Sprague Roofing is a commercial, industrial, and institutional low slope roofing contractor specializing in reroofing and new construction low slope roofing, roof repair, roof maintenance, and sheet metal work in Lincoln, Omaha and Eastern Nebraska. They are celebrating their fiftieth anniversary in Lincoln this year. Sprague Roofing is headed by Greg Sprague, Owner and President, Brad Hershiser, Vice President and Roofing Operations Manager and Jeff Johnston, Sheet Metal Manager and Chief Estimator.

What do you think makes you different from other companies similar to yours?
Sprague Roofing Company has the financial stability, bonding capacity, equipment and trained work force to install large roofing projects that utilize a multiple ply hot or cold asphaltic based roof system. Sprague Roofing has invested in the specialized equipment and the training of its roof mechanics necessary to install these large asphaltic based roof systems in a safe and efficient manner.

What do you like about doing business in Lincoln?
Lincoln has a small finite business community that is involved in the low slope roofing industry. It seems we work for and compete against the same people year in and year out. This brings a certain sense of stability and allows you to develop strong relationships with both your customers and suppliers/vendors with whom we do business.

What kind of community organizations/groups are you involved with?
I am very active with the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association. I currently serve on its Board of Directors and I am the Chairman of its Health & Safety Committee.

Do you have a business philosophy or mission statement?
I think mission statements are overrated. However I do have some core business principles. I feel I have an obligation to my customers to build them a roof that provides long term performance and doesn’t leak. Roofing a commercial, industrial or institutional property such as a school requires a large investment of capital from the building owner and can be quite disruptive to the occupants of the building. Building owners want to go through this disruptive process one time. The last thing a building owner wants is the hassle and inconvenience of a leaky roof after the roofing project is finished. I also have an obligation to the men and women who work at Sprague Roofing Company. Roofing work is a physically demanding, dirty job that not many people are willing to do. We try our best to provide our employee’s with stable employment at a decent, livable wage.

What has been your most important achievement as a business?
Without a doubt, helping grow this business from a two person operation that started without any financial capital and began by shingling houses for Sears & Wards in 1961 to what I perceive as a professional commercial/industrial roofing business. Sprague Roofing Company is still here installing quality roofs after 50 years. We have seen a lot of business come and go in that time frame.

What was the biggest turning point in your business?
My father Bob Sprague unexpectedly passed away in 1989. I was 33 years old, had a wife and two young children and I was in the process of building a house. I knew how to roof but I didn’t know how to run or manage a roofing company. There are a lot of good roof mechanics but not many of them make the transition from craftsman to successful businessman. It wasn’t an easy process and I feel fortunate that I was able to make that transition.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about your business that most people don’t know?
I have a degree in music from the University of Nebraska? That’s probably kind of unusual. I don’t know too many fiddlers on the roof, so to speak.

What is one goal for your business that you have yet to accomplish?
For Sprague Roofing to Celebrate 60 years in the roofing business in Lincoln, Nebraska!

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I would like to extend an invitation to all of our customers, vendors, and current and former employees to come celebrate Sprague Roofing Company’s 50th year in business by attending our Symposium on Low Slope roofing to be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 1040 P street from 8:30 am until 12:00 noon on Tuesday September 20th and our Open House to be held at Sprague Roofing Company’s place of business at 3515 N. 39th Street Circle in Lincoln Nebraska from 11:00 am until 9:00 pm Thursday September 22nd. RSVP to office@spragueroofing.com or (402) 467-1949.

What is the best way to contact Sprague Roofing?
Stop in and see us at our offices, call 402.467.1949, or visit us online at http://www.spragueroofing.com.