River City Six: Dennis Allen
Urethane Contracting Services, LLC provides commercial roofing services utilizing a proprietary coating system manufactured by Conklin. Dennis Allen is the owner of Urethane Contracting Services, LLC, a local contractor affiliated with Heartland International, Inc.
Tell us a little about your business. – We were the first urethane company in the Omaha, Lincoln and the surrounding areas and have been in business now for 39 years. The spray-in-place foam system is an insulating material that is placed over the top of flat commercial roofs. In most cases we don’t have to tear off the existing roofing system, or expose the interior to the elements, so it’s very cost-effective and there’s little-to-no downtime for the business. It’s also incredibly energy efficient; with the insulation properties and the final membrane added being white, it reflects 85-90% of the sun’s rays. Our offerings come with up to an 18-year non-prorated warranty.
How did you get started in the business? – As a high school teacher with plenty of free time during the summer, I began selling Conklin products. When they introduced this line of roofing materials, I decided to start my own business, and it really took off from there. Now we train new contractors on installing the systems we specialize in too, with a training area in the shop dedicated to that part of our operations.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Initially, 39 years ago, nobody had heard of this system so I was introducing a brand new product to the area. Now that it’s well known because of buildings like the super dome, with so much growth the challenge has shifted to labor. I’m always looking for contractors to bring on!
What has been your most important achievement professionally? – The success of my business, but also being able to share my experience and impart my knowledge to those who are new to the business so they don’t have to go through the pitfalls that we did.
Tell us a little about your family. – My wife Susan and I are also coming up on our 40th anniversary next year. We have two sons, Patrick (32) and Cory (30), who both worked with the company through high school and college. Now, one is an investment banker in Atlanta, GA and the other runs a company out of Dallas, TX that designs, builds, installs and tears down trade show booths nationwide. They both apply their strong Midwest work ethic to their current jobs and I couldn’t be more proud.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – I collect cars, specifically Mustangs, so anything related to that. I’m also lucky to do a lot of traveling at this point in my life – Europe, Mexico, Thailand, and Israel have been the most recent adventures!
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – Do what you say you’re going to do and show up!
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Christian.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – A BTO classic, “Taking Care of Business.”
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? – I’m involved with CBMC and also support Harbor Ministries.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – The Boiler Room; I appreciate the farm to table aspect and the setting is very cool.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Warren Buffet.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – Phone: (402) 560-8660; Email: dennisallensd@windstream.net.