By: scott.huish in Milestones June 1, 2022 1:23 pm

This year Snyder celebrates our centennial anniversary — 100 years of serving the region in commercial roofing and waterproofing. And after all those years, we continue moving forward while believing the best is yet to come. We remain committed to the highest standards of safety. Strengthening lasting relationships. Building on a century of expertise. Covering the Pacific Northwest.

Our legacy drives everything we do at Snyder. It begins with our people.

Founded in 1922 by Fred A. Snyder, Snyder Roofing & Sheet Metal operated for more than three decades before Mr. Snyder formalized his partnership with his stepson, Jim King, in 1955. A mere nine months after Jim joined the company, Mr. Snyder passed away. At 27 years old, Jim was left to navigate the headwinds of the industry and ensure stability for those in his employ. His vision, loyalty to his people, and unwavering commitment to building enduring relationships became the template for modernizing Snyder. Setting new standards in service, innovation, and safety led the industry forward and Snyder became the largest commercial roofing contractor in the Pacific Northwest.

“Before my dad joined Snyder, he was a teacher and football coach in southern Oregon. He saw potential in everyone around him. For him, it was about respecting every person he came into contact with, whether it was an employee, a partner, a client, or a competitor. Whether he was at home or at the office, he always made himself available and he never ceased being a coach. He was always coaching people upward.” — Scott King, oldest son of Jim King

It was Jim King’s interest in people that paved the way for who Snyder is today. It’s true; many companies will claim that they are family-owned, or that they’re “like a family”. We’re both of those. And more.

“For Jim, the most important thing was that his employees were respected, were treated fairly, and were protected. He had a strong work ethic and at times, when work at Snyder may have interrupted our own family life, he would say, ‘Sherrin, the greatest gift you can give me is to know that I also need to take care of each employee in the same way I do with family — with love, respect, and understanding.’” — Sherrin King, wife of Jim King

The respect didn’t stop there. Jim knew that bringing people along and growing the business also meant giving back to the industry. At the time, the west coast didn’t have major industry players on the scale of the east coast or the midwest. So he’d visit these cities to learn from, and contribute to, the conversations at the national level. He invested time and energy into NRCA, the National Roofing Contractors Association. He embraced the union and challenged it when necessary.

“There were two or three major roofing contractors in town. Dad knew he had to be involved in the national conversation so he’d go to those bigger cities to be a voice in shaping industry policies and standards. Even among competitors, Snyder gained a lot of respect because dad was representing the entire industry. He was not just speaking on behalf of his company and people but on behalf of everyone in the industry. With mutual respect. That’s how others came to know Snyder.” — Kyle King, youngest son of Jim King

As we continue to grow the Snyder family, so too have we expanded our solutions over the years and during changing times. To meet the evolving needs of our customers, Snyder led the industry in embracing new roofing technologies when their promise met the standards of superior craftsmanship.

Adapting in this way has always been a response to listening to the customer and making the most of what the era offers. Today, it’s sustainable building and green roofing and creating systems to harvest rainwater or solar power. But it all goes back to Jim King’s interest in learning and his commitment to better service. If there was a need, there was a need at Snyder to find a way to tailor our solutions to the unique conditions in the Pacific Northwest for projects of all sizes and types: stadiums, schools, hospitals, warehouses, churches, performing arts centers, high-rises, and residential towers. If it needs protection from the elements, Snyder has the people and the expertise to provide the solution. We always have.

Change is constant. But hard work, loyalty, and resilience always seem to win. Treating people the right way and remaining open to new ideas. Finding solutions that most would see as challenges. Adapting as necessary. It’s how we’re built. It’s this resilience and commitment to doing business ‘The Snyder Way’ that finds us here a century later. Still building a culture of people building expertise as we have done since the very beginning.

No question, the work is hard. Commercial roofing and waterproofing in the extreme conditions and the ever-changing climate of the Pacific Northwest is hard. And it is precisely for those reasons that Snyder is uniquely positioned for a hundred more.

Snyder has weathered a few storms since Jim King walked these halls or visited a job site, and frankly, it would be easier to react to these changes rather than respond strategically. But as we build our future at Snyder, we are reminded of a vision with acute focus. With more than 300 employees across Oregon and Washington, we can’t be all things to all people. Yet we can deliver the best service, by and for the best people, using the best materials. A hundred years later, we are as we started: a family-owned commercial roofing and waterproofing company with a legacy built by and for the people around us. Always adapting.

“For any family business to celebrate 100 years is special, and in this industry, it’s extraordinary. As we approached this milestone, there was no question that Fred Snyder and Jim King were somehow guiding our efforts to revisit our roots and turn our focus to the values that define us. People, safety, and innovation. To keep it simple and grow only in the areas in which our expertise will pay dividends. For our future, we are hopeful. For everyone who has worked for or with Snyder, we are thankful.” — Josh Mullen, CEO, Snyder