Sealing in Sustainability for the Roofing Industry

By Dani Sheehan. 

From research and manufacturing to the marketing and selling of their products, Franklin International is committed to green initiatives.  

Darci Kunard, national accounts manager at Franklin International, is passionate about caulks and sealants. In season five, episode 25 of Roofing Road Trips, Heidi J. Ellsworth joins her once again to share Franklin International’s commitment to green products. Throughout their discussion, they evaluate the production process for chemicals and hypothesize about improving the roofing industry’s commitment to the environment. 

Even though it’s been a buzz word for years, the commitment to providing products with little to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a recent push in the industry. Many companies are moving toward products that are low in VOCs, but Darci says Franklin International is also committed to research and development that ensures their products stand out for sustainability and high performance. Contractors can weave a story of sustainability into their pitches without worrying about the quality of the product suffering for it. From the roofing material itself, whether it’s shingles, tile or something else, down to the sealants, caulking and insulation, customers can rest assured that their roof won’t harm their family or the environment, and it will also retain its longevity and durability.  

From a business standpoint, Darci mentions, “I think that that’s a really good way to be able to incorporate what products you’re using to differentiate your business.” You wouldn’t want to be stuck with harmful and smelly products on your own home remodel, so why would you want to put your customers at risk? By explaining which products you’re using ahead of time, homeowners can research the products themselves and see that they’re sustainable. Franklin International often provides materials at no cost so “that contractors can, when they’re presenting either their service or maintenance, or a bid, they can show [them] to that homeowner or business owner and say, ‘here’s part of our guarantee and some of the products we use, and we’re more than happy to provide those at no charge.’” 

Listen to the full conversation to hear more about Franklin International’s green product line and other tips for innovative sales approaches.