Living and working in rural Newfoundland can make it difficult to order, well, anything! But especially building supplies.  

Shipping costs are higher, and the process takes longer. When a pandemic hit, the process became exponentially more difficult, and Albert Pike and his business partner Krista Crocker were hit with a bolt of inspiration - they should manufacture their own metal roofing, siding, and trim. They named their business BP Metal Products and focused on B2B sales rather than direct-to-consumer. 

In 2021, the pair purchased a commercial building in Burin and completed extensive renovations to prepare it for manufacturing. They launched operations in February 2023 and have been working hard to support the local building industry ever since.  

“It was evident that more manufacturing businesses are needed here on the island to prevent such disruption to the small business industry,” Crocker says. “Newfoundland businesses struggle daily with the shipping delays and freight rates to receive products. That was our biggest factor in deciding that we would manufacture a product; to not only benefit our business but other businesses as well.” 

Since opening for business, BP Metal Products has been supporting builders island-wide; developing relationships with strategically placed dealers for residential metal roofing products and selling directly to contractors for commercial projects.  

“We are constantly learning, thinking outside the box to become more creative and successful,” Crocker says. “Life as an entrepreneur is a constant rollercoaster and if you love what you do, it’s a really fun ride!” 

While any small business requires start-up funding, a manufacturing business working with local and domestic steel products required a significant investment, which is why BP Metal Products turned to CBDC Burin Peninsula for access to a First-Time Entrepreneur Loan.   

“CBDC worked with us to ensure we had the funding we needed to be able to purchase equipment and inventory to begin production,” Crocker says. “Like any new business, getting started is the hardest part. Without the help of CBDC it would have been very difficult to get our business up and running.”