Metal growth creates new challenges for manufacturers

By The Coffee Shops®. 

As demand for metal systems grows, contractors look for ways to improve efficiency and overcome labor shortages. 

As metal continues gaining market share across roofing and wall applications, contractors are facing a familiar challenge: how to keep up with demand when skilled labor remains difficult to find. In a recent Read Listen Watch®, Karen Edwards sat down with Ryan Lemmel, vice president of architectural sales for MetalForming, to discuss what contractors are experiencing today and how fabrication technology is evolving to meet those pressures. 

Ryan described the current environment as one of “guarded optimism,” noting that opportunities remain strong despite ongoing economic challenges. “Construction demand certainly is not uniform,” he said. “There are pockets of strength and pockets of not-so-strong.” 

At the same time, he pointed to continued momentum for metal construction. Citing growth projections outlined by the Metal Construction Association through 2030, Ryan explained, “Metal continues to gain share in both roofing and walls.” For many companies, however, demand is not the primary obstacle. “The opportunity is not necessarily the constraint. The constraint is capacity, both on the machine side and the human side, the labor,” he shared. 

That labor shortage is compounded by changing customer expectations. Ryan referenced the “Amazon effect,” where buyers increasingly expect faster turnaround times, greater transparency and streamlined service experiences. “We have the smallest labor force we've had with these rising demands of the consumer,” Ryan said. The retirement of experienced workers adds another layer of complexity. As veteran operators leave the workforce, companies risk losing valuable operational knowledge while simultaneously trying to train a new generation of employees. 

In response, Ryan said MetalForming focuses on equipment that is intuitive and easy to operate while emphasizing long-term process improvement. “We’re not just selling a piece of equipment but helping you to put a repeatable process into your workflow,” he explained. 

As contractors evaluate ways to expand production capacity, the conversation increasingly shifts from equipment alone to the broader systems, software and processes that support sustainable growth. The future of metal manufacturing may depend as much on workflow efficiency as it does on fabrication capability. By adopting intuitive technology and repeatable workflows, contractors can overcome labor constraints, increase capacity and turn growing demand for metal systems into sustainable business opportunities. 

Listen to the webinar or Watch the recording to learn more about metal manufacturing challenges and growth opportunities.