D.I. Roof Seamers is our latest product spotlight blog post. D.I. Roof Seamers provides quality roof-seaming tools throughout the United States and Canada!
We talked with Joe Patrick, a Customer Service Representative, from D.I. Roof Seamers.
Take us back to the beginning…tell us how your company started.
In early 1989, two brothers huddled around a paper napkin, working on a concept called a “roof seamer.” Terry Rider and his brother had put their fair share of metal roofs on, working in construction during earlier years, and had decided that there had to be a better option to help make the job easier. When they discovered that there was not, they made it their mission to create a user-friendly, lightweight, and affordable machine to make a builder’s life a little easier. With that in mind, early one morning, production began on the first Developmental Industries Roof Seamer in a 10’ X 20’ shed on an old manual mill and lathe.
Lawrence Rider, Terry's father, was instrumental in developing and beginning Developmental Industries, Inc. In late 1988, Lawrence signed a $5,000 personal loan to purchase some raw steel and turn on the utilities in a dilapidated building that was to become the first Developmental Industries. Acting as the company's first President, Lawrence instilled his work ethic and values into his sons as he guided them through the first rocky years of the company's history. His memory lives on through the hard work and dedication of his company and its employees.
With a 14-acre campus, including a 64,000 sq. ft. main production facility in Northeastern Mississippi, we proudly offer a complete Research and Development Team, a Quality Control Laboratory, and a staff of over 60 trained and certified employees.
We have over 1,200 seamers in our inventory, and 750 are in the field at any time.
What was your first product?
Developmental industries started as a "job shop,” producing custom parts, assemblies, and fixtures for manufacturing companies within our area. We were known for producing top-quality products and innovative designs and had a reputation for honesty and integrity.
How has the direction of your company evolved over the years?
As the company grew, we not only continued with the job shop model that the company was founded on but also branched out into higher-volume production products. We performed production machining services for companies like Caterpillar, Tecumseh, Thyssenkrupp, and many other well-known manufacturers. However, developing and improving roof seamers has always been our primary goal, so much so that roof seamers and their auxiliary tools are our only products today.
Can you tell us about the products you offer to metal contractors?
We offer various seamers, hand crimpers, clamps, panel curvers, and cap curvers.
What is your top-selling metal roof-friendly product?
Our roof seamers are our main product, and they are rental only. Our most popular product is our 2-in-1 2-stage crimper, which helps with double-locked panels. It allows our customers to keep up with only one crimper and is easy to use on a job site.
Do you have any new products being released?
It is not a new product for D.I. Roof Seamers, but we are trying to promote our “Can-Opener” to the metal industry more this year. We have found that most of our customers are not aware that we offer a product for quick and easy roof removal. The can opener cuts through the panel and clip. This allows the customer to pull the panel off easily and just unscrew the clips, saving the contractor a significant amount of labor.
Why don’t you sell seamers?
We do not sell our seamers for several reasons. The main reason is that we are working closely with our panel manufacturers to meet their standards and achieve the uplift and weathertight numbers they post. We are constantly adjusting to help the seamer be lighter and faster while still meeting those goals. If we only rent we feel the customer can be confident the seamer they have is performing to the panel manufacturer's warranty qualifications.
What are you most proud of about your company?
We are proud of our ability to offer great customer and technical service. Our technical team has saved companies millions by devising solutions no one else would tackle. We are skilled at what we do, and everyone treats you like family.
What makes your company stand out?
Since D.I. Roof Seamers owns the process, we can modify tooling and adjust our seamers for troublesome jobs that only D.I. Roof Seamers can do quickly. D.I. Roof Seamers has proven we are the industry leader.
How can contractors get connected with what you have to offer?
Contractors can visit our website at www.diroofseamers.com for information on our products and find the rental form for McElroy Metal. We also encourage customers to contact us at 888-343-0456 for rentals, purchasing, or technical service questions.