How innovation, service and performance come together

By Dani Sheehan. 

The right products help contractors manage risk, stay efficient and deliver roofs that last. 

Innovation is a word that gets used a lot in the roofing industry. New products, new systems and new performance claims are constantly entering the market. But for contractors, innovation matters most on the roof, under real conditions and within the constraints of a busy job site. In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Derrick Hutchinson of USG explained that true innovation is about delivering products that balance performance, efficiency and reliability in a way that supports you well after installation is complete. 

Innovation shaped by the jobsite 

One of the biggest challenges in product development is managing competing priorities. Contractors want materials that are lighter and easier to install, but not at the expense of durability. They want efficiency, but not if it introduces risk. Derrick described how USG approaches that balance. They engineer solutions that ensure gains in efficiency don’t come at the cost of long-term reliability. Products like Securock® roof boards are designed to maintain high performance ratings while improving handling and installation efficiency on the jobsite. 

The most effective products are shaped by the people using them every day. “What is the roofing ecosystem... How are we taking that feedback in and saying, this is what the industry really wants,” Derrick emphasized. That includes contractors, consultants and building owners, all of whom bring different priorities to the table. By gathering and applying that feedback, manufacturers can create solutions that reflect real-world challenges instead of forcing contractors to adapt to the product.  

Even the best product, however, fails the contractor if it isn’t available when it’s needed. Derrick explained that it’s because of this that USG believes customer service and delivery are as critical as innovation. “When a contractor calls and says, ‘Hey, I need this product on this day,’ we’re making sure that we can deliver that product on that date,” he shared. We already work in an industry where labor is tight and schedules are packed, meaning a delayed shipment has the potential to disrupt an entire pipeline of work. Knowing they have a partner who will deliver on time is critical for crews to increase productivity and keep their projects on track. 

Long-term benefits of innovation 

USG’s approach to innovation also reflects a practical view of sustainability. Derrick shared, “If we can continue to provide a roof system that will last longer because it’s more durable, that’s less wasteful.” Longer-lasting systems reduce the frequency of tear-offs, minimize material waste and lower the overall environmental impact of a building over time. There are also operational benefits, from transporting more product per load to reducing the number or replacements needed throughout a roof’s lifecycle. 

As roofing systems become more complex and expectations continue to rise, the role of manufacturers is evolving. It’s no longer enough to simply provide a good product. Contractors need partners who understand the pressures they face and design solutions accordingly. Derrick summed it up this way: “Our company will continue to innovate in this industry, making sure that we can deliver a product that customers can trust, it’s consistent, it’s efficient for contractors and it contributes to an overall system that will last much longer.” Through its Securock® roof board portfolio, USG continues to focus on that balance, helping contractors install with confidence today while delivering performance that holds up over time.  

Listen to the full podcast episode to learn more about how innovation, performance and partnership are shaping the future of roofing.