Just think of Clint Tackitt as a 21st century pioneer.
Tackitt, CEO of Allied Roofing Systems LLC, moved to Springfield from Seattle in 2000, staking his green claim in the Ozarks as one of the first local roofing companies to emphasize environmentally friendly and recycled roofing materials.
“Seattle is probably one of the most green places on the planet, and when I moved, I maintained that level of awareness,” Tackitt says. “We introduced recycled products in insulation that were standard on the West Coast but yet unheard of here.”
Seattle may have been ahead of the Ozarks in terms of green building, but Tackitt says he was drawn to the place where he vacationed as a child because of what the southwest Missouri region has to offer.
“I wanted a life that didn’t involve gunfire and traffic jams,” he says.
The move has proved beneficial for Tackitt and his company, which reported 2010 revenues of $6.05 million, up 42 percent from 2008.
Though he says the company has grown steadily even in a tough economy that hit construction hard, Tackitt notes another challenge his company must overcome is convincing homeowners and decision makers on commercial projects that green doesn’t always mean more expensive.
“Many products that we have will actually reduce the total building costs,” he says. “When people see that they can have higher quality at a lower cost, they’re thrilled to have it.”
Depending on what type of roof and insulation a customer wants, they may be able to save 25 percent to 30 percent in new material costs, as well as another 5 percent to 20 percent on utility bills, if they look at sustainable options, which may rule out total roof replacement, Tackitt says.
For example, if a customer has a rusty metal roof that may need replaced, a new roof could cost as much as $11 a square foot, while low-volatile organic compound refinishing costs $3 a square foot and comes with a 25 year warranty. The low-VOC finish helps the environment, and refinishing versus replacing keeps waste out of landfills.
Much of Tackitt’s time is spent educating his customers about products such as white membrane roofing – made primarily from recycled products – and solar reflective roofs.
That focus on education has helped Allied Roofing become a front-runner in the green movement, says Dan Piddington, vice president of D.J. Roofing Supply Inc., of which Allied is a customer
“I think embracing the green concept in its youth has given him an advantage,” Piddington says. “He also does a very good job of teaching property owners and architects about what is out there.”
Recent projects include Green Circle Shopping Center, a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-Platinum certified shopping center. Tackitt is now working on a green vegetative roof, complete with live plants.
Tackitt’s approach has paid off with repeat business for his company and its staff, which includes two Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-accredited salespeople.
“Ninety percent of all of our business now is repeat customers,” Tackitt says. “We were lucky enough to have people give us a chance, and reputation is everything in the Ozarks. If you do a good job and do what you promise, word gets around.”
As a result, Allied is actually in hiring mode. Tackitt hopes to add about a dozen employees to his 68-member staff, and he expects 2011 revenues to exceed $8 million.
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