Readers of Metal Center News identify those equipment brands that stand out.
There was a shifting at the top in most categories of Metal Center News’ annual Top Brands survey of readers. Only one company that finished first in 2024 repeated that distinction this year, Red Bud Industries, Red Bud, Ill., in the coil processing category.
Frequent No. 1 TRUMPF, Farmington, Conn., reclaimed the top spot among manufacturers of cutting equipment, and HYDMECH, Woodstock, Ontario, did the same in sawing. Among software providers, Invera and Enmark Systems, Ann Arbor, Mich., flip-flopped again, with Dallas-based Invera back at the top of the pack.
Finally, there’s the always unpredictable material handling category. This year’s top choice is Steel Storage Systems, Commerce City, Colo.
Each year, MCN surveys readers to ask them to name the brands they would recommend to their colleagues in the market for new equipment. The idea is to identify those companies who are top of mind, not to rank them against each other.
The survey has undergone several changes through the years, all designed to better serve the readers of MCN who invest billions of dollars on capital equipment. The survey began by naming the Top 20 companies irrespective of product category before expanding to a four-category competition (coil processing, sawing, cutting and material handling).
Recognizing the growing importance of ERP systems to the success of the modern service center, we added a fifth category, software, to the mix a half-dozen years ago. And, as the industry continues to evolve, more options can’t be ruled out for future installments of the survey.
Though the metals distribution market has cooled over the last 18 months after several red hot years, the market for top-notch equipment has not abated. Distributors and processors who have suffered through difficult years finding qualified employees or losing experienced hands to retirement have relied even more heavily on technologically advanced, intuitive machinery to help guide them through the challenges of the industrial marketplace.
Consequently, the makers of metalworking equipment of all types must continue to innovate, delivering coil processing equipment or cutting or material handling of all types that demand less operator involvement and keep the remaining operators safe from harm. Likewise, ERP and other software programs for the metals distribution sector are regularly introducing new features and applications to streamline operations.
For 2025, the Top 3 in each category are:
Cutting: TRUMPF, Mazak Optonics, Hypertherm Associates.
Coil Processing: Red Bud Industries, Fagor Arrasate, ANDRITZ.
Sawing: HYDMECH, Amada Machinery America, Cosen Saws.
Material Handling: Steel Storage Systems, Hyster, Bushman Equipment.
Software: Invera, Enmark Systems, OpenTrac.
When looking for equipment, service centers and toll processors have a variety of objectives in mind, with cost, lead times, ease of operation, flexibility, service capabilities and more playing a role in the decision on which manufacturer to select. Each company’s needs may be unique to their markets and business. The survey is designed to recognize just which companies are doing the best job of meeting all of these complex requirements.
These results wouldn’t be possible without the participation of you, the readers of Metal Center News. To reinforce our appreciation for that ongoing support, MCN has donated $2 for every response to Feeding America. We also conducted a random drawing among respondents, with the winner taking home a $200 Visa gift card.
On behalf of both MCN and the Top 10 brands in each category, we thank you once again for your participation. May you find success in your continued pursuit of profitable distribution.
Click here to Download the 2025 Top 10 list.