On April 4, 2023, a massive hailstorm pounded the NorthPark Mall in Davenport. The insurance adjusters deemed the existing roof a total loss. The shopping center’s owner, Macerich, elected to manage the replacement work internally. To have a new roof in place by the end of 2024, Macerich’s construction team reached out to the local roofing community to discuss options.
Based on the volume of work (6,500 squares of rubber roof and replacement of damaged ridged insulation as required) as well as the geometry of the building, it was clear more than one roofing contractor was required to successfully meet the deadline. The use of multiple union roofers was suggested and approved with contracts executed.
It was a significant display of trade union collaboration and efficiency, as the oversized commercial re-roofing project was completed in a matter of months through the collaborative efforts of three signatory contractors – Economy Roofing Inc., Roofing Technology Inc., and Sterling Commercial Roofing.
The skilled members of United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers, and Allied Workers Local 32 in the Quad Cities and Local 11 from the Chicago area also helped complete this project.
Union contractors, Schebler Company (sheet metal repair and replacement) and TMI (the replacement of a majority of the mall’s AC units), also joined the collaborative effort.
Collaboration and coordination between various trades is standard for union construction projects in the Quad Cities, but three union roofing contractors collaborating on one project is largely unprecedented in this region.
In this instance, it is what the client’s needs required.
The three local roofing contractors readily worked together, each supplying distinct expertise and resources, demonstrating how unity in diversity can lead to extraordinary results. Each contractor contributed unique strengths, from advanced roofing techniques to innovative project management strategies, ensuring that every aspect of the project was handled with precision and care.
Working together for the first time on a large scale as well, Local 32 and Local 11 tradesmen and women also showcased the power of collaboration and skilled union expertise.
The success of this project has opened new avenues for future collaborations. This capability positions them as formidable construction industry competitors capable of handling projects of any scale and complexity.Â
(Donald Taets is the business manager at United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers & Allied Workers Local 32. He can be contacted at [email protected].)Â
