Contractors gain more control through fabrication flexibility

By The Coffee Shops®.

Learn how Petersen helps contractors balance jobsite control with manufacturer-backed systems.

For metal cladding contractors, timing, scheduling and material management can have a major impact on project success. In a recent MetalCast™ episode, Karen Edwards sat down with Ken McLauchlan of Carlisle Architectural Metals to discuss how Petersen is helping contractors take greater control of fabrication while maintaining alignment with manufacturer standards.

Ken, who serves as the national sales manager for association groups within Carlisle Architectural Metals, brings more than 35 years of experience to the conversation. Reflecting on his background, he shared, “I started as a contractor doing estimating and installation and everything else and worked my way up through it, and have now gone into the manufacturer's side.”

The discussion began with Petersen's longstanding role in the architectural sheet metal market. According to Ken, the company built its reputation serving the commercial architectural sector through standing seam roofing systems, composite material solutions and other specialty applications. He noted that architects often turned to Petersen and its PAC-CLAD products when they needed help bringing complex designs to life.

That strong specification presence remains central to the company's identity. As contractors face tighter schedules and evolving project demands, Petersen has expanded opportunities for qualified contractors to perform portions of fabrication closer to the jobsite.

Ken explained that the concept emerged from a desire to give contractors additional scheduling flexibility. Rather than waiting for every component to be factory fabricated, some projects allow qualified contractors to produce select standing seam panels onsite while factory locations continue supplying more specialized components.

The benefit, Ken said, is greater responsiveness when conditions change unexpectedly. “This allows a little bit more flexibility,” he explained, noting that contractors can keep raw material nearby and reduce delays associated with lead times.

At the same time, the program helps contractors better manage material quantities and reduce waste. As Ken noted, the goal is to avoid situations where crews are “over-ordering material, having extra labor, extra product on a site, because you were guessing at what you thought the lengths were going to be.”

As contractors continue looking for ways to improve efficiency, this blend of factory support and controlled onsite fabrication represents an important evolution in how metal projects can be delivered.

Listen to the full podcast or Watch the recording to learn more about contractor-controlled fabrication programs.