Features Item : Made in Metal -
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Published on: 3/2/2003
Last Visited: 3/2/2003
"It's all about fashion," says Geoff Stone, president/owner of Metal Forming Inc. based in Peachtree City, Ga. "We see metal becoming the preferred method where there's a sloped roof."Stone believes that residential projects are driving much of the trend, which often translates into nearby retail projects.The high-profile nature of metal roofing promotes the product's aesthetics year round to consumers who then make inquiries.When metal roofing gets added to the list of possible options, then other factors are considered: longevity, appearance, availability and finally, price.
The last factor is not so critical when considering metal roofing, according to Stone."Price elasticity is different when fashion comes into play," he says.He has parlayed his two decades in metal roofing into a partnership that offers equipment from a variety of manufacturers.Most of them are based in Europe where the market for metal roofing is older and much larger.From snips to roll formers, the company, founded in 1997, offers virtually every kind of tool to fashion metal construction materials."The sheet metal process is not just one thing," says Stone."We give somebody a turn-key approach. (The contractor) discovers that he's so productive that he can provide components for others.Once you've bought the equipment, you have the same production capacity of some of the big companies."
The productivity is possible through highly automated machinery that uses computer technology to fabricate a wide variety of profiles.Controls are graphics-based to address the increasing number of non-English speaking workers.In addition, on-site training is available from a variety of companies to get crews cranking out metal components in a matter of days.
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"We wanted to give the contractor the opportunity to bid on anything," says Stone."What we decided to give the contractor is a roof system and not just a metal panel former."
Lab Work A sheet metal shop is a considerable investment that can eat up profits if it's idle, so like the artisans of the past, all kinds of products are fashioned from today's equipment.
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"I think the fashion (of metal roofing) it at a very early stage," says Stone of Metal Forming."It's got great legs and a long way to go."
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