Why Buy a Portable Roof Panel Rollforming Machine?

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

Learn the seven most common reasons contractors purchase a portable rollforming machine.

New Tech Machinery has been manufacturing and selling portable rollforming equipment for almost 30 years.  Roofers, gutter installers, and manufacturers have relied on New Tech Machinery to help them improve their business operations and understand the value of using portable rollforming machines.  

While choosing the right machine for a business can help increase productivity and efficiency, it is a big commitment.  The rollforming experts at New Tech Machinery have put together a list of the top seven reasons a contractor might want to purchase a portable rollforming machine.  Learning about the common reasons others have purchased a portable rollformer will help contractors become more educated consumers, thus allowing them to make an informed decision they feel confident in.

The seven reasons contractors have purchased a portable rollforming machine are:

1-  Helps get your own metal roofing contracting business started

Since the construction industry is thriving, so is the popularity of metal roofing for commercial, architectural, industrial, and commercial applications.  There is also a high demand for qualified, diligent contractors. According to New Tech Machinery, “...the buyer’s market continues to evolve to where consumers are looking for long-lasting products that are modern, long-term cost-effective, and eco-friendly, while not compromising on durability.”  

All of this means it is an opportune time for someone to start their own metal roof contracting business.  A new contracting business owner must decide where to get metal panels. Either they buy from a factory panel supplier or own a portable rollformer to be used on-site.  New Tech Machinery shares, “While some [contractors] begin by purchasing from a supplier, more and more are now choosing to take control of their new businesses right from the start by buying their own portable roof panel machine.”

A metal roof contracting business requires a few tools, employees, and metal roof installation knowledge, which is less of an investment than other start-up businesses demand.  Justifying the purchase of a portable rollformer, which can be $26,000 or more depending on the features and functionalities, is easy since it will last for multiple years. 

2 - Easier control of production, inventory, and profits

Contractors have more control over their business and projects when they own or lease their own portable rollforming machine.  At New Tech Machinery, they “often hear from contractors who miss out on jobs or are just tired of being at the mercy of others and their schedules to get the supplies they need to complete their projects.”  

There are five examples of how a portable rollformer helps contractors manage their own company:

First is that you can make panels whenever you need them without having to wait for them to be shipped from a supplier.  Second, since panels aren’t getting shipped, there’s no need to worry about the cost or environmental impact associated with shipping.  Third, companies can produce the exact panels needed with the correct color, profile, and gauge, when they need them, without having to worry about the panels getting damaged in the factory or arriving incorrect.  Fourth, a portable rollformer gives contractors more control over the panels getting installed and allows them to increase their bottom line. And lastly, contractors are able to move at their own speed without having to rely on or wait for materials to show up.  

3 - Complete more roofing jobs efficiently

As businesses grow and take on more projects, owning a portable rollformer can help improve efficiency.  Factory panel suppliers are a great option for many companies, but “...if you want to improve your efficiency and cut out some of the time spent on ordering and waiting for panels to be run by a supplier, having your own portable rollformer is one way to do this,” New Tech Machinery shares.  A portable rollformer allows contractors to produce the amount and type of panels needed, exactly when they need them.

4 - More profitable option in the long run

New Tech Machinery asks, “If you can afford to purchase a portable rollformer and give yourself a little more control over your own business, why wouldn’t you?”  Not every contractor can purchase a machine outright, so there are financing options available. 

Additionally, businesses in the United States can write off the full amount of an equipment purchase, whether it’s being purchased, financed, or leased, with the Section 179 Tax Deduction: “...Section 179 allows your business to write off the entire purchase price of qualifying equipment for the current tax year.  This has made a big difference for many companies (and the economy in general). Businesses have used Section 179 to purchase needed equipment right now, instead of waiting.  For most small businesses, the entire cost of qualifying equipment can be written-off...(up to $1,000,000).”

According to New Tech Machinery, “...while owning or leasing a metal roof panel portable rollforming machine is very similar to owning a car, a rollforming machine retains much of its original value and makes your business profits for many years.”

5 - Produce longer panel lengths 

Most roofing projects differ in size and geometry, and some commercial roofs require panels that are longer than the average panel.  “If you buy from a factory panel supplier, one of the most defining limitations is that most standard shipping and freight containers can’t transport panels longer than approximately 53 feet, which can pose a problem for projects requiring long, continuous panels,” New Tech Machinery reveals.

Lapping panels to make up for the lack of length can work when installed correctly.  However, there can be complications that expose the roof to water leaks. A portable rollformer has the capability to run continuous lengths of panels without additional transportation costs, making shipping long panels a thing of the past.

6- Reduction of on-the-job wasted metal

During the bidding process of a job, contractors produce a cut list, which is an estimate of the number and sizes of metal panels needed.  Once on the job, it’s common for things to change in terms of sizing and cutting panels to fit on the roof.

The beauty of a portable rollforming machine is that contractors can, “...change the length of the panels on the fly, which helps reduce the amount of metal that gets cut off, unused, and wasted,” according to New Tech Machinery.  There are computer controllers on some portable rollformers, which allows for easy input of the exact length desired. Further, with a portable rollformer, contractors can buy the coil that’s needed instead of overbuying coil that might not get used.

There are risks to getting panels from an in-plant manufacturer.  Contractors might have material drops that can’t be used anywhere else, or the panels could arrive incorrect or damaged, making them unusable and therefore they become waste.

7- Desire to expand business offerings

A rollforming machine can help diversify business offerings if contractors are wanting to change or expand their businesses beyond installation, and make additional profits.  Known as a “chop and drop” operation, contractors can sell rollforming panels to others. The machine is portable, making it easy to transport to another contractors’ job site, run their needed panels, and move to the next job.  

Final Thoughts

If you’re still apprehensive about purchasing a portable rollforming machine, New Tech Machinery suggests asking yourself:

• Will I be overextending myself or my business if I were to purchase a machine?  Will my business qualify for financing?  

• Is my business able to operate on a factory panel supplier’s schedule, or are my projects frequently unpredictable?

• Is my business wasting a lot of metal, frequently having to cut up panels, or having ordering issues?  Am I okay with that?

• If I were to purchase a machine, is there someone on my staff who can operate it?  If not, am I able to hire a new employee?

• Do I want to diversify my business by offering a chop and drop panel service with my portable rollformer?  Or am I just looking to focus on installing?

There are a lot of factors that go into selecting the best machinery for a business.  That’s why New Tech Machinery’s specialists are trained to answer any questions and help guide you through the process of selecting equipment that serves both individual and business needs.  They can talk to you about price, how the machines run, and how owning a portable rollforming machine can improve business and make work easier.  

Learn more about New Tech Machinery.  

IRE Show Special: Extended Through May 15, 2020!  Get the special here!

Source: New Tech Machinery