By cornellroofing Charity and Community Involvement • Commercial Roofing and Sheet Metal Kansas City • General • Products & Information • Projects 0 Comments

Longevity: 4 Keys to 94 Years in Business

Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal is among a handful of locally owned and operated businesses in Kansas that have sustained across multiple generations, nearing or past the 100-year mark. As a business that has been operating for over 94 years and is still growing, we are sometimes asked about our key to success. This kind of longevity can’t be attributed to one single key; it involves many factors in addition to sheer hard work and determination.

 

 

 

Here are four keys to our success at Cornell:

Team of Champions

The people at Cornell are what drives our success. Our engaged group of skilled professionals are passionate about their crafts. We’re united in delivering the highest quality results for our customers. Giving your team the respect they deserve and resources they need to grow and thrive in their careers will go a long way.

Innovation

Change is the one constant in business. Being open to new ideas, methods, technologies and processes not only gives you a competitive edge, it can also help you improve your service to customers and optimize your bottom line. 

Flexibility

Expect the unexpected. As so many companies have seen over the last year, changes outside your control can drastically impact your business. Consider the what-ifs, have a contingency plan, get creative and be ready to shift gears as needed to protect your business and continue your commitment to customers.

Community

Never forget where you came from. Being involved in your community is not only good for business, it is vital to creating an environment for success in which your company – and your community – can thrive. This includes investing time and donating to local community efforts as well as supporting industry associations that provide resources for your company and team. 

 

Whether you’ve been in business nine months or over 90 years, these keys can help you stay grounded and serve as a foundation for growth. At Cornell, we are excited for what the future holds and celebrating the milestones ahead. To learn more about Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal, visit www.CornellRoofing.com or call 816-252-8300.

By cornellroofing Charity and Community Involvement • Commercial Roofing and Sheet Metal Kansas City • Products & Information • Projects 0 Comments

Finding the Positives: A Look Back at 2020

Just about anyone will tell you they are ready to be done with 2020. It was a challenging year for so many. Despite the trauma and drama of the year, there were still positives to be found. People and businesses discovered ways to be resourceful to take care of customers and each other. In the commercial roofing industry, Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal is fortunate we were able to keep our crews working and building for the future. 

 

Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal had wins to be celebrated in 2020. We began the year with the momentum of hitting a major milestone of 1,000 jobs completed in 2019, as well as being recognized as the third-largest roofing company and 23rd-largest woman-owned business in the Kansas City region. This year, we were also able to continue our legacy of giving back to our community with Cornell’s first $25,000 gift to the Builders’ Association Scholarship Foundation to support career development in the trades. In addition, our Owner and President, Mary McNamara was honored as a 2020 Rainmaker by Ingram’s Magazine for her leadership in Kansas City business.

 

For Cornell, our most shining moments in 2020 are the many projects our expert crews were able to work on and complete. Cornell crews were hands-on in projects that enhanced the commercial infrastructure landscape, transformed the skyline and helped support the economic development of Kansas City. We could not be more proud to play a part. Just a few of the major projects completed in 2020 and/or currently in process include:

  • Children’s Mercy Research Institute 
  • Harry S. Truman Presidential Library
  • Fort Osage School District (High School, Fire Prairie, Elm Grove)
  • Kansas City Zoo (Meerkat, Sting Ray and Elephant Exhibits)
  • Commerce Tower
  • Kansas City Missouri City Hall
  • Loews Convention Center
  • Kansas City Museum
  • McCownGordon Construction Offices (sheet metal)

 

As a company that has been in business for nearly 100 years, Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal has weathered many changes and tumultuous years. 2020 challenged us all, but also proved we can still rise to the challenge. And there are always positives, you just need to look for them. Here’s to the promise of a new year and a bright 2021 ahead!

 

To learn more about Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal, click here About Us or call 816-252-8300.

By cornellroofing Charity and Community Involvement 0 Comments

Community Spotlight: Local School District Foundations

As the season of giving approaches, many include making charitable donations as part of their annual holiday tradition. If you’re planning to make a donation and would like your contribution to support local kids and families, you may want to consider donating to one of our local school district foundations. At Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal, we choose to support these types of local organizations, as we have seen the positive impact they make in our community.

 

Typically school district foundations are organized as separate entities within their district with a mission of supporting students and teachers. These foundations rely on community donations and cover a lot of ground in the assistance they offer local families. From college scholarships to classroom supplies for teachers to food, clothing, utility, and housing assistance for students and families in crisis. These foundations are quietly filling a gap and are often providing life-saving support for students who have nowhere else to turn.

 

It’s no secret that this year has been difficult, and many more families may find themselves struggling to make ends meet. Donating to local organizations who can provide support directly to families in our community will be more important than ever. If you’re in a position to make a contribution, do your research to find a reputable organization that is making an impact and being a good steward of donated funds. For information about local school district foundations, visit school district websites to learn more about how they operate and allocate funds. 

 

For nearly 100 years, Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal has been serving the Kansas City area and has always maintained a strong commitment to supporting local community nonprofit organizations. To learn more about Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal, visit www.CornellRoofing.com/about-us and or call 816-252-8300.

 

By cornellroofing American Subcontractors Association • Charity and Community Involvement • Commercial Roofing and Sheet Metal Kansas City • Midwest Roofing Contractors Association • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Earth Day Celebrating 50 Years Today!

Earth Day 2020 is a milestone moment and, also about the enormous challenge we face. There are incredible and vast opportunities to have an impact on our planet and on climate change. EarthDay.Org, has distinguished climate change as the most pressing topic for the 50th anniversary.
Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable.

Earth Day’s Beginning

The first Earth Day was a unified response to an environment in crisis — oil spills, rivers so polluted they literally caught fire, smog deforestation. On April 22, 1970, 20 million Americans, or roughly 10% of the entire U.S. population at the time, took to the streets, college campuses and hundreds of cities to protest environmental ignorance. But they wanted more, demanding a new way forward for our planet.

Social Impact Into Laws

The first Earth Day is credited with launching the modern environmental movement. Also it was the planet’s largest civic event! The first Earth Day in 1970 launched a wave of action, including the passage of landmark environmental laws in the United States. The Clean Air, Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts were created in response to the first Earth Day in 1970, as well as the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Many countries soon adopted similar laws.

While the coronavirus may force us to keep our distance, it should not force us to keep our voices down. The only thing that will change the world is a bold and unified demand for a new way forward. While Earth Day may be going digital due to the CoronaVirus, EarthDay.Org’s goal remains the same: To mobilize the world to take the necessary actions to make a difference. We may be apart, but through the power of digital media, we’re also more connected than ever.

Learn What You Can Do

Today, go to: EarthDay.Org, where you’ll find hours of action in global digital content that drives actions big and small, gives diverse voices a platform and demands bold action for people and the planet.
From the Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal family to yours, be safe and stay healthy.

By cornellroofing American Subcontractors Association • Charity and Community Involvement • Commercial Roofing and Sheet Metal Kansas City • Midwest Roofing Contractors Association 0 Comments

Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal Continues to Raise the Roof

When Mary McNamara purchased Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal in 2007, little did she know the recession of 2008 was right around the corner. However, under McNamara’s leadership, and with her small team of industry professionals all working together, Cornell weathered that storm.

Learning and Growing

The trials and obstacles they faced, not only as a small business but as a Certified WBE/DBE, meant they had more to prove than most. “When we bought Cornell, we established Four Key Principles: Integrity; Dependability; Quality; and Responsibility.” Mary added, “ These principles, along with the best commercial roofing and sheet metal team in the region, have been the bedrock of Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal’s Success.”

Major Milestones

Since purchasing Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal in 2007, Mary is proud to announce they  passed 1,000 jobs in 2019! This continual growth also led to Cornell being named the third largest roofing company in the KC Region. In addition Cornell was named the 23rd largest Woman-owned business in the region. This according to Ingram’s Magazine’s Annual Book of Lists¹.

Giving Back

Cornell has always had a tradition of giving back. Since 2007, #KCBuildersAssociation, #2019KCBuildersAssociationDinner, featuring, #CommercialRoofingCompaniesKC, #CornellRoofingandSheetMetal, as Top Sponsor, #NRCA, #NAWIC #RoofingMagazine, #SnipsMag, #Nice-KC #KCCornell has provided support for a wide range of industry and community-related events. Just recently, this support moved to a new level as Cornell made a $25,000 donation to the The Builders’ Association Scholarship Foundation. Cornell’s recipient was Ethan Wegner.

In all,there were many sponsors and many recipients. The Construction Trades understands that workers will continue to be a

key to success and growth. That’s why The Builders’ Association began the Scholarship Foundation.

The complete group of sponsors and recipients speaks volumes to the efforts being made to introduce more and more young people to what a great career path the construction trades are.

¹ www.Ingram’sMagazine.com


TwitterLinkedInShare

This entry was posted in American Subcontractors Association, Charity and Community Involvement, Commercial Roofing and Sheet Metal Kansas City and tagged #KCChamber, #NICE-KC, #roofingmagazine, #wbdc, #BuildersAssociationKC, NAWIC, NRCA,

By cornellroofing American Subcontractors Association • Charity and Community Involvement • Commercial Roofing and Sheet Metal Kansas City • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal’s First $25K Sponsorship Goes to The Builders’ Association Scholarship Foundation

At the recent 2019 Kansas City Builders’ Association Annual Dinner, Cornell’s President, Mary McNamara, continued Cornell’s tradition of community and construction #KCBuildersAssociation, #2019KCBuildersAssociationDinner, featuring, #CommercialRoofingCompaniesKC, #CornellRoofingandSheetMetal, as Top Sponsor, #NRCA, #NAWIC #RoofingMagazine, #SnipsMag, #Nice-KC #KCindustry support. “I am proud Cornell is able to give back by contributing our first ever $25,000 donation to The Builders’ Association Scholarship Foundation,”

Mary added, “Our recipient is a very deserving young man, Ethan Wegner.” Missouri Governor Mike Parson was on hand to meet and congratulate the recipients, including Ethan.

A Gold Sponsor, Cornell supports The Builders’ Association as well as many other trade and civic causes. The Builders’ Association Scholarship Foundation, established in 1994, was first discussed in 1990. The Foundation is designated by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3).

This year, there were many deserving recipients who, with their sponsors, were recognized at a special pre-dinner photo shoot.

The fund now exceeds $1,000.000 through the member’s generous donations. Mary added, “This is one of many very important construction trade efforts to introduce, inform and engage the future leaders of our industry.”

One of the biggest challenges facing many industries but especially the Construction Trades, is the lack of an available work force. The nationwide network of trade groups and organizations is doing more than ever to address this pressing issue. Many young people just don’t realize the many benefits available by joining a trade. From a good starting wage to healthcare and insurance support, today the trades look little like the days of old. OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Act was only signed into law in 1970. Since then, the impact on the safety, training and certification of workers has been critical in changing the whole complexion of the trades. For more on OSHA, go to: https://www.osha.gov/

If you would like to contribute to The Builders’ Association Scholarship Foundation, please contact Tony Drees for more information.

By cornellroofing Charity and Community Involvement • Commercial Roofing and Sheet Metal Kansas City • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Cornell Supports The Children’s Museum

In 1988, the Johnson County (Kan.) Commissioners formed a study and concluded there was a lack of hands-on, interactive programs for children; The solution was to create a Children’s Museum. A year after the study, Wonderscope, the Children’s Museum of Kansas City, opened and is now celebrating its 30th anniversary. Originally, Wonderscope was a traveling exhibit in the Kansas City area but in 2008, it officially merged with the Kansas Children’s Museum.

Hands-on learning starts at a young age and continues into adulthood; at Cornell, hands-on learning is vital to performance. For this, we are grateful for the Children’s Museum of Kansas City and their support for enjoyable learning. Wonderscope provides fun for children ten years of age and younger, their parents and educators. With the use of dynamic exhibits and programs through integrating the arts, sciences, and literature, they pave the way of learning for children.

The Children's Museum, the museum, children's museum, hands-on

Learn – Play – Grow

At Wonderscope, the team believes children learn best through play. Through fun, imaginative hands-on learning, children can grow to their full potential and thrive. With the involvement of family and friends, interactive learning engages children’s natural desire to learn more about the world around them.

The informal learning environment is filled with engaging play experiences that inspire growth and love for learning in young children. Of course, you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy the experience!

Cornell is proud to support a positive learning environment at the children’s museum and the encouragement of hands-on learning. After all, without hands-on interaction, no roof would be complete. Despite the growth in technology, hands-on learning is still needed in everyday life. There will always be something that technology can’t do, and that is part of what makes us human.

Don’t forget to learn, play and grow, no matter what your age is.

 

 

By cornellroofing Charity and Community Involvement • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Cornell Roofing Continues Its Support

Today marks the end of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, breast cancer does not stop on the 31st. It is unrelenting. In 2019, an estimated 268,00 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women in the United States. In addition, an estimated 62,930 new cases of non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer will be diagnosed. Men get breast cancer as well, adding another 10%¹.Breast Cancer Awareness in Commercial roofing and commercial Sheet Metalkansas city

Incredibly, one in eight women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and it’s estimated 41,760 women will die, THIS YEAR ALONE¹.

With over 3.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., there is hope. 62% of breast cancer cases are diagnosed at a localized stage for which the 5-year survival rate is 99%¹.

Cornell Roofing Continues Its Support

At Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal, we have long been active supporters of Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA). For the month of October, the staff and crews have been wearing our custom BCA shirts out on the job sites to show support, build awareness and help keep breast cancer top of mind in the Greater Metropolitan Kansas City area.

Breast cancer is one of the top types of cancer for women in the United States, all the more reason to get involved and help spread awareness of this terrible cancer. Many of us know or have a loved one who has or had breast cancer, both women and men. We also know early detection is one of the keys to fighting breast cancer, so please be proactive.

Cornell’s Mission

Part of the Mission of Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal is to continue being an active participant in local, regional and national support groups and charities. We urge everyone to consider what they might do to also get involved.

As you can see, the Cornell Roofing team was again, as we are every year, all-in on this important mission.

 

¹National Breast Cancer Foundation:

https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/