Building a stronger trade together

By Emma Peterson. 

IFD connects professionals thousands of miles apart, creating conversations that can lead to practical solutions for contractors in the field. 

In 1952, the International Federation of the Roofing Trade (IFD) was founded with the goal of being “a unifying network of national roofing associations, industry partners and technical experts working together to strengthen the trade on an international level.” And in the ensuing decades, that is exactly what IFD does. To share more about how IFD has helped the international roofing community overcome issues, Dirk Bollwerk, IFD’s president, stopped by The Coffee Shops® for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

He started the conversation by sharing an example of an issue that contractors around the world face, saying, “One of the biggest issues facing all contractors is the higher energy prices and the subsequently higher prices for materials, think oil and aluminum.” Not only does this raise operating costs for businesses, it also has led to a variety of supply chain issues as well as customer frustrations.  

Luckily, IFD is able to help contractors overcome this issue. Specifically, IFD acts as a space for manufacturers, distributors and contractors from a variety of markets to meet and network. As Dirk put it, “Communication is often the solution. And what IFD does is make that possible. Through IFD, you can meet personally with someone from a market that’s 8,000 miles away from yours.” In terms of our rising material cost example, this type of communication can introduce contractors to new products that aren’t as common in their market that can help relieve the pressure on the contractor’s traditional supply chains.  

Listen to the whole episode or Watch the recording to learn more about IFD and its role in strengthening the global roofing community and industry.