One Slate Ripper to Rule Them All
American Manufacturing and the Slate Industry
Our Heavy Duty Slate Ripper was processed through our shop for the final time. This is multi-faceted as 1) Stortz Tools will be relocating shortly and 2) The factors to produce an American-made heavy duty slate ripper are becoming too challenging. This post will provide perspective on USA manufacturing and the current state of the slate industry.
Slate Rippers Being Painted
America was built on a high standard of building traditions that sadly are becoming used less often. As my 50-year-tenured, Stortz Tools representative, uncle tells me, “they don’t build like they used to”. Time consuming trades like natural slate roofing are less fashionable today to a younger generation than a century ago. This leads to fewer installers, less repairs, more tear offs, and a trade that diminishes with each passing year. Associations like the Slate Roofing Contractors Association are providing training to prepare more slate roofing contractors for quality installs and repairs and to keep the trade progressing.
Slate Valley
Let’s switch gears for a minute and look at manufacturing in the USA. The forging cost of the ripper has nearly doubled in 10 years. Heat treating has tripled. Lead times for material can get upwards of 52 weeks as there are labor shortages because forging a ripper isn’t as comfy as an Amazon warehouse. This is legitimate hard work. So the costs balloon and price out an extremely high quality product that only serves a purpose for the select few in the industry.
As the current President of the National Slate Association, I’m tasked with trying to grow an industry that has issues with supply, training, an aging generation of tradesmen, and a material where the competitors are literally calling their product the same name when it’s clearly not. This is a whole other topic that’s been written about before. Click here.
Fake Slate
Are we satisfied with letting these traditional building methods of our country fade off into the sunset? Where high quality slate installs are done by a select few for historical purposes. This matter is larger than a heavy duty slate ripper being produced for the last time, it’s an indication of the direction our country is heading with regards to the building trade. Time tested building materials to produce projects that are able to last generations are becoming a part of our past, and that is a weakness of our society.
I’m hopeful this post can fuel some fire inside the craftsman out there to speak out on this subject matter. What are you seeing out there and where are the pain points? Is the wisdom being passed down dwindling? Are these fights worth fighting? Feel free to comment on this post about our country’s future with regard to the time tested building trades.
Sorry to say, I feel you’re exactly correct in your appraisal. I still see quality and craftsmanship being installed and appreciated in the euro-zone. America wants it cheap…No such thing as a cheap good job as you are aware. The roofing industry lacks minimum knowledge training and licensing, unlike plumbing and electrical work.
The roofing industry in South Carolina, much like in many parts of the country, has grappled with persistently low and stagnant wages since the 1980s. Consider the scenario of a roofer seeking employment in such conditions: the compensation hardly reflects the physically demanding nature of the work, the challenges posed by scorching summers, and the inherent risks associated with the trade. What exacerbates this situation is the advocacy from bodies like the National Roofing Contractor’s Association, which pushes for increased immigration, particularly of low-skilled and low-paid laborers from abroad.
This influx of cheap labor not only diminishes the appeal of roofing jobs, particularly among the younger generation, but also skews the incentive structure. Why opt for an entry-level position in roofing, with its grueling hours and hazardous conditions, when alternatives like working at a climate-controlled establishment such as Five Guys offer more competitive wages?
The lamentable state of the roofing industry, however, extends beyond mere economics. It reflects a broader trend of negligence, greed, and a lack of craftsmanship. Take, for instance, the decline of slate roofing, a venerable tradition in Charleston, SC. Even in projects of national significance, such as historical landmarks, the craftsmanship has faltered. Improper installations, subpar repairs, and a general disregard for established standards have become distressingly common.
Addressing these issues demands a fundamental shift in perspective. We must hold ourselves to higher standards, starting with the accurate labeling of materials. Calling products “slate” when they fail to meet the criteria is misleading and contributes to the erosion of quality.
Moreover, the reliance on undocumented migrant labor exacerbates the problem. Many of these workers arrive with little to no skills, unable to communicate effectively in English. Yet, unscrupulous contractors exploit their vulnerability to drive down labor costs, often at the expense of quality and safety.
The prospect of a mass deportation agenda, as advocated by certain political figures, looms ominously over the industry. Such measures would undoubtedly disrupt the labor market, potentially leading to catastrophic consequences. However, there is a silver lining. By addressing the root causes of exploitation and promoting fair wages, we can foster a culture of excellence and sustainability within the roofing industry.
In the long run, prioritizing quality over cost benefits not only the industry but also the nation as a whole. By investing in skilled labor and upholding stringent standards, we can ensure the integrity of our built environment while honoring the legacy of traditional trades. It’s time for a paradigm shift—one that values craftsmanship, dignity, and the pursuit of excellence.
Well said, couldn’t agree more!!
Just my thoughts.I’m a Union roofer of 28 years. I was a foreman for most of them specializing in high profile commercial installations as well as SLATE installations here in Ohio.
The Apprenticeships don’t even teach about slate roof installations.
That being said, I’ve left the trade 3 years ago and started a successful residential remodeling company. Unlike working for unappreciative roofing companies in the Union for so many years, my customers value the quality craftsmanship and integrity I build into every project.
I still would love the opportunity to install a slate roof for a future project!
Being from Georgia, I’ve noticed that any trade that “takes time” is slowy diminishing. it’s not just the installer that’s looking for a quick buck, but the homeowner is looking for the quickest counterfeit. it’s not just with true slate roofs. it’s with everything. I don’t believe that there are many architects or general contractors in Georgia that would even now how to spec the roof,(rafters,decking) that would even support a true slate or tile roof. The reason I say this is I’ve seen homeowners ask about it(slate) on different occasions, but there home would not support it.(luxury,custom home with 7/16 osb). it would require much more money after the fact to prep the home for it. that would require more time and money. “I like the look”, they say. the alternative is the fake slate. I just believe you would have to start educating general contractors and architects more about the slate product and what it takes to install spec wise and prepare a home ahead of time to do so. Sorry for the early morning rant!! Appreciate what you guys do.
Hi, it was a pleasure to read your article. I do agree with most everything you said, as far as manufacturing and roofing and the slate industry. I want to first thank you for the quality tools you sell as it’s very hard to find these days. I was disappointed to see that you are not carrying the heavy duty slate ripper and discontinuing it. I will say though that this is a disappointment to me. The reason why I say this is when I looked at your website in the past or the picture you had in this article, I’ve seen your location in Philly and the pictures are old time photos that make it look like a manufacturing plant. The reality is your company is nothing more than a retail sales company of quality tools, mostly from Germany. Your company used to be a manufacture, and you went the way of everyone in this country and decided to just do the comfy stuff and sell the tools and email people instead of being what it used to be ( a manufacturer). I guess all I’m saying is the craftsman that are out there in the field working on these slate roofs and metal roofs, etc. are in the field working. You guys could be craftsman at your field of making fine tools. If you haven’t sensed it yet I can’t stand sales people and retail outfits. Don’t take this the wrong way, I love what you sell and I’m glad you’re around but I wish you guys would actually make the tools that you sell.
I likely shouldn’t have any business being on this news letter but seeing that I bought a Ripper 100-A, a cutter and some slate roofing supplies from you guys it appears I’ve found my way here.
My day job is actually in Information Technology as well as running a large commercial pig farm. One of things I’ve tasked myself with is preserving my families 160 year old farm with original Peach Bottom slate. Most of it is still intact but mostly due to luck. With the roofs on the buildings being fairly steep it’s prevented folks from destroying them.
One of the things that lead me down this rabbit hole of slate repair is the lack of care I saw on some past repairs that took place before I was alive (nails and roofing screws through the slates faces) as well as a lack of skill availability (I called multiple contractors with 0 responses).
So what happened from there was eventually getting in contact with someone for some insightful training as well as purchasing the Slate Roofing Bible. I’ve done most of my learning from reading and videos at this point so that I can do my own repairs.
So in summary, the answers to some of your questions:
Pain Points:
1. Talent shortage
2. Resource Discovery (unless you are in the industry, it was hard at the beginning finding where to get supplies and who to trust)
3. Risk vs Reward (folks don’t want to work in a high risk low reward industry).
Knowledge: Easily accessible through YouTube and Books
Suggestions: I think it would be super important to establish protections to preserve slate roofs. I realize people own their homes but I believe some countries establish rules in protecting buildings with slate.
I imagine slate will slowly be reduced to historic preservation and the ultra wealthy who have that disposable income. I fall into the historic preservation side. I personally love old world craftsmanship and quality made items but I’m definitely in the minority when it comes to Americans and my age group (31).
Hope this helped in some way.