A state government school roofing stimulus program and a boom in home renovations has helped a long-established Mortdale business come through the pandemic in good shape.
Family-owned roof manufacturing company Ace Gutters has 250 employees, of whom close to 40 per cent have worked for the company for 25-30 years.
"We have been very fortunate," general manager Stewart Porter said.
"There was a period of about six months where 40-50 per cent of our staff worked only a couple of days a week, but we have managed to get through with a full complement."
Mr Porter said the firm had supplied its DuraKote pre-painted steel product for 40 school roof replacement projects in NSW, including about 15 in Sutherland Shire and St George.
Cronulla Public School was among the schools where the product was used.
Many of the projects resulted from a state government COVID stimulus project to renew school roofs across the state.
"A lot of our customers have contracts with the Department of Education and the stimulus program has certainly been helpful," Mr Porter said.
"Also, because there was no overseas travel, a lot of people have put their money into home renovations, which is a big part of our business."
Ace Gutters was founded in 1953 by Fred Anderson, whose son Don still runs the company, which has manufacturing plants in Mortdale, Nowra and in Victoria.
The firm came forward as a front of jersey sponsor of the Cronulla Sharks when the club was without a major sponsor and still sponsors the four Bate Bay surf life saving clubs,
Contractor Jared Keen, who operates shire-based All Safe Roofing, said the school projects, including the roof replacement at Cronulla Public School, had kept him very busy during the pandemic.
"I feel a little bit guilty sometimes because I know a lot of people have been doing it tough," he said.
"Having said that, I think most people in the building industry have been reasonably busy."