A journey to revolutionize roofing safety

By Jesse Sanchez.

A groundbreaking innovation ensures roofers come home safe every day.

Roofing safety is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of the construction industry. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Karen Edwards sits down with Brandon Strawder, CEO of Strawder Family Innovations, to discuss how The RIDGEPRO, a steep-slope roofing safety device, is transforming the landscape of workplace safety for roofers worldwide.

“My father was a roofer for many years and had a near miss when he was getting a little bit older... Fortunately [he] caught himself, but we realized that that incident could have ended in tragedy,” Brandon shared. This close call became the catalyst for the development of The RIDGEPRO. Combining his father’s decades of roofing experience, his brother’s engineering expertise and his own business acumen, the family created an adjustable roof anchor aimed at keeping roofers safe on steep pitches.

What began as a solution for a personal safety concern has since evolved into a globally recognized product, now used in the U.S., Canada, Europe and beyond. Remarking about the unpredictable nature of roofing work and the vital need for reliable safety solutions, Brandon stated, “Just getting involved in the industry really opened our eyes and gave us a real purpose to try and do something about all the people who are out there working on these dangerous, dangerous jobs to provide good service and put out a good product.”  

Brandon also addressed a cultural shift in the industry: the challenge of breaking away from the “this is how it’s always been done” mentality. “We refuse to acknowledge a roofer as a professional unless they’re using safety equipment,” he declared, encouraging the industry to take a stand while working with OSHA on any required testing to ensure they provide the best possible product. He stressed that safety is not just a personal responsibility but a professional standard that protects workers, businesses and homeowners alike.

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about The RIDEPRO’s origins and impact and explore how one family’s dedication to safety is shaping the future of the roofing industry.