A trusted roofing equipment provider supporting contractors with sales, rentals and roofing services across the Western states. 

The Coffee Shops™, the award-winning online communities where the industries meet for technologies, safety, information and education for the construction trades of roofing, metal, coatings and outdoor living, are pleased to welcome Steve Garlock Equipment into the community.  

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the company specializes in roofing equipment sales, rentals and quality customer service for contractors throughout Oregon, Washington and other Western states. With delivery along the Interstate 5 corridor and shipping extending into Alaska and Hawaii, the company supports both local and regional jobsite needs. Operations are designed to help contractors access reliable tools while minimizing downtime. The addition expands contractor access to dependable equipment resources within The Coffee Shops network. 

From this company, you can expect: 

• New and used roofing equipment sales 
• Short-term and long-term equipment rentals 
• Authorized Leister service and repairs 
• Generators, powered tear off tools and deck equipment 
• Contractor supplies and safety equipment 
• Responsive service and regional delivery support 

The Coffee Shops are proud to welcome Steve Garlock Equipment!

About Steve Garlock Equipment Inc. 

Steve Garlock Equipment Inc. opened as a roofing equipment specialist and has steadily expanded its reach across residential and commercial markets. The company is led by owner Katee Williams, who brings more than 25 years of roofing industry experience across distribution, operations and management. With locations in Portland, Oregon and Tukwila, Washington, the team emphasizes consistent service, strong customer relationships and practical equipment solutions. The company continues the service-focused standards established by founder Steve Garlock while supporting contractors across the West. 

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Leister showcases compact cordless heat welding technology designed to streamline repairs, demos and jobsite mobility.   

Leister is preparing to spotlight the NEXHEAT cordless welder during the International Roofing Expo (IRE). The compact unit stood out during hands-on evaluations for its familiar form factor and mobility advantages on active jobsites. Cordless operation supports service crews looking to shorten setup time, reduce equipment loads and move more safely across constrained rooftop conditions. 

Early impressions centered on familiarity and scale. Dave Lusk of Steve Garlock Equipment reflected on how quickly crews recognized the tool’s form. “The gun was very compact and that it looked like a cordless drill,” he noted. That resemblance helped shorten the learning curve, allowing users to focus on application rather than orientation during initial handling. 

Once in use, attention shifted to control and visibility. Dave shared, “I liked that the temperature dial and display screen is on top of the gun making it very easy to see what the temp is at all times.” Clear, constant feedback supports precision during repair welding where temperature accuracy matters. 

Performance quickly became the next point of comparison. Dave noted, “Our customers that have had similar products said that the Leister NEXHEAT put out more heat than other competitors,” setting expectations for output from a cordless platform. Practical advantages followed just as quickly. Dave added, “Unlike corded models, you do not have to cool the NEXHEAT down after use.” This upgrade removes a common delay between tasks. 

Consistency under demanding conditions also stood out during demonstrations. Dave explained that heat output remained steady throughout use. “Very consistent and customers are very impressed with how hot the NEXHEAT really gets,” he said. That reliability often surprised first-time users. “It is very deceiving by its size and I warn them don’t get too close and they immediately will pull back with a look of surprise.” 

Usability rounded out the experience. “Very easy. The battery switch out is the same as a Dewalt or Makita cordless drill,” Dave said. Battery changes require no additional tools or adapters. Extended operation was also addressed. “It does have a trigger lock and is very user friendly.” 

“The NEXHEAT is without a doubt a game changer,” Dave said. “This gun allows a repair guy to find a leak and fix quickly without bringing up a generator, cords or a hand welder up on the roof, saving time and labor.” 

Contractors can see the NEXHEAT in action and explore its repair-focused advantages during live demonstrations at IRE this year!

By Dani Sheehan. 

GAF recently hosted a hands-on training event offering attendees the opportunity to work with single-ply products and innovative equipment. 

The Coffee Shops™ crew members Brenda Littau and Caitlin Ieng recently joined the National Women in Roofing (NWIR) Seattle Council at the GAF Roofing Academy in Lakewood, Washington, for an afternoon of getting their hands on the tools and real-world scenarios that define single-ply construction.  

GAF hosted 13 NWIR members for a deep dive into single-ply fundamentals, led by Pacific Northwest instructor Chad Osterholtz. Not only did Chad talk through TPO welding, but he also opened up the equipment, passed around samples and explained exactly what makes a weld strong or weak: consistent heat, consistent pressure and consistent speed. Miss one of these and you’re holding a bad weld in your hands. Seeing and feeling the difference made it click for everyone in the room. 

Chad also shared how the GAF Roofing Academy is helping more people enter the industry with confidence. Their two-week class often includes students transitioning out of the military or correctional programs looking to enter the trade. GAF pays them during training, equips them with basic tools and connects them with contractors through a nationwide team of recruiters. In turn, contractors get graduates who show up at 7 a.m., work hard all day and understand the basics before they ever step onto a jobsite. There’s even a three-day course built specifically to help office staff understand what happens on the roof, which is solving a major disconnect that many companies feel. 

After lunch, Jerry Herbek from Steve Garlock Equipment took the floor for a session rich in practical “wish someone had told me sooner” knowledge. Using Leister tools, he walked the group through common mistakes that lead to callbacks. Things like running too many tools off the same generator, shutting down welders before they cool properly or mismanaging power surges. These issues can crack ceramic elements, cause inconsistent welds and ultimately lead to leaks. According to Jerry, many of these problems happen simply because the right information doesn’t reach the crews on the roof. 

Brenda, Caitlin and the other council members learned that Steve Garlock Equipment sells their used rental tools once a year, giving crews the chance to pick up well-maintained welders without gambling on online marketplaces. Jerry and his colleague, Katie Johnson, also shared a preview of their growing safety equipment line, something many contractors don’t realize the company offers. 

Between GAF’s technical instruction, Steve Garlock’s equipment knowledge and Leister’s dependable tools, NWIR members walked away with practical takeaways they can bring back to their teams. For Brenda and Caitlin, it was exciting to see these manufacturers investing so intentionally in the next generation of roofing talent. 

If events like this are any indication of what’s to come, the future of single-ply looks more skilled, more supported and more connected than ever.