After more than 25 years insuburban Philadelphia, Drexel Metals Inc. uprooted last fall and moved to Louisville, where it has established a corporate headquarters and processing facility at 1234 Gardiner Lane.

The company, which supplies contractors and distributors with materials to make metal roofing products through a supply-chain process, was drawn here, in part, when it received preliminary approval for $500,000 in state tax incentives from the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority a year ago.

To receive the incentives, Drexel agreed to invest $1.5 million here and create 25 local jobs with a payroll of about $1.5 million.

But beyond the incentives,company officials liked Louisville because of its ready work force, low cost of living and — most important — its central location, which makes it easy for Drexel to get its products to customers across the country, according to CEO Rob Waite.

“When you’re in Louisville, you’re close to Chicago,” he said. “You’re close to the Gulf Coast. You’re really close to a whole lot of things.”

23 workers already hired in Louisville

Waite, who has more than 30 years of experience in the building products industry, joined Drexel five years ago as a consultant. He later became CEO and bought a minority stake in the company in 2009.

A year and a half ago, he, company president Brian Partyka and Arborview Capital, a Chevy Chase, Md.-based investment firm, bought out Drexel founder Dick Carroll, clearing the way to move the operation to Louisville, where Waite haslived for seven years.

The company has hired 23 local workers to staff its corporate functions, such as accounting, human resources, technical services and information technology.

Companywide, Drexel has 63 employees and maintains operations in suburban Philadelphia, Baltimore, Denver and Tampa, Fla.

In Louisville, it also has four people working in the Gardiner Lane plant, where large metal coils are processed, cut into smaller coils and shipped, along with a variety of roofing accessories, to customers through Drexel’s network of regional manufacturers.

Success attributed to delivery method, increased demand

The Drexel Metals Association of Regional Manufacturers — or DM-ARM — is a group of more than 100 approved makers of on-demand roofing panels. It offers an integrated metal roofing supply chain that starts at the steel or aluminum mill and continues through the installation of the roofing product.

Through their association with Drexel, the manufacturing customers in the network have access to specific equipment, materials, training, quality assurance and warranty programs, according to Waite. They also receive customer service and skilled technical support.

Although themarket for the construction industry remains “at the bottom,” Waite said, Drexel has been growing its revenue at a double-digit rate every year since 2008.

He declined to disclosesales figures.

Waite attributed Drexel’s growth to increased demand for metal roofing, dramatic weather events across the country that have created a need for new roofs, and the company’s supply-chain delivery system, which he described as unique and more cost-effective than traditional distribution methods.

 Looking for more opportunities

As CEO of Drexel Metals Inc., Rob Waite spends much of his time looking for acquisition and joint-venture opportunities for his company.

One such opportunity came together last fall, when Drexel acquired Metal-Fab Manufacturing LLC, a Jessup, Md.-based maker of architectural metal products, such as cornices and dormers.

Waite said Drexel now is able to offer MetFab’s products to its customers under the Drexel brand. His goal is to bring other similar companies under the Drexel umbrella. |

Drexel Metals Inc. now offers the first finish-only warranty, which leads the industry with 35-year non-prorated protection! To further that protection Drexel Metals now covers the labor to replace the material! Drexel Metals is a company dedicated to ensuring peace of mind for its customers. This new warranty furthers that dedication by giving the owner, architect, and our customers peace of mind that our products are in it for the long haul. We believe in our products so we are backing them with a warranty our customers will love. What more could you ask for??

Drexel Metals is a leading supplier of materials, equipment, and technical support for the Regional Manufacturing of metal roofing. Drexel Metals supplies contractors and distributors with the materials and equipment to fabricate metal roofing panels on-demand through a low cost supply chain versus purchasing prefabricated metal roofing panels.

Drexel Metals places a strong emphasis on integrity and customer service, particularly in the area of finding solutions to the specific challenges facing individual customers. Drexel Metals puts the power to cost-efficiently fabricate high quality metal roofing components “On-Demand”.

Everyone is celebrating the new Drexel Metals Galvalume colored roof on the picturesque Celebration Church located i n Kissimmee, FL. The DMC 150SS profile used on this roof is Drexel Metals’ traditional mechanically seamed metal roof system.  It is applicable to both light duty commercial and residential use. This profile is installed over a solid wood deck with a minimum slopeof 2:12. The architectural profile also allows for radius applications. The concealed fasteners and floating clip system allows for thermal movement and minimizes the appearance of “oilcanning”. This product is approved for use on projects that require a weather tightness warranty.

The town of Celebration was created by the WaltDisney Company and now has 9,000 residents. The Celebration Church is a place for the small community to come together. The Drexel Metals roof will cover and watch over the church as they continue to grow in the years to come.

Drexel Metals partnered with Collis Roofing, located in Longwood, FL to complete this structure. Collis Roofing selected Drexel Metals to work with because of their superior warranties and dedication to each project Drexel Metals undertakes. Brain McCarthy, the metal roofing department manager for Collis Roofing, said, “Drexel Metals backs their products which is one of the biggest things for us. We can rely on Drexel Metals at every turn which gives us the peace of mind we need”.

The Celebration Church also offered a unique experience for Collis Roofing by allowing them to fabricate crosses using Drexel Metals flat sheets. This is a perfect example of how versatile Drexel Metals is. We offer a complete system of metal roofing supplies, equipment, and support. Our products can be utilized in many different ways and we provide everything the contractor needs to successfully complete each project with ease. Our products are also backed by unbeatable warranties to give the architect, building owner, and contractor peace of mind.

Drexel Metals is a leading supplier of equipment, materials, and technical support for the Regional Manufacturing of metal roofing. Drexel Metals supplies contractors and distributors with the equipment and materials to fabricate metal roofing panels on-demand through a low cost supply chain versus purchasing prefabricated metal roofing panels.

Drexel Metals puts a strong emphasis on integrity and customer service, particularly in the area of finding solutions to the specific challenges facing individual customers. Drexel Metals puts the power to cost-efficiently fabricate high quality metal roofing components on-demand

For more information, call (888) 321-9638 or visit the Drexel Metals website at

We are introducing our new product MetShield to the market place, which will offer a rubberized asphalt underlayment that will prevent roof damage from melting ice and wind driven rain. Cover your roof with MetShield. It is specifically designed for use under metal roofing. It is also the ideal product for new construction, re-roofing, roof edges, valleys, ridges, and all critical areas. MetShield is undeniably the ultimate water damage protection because it is self-adhesive, has a uniform thickness, is easy to install, skid resistant during application, self-sealing, and has a permanent membrane. It even will withstand structural movement and temperatures up to 250°F (121°C). MetShield is the perfect self-adhering underlayment for your roof.

Drexel Metals is a leading supplier of equipment, materials, and technical support for the Regional
Manufacturing of metal roofing. Drexel Metals supplies contractors and distributors with the equipment and materials to fabricate metal roofing panels on-demand through a low cost supply chain versus purchasing prefabricated metal roofing panels.

Drexel Metals puts a strong emphasis on integrity and customer service, particularly in the area of finding solutions to the specific challenges facing individual customers. Drexel Metals puts the power to cost-efficiently fabricate high quality metal roofing components on-demand.
For more information, call (888) 321-9638 or visit the Drexel Metals website at www.drexelmetals.com.