Nearly 100 big box home improvement retailers.  Seven other major roofing distributors.  A host of lumber yards.  To say that our Atlanta branch (#042) faces some stiff competition is an understatement.

Yet, the branch’s sales leapt 82 percent in 2008 and are on track to jump another 42 percent this year.  The secret?  High standards and an unrelenting drive to live up to them.

“There’s nothing we can’t do at this branch,” said Branch Manager and Managing Partner Jim Crew.  “We have extremely high standards and everyone understands them.  I think we have the most organized and best-looking facility in the region.  It’s the same with deliveries, operating procedures and everything else we do.  Everybody understands how things are to be done and then does it.”

The branch supplies the city’s roofing contractors, replacement contractors and builders with a full array of shingles, commercial roofing systems, tile roofing, metal roofing, vinyl siding, windows, doors and decking.

Having worked together for five years, the veteran team of 27 associates is a well-oiled machine.  Their “can-do” attitude was crucial in the aftermath of hail storms that hit the area in the springs of 2008 and 2009 and after floods washed through the area in September of this year.

“Storm business is totally different in terms of magnitude, flow and the crises you need to deal with every day,” Jim said.  “The key is your ability to handle those crises and turn them into good customer service.  We have a great team.  They all work together very well and all step up to get the job done.  Everyone understands what needs to be done and just makes it happen.”

“All issues are handled immediately around here,” he continued.  “Nothing is put off until it becomes a huge problem.  We decide what will be done, do it and move on to the next issue.” 

The aftermath of this fall’s flood is a prime example.  The nearby creek swelled from its normal three-foot depth to nearly 26 feet, leaving the branch’s eight delivery trucks nearly up to their grills in water.  The branch barely missed a beat.  In just day and a half, all of the trucks had been overhauled and cleaned and were back on the road. 

Logistical excellence and careful inventory management are also essential components of the branch’s customer service.

“The key is to keep product moving at all times,” Jim said.  “We have the best delivery system in town and we don’t bring in more product than we can ship.  That maximizes our productivity and ensures we have the products our customers need in stock.”

The branch is located at 5700 Tulane Drive SW.  Stop in or contact the team at (404) 699-6760.  For store hours and other information, [click here].