Sanderson Roofing is proud to announce that it will be celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2020. The family-owned business was established by John D. Sanderson in 1895. Sanderson was a shingler and lather by trade when he decided to strike out on his own. At first the company was very small, just J. D. Sanderson and another man. They got to the job site by horse and wagon rather than the trucks we use today. The company soon expanded into flat roofing and the roofing products were heated in a wood-fired kettle rather than the propane that is common today.
In 1908, J. D. Sanderson suddenly died, leaving his wife Grace and his young son Herbert to run the company. Herbert had to drop out of school the run the firm, while his mother did the bookkeeping. After the Second World war, Herbert hired his son-in-law Lloyd Mann who was a decorated RCAF pilot. After a few years, Herb Sanderson made Lloyd Mann a partner and they ran the firm jointly until Herb’s health failed him forced him to retire in the 1970’s. In 1980, Lloyd hired his son Donald to help him run the business and he was made a partner in 1990. Today the firm is one of the oldest family-owned businesses in Ottawa.
The firm has a number of significant achievements during its 125-year history. It was founding member go the Better Business Bureau of Ottawa in 1937. It was also a founding member of the Ontario Industrial Roofing Contractors Association and the Canadian Roofing Contractors Association. We were a founding member of the Canadian Association of Family Business Ottawa Chapter. Sanderson Roofing is a member in good standing of the Ottawa Construction Association and the National Roofing Contractors Association, and the Mechanical Contractors Association.
Over the years, we have received Awards from many organizations. We are the only roofing company in Ottawa to hold the prestigious Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Business Ethics. We have also won the Consumer’s Choice Award and the First Choice Award multiple times. The company also has received several safety awards from The Construction Safety Association of Ontario. A number of years, ago our employees presented us with an award for being an excellent employer.
Sanderson Roofing is proud to be entering its 125th year of operation and an independent, locally owned, family business. We look forward to continuing to provide the people of Eastern Ontario with high-quality roofs and excellent customer service for many years to come!