Headquartered in Aurora, Illinois, Olsson completes over 200 major roofing projects every year. They specialize in commercial and industrial roofing projects requiring a high level of expertise and experience. The company is well known in the commercial construction and maintenance industry for its ability to provide first-class installation and service for all major roofing systems including: built-up, modified, standing seam sheet metal and all single-ply systems for both new construction and re-roofing.

Olsson has built its reputation on its commitment to service -- long after the initial installation. Their service team includes dedicated, full-time service personnel who respond to over 3,000 calls per year and are available to provide 24-hour response to remedy any roofing emergency.

The Early Years
In 1914, after arriving from his native Sweden, Nils Olsson founded Olsson Roofing Company in St. Charles, IL. Shortly thereafter, he relocated the company to Aurora where they have grown on the same city block for 90 years. Olsson quickly gained a reputation for providing both customer satisfaction and attention to detail.

In those early years, most low-sloped commercial roofing was built-up roofing (BUR) and it was installed directly over sloped wooden roof decks. Materials were hoisted to the roof powered by horses in harness. Roll goods were made from saturated cotton and similar materials, which were known as rag felts. The kettles to heat the bitumen were wood-fired, usually by construction wastes and used kegs broken down after each job. These were then transported to the next project on a truck because the kettles were without wheels and much like huge cauldrons of a witch's brew.

Projects were few and far between, and competition was keen. For example, in 1922, the billing for a project 70 miles from Aurora totaled $92.47, and every nail was itemized. It was not uncommon in those days to send the crews out for several weeks at a time to complete a project or literally replace all of the roofs in a small town. In those days, the company's annual revenues were less than $30,000.

Post War Transition and Expansion
The period after World War II was a period of growth for the construction industry as well as for Olsson Roofing. In 1948 William D. Glenn replaced Olsson as President and the owner of the company. That succession was a positive event because of the loyal support of the many customers, creditors, employees and family who were committed to the successful continuation of the organization.

This also was the innovative era of gypsum and steel roof decks. Steel required roofing insulation to bridge the flutes with insulation values much lower than we are familiar with today. Both of these decking systems provided substantial challenges in the form of suitable attachment of the roofing systems to the substrate. It was also the period of the dead level roof. These were roofs that, in contrast to most of the earlier low-sloped designs, had little consideration for positive drainage. Besides some structural cost reductions, a couple of design justifications espoused at that time were that water on a roof helped to cool a building in hot weather and also helped prevent UV aging on the surface of the roof.

During this period Olsson purchased its first mechanized hoists and conveyors for material movement, as well as rooftop equipment, to improve quality and productivity.

The late 60's and 70's brought about new challenges of growth, quality and change. Olsson Roofing worked hard to create a new organization dedicated to professionalism and business ethics. William C. Glenn succeeded his father as President 1972, and was instrumental in helping Olsson Roofing emerge as a leader in the local industry and the community. The company outgrew its old office and moved into the building next door at 740 Lake Street.

The 80's
Hyper-inflation, and with it a severe constriction in the construction industry, defined the early '80's. This was a period of survival and a test of everyone's reputation and their relationships in the market. Entry and exit of manufacturers and roofing contractors in and out of the market was common. By the end of the decade, the number of viable roofing manufacturers had been reduced by about one half, while the number of contractors in the marketplace seemed to double.

During this later period, Olsson Roofing invested heavily in people and equipment and built a new office building and expanded our warehouse and maintenance facilities to our present site on Lake St. on the south end of town, and quietly established itself as a regional leader. As the company grew, they continued to focus on quality products and service, stressing training, technology and communications. SmartSafe©, Olsson Roofing's safety program, is continually reviewed and modified by Olsson employees, both management and field personnel, to ensure that it meets and exceeds the current safety standards of the construction industry.

90 Years Later
Olsson is acknowledged as a leader in commercial roofing in Illinois. They service customers in both Indiana and Wisconsin, and have added another office in Cherry Valley, outside Rockford, IL. William C. Glenn has retired in 2003 as President. Today, the new management team is comprised of William G. Lynch President, Jeff Thompson Sr. VP, Michael J. Herlihy III EVP, R. Scott Kuykendall, VP Sales & Marketing and Gilbert Larson VP Operations