Albany Sheet Metal Works Inc

Drawdy, 39, took over his father’s 40-year-old company in 1996. About eight years ago, the company narrowed its focus primarily to replacement roofs. Drawdy then added vinyl siding and replacement windows to its repertoire.
“I knew the construction boom wouldn’t last. Drawdy was known as a reputable company and people had trouble finding a reputable company that would do everything – roofs, windows and vinyl siding,” Drawdy said. “I created a brand six or seven years ago without realizing it.”
Wise choice. The company’s service delivery area now spans to the Alabama and Florida lines, Valdosta, Tifton, Cordele and beyond. It helps that Drawdy may be the only roofing company in South Georgia with a state roofer’s license.
While Drawdy Roofing’s business has exploded during a declining economy, Albany Sheet Metal has maintained a steady customer base through the years. The notion of the two companies joining forces surfaced last fall when Donnie Parr, Sr. approached Drawdy about combining forces because of his declining health. Donnie Parr, Sr. acquired Albany Sheet Metal from his father in the 1960s after growing up in the business, which started in 1925 on Front Street in the former Keenan Auto Parts building, which is now the Albany Bridge House.
“My father was looking to retire, but only if a reputable company acquired the business,” Donnie Parr Jr. said. “At the time, I was trying to decide whether to stay on with the company, but with Ken taking over, I am very excited about the future of this business.
“This is almost as if it was meant to be, with me growing up in this shop in the flat metal world like I did, and Ken growing up and expanding his business in the shingle world, and expanding to include vinyl siding and widows. It’s a perfect fit.”
Added Drawdy: “For me, a requirement of the deal was for Donnie (Jr.) to stay on. His knowledge and experience, and his family’s reputation, is invaluable. “
Drawdy said that blending two companies with impeccable reputations in an industry with a lot of fly-by-night and often unlicensed operators signals an exciting future for Drawdy and Albany Sheet Metal.
“The residential roofing industry is an easy entry-type business that is cut-throat and has a lot of work that isn’t as good and a lot of guarantees that aren’t reliable,” Drawdy said. “That’s how we stand apart from the competition. Our jobs are not finished until the customer is 100-percent satisfied. We’ve always been that way, and so have the Parrs.”
Drawdy and Parr said they are especially excited about their plans later this year to unveil an addition to Albany Sheet Metal’s portfolio: a retail product line including hunting dog boxes, outdoor fireplaces and other customized metal work items that will be available locally and through e-commerce.
With the merger, Drawdy relocated its headquarters to Albany Sheet Metal’s sprawling three-acre plant, which includes a 10,000-square-foot metal fabrication shop, at 1706 West Town Road.