Russell Roofing celebrates 20 years in Oreland

Roofers come and roofers go, but for the past two decades, the Russell Roofing Co. has been a stable presence in Oreland, steadily expanding its customer base while racking up professional awards.

Founded in 1992, Russell is celebrating its 20th anniversary in business, which makes it, if not unique, then certainly notable, according to Ron Hall, the companys sales manager.

There are so many that fly under the radar and go in and out of business every day, Hall said June 13 at the companys main office on Pennsylvania Avenue. In our trade, theres a race to the bottom If youve got a truck and a ladder, you can call yourself a roofer.

The Russell in the companys title is Russell Kaller, who used his first name to distinguish himself from all the other Kallers in the business. His father ran a roofing company, and his seven brothers and one sister also work in the field.

Theyre competitors, Hall said.

But thats the way the business goes, he said. There are no roofing schools, and few ways to train except on the job, and so the necessary skills tend to run in families.

Your father is in the trade, and you dont have many options, Hall said.

With satellite offices in Wayne, Pa., and Princeton, N.J., Russell employs 50 workers. Emphasis is placed on worker safety, and the application process includes drug screening.

We want our guys going home to their families, Hall said. Nine out of 10 applicants dont make it through the interview process, and its usually [because of] the drug thing And they work for somebody else.

Business grows largely through word of mouth, Hall said, and in 2011, the company did about $7.5 million worth of business. About 80 percent of the work involves residences, but institutions provide the company with its most visible, challenging, and aesthetically satisfying projects. Continued...

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Russell Roofing celebrates 20 years in Oreland