Independent reps are the matchmakers of roofing

By Emma Peterson.

Learn how you can get connected to the manufacturers and the support you need to succeed in the industry.  

One of the best parts about attending a roofing expo or conference is walking the trade show floor. We love to see all the different products and solutions that are on display, and of course to catch up with old friends and make new ones! In September, The Coffee Shops™ crew got to attend the Roofing Contract Association of Texas (RCAT) show in Dallas, Texas. While there, we ran into Nate Drees and Oscar Martinez from Roofing Solutions Corp, which is an independent representative firm for many companies, including KARNAK.  

Oscar explained a bit about what their role as independent reps means, sharing, “We go out to meet the contractors, the people who are actually going to use our products, and meet the distributors, and make the partnership. I like to think of us as matchmakers.” When a contractor is looking for a product or a resource, they can reach out to these independent reps to get information about what and where they should buy.  

One of the things they frequently recommend to contractors in the coatings world is KARNAK. Nate explained, “Why Karnak? It's because of the customer service and the ease of their website. You go to their website, you want to pick what the substrate is and what you're going to use, and everything's given to you in a very simple form.”  

In addition to this base level of customer service, KARNAK also has infrastructure for training, specifically from John Doan in the Texas area, if your crew needs help. Oscar shared some of what he has heard from contractors using KARNAK in the field, saying, “Houston contractors love KARANAK products. A lot of times it's the representation, like, ‘You're always there for me. You're always picking up my phone calls. I love using KARNAK because they're so simple to use. You describe the systems for us, and you help us with material takeoffs.’ And they live by KARNAK.”

Watch the rest of the interview to learn more about KARNAK and the roles of independent reps in the industry!