Ridgeway Metal Forming is a family owned business located in Chesley, Ontario, considered by many to be one of the most charming communities in the Bruce County. Mervin Kuepfer is Operations Manager for Ridgeway Metal and of course not being familiar with metal forming, I went directly to the source to have him explain the process.
“Well, we actually bring in coils as pre-painted metal and run the coils through one of our forming machines. We have several machines and each one makes a different sheet of metal. The most standard sheet is 36 inches wide and we are able to make the panels to whatever length is needed. These sheets are then used for roofing and siding on residential and agricultural buildings.” They also manufacture standing seam and metal board and batten, which are hidden fastener options for a cleaner look.
He adds that there are actually two types of metal forming, ‘Bulk Forming’ and ‘Sheet Forming’. The former is made for someone to buy ‘off the shelf’. However, Ridgeway Metal Forming does not offer ‘Bulk’. Everything they provide is made to order for a specific job, which is the process for ‘Sheet Forming’. Mervin mentions too, that his company currently manufactures for ‘Do It Yourself’ home owners, or for the installation contractor who will do the work.
Ridgeway Metal Forming has been in business since 2013, but before this, Mervin says that his father was working as a wholesaler for another metal company around 2001 or 2002. “He just bought in bulk and then sold the sheets to contractors. Dad actually had his own install crew and In 2011 or 2012, we decided that we would like to get into the forming business ourselves. Dad’s install business was sold to my oldest brother and then we formed a partnership and began doing the metal forming. We actually have five shareholders, my father, myself, two other brothers and a brother-in-law. The company has grown now to where we have nine employees.”
Mervin says that Chesley is 45 minutes south of Owen Sound and 20 minutes north of Hanover. Ridgway Metal’s main delivery focus is within a two hour radius, stretching from the Bruce Peninsula, to just below Stratford. I asked him if there are any plans for expanding the business and he said that although they talk about it sometimes, right now there is nothing definite in the works, but you never say never!
He notes that there are two different buildings on the Chesley property, a 6,000 square foot warehouse and a main plant area that is 14,000 square feet. “The machines that make the actual sheets are about 50 feet long and at the end of the machine we need another 50 feet to run longer lengths of steel.”
How do people order from Ridgeway Metal Forming and is there a showroom for them to see the product in Chesley?
“We have a small showroom and people have the option of either picking up their order from us here, or we will deliver it. We have, on certain occasions, delivered outside of the two hour radius that I mentioned earlier, but not that often.”
Mervin, how competitive is the metal forming industry and would you say that it is an expanding business with more people buying metal forming panels now?
“Yes, the metal industry as a whole has grown significantly recently and continues to do so because vinyl siding and asphalt shingles are just not quality options as far as their durability is concerned. Metal is recyclable and it’s made by recycled products making it the environmentally friendly choice. Another benefit to our product is that it is weather resistant. Also, most metal products come with a 40-year paint warranty and they are now outlasting vinyl and asphalt. Our industry itself has grown significantly over the past ten years and it is projected to continue to show growth, especially with the recent surge in new developments.
Ridgeway Metal Forming is located at: 2051 Bruce Rd. 19, RR1, Chesley, ON N0G 1L0
Call them at 519-363-3757 and check out the Google Reviews online, they have been excellent!
WRITTEN BY: LARRY SIMPSON | RESOURCES/PHOTOS: RIDGEWAY METAL FORMING INC.
