The company you choose to buy your metal sheets and coils from is a critical component in the success of your business. 

Goto Litong to know more.

Not only do you rely on them to supply the products for your projects so you can make a profit, but many offer services that add value to your business.

However, what if you feel like there could be more to gain out of a supplier partnership? How might you determine if it’s time to evaluate the relationship with your metal supplier? What are some logical situations where it might be time to switch coil suppliers?

Sheffield Metals is a leader in distributing metal coils and sheets for the standing seam metal roofing and wall system market. Over the years, we’ve partnered with hundreds of businesses to supply the metal they need to manufacture and install metal roofing systems. So, we know how important it is to ensure that your supplier partnership is in a good place. Because if it’s not, it could be detrimental to your business, your customers, and you.

In this article, we’re going to talk about the six most common reasons that indicate it might be time to switch your metal sheet and coil supplier. 

Reason #1: Your business has outgrown your current coil supplier’s capabilities. 

The most common reason for a contractor or manufacturer to switch the company they buy from is that their business has outgrown its supplier’s capabilities. 

Outgrowing the offered products and services can take many different forms. Here’s a list of some common ways this can occur:

• You are looking to install more commercial or architectural projects — Some metal suppliers only offer thinner gauge materials, corrugated or exposed fastener profiles, or lower quality products/panels commonly used for agricultural (sometimes called “AG panel”) and residential structures. Most commercial and architectural projects call for a 24-gauge or thicker metal, an engineered profile system, and mid-to-higher quality products.
• You need engineered panel profile options — Many different profiles exist for customers to choose from, including mechanical lock, snap-lock, fastener flange, exposed fastener, corrugated, batten, and more. Depending on the building type you install, you might need to use engineered profiles that adhere to strict industry standards and are tested to perform in extreme weather. Some suppliers don’t offer engineering on their profiles, which is a common reason businesses switch suppliers.
  • An engineered panel profile is half the battle; you also need to make sure that the material you are using can meet engineering requirements as well.  Most engineering requires the use of steel that has a minimum 50,000 KSI yield strength for that engineering to be valid. If you have an engineered project and your supplier does not meet that with their materials, the contractor is at risk and potentially liable for allowing a product that cannot meet the project requirements. This should be of particular concern to contractors/manufacturers who have their own engineering and buy material that will need to comply with their testing.  
• You want to add weathertight warranties to your capabilities — A weathertight warranty (WTW) is a guarantee from the installer and roofing manufacturer/supplier that the roof installed on a commercial structure will remain weathertight for the duration of the warranty. Few suppliers offer weathertight warranties, so if you want to add this option, it might mean that you have to switch suppliers. Keep in mind that manufacturers typically require you to install their metal in addition to their recommended accessories on WTW projects.
• You want more color options or custom colors — Many suppliers offer similar colors and finishes. However, some suppliers offer a wider variety of colors, the opportunity to order custom colors, and color matching. So if you think any of these options would benefit your business, it’s a valid reason to consider switching suppliers.
• You need your products to be customized — Some suppliers only offer specific standard widths and lengths on the material they supply. If you often find yourself with wasted metal, some suppliers provide complementary cut-to-length, slitting, and other processing services.

• Want a more one-stop shopping experience – The ability to buy everything you need to install a metal roof or wall system from just one supplier is a game-changer. Not only does it save time buying from several different suppliers, but some companies offer a discount on accessories and other components when purchased with your coils or sheets. 
• You need to purchase or upgrade your rollforming equipment — Going along with the one-stop shopping experience is the need to buy or upgrade your rollforming equipment and have the training/support for the machine. Several coil suppliers distribute rollforming machinery and can help you choose the best machine configuration.
• You need technical and architectural support — Once you start installing commercial or architectural projects, you’ll want to ensure that your metal coil supplier offers technical and architectural support. We’ll discuss this more in reason #4.

Reason #2: The products are low-quality, or the quality has decreased.

Another explanation for switching coil supplies revolves around the quality of products. Metal roofing is often specified and purchased because it’s designed to last for several decades and holds up well in extreme weather environments. 

However, if you’re buying low-cost metal, which is often made with lower-quality materials, you run the risk of issues developing in the long and short run. Such issues can include premature failure, forming difficulties, lack of warranties, and more. While this affects your customers directly, problems that stem from low-quality materials also reflect poorly on your business. 

If you find that your material is low-quality or has significantly decreased in quality over time, it might be time to switch suppliers. Here is some background information on metal sheet and coil quality and some of the variations and reasons why material might be low-quality:

• The paint system — A low-cost coil might have a cheap or low-quality paint system coating the metal. The paint quality relies on the resin type, which affects the longevity of the color and overall system performance: 
  • Higher quality paint system (best) — PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) 
  • Mid-quality paint system (better) — SMP (Silicone-Modified Polyester) 
  • Lower quality paint systems (good) — Fluoroethylene Vinyl Ether (FEVE), Plastisol, & Polyester
    • Learn more about these paint systems here.
  • You should also ensure the paint system is from a reputable paint supplier, such as Sherwin-Williams. 

• The paint system warranty — On top of the type of resin used, you can learn a lot about a company’s materials by the paint warranties they offer (or don’t) on their products. Make sure that you pay attention to:
  • Warranty length — A shorter time that a product is warranted could indicate a lower quality paint system.
  • Inclusions and exclusions — Always look at what is covered and not covered by reading the warranty’s fine print. 
  • An increase in paint warranty claims — While some paint warranty claims aren’t a manufacturer’s defect, any consistent increase in claims could point to a decline in quality. 

• The metal substrate — The metal substrate that makes up the core of the material can also be low-quality, which can lead to a whole host of problems. For example, inadequate material includes:
  • Non-mill certified or unverified metal makeup (i.e., steel, aluminum, etc.).
  • Metal intended for use on exposed fastener roof systems, gutters, agricultural applications, etc.
  • Metal that is imported or difficult to track the original manufacturing source.
  • Metal that is not Grade 50. Any metal within the 50 to 65 KSI range allows for the rigidity and tight bends needed for engineered standing seam metal roofing.
  • Any sheet and coil products that use the paint system to meet the minimum advertised thickness or gauge.

• Other miscellaneous issues that affect the quality — In addition to the metal and paint system, there are different situations related to quality that might trigger you to switch coil suppliers, including:
  • Consistent damage during shipping and freight
  • Poor packaging
  • Scratched or scuffed products
  • Incorrect qualities and sizing
  • Color discrepancies, including chalking and fading
  • Inadequate or inconsistent coil widths

Reason #3: You have inadequate sales or account support.

The next reason it might be time to switch coil suppliers is that you have inadequate sales or account support at your current supplier. 

Having a representative at your material supplier who is helpful, responsive, thorough, and knowledgeable makes all of the difference for your business. Not only do they ensure you get the products you need on time, but they also assist you in growing your business.

Take a moment to think about the relationship you have with your account representative. If you’re experiencing any of the following issues, it might be worth either having a conversation with your supplier or even consider switching suppliers:

• You don’t feel like your business is a priority to your current supplier.
• Your account rep is unresponsive, uneducated, unhelpful, or just not reliable.
• Your representative doesn’t know the answer to a technical question and cannot connect you with someone who can help you.
• You don’t have a backup contact to reach if your primary contact is unavailable.
• Your account representative or primary contacts are frequently changing.
• Your representative consistently recommends the incorrect metal, profiles, etc., for your specific project requirements.
• You have an overall poor relationship with your account rep.

Fabricating and installing standing seam metal roofing can be very technical and complex. Even the most experienced industry professionals come across projects where they need technical or architectural assistance in one way or another. 

Reason #4: Your current supplier doesn’t offer technical or architectural support.

That’s why some suppliers have dedicated technical and architectural departments who can help their customers with complicated project topics, including:

• Panel profile testing and engineering
• Installation details
• Installation methods and best practices
• Warranty inspections and support
  • This is especially true if you currently install or are looking to start installing weathertight warranty projects, as they are larger and require specific products and engineering.
• Assistance with architectural project bidding (i.e., side-by-sides for product substitutions)
• Rollforming equipment training

For reference, we’ve emphasized engineering and architecturally-driven projects at Sheffield Metals, so we added a dedicated full-time Technical Department and Architectural Department. These two teams are made up of individuals who have worked in their respective fields and understand the ins and outs of technical standing seam metal roofing.

If your current supplier cannot assist you with your technical questions or is unable to connect you with a technical representative, it might be worth switching.

Reason #5: There’s a lack of value-added services offered by your coil supplier.

Complementary services that add value to your partnership are significant, especially when it makes you and your business more efficient. The last thing you want as a contractor or manufacturer is to have little to no support from your product supplier. You’re their customer, and your business should be seen as important.

So, what do we mean by services that you could have access to as a customer of a supplier? It could include:

• Custom coil processing
  • Slitting, cut-to-length, strippable PVC application, re-rolling, etc.
• Complementary take-off estimating services
• Free access to a roof and wall color visualization tool
• Easily accessible engineering documents or software
• Warranty options from reputable manufacturers 
• Design and architectural assistance
• Educational and training resources for you and your employees
• Marketing support
  • Social media features, customized color cards, brochures, etc.

It may be worth having a conversation with your current supplier to determine if there are any services available that you aren’t using. From there, you can decide to take advantage of any ones they offer. Or, if your supplier doesn’t provide any valuable services that you could utilize, you might consider switching companies.

Reason #6: Prices or lead times are changing without any notification or justification.

The final reason it might be time to switch metal sheet and coil suppliers is that prices or lead times increase without any communication or notice. 

Price increases come with the territory as the overall economy shifts over time. For example, some domestic and foreign steel and aluminum markets are still experiencing supply challenges into . For reference, the steel/aluminum deficit led to higher prices, unavailable products, and longer lead times. However, the actual price or lead time changes are often not the problems; it’s more related to the lack of transparency and advanced notice from your supplier.

Your supplier should contact you as much in advance as possible and explain exactly when and why a price or lead time change is coming. Doing so not only gives you the peace of mind that your representative is looking out for you, but you also come to trust them more to do what is best for your business.

If prices or lead times continue changing and you aren’t getting a clear explanation of why, different suppliers are better at communicating such information.

Final Thoughts on the Reasons it Might Be Time to Switch Coil Suppliers

So, should you switch your metal coil or sheet supplier? Well, it depends on your specific situation.

To get you started down the path of assessing what is best for your business, you’ll want to ask yourself a few questions. We recently published a comprehensive article containing a full list of questions to ask as you navigate switching suppliers, but these will help you get started:

• Are you satisfied with the metal products that you currently purchase? 
• Would you consider your current supplier to be trustworthy and transparent? 
• Does your supplier stock the materials, sizes, colors, etc. that you need when you need them?
• Do you install engineered standing seam profiles? Does your supplier offer engineering?
• Do you want to expand into larger commercial or architectural projects in the near or distant future?
• How does your current coil supplier assist with your business’s growth?
• How do you want your coil supplier to support you and your business going forward?

Our primary goal at Sheffield Metals is to assist you in growing your manufacturing or contracting business. We do this by supplying you with the high-quality products you need to install and fabricate standing seam metal panel systems, as well as the engineering, support, and tools that will take your business to the next level.

Coating line features

This is an economic type of coil coating line apply to thin ACP top/bottom coil coatings.Coil Coating Line is used for color coatings on the surface of the metal and this coatings will help thesolvent resistance, corrosion resistance, hardness and glossiness of coatings reach the best. Product thickness 0.02mm~0.1mm is suitable for Partition Panels .Line-coated is a complement for the coating construction which want to enrich product variety. Coil coating lines are also  used in limited industry.

Line coated is a continuous process for the coating of one or both sides of rolled coils of refined steel, metal,steel or aluminiumwith an organic coating material. In contrast to other coating processes, the coils are first coated and then processe.Line-coated  is used in a wide range of markets and constructions of application. Coil coating line ensures long-term, effective protection of surfaces against corrosion and other influences. Litong serves a specialist  market with coating line products as well as supplying high-Quality Coating systems for special applications in the metal market.We  developed a precise three-roll converse coating machine in international advanced level to well control the thickness and appearance. As a development partner, we offer individual solutions tailored optimally to the respective technical requirements.

Application: For coating top coil and bottom coil of ACP(Aluminium Composite Panel), specially for coating thin gauge aluminium coil using for partition panels

Advantage: Economical and easy to use, small dimension industry needed

The Reasons Why Industry Is Turning To Coil Coating

Businesses in the building and construction, HVAC, appliance, automotive, transportation, and furniture industries are increasingly using pre-painted or coil coated materials in their manufacturing and building. The reasons for this are manifold:

• Cost efficiency – Coil coating significantly reduces or eliminates paint wastage, material handling costs, energy consumption, hazardous waste disposal, insurance premiums, capacity restraints, and the cost of compliance.
• Eco-friendly – The closed loop of the coil coating system eradicates an enormous percentage of waste associated with the paint process. The coating application efficiency is over 90%, excess metals are recyclable, emissions and disposal are low and well-controlled.
• Customisation – Coil coated metals allow for a wide range of colours, thickness, performance characteristics, and even aesthetics, including printing, stripes, embossing and more.
• high quality finish – Coating a smooth flat sheet of metal allows the finish to be smooth and consistent while removing the risk of nooks and crannies causing adhesion problems and hiding imperfections. The uniform layer of coating also allows strict maintenance of colour consistency.
• Corrosion resistance – Studies have shown that coil coated metal consistently offers better corrosion resistance than post-painted surfaces. The consistency and accuracy of the painting process also ensures the best possible protection and finish.

Main parameters of coating line

Material parameter

CCL Processing Speed: 25 m/min (Speed benchmark: thickness 0.1mm coil exclude PVDF coating)

Heating Energy Source: LNG, LPG

Roller coating Process: Continuous 1 side 1 coating & baking

Properties and features:

Roller width:

mm

Coils feeding centering adjustment :

±75mm

Threading speed:

5～10m/min（Adjustable）

Line maximum speed:

25m/min

Line speed accuracy:

Steady Speed, ±0.1%;Acceleration, ±0.4%

Uncoiling tension range:

80～150kgf

Processing tension range:

80～150kgf

Coiling tension range:

80～200kgf

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Double coating line. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

Tension accuracy:

Steady Speed, ±1.0%; Acceleration, ±2.0%

Line space dimensions:

mm×mm×mm

Heating Energy Source:

LNG, LPG

Basic Production Process

Coil loading → Uncoil machine → Pretreatment (Including Degreasing, Water washing) → Chromizing → Drying → Re-direction → Topside roll-coating → Curing oven → Cooling → Tension machine → Recoiler → Coil discharging

Our technology is creating a new society based on coexistence with the environment

As a trusted coil coating manufacturer, Litong is dedicated to delivering high-efficiency coating lines that enhance metal durability, corrosion resistance, and aesthetic appeal. Our advanced coating solutions are widely used in construction, automotive, and industrial applications, ensuring superior surface quality and long-term performance.

Eco-Friendly Innovation in Coil Coating Technology

Our technology is creating a new society based on coexistence with the environment.

Society and individuals benefit from industrial advances born of technological innovation. However, such progress can also damage the Earth’s ecosystem through pollution of the water, air, and soil. While enjoying the convenience of industrialization, we must restore the damage it has caused to nature.

At Litong, preservation and regeneration of the global environment is a key theme in our technology work. Capitalizing on a wealth of experience in a broad range of technologies has allowed us to develop a variety of green technologies, including:
· Environmentally-beneficial waste treatment technology
· Recycling technology for optimizing scarce resources
· Air purification technology for removing odors and dioxins

We continue to do our utmost to facilitate the creation of a sustainable society, ensuring a prosperous future in which humanity lives in harmony with a pristine planet.

Why Choose Litong as Your Coil Coating Manufacturer?

• Cutting-Edge Technology – Our coating lines are designed for high precision, uniform application, and optimal efficiency.
• Sustainable & Cost-Effective – Our systems minimize waste, reduce energy consumption, and ensure eco-friendly production.
• Customizable Solutions – We offer tailored coating solutions for aluminum, steel, and galvanized coils to meet industry-specific requirements.
• Proven Expertise – Litong has successfully partnered with leading manufacturers worldwide, delivering reliable coil coating solutions.

Main devices list

Name

Quantity

Coil loading device

1

Sewing table

1

Pretreatment line

1

Drying device

1

Coater

1

Curing Oven

1

Heating system

3

Air cooling devices

1

3-roller cooling device

1

Tension device

1

Recoil machine

1

Electrical system

1

*Optional configuration: waste gas treatment and energy recycle system.

Water and power consumption of Coil Coating Line

Transportation and packing

The Coil Coating Line design and manufacture leads 90 days, installation and testing leads 60 days.

Trade terms: FOB, CIF are available

Payment terms: T/T, D/P, LC are acceptable

Packing style: Wooden pallet

Transportation: by sea

Welcome to Choose Our Coil Coating Line!

A Coil Coating Line is a type of automated Production Line used to apply coatings on metal coils such as aluminum or steel, to enhance their durability and appearance. The process involves cleaning and treating the metal surface, applying the coating material using roll coaters, and then curing the coating in a heated oven. 

The 1-Side 1-coating Line refers to the single side coating of the metal coil, which is a standard feature of most coil coating systems. These systems are designed to handle coils of different sizes and shapes, with varying thickness and surface finishes. 

As a coil coating line manufacturer and factory, Guangdong Litong Environmental Protection Machinery CO., LTD offers a wide range of coil coating line options, including aluminum color coating line (ACCL), steel color coating line (SCCL), continuous aluminum anodizing color coating line, and more. Our coil coating line is known for its high efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, making it a popular choice among customers in the metal processing industry. 

When it comes to coil Coating Line price, it varies based on the specific requirements of the customer, such as the size of the coil, the type of coating material, and the production capacity.Guangdong Litong Environmental Protection Machinery CO., LTD provides competitive pricing and offers customized solutions to meet the unique needs of each client. 

In summary, Litong Environmental Protection Machinery is a leading manufacturer and supplier of coil coating line systems, offering a range of options to meet the diverse needs of the metal processing industry. Our commitment to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction has earned us a strong reputation in the market, making us a top choice for businesses seeking high-tech and reliable coil coating solutions.  Send to us now for more detailed product information!