Roofing Insights: An Interview with Leigh McKenzie
Here at QDEK, we’re serious about getting the job done faster, easier and smarter. We work hard behind the scenes to make this a reality, and we’re proud to have a stellar team of in-house industry experts developing and refining market leading solutions every day. We sat down with Leigh Mckenzie, category manager for QDEK to talk about all things flat roofing.
Let’s see what he has to say…
Let’s find out about you. Tell us a little about yourself and your role at QDEK…
I joined Quin Global in 2012 and began working for the internal sales department, where I would book appointments for the sales team and give technical assistance to customers. From there, I moved into regional sales development, where I really got to understand our customers and what they need from adhesives. Fast forward to 2021, I’m currently the category manager for QDEK roofing products with very exciting times ahead!
Describe QDEK in 3 words
Fast, Easy & Smart
How do QDEK adhesive systems work?
They’re very simple to use and utilise spray canister technology. It’s a portable, pre-pressurised canister system that requires no external power source – you simply pull the trigger and spray the adhesive on the surface. It’s designed to be quick and easy to use and it’s just that!
In your opinion, what’s the biggest challenge single ply roofers face in their everyday work?
It has to be the ever-changing weather conditions, particularly in the UK, but other countries too. Not only wind and rain, but cold and warm weather also affects adhesive application, performance and the ability to meet a project deadline. QDEK makes life so much easier for installers because it’s 8 times faster to apply, removing time constraints on site and helping roofers meet their deadlines.
No two flat roofing jobs are the same. What membranes are QDEK products compatible with?
QDEK adhesives are compatible with all membrane types. We have adhesives for the bonding of plain or fleece-backed EPDM, TPO and PVC membranes. We also have products for the adhering of bituminous membranes, self-adhesive vapour barriers and self-adhesive synthetic membranes. We’ve covered all bases and have an adhesive for every membrane – just ask and we’ll let you know the best solution for the materials you’re working with.
You say the roller and bucket method is outdated. What sets QDEK apart from traditional methods?
Well, firstly QDEK adhesives are 8 times faster to apply than traditional roll-on or brush-on adhesives you find in a tin or drum. They’re engineered to apply a uniform level of adhesive on the surface of the substrate very quickly and flash-off so quickly; just 1-5 minutes depending on the adhesive. QDEK is way ahead of roll-on adhesives in speed of application, dry-time and moving from one layer to the next. It’s these benefits that allow contractors to stay ahead of weather conditions and get an installation done and dusted in a single day.
Talk to us about QDEK’s distributor commitment…
We’re passionate about training the trainer. We bring our support and technical expertise to job sites and even offer virtual training sessions to overcome the challenges of the pandemic. Distributors can easily book a virtual session for somebody onsite facing a challenge, a group of site technicians or a distributor sales team.
It’s really taking our knowledge to the user via the distributor network. We’re committed to supporting them at branch level and love attending branch open days with our products. We want to make our distributors trusted advisors and give them the confidence and knowledge to answer any questions about QDEK adhesives.
How do customers and distributors get in touch with you?
There are so many ways to get in touch with the team. You can chat directly on the website via the live chat feature, where you’ll speak with one of our in-house experts. You can also contact us via Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram and through our phone lines, both the UK and mainland Europe.
Get in touch with Leigh
When he’s not promoting the best adhesives in the flat roofing business, Leigh Mckenzie is on hand to answer questions and queries about QDEK. Get in touch with Leigh directly:
Telephone: 07848 452125
Email: leigh.mckenzie@quinglobal.com
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/leigh-mckenzie-5487b5ba
