Sheet metal provides the versatility that most construction projects need. Its wide range of functional and decorative applications, combined with high durability and low cost, make it the best building material for many purposes—which means it’s a big industry with lots of players.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- an overview of the sheet metal industry,
- the market outlook and what factors are driving growth,
- the top sheet metal contractors, and
- what strategies drive success for the fastest growing sheet metal contractors.
The Sheet Metal Industry Overview and Outlook
Sheet metal contractors work with thin metal sheets of steel, aluminum, copper, or other alloyed metal in both manufacturing and construction. Some provide end-to-end services that include fabrication, installation, and maintenance. Others focus on installation alone.
- Fabrication involves turning flat sheets of metal into final products by bending, drawing, flanging, punching, shearing, spinning, and stretching material.
- Installation includes HVAC ducts, roofs, siding, gutters, finishes, balconies, frames, walkways, staircases, and support beams.
- Maintenance includes cleaning and repairing using manual, flame, and mechanical means.
Construction sheet metal represents $110.8 billion, which is roughly the size of the commercial painting and fireproofing segments combined. There are more than 126,000 sheet metal workers in the US. While the industry is seeing a 4% compound annual growth rate, the number of sheet metal contractors is expected to hold steady.
Innovation is the primary driver of growth—specifically new manufacturing technologies and energy-efficient production processes. Sheet metal contractors have also made great strides in solving its supply chain issues, which is always a favorable economic factor.
Top 24 Sheet Metal Contractors
Despite being a $100+ billion industry, according to Engineering News-Record’s Top 600 Specialty Contractors and Industry Select’s Top Sheet Metal Companies, there are only a handful of companies generating more than $100 million in annual revenue. Additionally, around 20 companies report revenue in the $30 to $100 million range.
Here are the 24 largest sheet metal contractors in the US.
6 Fastest-Growing Sheet Metal Contractors
ENR tracks the growth rates of 600 specialty contractors, so we’re always curious to see which companies are growing the fastest.
This year, six firms jumped out at us for impressive growth rates exceeding 15% revenue gains between 2022 and 2023. Each has a decades-long history and reports revenue figures between $35 and $75 million.
Here’s a closer look at the six fastest-growing sheet metal contractors in the country.
1. Goyette Mechanical Co.
Headquarters: Flint, MI
Revenue: $61 million
YOY Growth: 68%
Goyette Mechanical Co. is an industry-leading plumbing and HVAC contractor based in Michigan. Its industry focus includes industrial and manufacturing, warehousing and distribution, large commercial projects, government and municipal buildings, healthcare, plus K-12 and higher education.
Founded in 1928, it’s the oldest company on our shortlist, which makes its 68% growth rate even more impressive. Goyette employs more than 500 people from its single headquarters in Flint, MI. It’s licensed in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
Learn more on Goyette Mechanical’s website.
2. Kovach Building Enclosures
Headquarters: Chandler, AZ
Revenue: $52.5 million
YOY Growth: 62%
Kovach Building Enclosures is a nationwide leader in architectural metal and glazing. It designs, manufactures, installs, and maintains architectural panels and glazing systems. Kovach specializes in intricate building enclosures, including metal panel systems, insulated panels, perforated panels, shade systems, and louvers and wraps. The company is best known for large-scale industrial facilities, residential towers, and boutique entertainment venues.
Kovach has been around since 1969 but didn’t become Kovach Enclosure Systems until 2019. At the time, it had offices in Arizona, California, Texas, and Tennessee. Today, its headquarters is in Chandler, AZ, and its 125,000-square-foot manufacturing space employs 300-plus people.
Learn more on Kovach’s website.
3. Bonland Industries Inc.
Headquarters: Wayne, NJ
Revenue: $75.5 million
YOY Growth: 29%
Bonland Industries is a premier Northeast HVAC contractor with more than 50 years in sheet metal fabrication and installation. Its core areas of focus are air systems technology, sheet metal ductwork, and industrial air handling systems. Bonland serves the health care, education, entertainment venues, retail, multi-family residential, and hospitality spaces.
Technically established in 1956, Bonland was first known as A&E Sheet Metal Co. One of its two original co-founders renamed the company when he bought out his partner two decades later. Today it operates three offices across New Jersey and Pennsylvania, with additional licenses in Connecticut and New York.
Learn more on Bonland’s website.
4. Worth and Co. Inc.
Headquarters: Pipersville, PA
Revenue: $59.4 million
YOY Growth: 20%
Worth and Co. is a leading Mid-Atlantic commercial HVAC and plumbing contractor. It provides sheet metal fabrication, installation, and maintenance through its mechanical and industrial divisions. Its sheet metal work can be found in:
- food and beverage facilities,
- landfills and leachate management facilities,
- renewable energy plants,
- water and wastewater treatment centers, and
- waterparks across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.
Worth and Co. started in 1983 as a small residential plumbing business but quickly expanded to commercial HVAC in 1984. It has two offices in Pennsylvania and Delaware with 500+ employees. In June of this year, it became a 100% employee-owned company.
Learn more on Worth and Co.’s website.
5. MMC Contractors Inc.
Headquarters: Kansas City, MO
Revenue: $77 million
YOY Growth: 15%
MMC Contractors is a national commercial contractor that specializes in building and servicing complex projects of all sizes. It provides pre-construction, prefabrication, construction, and ongoing maintenance services. Projects include power and energy plants, health care and education campuses, government, public works, office, and retail buildings, plus industrial, pharmaceutical, and mission-critical facilities.
MMC was founded in 1932 during the Great Depression as Midwest Plumbing & Heating. It became Midwest Mechanical Contractors in 1960. Today, it has roughly 750 employees spread across seven offices in Arkansas, Nevada, Nebraska, Montana, Iowa, and Tennessee.
Learn more on MMC Contractors’ website.
6. Ivey Mechanical Co.
Headquarters: Kosciusko, MS
Revenue: $38.5 million
YOY Growth: 15%
Ivey Mechanical is a mechanical contractor specializing in construction projects that demand deep expertise. It provides pre-construction, design, fabrication, construction, and maintenance services, primarily for commercial, government, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, and institutional sectors.
Ivey was established in 1947 and has come a long way in the last 75 years. It merged with Comfort Systems in 2021 to become this shortlist's largest sheet metal company. The merger resulted in 10 total offices across the Southeast and 1,000-plus employees. Almost 10% of team members have been with the company for over 25 years—a testament to how much they value and invest in their employees.
Learn more on Ivey Mechanical’s website.
What Subcontractors Can Learn from These Leaders
In an industry with little market concentration and steady growth, there’s a promising opportunity for up-and-coming sheet metal contractors. Any subcontractor seeking to scale can learn a few things from these rapidly growing leaders.
- Focus on what you do well. Don’t try to be all things for all projects. Subcontractors, whether in sheet metal or another trade, tend to have an easier time scaling when they limit their service lines and take a focused approach to bidding on new projects.
- Innovate and iterate what you do. From the materials you use to how you close out your construction projects, you should always seek to improve. Small innovations can lead to big gains over time.
- Be resourceful and smart with your finances. Construction is wrought with financial risks and payment issues that put many subcontractors out of business. If you want to build a business that can thrive in this industry, smart billing strategies combined with GCs that pay on time can make or break your financial health.
Successful trade contractors implement construction billing software to eliminate payment delays. If getting paid weeks faster would make a difference for your sub, check out Siteline today.
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