Duro-Last History

     A lumberjack, carpenter, tool and die maker, Army veteran, a swimming pool installer, a pilot, and a salesman. Throughout his life, Duro-Last® Roofing, Inc. founder, John R. Burt wore these shoes and then some. And along the way, John endured many struggles. Yet, with only an eighth grade education, he reached deep down inside for the energy and at the age of 58, started a small business that has since grown into a multi-million-dollar conglomerate of companies.

"I always strived to achieve the goals that I set for myself," Burt said. "Without putting your nose to the grindstone and working hard, you cannot ultimately reach those goals and enjoy success."

It was in the mid-1970s that John came up with the inspiration that would lead him to Duro-Last. Back then, Burt (owner of Tri-City Vinyl®, Inc., a manufacturer of swimming pool liners) came to the realization: If a vinyl liner kept water inside a swimming pool, why shouldn't it keep water out, too... From that simple premise, the Duro-Last® roofing system was created in 1978.

"We were confident that the company would be successful, because we had a product unlike any of its kind in the roofing industry," John said.

Burt's special vision and his ability to seize a manufacturing opportunity enabled him to mobilize and motivate an entire organization. His enthusiasm and stamina set the fast pace and impeccable work ethic that characterize Duro-Last today.

In 1987, to expand his ever-growing roofing business, John purchased a 54,500 square foot facility, which would become the manufacturing plant and world headquarters in Saginaw, Michigan. In 1991, an additional parcel of land in Jackson, Mississippi was obtained, where the Duro-Last Jackson plant is now located. As the business continued to thrive, Burt opened three new manufacturing plants in one calendar year (1996). These new facilities include roofing prefabrication operations in both Sigourney, Iowa and Grants Pass, Oregon, as well as a calendering and knitting operation in Saginaw, Michigan (part of Plastatech® Engineering, Ltd.).

Through John's efforts, his family's dedication, and his employees' ever-present hardworking ethics, Duro-Last has unquestionably become the pioneer and one of the largest manufacturers of custom fabricated roofing systems.

"My philosophy is this --- if I'm going to manufacture a product, that product better be the best of its kind and do what it's supposed to do," Burt stated. "That's why today, we have the highest quality roofing system in the industry and are well-known for backing that system with outstanding customer service and excellent warranties."

Duro-Last uses factory prefabrication to provide quality-assured products by producing 80-85% of the seaming in a controlled environment. This reduces the liability of all parties involved. The architect, specifier, consultant, contractor, building owner, and the manufacturer have peace-of-mind knowing that only 15-20% of the seaming is done in the field.

Duro-Last also produces a complete line of standard and custom fabricated accessories. These accessories are made from precisely the same membrane as the roofing sheets, and are made in the factory rather than with labor intensive field fabrication on the roof.

Burt's daughter, Sharon Sny, along with Tom Lawler (both of whom are senior vice presidents at Duro-Last) work diligently to make sure that the Duro-Last roofing system remains The "Worlds Best Roof"®.

Yet, there's more to the Duro-Last story. Burt's related companies --- Plastatech Engineering, Ltd., Tri-City Vinyl®, Inc., Oscoda Plastics®, Inc., TIP-TOP® Screw Manufacturing, Inc., Creative Impressions®, and EXCEPTIONAL® Metals have all enjoyed tremendous success in their respective markets.

Under the leadership of John's daughter, Kathy Allen, Plastatech Engineering, Ltd. (located in Saginaw, Michigan) manufactures coated supported and unsupported vinyl, triple-ply lamination of PVC films and substrates, calendered PVC films, weft-inserted knitted substrates, gravured printing, PVC expanded suedes and single-ply laminates. These quality materials have proven their abilities in many end-use products within a wide variety of markets, including Duro-Last's single-ply roofing membrane, geomembranes, banner and billboard fabrics, air-supported and tension structures, RV and marine upholstery, and loose-leaf binders, to name a few.

In 1997, Plastatech Engineering was recognized by the Michigan Private 100 for being one of Michigan's fastest growing privately-owned companies.

Established in 1975, Tri-City Vinyl, Inc. (located in Saginaw, Michigan) manufactures pool and pond liners, pool covers (flat sheet and beaded), water tubes and pillows as well as cistern liners. Over the years, Tri-City Vinyl, Inc. has earned a reputation of excellence for fast turnaround time, a wide variety of designer patterns, precise craftsmanship and competitive pricing. All this has been accomplished under the guidance of John's son, Jack Burt, who is also the chairman of the board at Duro-Last.

Oscoda Plastics, Inc. (located in Oscoda, Michigan) opened in 1993 to produce the accessories for the Duro-Last roofing system. Today, the manufacturing facility uses recycled plastics and vinyl to produce injected and extruded plastic parts for the single-ply roofing industry, and other uses. Oscoda Plastics, Inc. also manufactures PROTECT-ALL® Specialty Flooring and PROFLEX® Vinyl Expansion Joints.

TIP-TOP Screw Manufacturing, Inc. (located in Oscoda, Michigan) manufactures the fasteners for the Duro-Last roofing system.

Because of his many contributions, Burt received numerous honors including the "Vision of Free Enterprise" award presented by the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce in 1998 as well as recognition in 1991 as the "Entrepreneur of the Year" in Michigan. In 1987, then-Governor James Blanchard presented Burt with the "Businessman of the Year" award. Duro-Last also received the "State of Michigan New Product" award in 1986.

Duro-Last founder John R. Burt passed away on April 11, 2003 in Tampa, Florida at the age of 82. In addition to his many accomplishments in business, Burt was a kind and adventurous man who enjoyed life to the fullest. He was an avid outdoorsman, who loved hunting and fishing with his countless friends and family. He sincerely considered his Duro-Last employees and colleagues part of his family.

John, his family members and his family of companies truly represent the "world's best" in their fields.