A quiet powerhouse shaping the future of metal construction

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Employee ownership, unmatched logistics and a customer-first ethos drive a national brand with a local touch. 

In this Roofing Road Trips®, host Megan Ellsworth digs deeper into what truly sets Central States Manufacturing apart and the answers might surprise even industry veterans. What started in 1988 with a single machine in Northwest Arkansas has evolved into one of the most expansive and influential companies in metal manufacturing. Yet, according to Melissa Dunson, senior manager of marketing services at Central States, many contractors using their materials don’t even realize it. “There are a lot of contractors who are using our metal and they don’t even know that it’s our metal,” she said, citing the company's national reach and widespread distribution channels. 

But the real story isn't just scale, it's culture. Central States is 100% employee owned, a fact that deeply shapes how the company operates. “That mindset has infiltrated the entire company,” Melissa explains. “Every single person of those 1,400 employee owners is all thinking like an owner and taking the responsibility to say, ‘Hey, I’m going to do whatever’s necessary to build the business and to take care of my customer.’” 

Melissa outlines the guiding principles that fuel the company’s mission: “Own it, can do and act in love.” These values aren’t corporate jargon, they’re posted on the walls of every facility, she says, and they inform how employees serve both their customers and their communities. That service extends far beyond sales. Central States offers a suite of vertically integrated services including manufacturing, estimating, design, retail and even installation through its Elevate division. But it's the company’s promise that Melissa says keeps customers coming back — Right on time. Every time.  

“We want to be people’s metal experts,” Melissa says. “If they are in metal now, we want to help them do more. And if they aren’t using metal yet, we’d like to help them get into metal.” 

From giving contractors the tools to design metal buildings online to supporting them with experienced reps and reliable logistics, Central States dedication to that deep customer knowledge and relentless support will help keep it ahead in a fast-evolving construction industry. Contractors intrigued by the possibilities of metal, whether as a new product offering or a strategic business shift, are invited to connect directly. “We will find you,” Melissa joked. “And we’ll connect you with someone who can help you grow.” 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about how Central States is redefining metal construction from the inside out!