2013.
Brian’s father, C. Michael, relocated the national headquarters to Asheville, NC, in 1993. But, he didn’t have to go it alone: Fifteen to 20 families made the move with Verble, according to Brian, who was 27 at the time. “That’s a testament to both granddad and my father, and it shows just how deep North American Roofing’s roots are with Indianapolis,” Brian said.