Helping independent contractors thrive on their own terms

By Emma Peterson. 

How FEI Group’s member-driven approach supports contractors in roofing, flooring, traffic safety and beyond. 

In a new episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Heidi J. Ellsworth spoke with Graham Howerton about his company – the FEI Group. Today, the FEI Group is known as “the strongest member-driven organization support[ing] the largest network of serious entrepreneurs, with operations across more than 200 markets.” But they weren’t always the powerhouse they are today.  

To understand the history of FEI Group, you have to understand the origin of the Exterior Contractors Alliance (ECA). Graham shared that story:  

The Exterior Contractors Alliance (ECA) is our roofing and exterior group. And it came into being back in 1997 when six of the largest independent flooring contractors in the country who served single-family new home construction came together and said, ‘Hey. A lot is happening around us. Our supply partners are consolidating; they're getting bigger. Let’s come together, start learning from each other and supporting each other.’  

From there, the idea grew and out of it came FEI as the umbrella organization overseeing the operations of market-specific groups like ECA. Graham explained, “FEI Group was founded in 1998. I joined just a few years after the foundation of the company was laid down, I'm now on my 23rd or 24th year here, and we are now the largest independent operating contractor group in the country.” 

And they’re not stopping where they are. FEI Group is continuing to grow and expand to help support independent contractors in all fields. Graham gave an example of how they are continuing to grow, sharing, “Our newest group is called Traffic Safety Solutions and encompasses the independent contractors who stripe our federal highways, who make our roads safer, who put up signage, who put up traffic lights, install all of those things.”  

All of this is done in the name of helping independent contractors and entrepreneurs thrive, no matter what industry they are in.  

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to learn about how FEI Group supports their members.