voestalpine Roll Forming Corporation
voestalpine RFC Aerospace

About Us

voestalpine Roll Forming Corporation

Who we are

voestalpine Roll Forming Corporation supplies custom roll formed metal components into several industries including Aerospace, Construction, Material Handling, Off-Highway, Office Furniture, Solar and Transportation.

In 2000, Roll Forming Corporation was acquired by globally leading technology group voestalpine AG and became part of the Metal Forming, Tubes and Sections division.

Today, voestalpine Roll Forming Corporation has seven production facilities across three states with five facilities and headquarters located in Shelby County, Kentucky and one facility each in Pennsylvania and Indiana.​

About the voestalpine Group

voestalpine is a globally leading steel and technology group with a unique combination of materials and processing expertise. voestalpine, which operates globally, has around 500 Group companies and locations in more than 50 countries on all five continents. It has been listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange since 1995. With its premium products and system solutions, voestalpine is a leading partner to the automotive and consumer goods industries, as well as to the aerospace and oil & natural gas industries. The company is also the global market leader in railway systems, tool steel, and special sections. voestalpine is committed to the global climate goals and has a clear plan for decarbonizing steel production with its greentec steel program.​ In the business year 2022/23, the Group generated revenue of EUR 18.2 billion, with an operating result (EBITDA) of EUR 2.5 billion and 51,200 employees worldwide.​​

History

RFC’s story begins with one man’s vision of a company that would be prosperous while proactively meeting each customer’s needs. It would be a company built on a foundation of dedicated employees, sustained by a strong work ethic and creative ideas while always respecting the needs and contributions of individuals.

Swipe images to view the RFC Timeline
1947
1952
1960
1966
1970
1973
1982
1986
1993
1995
1996
2000
2001
2008
2012
2019

1947

Barlow W. Brooks leaves Reynolds Metals and starts Roll Forming Corporation by mortgaging his home. Early customers include manufacturers of commercial refrigeration showcases for supermarkets.

1952

Supporting military efforts during the Korean War through the production of parts for Quonset Huts, RFC experiences its strongest year with net sales of over $1.7 million. Investments are made in new equipment and facilities.

1960

Reinvestments in the company begin to pay off in the form of large and numerous orders and an increased customer base. Martin Steel Company selects RFC to supply structural shapes for buildings used by the Engineer Corps, the beginning of shape production for the company.

1966

“Metalphonics”, a publication by a major steel manufacturer, recognizes Roll Forming Corporation as one of the leading roll formers in the country. Annual sales for the year exceed $3.7 million.

1970

As RFC begins making wing supports for the burgeoning space shuttle program and roll formed window frames for Mack Trucks, RFC adds bending and welding operations to its repertoire.

1973

Continuing to represent innovation and leadership in the industry, RFC is assigned U.S. Patent 3,756,057. Entitled “Roll Forming”, this invention relates to the production of elongated metal strip sections of desired shapes.

1982

RFC reaches a level of financial strength to continue developing new processes, including the development of the first rolling line capable of making continuous welded roll formed shapes.

1986

Expanded work for the aerospace industry leads to the creation of the first viable continuous fiber thermoplastic composites utilizing hot roll forming techniques.

1993

RFC enters a new phase of the automotive market through the fabrication of seat track components. This ushers in high-volume work on standard shapes that needed to adhere to high-quality standards.

1995

Years of investment in training and improving operational issues pay off with significant increases in profits, along with the addition of global customers Andersen Corporation, Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

1996

The number of unique shapes produced by RFC over the previous five decades tops 4,000. Construction of a new 58,000-square-foot facility to serve Aerospace operations, as well as meet capacity for heat-treating, aging and cleaning, is completed.

2000

Roll Forming Corporation is acquired by voestalpine AG; a globally active group with a number of specialized and flexible companies that produce, process and further develop high-quality steel products.

2001

Construction is completed on RFC’s 150,000-square-foot facility in Indiana, built to meet growing demands for the ROPS/FOPS, Solar and Material Handling markets. Modeled after voestalpine AG plants in Europe, this new location enhances capacity and facilitates shared technology and designs for global customers.

2008

RFC acquires Pennsylvania-based Sharon Custom Metal Forming. This strategic purchase expands RFC’s geographic footprint and augments capabilities for design, engineering and manufacturing of custom roll formed and welded shapes.

2012

Substantial growth in the Aerospace segment leads to a 31,000-square-foot expansion of RFC’s Shelbyville facility. Customers including Gulfstream, Cessna and Lockheed Martin gain further access to capacity for airframe structural stingers along with welded titanium seat tracks for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

2019

The expansion of capabilities including robotic weld cells, in-line post punching, in-line welding, laser tube cutting, multi-axis laser cutting, tube bending and machining further distinguishes RFC as a leading provider of customized components.