The state of the metal industry

By Jenny Yu. 

Metal contractors from across the nation highlight growth, regional differences and workforce concerns in a special panel of industry leaders.  

On August 6, 2025, METALCON and MetalCoffeeShop® joined forces to host a special webinar titled “Metal Contractors Share the Real Deal.” The panel featured leaders from RMG Erectors & Constructors, Red Dog’s Roofing, Viotell Metal Concepts and Elevate Structures moderated by Heidi J. Ellsworth, owner of The Coffee Shops™.  

Anthony Ortega, CEO of Viotell Metal Concepts, spoke to the growth of opportunity in the metal roofing industry. “I think everybody here can speak to the crazy amount of opportunity that there is in metal,” he stated. “I think that there’s double-digit growth across the nation for metal, and specifically here in ski resort economies and market footprints like Park City, we’re seeing metal be the preferred choice for roofing and exterior. A lot of that has to do with sustainability, longevity and design intent.”  

While Anthony pointed to rapid expansion in the market, Patrick Cochran, CEO of Red Dog’s Roofing, emphasized the growth of consumer knowledge and education. “Our customers that want metal are very much reaching out for it,” Patrick said. “A lot of the time, they’ve done their homework, especially with the metal. They really know what they want.” Patrick explained that these uncertain times are driving educated homeowners to invest in metal for its longevity and resilience. 

Nigel Kreft, vice president of sales at Elevate Structures, pointed to demand differences by region. “The west coast is slow to respond to what we're seeing in the rest of the country simply because the entitlement process is so much longer,” he shared. “But in Florida and into the Carolinas, business is booming because the demand is there, people are moving into those areas. Every market has a very unique perspective. We don’t have a homogenous look at markets.” He observed that environmental concerns and insurance pressures are also fueling adoption of metal solutions as durable alternatives to traditional materials.  

Bobby Mesmer, CEO of RMG Erectors and Constructors, shared a global perspective. “In the pre-engineered sector, it’s continuously growing. Everybody wants to go pre-engineered because of its efficiency through design, manufacturing, erection.” Bobby stressed that while pre-engineered metal buildings are expanding globally, success depends on skilled labor, quality control and strict safety standards. 

Despite concerns about tariffs and interest rates, the panel agreed that demand for sustainable, long-lasting products is keeping the industry strong. Their message was clear: metal construction remains a sector of growth and innovation, even in the face of uncertainty. 

Watch the webinar to learn more about the state of the metal industry today, and join the conversation in person at METALCON 2025, October 21-23 in Las Vegas!