Looking Forward
Advocating for Positive Change for the Industry
by Richard K. Olson, President & Technical Director, Tile Roofing Industry Alliance
(Editor’s Note: Richard K. Olson is president and technical director for the Tile Roofing Industry Alliance. The association represents industry professionals involved in the manufacturing and installation of concrete and clay tile roofs in the United States and Canada, and works with national, state, and local building officials to develop installation techniques, codes, and standards for better roofing systems. Olson can be reached at rolson@tileroofing.org.)
For those who have weathered the economic storms of the past, the outlook for 2025 brings familiar warning signs. Builders and roofing professionals who survived the market downturns of 1983, the Great Recession in 2008, and the unprecedented disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic know the importance of adaptability. We’ve learned that surviving tough times isn’t just about resilience, it’s about recognizing the early tremors, pivoting quickly, and aligning our strategies to respond to emerging challenges in the marketplace, supply chains, and labor force.
Now, with the political and economic landscape shifting yet again, our industry stands at a pivotal juncture. In the coming months, our ability to address complex challenges, ranging from international trade policy to workforce shortages and burdensome regulation, will determine how well we navigate what lies ahead.
Recently, the Tile Roofing Industry (TRI) Alliance government relations team traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of the manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors that comprise our organization. We met with representatives in Congress, the Senate, and members of various federal agencies to share the concerns our members are facing in real time.
The TRI Alliance’s advocacy efforts were part of a broader push to align strategies with organizations that share common goals. We met with the National Association of Home Builders to discuss the issues affecting both the residential construction and roofing sectors. In addition, we participated in the NRCA’s annual Roofing Day, where roofing professionals from across the country gathered to deliver a unified message about the industry’s most pressing needs. These combined efforts allowed us to amplify our voice and increase the impact of our discussions on Capitol Hill.
There is strength in numbers. By collaborating with other roofing contractors and home builders, we present a cohesive message, one that reflects the interconnected nature of our industries and the shared impact that legislation, regulation, and economic policies have on all of us.
One of the major topics we raised in Washington was the impact of tariffs on the construction supply chain. Over the past few years, tariffs have been used as a tool in global trade negotiations, but their ripple effects can be far-reaching. For the roofing and building industry, the implications are serious.
Tariffs affect a broad array of materials used in roofing assemblies, from dimensional lumber and metal components to fasteners, electronics, and even raw materials like iron oxides and cement. As manufacturers of concrete and clay roof tiles, our members rely on a stable, affordable supply of these materials to maintain cost-effective production. While we’re fortunate to source some raw materials, such as sand and clay, domestically, other critical inputs, including cement and color pigments, often come from overseas. The limited domestic production of certain materials, compounded by environmental restrictions, makes reliance on imports a necessity.
Our manufacturing facilities have made significant investments in advanced technologies, robotics, and high-efficiency curing equipment. These systems often depend on foreign-sourced replacement parts and technical support. When tariffs or trade restrictions disrupt that supply chain, it directly impacts our ability to produce and deliver roofing materials on time and on budget.
These uncertainties are having a cascading effect across the construction industry. Builders, wary of rising material costs and unpredictable supply chains, are reconsidering how many homes to place into production. Fewer housing starts mean fewer roofing projects, contributing to housing shortages and driving up prices for homebuyers.
Equally pressing is the issue of labor. Workforce challenges have long plagued the construction industry, but the situation has reached a critical point. According to the NRCA, there are currently more than 440,000 open positions across the roofing and construction sectors. This labor shortage threatens our ability to meet demand, complete projects on schedule, and maintain the high standards of craftsmanship our industry is known for.
Steep slope roofing, in particular, has traditionally relied on a mix of domestic and migrant labor. Many of our contractor members employ long-term migrant workers who hold leadership and oversight roles. These individuals are skilled, experienced, and integral to the success of job sites across the country. If immigration policies tighten without offering viable pathways for seasonal or year-round construction workers, our industry will be left without a realistic way to fill these crucial roles.
While in Washington, we emphasized the importance of immigration reform that addresses workforce realities. We advocated for expanded visa categories that allow construction workers to remain in the country legally, year-round. These reforms aren’t just about economics, they’re about preserving a skilled workforce and ensuring the continuation of safe, quality building practices.
At the same time, we must invest in the next generation of tradespeople. Roofing offers a sustainable, high-wage career path, yet many young people are steered toward four-year college degrees, often without exposure to the viable and rewarding careers that exist in the trades. We discussed the importance of expanding funding for trade schools and introducing our training curriculums into educational institutions. The TRI Alliance has already developed training resources, but without the financial support to distribute these materials broadly, their reach remains limited.
We also addressed a growing concern among policymakers: the fear that artificial intelligence and automation will replace human jobs. While some industries may see workforce reductions due to AI, roofing and other skilled trades are largely shielded from that threat. No machine can yet replicate the precision, adaptability, and problem-solving required on a complex roofing installation. We urged congressional leaders to support programs that build up, not replace, the skilled workforce we so urgently need.
For many of our members, particularly small and privately-owned roofing businesses, the mounting burden of regulation is becoming increasingly difficult to manage. While we support efforts to improve job site safety and environmental responsibility, the complexity and volume of regulations can be overwhelming.
These regulations require time, resources, and expertise that many small business owners simply do not have. Compliance efforts often come at the expense of other essential business functions, such as preparing bids, managing customer relationships, or investing in training and innovation. The net effect is that smaller companies, already squeezed by labor and material costs, are being pushed to the brink.
We highlighted several specific regulatory pain points in our meetings on the Hill. In many cases, streamlining or simplifying the regulatory framework would not reduce safety or quality standards, but would free up time and resources for business owners to focus on growth and job creation. A more balanced approach to regulation, one that recognizes the limitations of small businesses, would serve the entire industry well.
As we look to the rest of 2025, it’s clear that the roofing industry must remain vigilant and engaged. The challenges we face are complex, and the solutions will require sustained effort, collaboration, and advocacy. The conversations we had in Washington were productive, but they were only the beginning.
Our message is simple: As the TRI Alliance, we are ready to work together, with builders, with contractors, with policymakers, and with the broader construction community, to find practical solutions that support growth, ensure worker safety, and keep housing affordable. The road ahead may be uncertain, but by continuing to advocate as a unified voice, we can help shape a better future for our industry.
