From mobile app to industry game-changer

By Dani Sheehan. 

Learn how ToolBelt provides flexibility and mobility to roofing companies by addressing challenges in finding work and building a centralized hub for industry professionals. 

In Season 1, Episode 14 of MetalCast™, Heidi J. Ellsworth met up with Josh Engelbrecht, CEO of ToolBelt to talk about the launch of his technology and how it connects contractors who need labor with crews searching for work. Originally a mobile app, it can now be used interchangeably with a desktop or phone so that labor is always just a click away. 

Josh explained that this technology first came about as a solution to a problem he had noticed, particularly in the construction industry. He said, “What I realized was a lot of the crews were skilled at their trade and not at the trade of business, and they relied on a lot of established networks to find people. I realized there was no central place for people to find each other.” 

Focusing on the Pacific Northwest in the first year and a half after they launched, ToolBelt now services at least 50 top metro markets across the United States. When asked what feedback he’s received, he shares that generally it’s been positive. He explained, “What we always try to focus on is how do we reduce the friction? How do we build technology that mimics the existing word of mouth process for both parties? And I think largely that's why we've been successful, because many tech companies in our space build software for the large guys and they're important. We have a lot of great relationships with them.” 

In certain parts of the country, whether it’s due to inclement weather or changes in the economy, small roofing companies are struggling to find enough work with word of mouth and a great resume alone. ToolBelt starts to close that gap. Josh continued, “It’s going to provide a lot of flexibility and mobility for a lot of the people in our space, not just in roofing, but in foundation, framing, fencing, decking, [the entire critical path]. We all know a shingle crew is completely different than a flat crew, it's different than a metal crew. On ToolBelt, we track that data and people can select what specific traits they do.” 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast episode or Watch the Webinar to learn more about this great resource and how to find metal roofing and siding contractors and laborers quickly and efficiently.