The year was 1946. J. Fred Gooding had a dream. He moved from Philadelphia to Lancaster, PA, sold his car, and used the money to buy roofing materials for his first job.
That was the start of what would become Gooding, Simpson & Mackes, Inc., or GSM Roofing as we are known today. Our commercial roofing company has grown from those meager roots and now makes repairs, conducts maintenance, replaces roofs, and completes new construction projects in the eastern half of PA plus NJ, DE, and most of MD.
J. Fred Gooding hitchhiked to his job sites. Then Bill Simpson and his truck joined the operation. Fritz Mackes, a sheet metal mechanic, was the next to enter the equation, rounding out the Gooding, Simpson & Mackes, Inc. trio.
After Fred’s son, John, returned from Vietnam in 1969, he joined the company to become the only second-generation member of the family to work full-time in the business. Then, in 1983, the growing sheet metal division broke off to become GSM Industrial, which continued to expand into non-roofing relation metal fabrication. Today, GSM Industrial is led by Jim Towers, John Gooding’s brother-in-law.
In 1987, John opened a second roofing location in Newark, DE. The company grew and developed a reputation for delivering quality commercial roofing and specialty roofing solutions with unparalleled customer service. John’s two sons joined the operation next (Reed in 1996 and Will in 2004).
With the company launching its new brand, GSM Roofing. The Delaware branch moved to Elkton, MD, and in 2012, third-generation Goodings took over leadership of the company, with Reed named President and Will named Vice President. John remained active in the company as Chairman.
Today, GSM Roofing—formerly Gooding, Simpson & Mackes, Inc. – is one of the region’s largest, most respected commercial roofing and specialty roofing contractors. The third generation of the Gooding family is leading the business, with a remarkable commitment to quality, safety, and service that’s as strong today as it was on the first day in 1946.
GSM Roofing and GSM Industrial make up The Gooding Group. The Towers family has led GSM Industrial for over 35 years, and the Gooding family has led GSM Roofing for more than 75 years. John Gooding and Jim Towers each have children who are part of their respective businesses.
Founded in 1988, The Gooding Group Foundation carries out the philanthropic efforts of the Gooding family. It supports non-profit organizations in Southcentral and Southeastern PA, northern MD, and DE. In addition to charitable contributions like the Great Roof Giveaway (through which we donated more than $100,000 in 2021 alone), the Foundation honors employees through matching gift charity and college scholarship programs.
Organizations that have benefited from the Gooding Group’s philanthropy include:
All 501(c)(3) organizations in our local communities may submit an entry to the GSM Roofing Great Roof Giveaway for a chance to win a new roof or roof repairs and related services. No purchase is necessary to win.
Now that you know the history of the company that began as Gooding, Simpson & Mackes, Inc., it’s time to experience our services for yourself. Get in touch today so we can discuss any roof problems or leaks you might be having and how we can extend the life of your commercial or specialty roofing system.
