Safety on the Job At Cornell

 

Safety on the job site is a must when you are hundreds of feet in the air. Roofers and team members, each with his or her own job to do to, move past one another. Roofing equipment and supplies are also in the mix on the job site. Today, job site safety is a team effort and it all starts with a mindset: No one gets hurt today.

Different job sites present different challenges. At Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal, safety planning is part of every job’s roofing process.  The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), sets Standards, Guidelines and Regulations all employers and employees must follow to help keep their employees safe.

At Cornell, our team members and roofers take classes and maintain study habits to stay informed and up to date on their certifications. OHSA has 10 and 30-Hour Certification programs. Annually, OSHA also ranks it’s most violated OSHA Standards. Year after year, Fall Protection is the number #1 OSHA Standard cited.Roofers, roofing material, metal roof, Kansas City roofing, roofing safety, safety regulations, commercial roofing, roofing system, fabrication, Cornell safety, osha, osha roofers, roof systems

Mary McNamara, President of Cornell commented, “At Cornell we continue to invest the time, training, certification support, and equipment needed to keep our people safe.” Cornell just added the “All-In-One Rail System” from Leading Edge Safety. This job site addition adds to our employees safety on the job site.

Mary added, “We are proud of our team. Working together, we’ve had one of our safest years on record.” Some construction fencing was added to help keep debris from blowing off the roof.

For the FULL LIST of Construction Industry Regulations(Standards) visit the OSHA laws and regulations page.

 

One look through the OSHA Standard Number 1926 and you’ll see just how important and serious staying on top of the regulations are for the safety and comfort of roofers and other employees in the construction industry.

To the entire Cornell Family, other trades and suppliers, keep up the great work and stay safe on your job sites!

The Builders’ Association Welcomes Cornell’s Mary McNamara to The Board

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“Mary McNamara is a commercial construction champion. The Builders’ Association is so proud to have her newly elected to the board of directors. Mary is driven and always looking for how to raise things to the next level. She is a dedicated advocate of quality and greater strength through inclusion. Who could ask for more?” commented, Don Greenwell, President, The Builders’ Association, Kansas City Chapter of AGC.
“I am honored to be among such a dynamic group of people”, said Mary.“ I look forward to working with the Board and the Builders’ Association Officers to get rolling on the many areas we will be addressing during 2018.” Mary added.
Mary is in great company with other new Board Members: Jason Carson of Carson-Mitchell; Alex Gonzalez of Gonzalez Construction; Tim Harmon of Harmon Construction; Darin Heyen of Pearce Construction; Brandy McCombs of International Builders & Consultants; Angie McElhaney of MarksNelson; Jerry Schaefer of the Flynn Group; and, Eddy Whitley of Whitley Construction.
Kansas City continues to be a City on the move with gains in jobs, building and an influx of young people including entrepreneurs drawn by KC’s growing reputation as a hotbed of tech innovation.

Wishing All a Joyful New Year!

dreamstime_s_104396482In 2017, Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal celebrated its 90th Anniversary and we will continue that celebration into 2018! We have much to be thankful for and sometimes, in our busy lives, we forget to stop and take time to reflect on all that has been good and joyful during the past year.

90-years_3_pt2We especially want to thank all our wonderful customers, for without your support and confidence in our ability to deliver on our promises, there would be no 90th Anniversary! We have a great family of team members who work hard, sometimes in sweltering heat or darn right cold conditions, always focused on our Mission to “Consistently deliver the highest quality commercial roofing and sheet metal products and services in the Kansas City region.” Our vendors, subs and the cooperation of other trades also plays an important role in our success and for that we thank you all. We also have celebrated new little ones entering this world, new team members and of course, the lives of friends and family we lost this year.

So, from our family to yours, let us raise a glass as we ring in 2018. To all who have been a part of our lives this year, “Here’s to your continued Health, Happiness and Success in 2018 – CHEERS!”

The Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal Family

Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal Celebrates 50 Years as Member of MRCA

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Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal Celebrates 50 Years as Member of MRCA

Mary McNamara and Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal are well known for being a leader in the Commercial Roofing industry, keeping up-to-date on the latest products and technology and maintaining a long-standing relationship with area industry organizations. One of which is the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA).

Started in 1950 the MRCA was founded as an independent regional roofing contractors’ association with a mission to:

  • Assist member roofing contracting companies prosper by being a contractor advocate,
  • Acting as an industry spokesperson, circulating trade information via a bi-monthly newsletter,
  • Providing education through an annual conference, and
  • Being an active resource for members seeking advice in matters of business management, safety, technical and legal.

The MRCA seeks to develop and administer programs and services through its membership to help member companies build and thrive while continually working to progress the roofing industry as a whole.

This year Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal is proudly celebrating its own participation as member of 50 years! An impressive merit! Throughout this steady relationship with the MRCA, Cornell has gained much through its membership including training seminars and educational conferences, strong networking opportunities and helping to continue to stimulate growth in its own business.

Along with celebrating 50 years of membership with the MRCA, Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal also commemorates 90 years in business! Be sure to look for this article celebrating Cornell Roofing & Sheet Metal’s 50 year anniversary with the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association in the upcoming issue of Midwest Roofer!

Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal at IRE 2017

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Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal at IRE 2017

The International Roofing Expo (IRE) is almost here, March 1-3, in Las Vegas, Nevada!  As a leader in the commercial roofing and sheet metal industry, Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal is sure to attend.

The IRE is “the preeminent roofing construction and maintenance event where roofing pros experience face-to-face interaction, product review, education and networking. The expansive show floor and extensive educational program provide the best opportunity to discover the latest trends, advances in technology and best practices for business growth. Formerly owned by NRCA, the show was sold to Hanley Wood Exhibitions in May 2004. Hanley Wood Exhibitions was acquired by Informa Exhibitions U.S. in December 2014.”

The expo will feature latest trend and technological advances in the roofing industry, along with plenty of opportunities to network and grow. Attendees will have the option to choose from 44 knowledge-building sessions specifically tailored to a variety of people in our industry. These include: commercial/residential/metal contractors, owners/CEOs/general managers, superintendents/foremen, architects/designers/consultants, salesmen/estimators, manufacturers/suppliers, and building owners/facility managers. There’s literally something for everyone in the commercial roofing industry. Many of the sessions have also been approved for continuing education hours, so get your hours in!

Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal is proud to attend. We’ll be sending our top-level management to gain this experience and expand our business first hand. The IRE brings all together the resources needed to help the Cornell team stay at the top of our game, like no other commercial roofing and sheet metal business in the KC metro.

To learn more about the International Roofing Expo, check out their website https://theroofingexpo.com/.

What it Means to be Woman-Owned

What it Means to be Woman-Owned
Certified WBE
Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal is proud to be a fully WBE & DBE certified, woman-owned business. But other than saying a member of the fairer sex runs this well-oiled engine, what does that mean? According to MWBE.com, to become a certified woman-owned business, that business must show:

• All prospective members must provide evidence that at least 51% or more is a women-owned, managed and controlled
• The business must be open for at least six months.
• The owner must be a United States citizen or legal resident.

WBE stands for a Woman Business Enterprise, and DBE means a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, which is somewhat confusing. To make it clear, Cornell is at no “disadvantage”. DBE simply means a business concern where socially and economically disadvantaged individual owns at least 51% of the business. These individuals can be anyone from Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, and a multitude of others, but in Cornell’s case it means simply women.

Mary McNamara not only has to have at least 51% ownership in the company, but she also has to show a contribution of capita, direct management, policy, fiscal and operational matters, and perform without the reliance of any other firm or resource not owned by a woman (which she does quite nicely). And it’s important to the Cornell Way to continue to encourage other women to join the trade and pick up tools.

Focus on Markets: Projects that Make an Impact

Focus on Markets: Projects that Make an Impact

Do you know about Cornell’s four main markets? Cornell Roofing and Sheet Metal focuses on projects within the Commercial, Education, Government and Healthcare sectors. Not only do these projects help Cornell to grow, but they also provide a greater purpose to our community at large.

Some of our works within the Commercial industry include: The Burns & McDonnell Headquarters building, Kansas City Power & Light Fleet Maintenance Facility, and the Kansas City Power & Light Safety and Training Center. Projects in the Education industry consist of: Swinney Recreation Center on the campus of UMKC, Spring Branch Elementary School, and Cordill-Mason Elementary School. In the Government sector, Cornell has worked on: Kansas City Air Route Traffic Control Center in Olathe and local post offices. Cornell’s work in the Healthcare industry includes: Truman Medical Office Building and the SurgiCenter of Kansas City.

Whether it’s re-roofing an elementary school or providing a surgical facility to provide healthcare workers a place to practice, Cornell always puts forth the work to bring these projections to completion.

Women Build Nations with Our Girls Leading the Way

Women Build Nations

Women Build Nations with Our Girls Leading the Way

Women build nations. Well they better considering women make up half the population. Although the number of tradeswomen in the roofing and sheet metal industry remains far too low, the environment is certainly becoming more inclusive and growing to incorporate women in all sorts of positions ranging from business managers to presidents (like Cornell’s own Mary McNamara).

Women Build Nations is a conference that originally began in California in 2010 as a way of gathering like-minded industry women. Since then it has grown to a national level, this year breaking records in attendance and for the first time being hosted outside of California in the central meeting place of Chicago. Thus allowing professionals from 40 states, Canada, Nigeria and even the Philippines to attend.

And as an industry, woman-owned business leader, of course Cornell Roofing had a strong presence. This year Cornell sent two of its very own roofing ladies, these aspiring young women are looking to make a change and grow to success in this traditionally man-run realm. While attending this fervor of a weekend, our girls attended a multitude of speakers, workshops, seminars, caucuses, social gatherings and more. Bringing back to the Cornell table a vast expanse of knowledge gained, the Cornell ladies are ready to take on the roofing world.

And these women are anything but commonplace in this world. All 1,500 attendees were asked if they had ever been the sole woman on a job site. As you may have guessed (or if you live under a rock, to your surprise), every woman’s hand shot up. Women like our own not only attended to learn and expand in their chosen profession, but also to continue blazing the path for future generations of women who want to work with tools. The opportunities are there, and our women are leading the way, breaking down the barriers with Mary McNamara as a key inspiration. And it’s to everyone’s common interest to understand the industry is progressing and to be that change.

Cornell Roofing Listed as One of Ingram’s Top 100 Fastest-Growing Companies 0f 2016

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Cornell Roofing Listed as One of Ingram’s Top 100 Fastest-Growing Companies 0f 2016

After acquiring the 80-year-old company back in 2007, Mary McNamara has sunk everything she has into getting Cornell Roofing on track to becoming a stronger, better and more profitable company. With nearly tripled revenue since 2012 and an average annual growth rate of over 60%, Cornell is on the pathway to success, now employing 50+ full time workers. And Mary shows no signs of stopping.

Known for commercial roofing and sheet metal work, Mary runs this fully woman-owned business with over 30 years of industry experience and in eight years, has put this company back on the map focusing on Commercial, Healthcare, Education and Government projects. A few notable projects include: One Light Tower apartment complex located in downtown Kansas City, the new Burns & McDonnell Headquarters Building and the Truman Medical Office Building. With strict environmental and safety policies, Cornell is plowing along to become an industry leader in the roofing and sheet metal world.

A true entrepreneur, when Mary saw the opportunity with Cornell Roofing, she jumped at the chance and put every last penny into making it happen. Since then she has been able to take an almost century old company, maintaining the values that have guided it for so long, and grow it into a frontrunner of its kind, all doing so in a very man-centric world. Cornell has since become WBE and DBE certified in Kansas City and WBE certified in the state of Missouri.

No matter how far this company can go, Cornell maintains the “Cornell Way.” Promises made. Promises Kept. A leader in roofing and sheet metal, guided by Integrity, Dependability, Quality and Responsibility.

Cornell Helps Put a New Face on an aging KCP&L Property

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Cornell Helps Put a New Face on an aging KCP&L Property

The KCP&L Fleet and Maintenance building, located on the corner of Front Street and Chouteau Trafficway, has for decades been the site of tough duty, thousands of vehicles and maintenance projects had taken a toll on the facility.

The Fleet and Maintenance building had a brick façade that, after decades, was really starting to show its age. KCP&L was looking for a viable and cost efficient solution and Cornell worked closely with the project architects and engineers to come up with a creative way to stabilize the aging brick facade and give the facility a fresh look.

The solution? 16 gauge zee purlins around the entire perimeter of the building. Once the solution was agreed upon, Cornell’s team of skilled professionals installed the zee purlins to stabilize the brick facade. Once stabilization was complete, the building really started to transform as Cornell installed two colors of Dri-Design wall panels on the entire façade of the building.

This project was also significant in that it was put out to bid with a fast track schedule. Cornell worked within this tight time frame to complete the project with a few weeks to spare.

Another example of Cornell’s commitment to quality and professionalism.

Cornell, Promises Made. Promises Kept.