VanGalee FirstShake® is an insulated metal roofing shake, proudly developed, engineered and manufactured in Nanaimo, BC. A FirstShake™ & FirstSlate™ roof is the last roof you’ll need for your home or commercial project. It is made to look like wooden shakes or rock slate. VanGalee Manufacturing Inc. is owned by Gary van der Leek and Lesa Zimmerman. Gary invented FirstShake™ & FirstSlate™ over 10 years of research and development. Lesa is the lead in executing the business directives of VanGalee Manufacturing Inc.. Everyone loves the look of a new cedar shake roof, but this very quickly turns silver, grey and then black. Also, as the roof continues to age shakes will show visual signs of splitting and curling, which affects the overall look. By comparison, VanGalee FirstShake maintains its look well past 50 years. It develops no splitting or curling, while maintaining its original beauty.