b'designed to shift foremens perspectives from serving asEvangel University, Bill Beal Co. and the Springfield roofing installation managers to company leaders. The sixCardinals.areas emphasized are general education, roofing technology,People tend to have their construction/business practices, leadership, safety and training others. cars looked at frequently, It fits right in to what were trying to do here, Stock saysbut once the roof is on, of the $4,000 program. We see long-term value in that.Reputation matters they tend to ignore it,Stock has seen it all in the industry. He began working forLarry StockQCR as a laborer in 1979 and bought the business 20 yearsQueen City Roofinglater.When he started, there were no computers, no faxRevenue trajectorymachines and only a handful of roofing systems on theWhile 2015 revenue was up 7.5 percent on paper, QCR market. Now, theres of upwards of 100 systems, with suchofficials say the year was within striking distance of the names as thermoplastic membrane, synthetic rubber andcompanys record $8.9 million in 2012 sales. Of course, modified bitumen. that was the year following Joplins tornado, and QCR was With industry advancements in materials and technologieschosen for work on Mercys temporary hospital, on top of has come a change in reputation. the uptick in rebuilding jobs.There has been a movement to try to upgrade theWork in 2013 dipped by a double-digit percentage to professionalism in roofing companies, says Stock, who hasmore normal levels. Weve been trending up in 14 and aligned his company with a half-dozen construction trade15, Stock says.associations. You used to say, Im just a roofer. Today, itsOn the repair side, Stock says the company last year more complicated. Were in business to help people solveperformed over $1 million in reroofing projects on work problems. that wasnt even 3 years old. He says thats a caution to the The new complexities factor in to increasing employmentindustry and to consumers.Queen City Roofing &interests. The BLSThere are no barriers to entry in the roofing business. A Contracting Co. projects 13 percentlot of people are hit and run, if you will, Stock says. That Owner: Larry Stock growth in roofingresults in a bad deal for a potential client.Founded: 1930 jobs by 2024, aStock says repairs are due to poor design, aging, standing faster pace than thewater or infiltration and other issues with windows or walls. Address: 3131 W. Chestnutaverage industry.He says it just takes a watchful eye to catch problems before Expressway, Springfield, MO 65802 For jobs thatits too late.Phone: (417) 869-7202 require no formalPeople tend to have their cars looked at frequently, but Fax: (417) 865-2973 education andonce the roof is on, they tend to ignore it, he saysWeb: QCRoofing.com moderate on-the-Email: lstock@qcroofing.com job training, the Services/Products: Commercialmedian annual pay was $35,760 last roofing and repair year.2015 Revenue: $8 million QCR General Employees: 40 Manager Michael Katrosh says project work is a 60-40 split between new construction and roofing repairs.Projects range from a $5,000 flashing repair to a $2 million metal panel new construction. Of the 75 jobs completed last year, QCR finished with $8 million in revenue, including sheet metal division work.Two large jobs on the outskirts of its 90-mile coverage area wrapped up in Kansas and Arkansas. QCR crews installed the membrane roofing, sheet metal and exterior metal panel on the Pittsburg State University performing arts center andSteve Arnold, sheet metal superintendent, finished work on Fayetteville High School that was phasedshears material for projects in the over three years. companys 90-mile coverage area.That was a unique project, Katrosh says. Theyve kindSBJ photo by WES HAMILTONof rebuilt the entire campus. Reprinted with permission,Springfield Business JournalAround town, QCR has covered buildings for 3M,visit: sbj.netwww.mrca.orgMidwest Roofer 17'