June 2023
Tell us about the Leo J Roth Corporation.
We were established in 1948 by Leo Roth. Initially set up as a roofing company, we quickly branched into mechanical contracting and then piping/plumbing in the 1980s. We also do residential HVAC, green energy, automated controls, and specialty roofing (slate, metal, etc.). In addition to our construction departments, we also do full service and maintenance on all mechanical and roofing systems. We have just under 100 employees currently.
What are some of your challenges and how do you navigate these?
Since the pandemic, our biggest challenges have been sourcing materials and finding qualified people. Luckily, we work with wonderful unions in Rochester and Buffalo who send us highly skilled tradesmen to tackle our projects and provide maintenance support to our customers. We wouldn’t be who we are today without the people we work with and the partnerships we’re so fortunate to have.
What do you like most about your business?
The people we work with and the customers we serve. 2023 marks our 75th year in business—it has been a wonderful journey and we are all so grateful for the people we’ve been able to work with throughout the years.
Can you share something that is unique about what you do that people may not know about?
We are very fortunate to partner with different churches and historical buildings around town for their copper façade and roofing restoration. We’ve done everything from cupolas and slate roof installs to church steeples and domes. We have a full metal shop and very skilled metal artisans who can do some amazing things.
How has your relationship with ESL helped your business?
We are so thankful to have developed this partnership with ESL in the past years. They are always a phone call away for any questions or banking issues and are a solid base in which we can further evolve and grow as a business.
What has it been like working with ESL?
Wonderful! We originally were introduced to ESL through our work at their branches and headquarters. We have a tremendous amount of respect for the individuals in facilities and the banking relationship has truly blossomed out of that base. We hadn’t experienced this level of personal involvement with banking before, and we are very much looking forward to what the future holds.
As a business owner, what tips would you share with others, whether it’s someone starting a business or a veteran business owner?
When work is coming in, everything flows easily. But it’s when things are tight and stressful that you can really see the systems that you’ve put into place shine. Develop processes before you need them and foster the people on your team to excel no matter the circumstances. COVID-19 showed us how our employees can step up to get the job done, whether it’s working from home or out on the jobsite we know we have the best team in Rochester.
What else do you think is important for people to know about your business?
We offer customized solutions to a variety of applications. Whether you’re looking for a full copper roof, a church steeple, or a new furnace we can find the best fit for your space.
For more information, please visit https://leojroth.com.
