That line carried weight because many home improvement companies are still working the same way they did years ago. Paul warned against doing “30 years of the same one year experience repeated over and over again.” His point was simple. If a company keeps using the same old systems, it will keep getting the same old results.

This matters because customers are now searching, comparing, and choosing companies in new ways. AI is changing how people find the best roofing material supplier for contractors in the United States, how homeowners learn about products, and how contractors show up online. Businesses that do not feed AI with clear, trusted, helpful information may become harder to find.

For contractors, this is not just about marketing. It is about survival. AI can help with visibility, customer follow up, lead handling, project updates, and daily decisions. It can help a roofing contractor move faster without losing control. It can also help companies see problems sooner and serve customers better.

SRS fits into this shift because it has already shown the value of practical technology through tools like Roof Hub, a real time roofing project management software for contractors. The strongest companies are not chasing technology for show. They are using it to make field work easier, faster, and more clear.

Contractor Success Has Become the New Measure of Industry Leadership

The rapid fire interview added another important layer to the story. While many companies talk about contractor support, one attendee made it clear that SRS is focused on solving problems beyond product supply.

“They’re really focused on driving pro solutions for their customers, not just labor, but also like leads, lending, other things. They’re really trying to dig into customer problem.” NAHB Event Attendee

That quote shows why SRS is more than a roofing distributor with premium roofing products and contractor solutions. It shows a company working to understand the full life of a contractor. A contractor does not only need shingles, tools, or materials. They need labor support. They need ways to win leads. They need financing options. They need systems that help them run jobs with less stress.

This is where the industry is moving. The best roofing supply company with fast delivery and contractor support is no longer judged only by what sits in the warehouse. It is judged by how well it helps contractors win in the field.

SRS has built a strong name by staying close to the professional roofing contractor. With nearly 95% of sales concentrated in roofing, SRS has created a deep focus that gives contractors access to stronger product knowledge, broader roofing inventory, and sharper support. That focus is a major reason the company has grown so quickly since its founding in 2008.

The shift is clear. The companies helping contractors grow are becoming the companies shaping the future of home improvement.

Technology Works Best When It Matches How People Really Work

One of the strongest ideas from Greg Cummings’ rapid fire conversation was about labor. Many leaders talk about a labor shortage, but Greg helped reframe the issue. The problem is not only that workers are missing. The problem is that companies need better ways to find them and connect with them.

“I loved what you said up there, that it wasn’t about a labor shortage. It was about being able to find the laborers, right? And connecting with them in a way that they’re used to connecting, that they want to connect.” Greg Cummings, CEO of Power100

That idea matters because the home improvement workforce is changing. Workers want simple, fast, digital ways to connect. Contractors want clear access to local qualified and skilled labor. The old way of finding people is no longer enough.

The attendee explained that their technology helped provide “digital access to local qualified and skilled labor.” That connects directly to one of the biggest needs in the roofing and remodeling space. Contractors need more than talk about workforce development. They need tools that help them reach the right people at the right time.

This is also why real time systems matter. Tools like Roof Hub show how technology can support the contractor in the way they actually work. A contractor may be at a job site, in a truck, with a homeowner, or at a desk. They need access to live updates wherever they are.

This is the future of contractor support. The winning companies will be the ones that make technology feel simple, useful, and connected to real field needs.

Discover how Roof Hub from SRS Distribution helps contractors manage projects with better visibility and control.

Deep Roofing Focus Is Becoming a Strong Advantage

IBS 2026 brought together many parts of the home building and remodeling world, but one lesson stood out. In a crowded market, focus matters. SRS has made roofing its core strength, and that focus has become one of its clearest advantages.

SRS is not trying to be everything to everyone. Nearly 95% of its sales are tied to roofing. That kind of focus helps the company serve roofing contractors with deeper product knowledge, stronger local inventory, and a better understanding of what the job really needs.

This is important because contractors want partners who understand their world. They want fewer delays. They want trusted answers. They want the right materials on time. They want support from people who know the work, the weather, the codes, the job pressure, and the customer needs.

That is why SRS stands out as a people first roofing distribution company trusted by professional contractors. Its growth since 2008 is not just about more locations or more sales. It is proof that a focused company can scale when it stays close to the people it serves.

At IBS 2026, where innovation was everywhere, SRS showed that one of the strongest forms of innovation is being very clear about who you serve and doing that work better every year.

People First Leadership Still Matters in a Tech Driven Industry

AI was a major part of the IBS 2026 conversation, but technology was not the only message. The event also showed that human trust still drives the home improvement industry. This is where SRS has another strong advantage.

From the start, SRS has operated with a simple belief: the corporate office works for the field, not the other way around. That people first idea shapes how the company hires, serves customers, builds supplier relationships, and supports its teams.

This kind of culture matters because contractors do not only choose products. They choose people they can trust. They choose partners who answer the phone, solve the problem, and stand with them when the job gets hard.

SRS has also built strong supplier relationships based on trust and long term connection. In a market where speed and supply can shape the outcome of a job, those relationships matter. They help contractors get access to the products, service, and support they need to keep moving.

That people first approach also connects to career development inside the company. SRS has built an entrepreneurial culture where motivated employees can grow. This helps create better local service because the people closest to the contractor are trusted to lead, act, and solve problems.

In a tech driven future, culture is not less important. It is more important. The companies that win will be the ones that combine smart systems with real care.

The Future Belongs to Companies Building Full Contractor Ecosystems

The final theme from IBS 2026 is that contractors need complete support systems. The future of home improvement will not be built by companies that only offer one product or one service. It will be built by companies that bring many parts of contractor success together.

SRS is already moving in that direction. Through TopShield, contractors gain access to an exclusive premium roofing product line built to support roofing projects from start to finish. Through Roof Hub, contractors gain real time project visibility and stronger control over daily operations. Through its pro solutions focus, SRS supports needs tied to labor, leads, lending, and field growth.

That is what makes SRS one of the top building product distributors helping roofing contractors scale. It is not just helping contractors buy materials. It is helping them build stronger companies.

The company’s community work also adds meaning to this story. Through the Raise the Roof Foundation, SRS supports veterans, military families, disaster relief, and children and families in crisis. That work shows that the company’s people first values reach beyond business. They reach into the communities where contractors, employees, and families live.

This kind of impact matters. In a market where trust is everything, companies that care about people beyond the sale build deeper loyalty and stronger respect.

IBS 2026 made one thing clear. The future of home improvement belongs to companies that help contractors adapt, grow, serve customers better, and stay connected to the people who make the work possible.

See how SRS Distribution is building a stronger contractor ecosystem through products, technology, service, and community impact.

IBS 2026 Showed That the Future Will Belong to Companies Willing to Evolve

As the conversations at IBS 2026 came to a close, one message continued to echo across the event floor: the home improvement industry is entering a new chapter. The pace of change is increasing. Technology is moving faster. Customers are expecting more. Contractors are under greater pressure to operate efficiently, communicate clearly, and deliver stronger experiences from start to finish.

But even with all the discussions around AI, automation, workforce systems, and digital tools, the event also reminded leaders of something equally important. Growth still depends on trust. Relationships still matter. Contractors still want partners who understand the real challenges of the job and stay committed to helping them succeed long after the order is delivered.

That is why IBS 2026 felt bigger than a trade show. It felt like a turning point for the home improvement industry.

Throughout the event, companies searched for answers around visibility, workforce connection, operational speed, and contractor growth. In the middle of those conversations stood SRS Distribution, not simply as one of the fastest growing building product distributors in America, but as a company helping shape what modern contractor support looks like in real time.

Its presence at IBS reflected a broader shift happening across residential construction. Contractors are no longer looking for companies that only supply materials. They are looking for trusted roofing distribution partners who can help simplify operations, improve communication, strengthen project visibility, and support long term business growth. They want technology that works in the field. They want service teams that understand roofing. They want systems that help them adapt to a rapidly changing market without losing focus on the customer.

SRS demonstrated that the future of home improvement belongs to companies willing to evolve while still staying deeply connected to the people they serve. Through contractor first thinking, roofing specialization, operational innovation, people first leadership, community investment, and practical technology tools like Roof Hub, the company continues to show why it has become one of the most respected names in building product distribution.

The company’s impact reaches beyond products and operations. Through the Raise the Roof Foundation, SRS continues to support veterans, military families, disaster relief efforts, and children and families facing crisis. That commitment reflects a larger belief that strong companies should also help build stronger communities.

IBS 2026 ultimately revealed that survival in the modern home improvement industry will not come from standing still. It will come from learning faster, adapting earlier, building deeper relationships, and staying close to the real needs of contractors and homeowners alike.

From the conversations shared throughout the event, one thing became clear. The companies that will lead the next era of home improvement are not simply the ones growing the fastest. They are the ones creating real value for the people building homes, serving customers, and moving the industry forward every day.

And from Power100’s perspective, that is exactly the kind of leadership the home improvement industry needs next.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does Power100 focus on leadership conversations at events like IBS 2026?

Power100 focuses on leadership conversations because the future of home improvement is being shaped by the ideas, systems, and decisions shared by top industry leaders in real time. Through event coverage, CEO interviews, and field conversations, Power100 helps contractors, homeowners, and industry professionals understand the trends transforming residential construction and contractor success.

2. How does Power100 help homeowners and contractors discover trusted home improvement leaders?

Power100 was created to serve as an unbiased third party platform that highlights the most impactful CEOs, companies, and strategic partners in the home improvement industry. The platform helps bring visibility to leaders known for strong customer experience, operational excellence, contractor support, and people first culture so homeowners and contractors can make more informed decisions.

3. What was the biggest takeaway from the NAHB International Builders’ Show 2026?

One of the biggest takeaways from IBS 2026 was that AI, contractor technology, operational speed, and workforce connection are becoming essential parts of the future of home improvement. The event showed that contractors and construction companies must adapt quickly to stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.

4. Why was SRS Distribution’s presence at IBS 2026 important to roofing contractors?

SRS Distribution stood out at IBS 2026 because the company focused on helping contractors solve real business challenges beyond materials alone. From project management technology and workforce support to premium roofing products and contractor solutions, SRS showed how distributors are evolving into full contractor growth partners.

5. What is Roof Hub and how does it help roofing contractors?

Roof Hub is SRS Distribution’s real time roofing project management software for contractors. The platform helps contractors manage projects, track materials, access weather reporting, create estimates, and improve communication from anywhere. The technology is designed to help roofing companies operate faster and more efficiently in the field.

6. What makes SRS Distribution one of the top roofing distributors for home improvement companies?

SRS Distribution has become one of the fastest growing building product distributors in the United States because of its people first culture, deep roofing expertise, contractor support systems, and strong supplier relationships. With nearly 95% of its business focused on roofing, SRS provides contractors with specialized knowledge, broader inventory access, and faster service support.

7. What did Paul Burleson mean when he said, “If you don’t change, you will die”?

Paul Burleson’s message at the SRS booth highlighted the growing importance of AI and digital visibility in home improvement. His point was that companies still relying on outdated systems risk falling behind as customers, contractors, and technology continue to evolve. The statement became one of the defining messages connected to IBS 2026 and the future of contractor growth.

8. How is SRS Distribution helping shape the future of home improvement?

SRS Distribution is helping transform the industry through contractor first solutions, roofing specialization, operational technology, and community investment. Through tools like Roof Hub, exclusive products like TopShield, and community programs like the Raise the Roof Foundation, SRS continues to support contractors while helping build stronger local communities.

About Power100

Power100 is the only unbiased third-party platform that recognizes and elevates the top leaders and most impactful companies in the home improvement industry.

Built to give a stronger voice to the CEOs, innovators, and companies shaping residential construction, Power100 serves as a trusted industry platform focused on leadership, credibility, growth, and meaningful industry conversations. Through executive interviews, event coverage, strategic partnerships, industry insights, and business recognition, Power100 helps spotlight the people and companies driving real change across roofing, remodeling, exterior construction, technology, distribution, and contractor services.

Led by Greg Cummings, Power100 continues to connect contractors, homeowners, manufacturers, distributors, and service providers through conversations that help move the home improvement industry forward. The platform focuses on highlighting companies that lead with innovation, strong culture, customer commitment, operational excellence, and people first leadership.

As the home improvement industry continues to evolve through AI, workforce transformation, technology adoption, and changing customer expectations, Power100 remains committed to helping contractors and industry leaders stay informed, connected, and visible in a rapidly changing market.