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improvementprofessional
can be. Let me tell you a little about myself,
and the mission and vision
by which we do things at SMS.
I got my start in the roofing
business in my native New Zealand, the birthplace
of stone-coated steel roofing, at the age of 17,
so you could say metal roofing's in my blood.
From New Zealand, I went to
Australia, where I spent seven years introducing
metal roofing technology, and furthering my management
experience. In the late 70s, I was asked by the
original manufacturer to relocate and introduce
their products.to the United States.
During this time, I broadened
my sheetmetal skills and gained invaluable knowledge
on all aspects of specialized commercial sheet-metal
work, custom copper work, and standing seam roofing.
We did everything from custom copper range hoods
in kitchens to metal wall caps on top of high
rise buildings.
Relocated
to San Jose and the newly-formed Cal-Pac Roofing
Company. Within the first two months, I was given
a share of company ownership and became Production
Manager. Within 18 months I built the organization
up to over 20 crews, installing stone-coated steel
roofing. Cal-Pac Roofing had branches throughout
California, and in the early 80's Cal-Pac was
actually on the Fortune 500 list of fastest
growing companies. Cal-Pac Roofing became the
most well known roofing company in California
with our Silicon Valley branch often completing
30 to 40 steel roofs a week.
In 1993,
I took over the distribution operation for the
stone-coated steel products for Northern California.
In the same year, while on a trip home to New
Zealand, I came across The
Sun Tunnel — a flexible tubular skylight
— and bought it back to the States. I secured
the exclusive rights for the entire North and
South America and the Sun Tunnel skylight quickly
became a household name.
The Sun
Tunnel business was acquired by VELUX (the largest
skylight company in the world) in 2002 with sales
in the millions. During the same time period,
I also developed the solar-powered Fan-Attic
for venting residential attic spaces. The
Fan-Attic won "Best of Show"at the
International Builders Show in 1999 and is still
growing in popularity today.
After
all this, I discovered that I'm still a roofer
at heart. Frustrated by the lack of quality, specialized
metal roofing contractors in Northern California,
I made the decision to get back in to residential
roofing, and capitalize on all that I've learned
as a roofer and entrepreneur on both sides of
the Pacific Rim. I resigned from the distribution
business and reactivated both my roofing and sheetmetal licenses.
Once again, I get to enjoy bringing the benefits
of steel roofing and custom sheetmetal work to
consumers around the bay area.
Specialty
Metal Services is a new and old company wrapped
up in one package. To be successful, any business
has to constantly change and innovate to meet
the needs of its customers and take advantage
of new technology. Specialty Metal Services' combination
of experience and value make it a choice that's
hard to beat.
Again,
thank you for visiting. We look forward to working
with you.
Graeme Blackburn
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