Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best metal roof sheet bending machine

26, Aug. 2024

 

Reviewing the 7 Best Roof Panel Rollforming Machine ...

Whether you're a standing seam metal roofing contractor or regional panel supplier/manufacturer ' it's critical to buy the right roof panel rollforming machine from a manufacturer that you trust.

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We often hear from industry professionals about the overwhelming number of options of machine manufacturers, configurations, and types. Plus, many contractors want to fully weigh all of their options and make sure they're getting the best machine for their business, especially with something so integral to a metal roofing installer or manufacturer's productivity.

Sheffield Metals is an industry leader in the distribution of coated and bare metal products used to rollform standing seam metal roofing and wall panels. While we don't manufacture rollforming machinery, we do sell and distribute them on behalf of our trusted partners at New Tech Machinery.

However, we know there are many manufacturers and distributors to consider. And since we believe that being an informed and educated consumer is the best way to make the right buying choice, we've put together a collection of some of the best portable and in-plant metal roof rollforming machine manufacturers.

(Note: Manufacturers are listed in no particular order.)

Manufacturer #1: New Tech Machinery (NTM)

Headquarters: Aurora, Colorado

Year founded:

About the company: New Tech Machinery is a leading manufacturer of portable seamless gutter machines and roof panel rollforming machines. Started by Larry Coben in , NTM was the first portable rollforming company to produce rollforming machines with polyurethane drive commercially. Mazzella Companies acquired New Tech Machinery in , allowing the business to grow significantly and offer its machines worldwide. Today, NTM produces versatile machinery that is easy to use and allows contractors/manufacturers to rollform roof panels directly at a job site.

Portable or in-plant roofing machines: Both

Select product offerings:

  • Roof panel rollforming machines ' including the SSQ II' MultiPro Roof Panel Machine, SSH' MultiPro Roof Panel Machine, SSR' MultiPro Jr. Roof Panel Machine, and 5VC-5V CRIMP' Roof Panel Machine 
  • Wall panel rollforming machines ' including the SSQ II' (wall profiles available) and the WAV' Wall Panel Machine
  • Gutter rollforming machines ' including the MACH II' 5', 6', & 5'/6' Gutter Machines, MACH II' 7'/8' Combo Gutter Machine, and BG7' Box Gutter Machine

Manufacturer #2: The Bradbury Group

Headquarters: Moundridge, Kansas

Year founded:

About the company: The Bradbury Group of manufacturing companies is known for manufacturing machinery that performs automated production and systems integration in the metal processing industry. The Bradbury Group's product lines include rollformers, coil processing equipment, levelers, slitting lines, embossers, etc. The Bradbury Group of companies operates out of locations worldwide, including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.

Portable or in-plant roofing machines: Both

Select product offerings:

  • Rollformers ' including portable standing seam rollforming machines (The Bradbury Portable Rollformer), in-plant standing seam panel production, gutter and trim rollformers, garage door rollformers, steel frame rollformers, and more
  • Coil processing equipment ' including levelers, slitting lines, cut-to-length lines, packing equipment, and more
  • Insulated lines ' including insulated panel product lines, garage door lines, and more
  • Metal shingle lines
  • Embossers
  • Custom rollformers

Manufacturer #3: Englert Inc.

Headquarters: Perth Amboy, New Jersey

Year founded:

About the company: Englert was founded by Herb Englert in originally as a gutter business. Today, Englert Inc. manufactures and distributes metal roofing, gutter, and rollforming products to the commercial and residential roofing markets. Englert is one of the few single-source roofing manufacturers with an in-house coil-coating line and offers a broad range of color and finish options.

Portable or in-plant roofing machines: Both

Select product offerings:

  • Portable roof panel rollforming machinery ' including the MetalMan Multi-Panel Roofing Machine and various MetalMan Fixed Panel machines
  • Gutter rollforming machinery ' including the K-Style Seamless Gutter Machine (Englert's Series 650 5' / 6' K-Style), MetalMan 770 7' Box Gutter Machine, Series 56X Seamless Gutter Machine, etc.
  • Metal folding and shearing machinery
  • Metal coil and sheets for roofing and gutter applications
  • Panel profiles for metal roofing systems
  • Gutter profiles/styles
  • Retrofit metal roofing systems

Manufacturer #4: Zimmerman Metals, Inc.

Headquarters: Denver, Colorado

Year founded:

About the company: Zimmerman Metals is a privately owned, family-oriented metal fabrication and machine shop founded in by William George Zimmerman. Today, Zimmerman Metals offers unique and innovative solutions in machining, structural steel, precision industrial steel, and metal roofing machinery. Zimmerman Metals is currently led by a 50/50 partnership of Mark Zimmerman and Taryn Christison. 

Portable or in-plant roofing machines: Both

Select product offerings:

  • Portable roofing machines ' including the Z-Panel Machine, Commercial Roofing Machine, Structural Roofing Machine, Arch Roofing Machine, Wall / Soffit Panel Roofing Machine, and more
  • Structural steel fabrication ' including bridges, trusses, specialty buildings, and more
  • Industrial steel fabrication ' including railways, transportation, beam processing, turnkey products, and more
  • Art structure fabrication ' including large and small art structures, stairs, tensile roofs, and more
  • Other machining and processing equipment

Manufacturer #5: Schlebach Maschinen GmbH

Headquarters: Friedewald, Germany

Year founded:

About the company: Schlebach GmbH is a leading manufacturer of equipment and machinery for metal roofs and walls. In , the manufacturing company Bartolosch GmbH with its owner, Ing. Friedhelm Bartolosch, acquired the rights to Schlebach and ultimately founded Schlebach Maschinen GmbH. Today, the company has approximately 200 employees working in a 110,000 square meter facility in Germany.

Portable or in-plant roofing machines: In-plant (on a cart/wheels)

Select product offerings:

  • Profiling machinery ' QUADRO (XL, XXL, KS) profiling machines, MULTI profiling machines (QUADFLEX, MULTIPRO, PANROL), MINI profiling machines, standard and special profiling machines, and more
  • Notching machinery ' including the notching units KLS, AK-QUAD, UKST, and more
  • Folding and seaming machinery ' including the seaming machines PICCOLO, SPIDER, and FLITZER
  • Bending machinery
  • Slitting and cutting machines
  • Edging and clips machines

Manufacturer #6: Roll Former Corporation

Headquarters: Chalfont, Pennsylvania

Year founded:  

About the company: Roll Former Corporation was established in to design and build machinery for rollforming applications, including metal roofing, garage doors, skylights, swimming pool components, and more. Since then, Roll Former Corporation has developed a line of over 20 machines for residential, industrial, and commercial metal roofing applications. In August , Roll Former Corporation became a part of the company Tennsmith.

Portable or in-plant roofing machines: In-plant

Select product offerings:

  • Roof panel machinery ' including the VS-150 Standing Seam Panformer, SSSP-3 3 Inch Trapezoidal Pan, SS20-A 2 Inch Armco, NSP Nail Strip Panel, 5V Crimp, and more
  • Wall and soffit panel machines ' including the FL-105 1 Inch Interlocking Wall/Soffit Panel Machine, FL-15 1.5 Inch Interlocking Wall/Soffit, SOF-12 12 Inch Residential Soffit, and more
  • Power seamers
  • Cap and curving machinery
  • Hemming machinery
  • Coil processing machinery

Manufacturer #7: Cidan Machinery Group

Headquarters: Götene, Sweden

Year founded:

About the company: CIDAN Machinery has been manufacturing machines since and has established itself as a leading sheet metal machine manufacturer. In addition to manufacturing their own roof panel rollformers, CIDAN is also a distributor of New Tech Machinery equipment. Today, CIDAN serves customers worldwide and has operations in multiple parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia. 

Portable or in-plant roofing machines: Both

Select product offerings:

  • Roof panel machinery ' including the CIDAN QZ36 In-Plant Rollformer
  • Distributor of New Tech Machinery portable rollformers ' including the SSQ II, SSR, and numerous gutter machines
  • Metal folder and bending machines
  • Metal shears
  • Coil handling, slitting, and cut-to-length machinery
  • Long folders
  • Miscellaneous storage and automation equipment

Questions & Things to Consider When Purchasing a Rollforming Machine

Whether you're a contractor, chop and drop supplier, or regional manufacturer, when you purchase a roof panel rollforming machine, you'll want to ask yourself some critical questions about your business and needs.

While the list below is just a selection of topics to consider, the answers to these questions can help you in the decision process and narrow down which machine, manufacturer, configuration, etc., is best for you.

Questions About Your Business

Panel production

  • Are you producing panels in a facility or at the job site?
  • Are you a chop and drop panel supplier? Or do you run the panels for your own installations?

Project efficiency

  • How are you currently getting the panels you need to do your business?
  • How would buying a rollformer make you more or less efficient?

Residential vs. commercial projects 

  • Do you install more residential projects? Light commercial? Primarily commercial? 
  • Do you plan to do more projects (primarily commercial) in the foreseeable future?

Profile options

  • What panel profile(s) do you want to offer your customers? Seam heights? Widths?
  • Do you need to offer engineered profile options (such as those for weathertight warranties, etc.)?

Budget/pricing

  • What are you comfortable spending on a rollformer? 
  • Is there a budget you must stay within?

Miscellaneous

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  • Do you have the facility space for an in-plant machine (which takes up more space than most portable rollformers)?
  • Do you need any add-ons, such as a decoiler, trailer, notching, slitting, etc., to come with your rollformer?
  • How do you see your business growing in the next 1, 5, and 10 years? Will the rollformer you're considering buying sustain that growth?

Questions to Ask About Machine Manufacturers

Machines offered

  • Does the manufacturer offer in-plant machines, portable machines, or both? 
  • What are the panel profile offerings for the machines you're considering?

Supplier or distributor

  • What are the benefits of buying from a machine distributor vs. directly from the manufacturer? 

Machine lead times

  • Is the machine manufacturer able to process orders and assemble/ship the machine(s) in a timeframe that works for you and your business?\

Shipping and freight costs

  • What are the associated shipping costs if I were to order a machine?
  • Is shipping too expensive or beyond my budget?

Training, service, and technical assistance

  • Is there any kind of machine training offered if I become a customer?
  • Is the training free, or does it cost money?
  • Is there a dedicated service or technical department that I can contact with any machine questions or if I'm having an issue with any of the equipment?

Warranties offered

  • What warranties are available on the machine I want to purchase?
  • How do the warranties compare among manufacturers I'm considering?

Machine add-on options 

  • Does the company you want to buy from offer the add-ons (trailer, decoiler, reel stand, power pack, etc.) you wish to purchase?

Sales/account management

  • Is the sales team I'd be working with and purchasing from trustworthy, able to answer my questions, and reliable?

Final Thoughts on the Top 7 Rollforming Machine Manufacturers

There isn't one specific rollforming machine or manufacturer that fits every roofing contractor or manufacturer. That's why doing your research, knowing your options, knowing your business needs, and ultimately choosing the best rollformer manufacturer/brand/distributor is such an important process.

Keep in mind: There are many more factors to consider when purchasing a roof panel machine than just the cost. We see this happen all too often, which is why you should ask yourself and the manufacturers/distributors you're considering the right questions (like those listed above).

Sheffield Metals is proud to offer a one-stop shopping experience for roofing contractors and regional manufacturers ' whether it's metal coil/sheets, accessories, rollforming machinery, engineering, or a combination of products. That's why we know how important it is for you to choose the right roof panel rollforming machine to complement your operation.

Best of all, we offer free consultations to get to know your business and set you up for successful metal roofing and wall projects. Contact us today to speak with one of our helpful specialists!

Review of the Seven Best Manufacturers for Sheet Metal ...

Whether you're a contractor or roof panel supplier, you can use many options for metal fabrication equipment to help make your job more efficient. Purchasing from the best sheet metal folder or brake manufacturers is critical to getting quality and reliable machinery.

At New Tech Machinery (NTM), we specialize in manufacturing portable rollforming equipment for metal roofing panels and seamless gutters. However, there's a question we often get: 'Besides the rollforming machines that make the roof panels, where can I find equipment to make other metal roofing components like trim or flashing?' 

Although NTM doesn't make metal fabrication equipment, we know and often refer clients to various metal folding manufacturers for sheet metal folding and bending tools so you can make all the parts of a metal roofing system yourself.

Since there are many manufacturers to consider for your metal fabrication equipment, we've compiled a list of some of the best folder and brake equipment manufacturers, some of the products they offer, and what to consider when choosing a folder or brake manufacturer.

Note: These manufacturers are not in any specific order.

What Is a Sheet Metal Folder or Brake?

You can use metal roofing fabrication equipment to produce trim pieces, roof panels, and even gutters. If you're unfamiliar with metal folding machines and fabrication equipment, let's talk about what they do. 

Sheet metal folders or brakes can make complex shapes that rollforming equipment currently doesn't exist for. The bending process involves turning sheet metal into shapes typically used for z closures, valley trim, ridge caps, eave flashing, or siding. They bend the metal at complex angles and straight lines, unlike rollforming machines that can bend that metal material into other shapes that aren't square or straight lines. 

Sheet metal folding equipment can make fully customizable designs. Sometimes they're even used to create metal roof panels. However, panels made with a folder may require a specific installation process because the lengths of the panels they can make are limited to the length of the folder used. As a result, depending on the sizes of the panels, it may require 'lapping' them in the field.

Folders and brakes for metal roofing are simple to operate, often using a foot pedal, and automated with touchscreen computers. They can be much bigger than portable rollformers, but the size of the folding machine limits the length of the part you can bend or fold. However, longer folders can make longer pieces of trim.

#1 CIDAN Machinery Group

Headquarters: Sweden (CIDAN Machinery ' USA headquarters is in Peachtree City, Georgia)

About the company: CIDAN Machinery Group began in in Götene, Sweden, and is where a lot of its manufacturing takes place. Throughout the years, CIDAN Machinery Group has merged with and acquired various companies, including Göteneds by CIDAN Machinery, CIDAN Machinery, Forstner CIDAN Machinery Group, nuIT, and Thalmann.

Several CIDAN Machinery dealers and centers are also located worldwide, including Georgia, China, Austria, Denmark, England, and Sweden.

Select product offerings:

  • Metal folders ' CIDAN PRO Z folding machine, FORMA Z folding machine, CIDAN MEGAPRO folding machine, CIDAN PRO folding machine, CIDAN FORMA folding machine, CIDAN FX Combi Series (folding and bending machine), CIDAN FS Series folding machine, and CIDAN F Folding Machine
  • Long folders ' TZ Long Folder, TD Double Folder, and TC Double Folder (Thalmann brand name)
  • Shears ' CIDAN EVO DUO metal shear, CIDAN RAPIDO metal shear, and CIDAN RAPIDO 32 SSM
  • Coil handling, slitting, and cut-to-length equipment
  • Recoilers

#2 Tennsmith

Headquarters: McMinnville, Tennessee

About the company: Tennsmith, founded by Ray Smith Sr., was first known as Smith Machine Tool Company. In , the company purchased Roper Whitney and its acquired companies: Pexto and Connecticut. Today, Tennsmith's sheet metal tools and fabrication equipment include automatic folders, hand brakes, shears, slip rolls, cleat benders, notchers, rotary machines, and more.

Select product offerings:

  • Up / Down folders ' EvoBend Up/Down Folders: D300, D600 and D800
  • Long folders ' AutoMax AM and AutoMax AMby Roper Whitney
  • Metal folders ' Straight Folders (SBS and Roper Whitney's AutoBrake) and Multi-Tooling Systems (MTS Series and Roper Whitney's Kombi Series)
  • Hand brakes (straight, box and pan, and universal)
  • Coil processing equipment ' Slit-to-Width and Cut-to-Length machines
  • Foot and hand shears
  • Roll bending equipment and benders

#3 RAS Systems LLC

Headquarters: Peachtree City, Georgia

About the company: RAS Systems LLC originally started as a mechanical workshop in by Wilhelm Reinhardt and, in , began producing sheet metal processing machinery. In , RAS Systems US was born, but the company currently still has facilities in operation in Effringen, Germany. 

Select product offerings:

  • Sheet metal folding machines ' For metal construction, roofing, and facades specifically, they have the XXL-Center, XL-Center, TURBOBend, TURBO2Plus, FLEXIBend, UpDownCenter-2, GIGAbend
  • Metal cutting machines ' PRIMEcut, SMARTcut, POWERcut
  • Metal forming machines ' Swaging, flanging, lockforming, ducting, rounding, and seam closing equipment

#4 Van Mark Products Corporation

Headquarters: Farmington Hills, Michigan

About the company: Founded in by Gene Van Cleave, Van Mark first started with portable bending brakes and has since expanded its product and markets to include many other portable tools for commercial metal roofing and architecture, gutter hood installation, and residential siding, roofing, and window markets.

Select product offerings:

  • Portable bending brakes
    • Contractor Grade: Metal Master® 20, Mark II TrimMaster®, Mark 1 Series'
    •  Industrial Grade: Industrial Metal Master® 20, Mark IV Industrial TrimMaster®
    • Residential Heavy Duty Grade: Metal Master® 20 Residential Heavy Duty, Mark II TrimMaster® Residential Heavy Duty
    • Entry Level / DIY Brakes: Trim-A-Brake II'
  • Slitters and slitter accessories ' Trim-A-Slitter', Trim-A-Slitter' Perf Combo, Industrial Slitter Combo
  • Brake accessories and maintenance items
  • Stands and legs
  • Brake maintenance replacement parts / kits
  • Cutting tables

#5 Jorns AG

Headquarters: Lotzwil, Switzerland

About the company: A Swiss family-run manufacturer of bending machines, sheet metal processing equipment, and double bending machines, Jorns AG began in by Kurt Jorns. Although their manufacturing processes take place in Switzerland, they sell, service, and install these machines worldwide with the help of over 30 independent agencies and distributors.

Select product offerings:

  • Jorns JB Bending Machine
  • Jorns JDB Double Bending Machine
  • Accessories ' Jorns cutting table, Jorns manual table shears, Support arms

#6 Schechtl

Headquarters: Edling, Germany

About the company: The business began as a blacksmith by Josef Schechtl in . 22 years later, Schechtl invented the first folding machine. Schechtl is still based out of Edling, Germany, and manufactures shears and folding machines for sheet metal. However, they work with various distributors throughout the world.

Select product offerings:

  • Folders ' MAX, MAX-F, MAB, MAZ, MAE, MBM
  • Handbrakes ' HBM, UKV, UKF, HA
  • Shears ' SMT, MSB, MSC

#7 Hershey's Metal Meister, LLC / Variobend USA

Headquarters: Mattoon, Illinois

About the company: Hershey's Metal Meister is a family-owned business with a history of rollforming and machinery manufacturing. The company purchased North American patent rights to European folding manufacturer, Variobend, products and is the United States manufacturer of Variobend equipment.

Select product offerings:

  • Single and Double Folders
  • Double Bender
  • Single Bender

Final Thoughts

While there isn't a particular sheet metal folding tool manufacturer that will fit every contractor or supplier's needs, researching equipment and brands, their locations and distribution networks, and understanding what you need in your business does help.

When researching and choosing a folder or brake manufacturer, it's essential to consider your business capabilities now and in the future and ask questions when talking to various manufacturers about their products and company. 

Think about the following:

  • What type of trim or flashing pieces do you plan to produce? Do you need a machine with radius options?
  • Are you looking for a portable or in-plant machine? 
  • What capacity or space do you have inside a shop or factory?
  • Does the machine come equipped with computer automation, or is it hand-operated?
  • What other options are available to add to your fabrication equipment? What is a must-have for your business now?
  • How much does the metal folder or brake cost with the options you need? 
  • Do they offer training sessions to help you learn how to operate the equipment properly?
  • Are there service technicians available for quick assistance or support? 

While New Tech Machinery's portable rollforming machines and equipment have helped change the metal construction industry, we're proud to have partnered with and referred clients to various manufacturers and companies to help them with their specialty machine needs. We understand how essential it is to choose the best manufacturer to take your business to the next level. 

Contact us today to talk about your metal roofing business and how we can help!

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