Four decades of culture

By Dani Sheehan. 

BITEC’s people-first culture has shaped its growth, strengthened contractor relationships and positioned the company for the future. 

For many manufacturers, longevity is measured in product lines or market share. But in roofing, companies that remain trusted for decades are often built on a strong culture. In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with BITEC® leaders David Allen, Joel Shealey and Shane Millwood to discuss the company’s 40-year history, future growth and the values that continue to shape how they operate. 

Building a culture that grows with the company 

BITEC’s culture directly influences how the company invests in its employees, adapts to change and builds lasting contractor relationships. Shane pointed to people as the foundation of BITEC’s future growth: “I believe that if we align people’s gifts with our business plan in the right way, what we see today is just the beginning of what BITEC can be.” 

Rather than framing BITEC’s anniversary as a finish line, Shane described it as the next stage of growth. Maintaining the momentum requires building teams that can evolve alongside the industry in the same way that product lines grow. As roofing manufacturers continue facing workforce shortages and increasing operational demands, attracting and retaining the right people is one of the industry’s biggest challenges. For BITEC, culture is the strategy that ties these efforts together. Shane added, “I think inside the business itself, [culture] is at the top of the list of importance.” 

Shane also emphasized that BITEC’s culture is not something recently developed, but he instead credited the company’s original leadership with establishing principles that continue guiding the organization today. David reinforced that the culture really hasn’t changed significantly: “And I harp on that. That’s a very important part, that sets us apart and makes us unique.” 

Sustaining a company across four decades requires creating an environment where employees, leaders and customers understand what the company stands for regardless of how the market changes around them. David explained BITEC’s philosophy around hiring, saying, “You have to hire and bring into your organization people who are like-minded, humble... they want to work, they want to build themselves, their characters, their career.” BITEC prioritizes employees who can grow within the company and contribute to its long-term vision. 

Turning company culture into contractor confidence 

This hiring mindset directly influences how BITEC approaches contractor relationships. David described the company as “customer oriented and driven,” emphasizing the importance of building “consistent, long-term business.” Culture becomes part of the customer experience itself, helping to establish trust and reliability that keeps contractors coming back. 

As BITEC has continued evolving its products, technology and operations, company leaders have recognized that maintaining culture also requires adaptability. Joel explained that growth has pushed the organization to refine processes and empower employees to solve problems more effectively. Reflecting on one of BITEC’s busiest production periods, he shared that what once felt chaotic became manageable through intentional operational changes and employee development. “We managed to adapt and grow with our growth,” Joel said. “It lets us find the best in our people as well.” 

The company’s ability to evolve without losing identity is what makes a 40-year milestone even more significant. Many manufacturers quickly point to product innovation or market expansion, but BITEC’s leadership repeatedly returns to the same foundation: people. Whether discussing hiring, mentoring, customer relationships or operational improvements, BITEC consistently reinforces the idea that culture is what allows the company to sustain growth across generations of leadership and changing industry demands. 

BITEC’s story offers a reminder that strong business relationships are built on consistency, trust and the people behind the work. As the company looks toward its next chapter, its leaders made it clear that culture will continue driving both innovation and relationships for years to come. 

Listen to the full episode to hear more about BITEC’s 40-year journey, the evolution of its product lines and where the company is heading next.