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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.