As a third-generation leader at Maxwell Roofing, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about legacy this year. I grew up visiting job sites with my dad and walking through the office my grandfather founded in 1956. Back then, I couldn’t have imagined what the company would look like or how much our industry would change over the next 70 years.
Nashville has grown into a completely different city from the one my grandfather knew. Roofing materials have evolved. Technology has changed the way we inspect and manage roofs. Some things, however, haven’t changed at all.
As we celebrate our 70th anniversary, I’m reminded that longevity isn’t just about staying in business. It’s about knowing exactly what to change to stay competitive and exactly what to keep the same to stay trusted. Over the years, we’ve learned that both matter.
What’s Changed: The Commercial Roofing Industry Has Evolved
Commercial roofing looks very different today than it did when Maxwell opened its doors in 1956. Here are a few specific changes that come to mind when I think about how the industry has evolved:
Roofing Materials Have Improved
Many of the roofing systems used decades ago were thicker, heavier, and incredibly durable. Built-up roofing and modified bitumen systems rarely leaked and could withstand years of wear and tear. Today, single-ply roofing systems offer building owners a more cost-effective and efficient solution. They’re easier to manufacture and install and provide excellent performance when properly maintained.
That shift has created new opportunities and new challenges.
Modern roofing systems are more vulnerable to damage from foot traffic, rooftop equipment, and severe weather. Property managers and building owners now need to think beyond installation. They need a long-term plan for maintaining and protecting their roofs.
The good news? Roofing solutions have never been better. The key is choosing the right system for your building.
At Maxwell, we’ve never believed in chasing trends or recommending the newest product simply because it’s popular. Every building has unique needs, budgets, and long-term goals. Our job is to help clients determine which roofing solution makes the most sense for their property.
The materials may have changed, but our approach has not.
Building Owners Need More Than Repairs
The way our clients manage their buildings has also changed significantly over the years. Today’s property managers often oversee multiple facilities, larger portfolios, and tighter budgets than ever before. Unexpected roof repairs can quickly disrupt operational plans and create financial headaches. That’s one of the reasons we developed MAXCare®.
MAXCare® was designed as a proactive roof asset management program that gives building owners and property managers the information they need to make smarter roofing decisions. Through detailed roof reports, budget recommendations, and long-term planning, clients can prioritize repairs and replacements before they become emergencies.
Our goal isn’t simply to fix leaks. It’s to help clients plan ahead and maximize the lifespan of their roofing assets. Innovation doesn’t always mean new technology. Sometimes it means finding better ways to serve the people who trust us with their buildings.
What Hasn’t Changed: The Maxwell Way
While our field technology looks completely different today, the backbone of the company is exactly the same. If you stripped away our modern tools, specialized cranes, and digital reporting tools, you would find the exact same core values my grandfather stood by in 1956. Here are a few specific promises that still guide everything we do:
Doing What We Say We’re Going to Do
If I had to identify one thing Maxwell has stood for over the last 70 years, it’s simple: doing what we say we’re going to do. Construction projects come with challenges. Weather delays happen. Material lead times shift. Unexpected issues arise on even the best-planned projects. What matters most is how you respond when they do.
As a family-owned business, our reputation has always been tied to our word. We believe in communicating honestly, standing behind our work, and doing what’s right for our clients. That philosophy guided my grandfather when he started the company, and it continues to guide our team today.
Prioritizing Relationships
We’ve had the privilege of working on some of Nashville’s most recognizable buildings over the last 70 years. Seeing those projects across our city is something I’m incredibly grateful for. What I’m most proud of, though, isn’t the buildings themselves. It’s the relationships behind them.
Many of our clients have trusted Maxwell for years. Some have trusted us for generations. Those partnerships have shaped who we are as a company. Roofing is ultimately a people business. Buildings may be what we work on, but relationships are what we’ve built our company around since 1956.
Investing in Our People
Another thing that hasn’t changed over the past 70 years is our belief that great roofing companies are built by great people. Commercial roofing isn’t something you master overnight. It takes years of hands-on experience, mentorship, and a commitment to learning. That’s why we’ve always invested in the people behind the work.
We invest in regular training, safety programs, certifications, and professional development opportunities that help our team continue to grow. Many of our employees started in entry-level positions and have advanced into leadership roles over the years. We believe when we invest in our people, our customers benefit. That’s been true since 1956, and it’s something we’ll continue to prioritize for decades to come.
Self-Performing Our Work
The construction industry has changed dramatically over the years. Many contractors now rely heavily on subcontractors to complete projects and increase volume. Maxwell has a different approach.
We self-perform nearly 100% of our production and service work because we believe quality starts with the people wearing the Maxwell logo. When you hire Maxwell, you’re hiring the team we’ve invested in and trained to uphold the same standards we’ve built our reputation on for nearly seven decades.
That level of consistency matters. It means better communication, stronger quality control, and greater accountability from start to finish. It also allows us to maintain the craftsmanship and customer experience that have defined Maxwell for generations.
For nearly 70 years, that’s been The Maxwell Way.
Protect Your Roof. Plan for What’s Next.
The next generation of Maxwell leadership isn’t interested in preserving the past simply for tradition’s sake. Our goal is to preserve what matters most while continuing to improve the way we serve our clients.
We’ll continue investing in our people. We’ll continue embracing new roofing solutions. And we’ll continue doing what we’ve done for nearly 70 years: treating every project and every partnership like our reputation depends on it.
Whether you manage one building or an entire portfolio, our team can help you make proactive, long-term decisions for your commercial roofing assets. Learn more about MAXCare® and discover how we can help you protect your investment for years to come.