Metal Design Systems, Inc

What Metal Design Systems, Inc does

Metal Design Systems, Inc. (MDSI) is a US specialty exterior façade fabricator founded in 1999 by Kreg Tjelmeland and headquartered in Anamosa, Iowa. Operating from a 125,000 sq ft production facility equipped with Mazak and AXYZ CNC systems, hydraulic press brakes, and MIG/TIG welding stations, the company designs, engineers, and fabricates architectural metal cladding, column covers, and custom building-envelope components for institutional and commercial projects. Its product portfolio spans wall cladding systems (numbered Series 10 through Series 80, plus Equitone-, Fundermax-, and MaxPlank-compatible attachment systems), ColumnMax™ column covers, and bespoke fabrications; supporting services include Design Lab (early-stage architectural collaboration), Exact+Site™ 3D laser scanning (1mm precision site measurement and CAD/BIM integration), Facility Branding Development (multi-location brand rollouts), and FastTrack expedited quoting.

The company serves architects, general contractors, and specialty subcontractors across the United States, with named engagements in healthcare (UCSF Valley Center for Vision, Humboldt Park Health, University of Iowa Children's Hospital), education and research (University of Missouri NextGen Precision Health Building, Southern Research Biotech Center, Argonne National Laboratory, Chattahoochee Technical College Aviation Training Academy), government (Cedar Rapids Federal Courthouse, Cedar Rapids Public Library), and hospitality (Hilton Garden Inn). Pricing is project-specific and quote-based, with project managers issuing estimates tied to material selection, fabrication schedule, and freight; revenue mechanics are one-time per project with multi-year framework engagements possible (e.g., the University of Iowa Children's Hospital program was divided into five architectural projects over 4.5 years).

MDSI is privately held under founder/CEO Kreg Tjelmeland, with Mike Gahring serving as President. Distribution is direct B2B enterprise sales supplemented by the FastTrack self-serve quoting interface and an annual Partners Roundtable that convenes architects and material suppliers (Alfrex, Equitone, 3A Composites, Alpolic, Alro Steel, Atlas, Reynobond, SFS) at the Anamosa facility. No external investors, funding events, or M&A activity are documented; geographic footprint is domestic US with demonstrated reach from the Midwest (Iowa, Illinois) to the Southeast (Alabama, Georgia) and the West Coast (San Francisco).

Name

Metal Design Systems, Inc

Legal name

Metal Design Systems, Inc.

Website

https://metaldesignsystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Metal Design Systems is a US national architectural façade fabricator serving architects, contractors, and subcontractors. Founded in 1999 in Anamosa, Iowa, it designs and fabricates wall cladding systems, column covers, custom building-envelope components, and 3D laser-scanning services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Architectural Façade Fabrication

NAICS

Ornamental and Architectural Metal Products Manufacturing (33232), Sheet Metal Work Manufacturing (332322), Ornamental and Architectural Metal Work Manufacturing (332323)

SIC

Sheet Metal Work (3444), Fabricated Structural Metal Products (3440)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Roofing & Wall Panels (Architectural/Structural) (IMADACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Metal Cladding, Soffits & Trim (Non-Panel Components) (IMADACAM)

Keywords

• Architectural metal fabrication
• Exterior facade systems
• Wall cladding panels
• Architectural column covers
• Rainscreen panel systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Cedar Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architectural Façade Fabrication: Custom fabrication of architectural metal panels and façade systems for building envelopes. Projects are priced based on materials used, fabrication schedule, and freight. Each project receives a custom estimate from a project manager.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Metal Design Systems, Inc. designs, engineers, and fabricates custom architectural metal façade systems including wall cladding panels, ColumnMax™ column covers, and bespoke architectural metal components. The company supports projects with the Design Lab design-assistance service, Exact+Site™ 3D laser scanning for as-built site measurement, and Facility Branding Development for multi-location branding. Each project receives a custom quote from a project manager based on materials, fabrication schedule, and freight.

Product overview

Metal Design Systems, Inc. is a national specialty exterior façade fabricator offering an integrated portfolio of architectural metal products and services. The core product line consists of Wall Cladding Systems available in multiple Series configurations (Series 10 through Series 80, plus Equitone, Fundermax, and MaxPlank systems), ColumnMax™ Column Covers, and Custom Products. These products are complemented by three key services: Design Lab for comprehensive design assistance, Exact+Site™ 3D Laser Scanning for precision site measurement, and Facility Branding Development for integrated multi-location branding solutions. The company also offers FastTrack for expedited quoting. MDSI's production facility occupies 125,000 square feet with advanced fabrication equipment including Mazak CNC, AXYZ CNC Route Tables, and press brakes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Exact+Site™: Cutting-edge 3D laser scanning technology for accurate measurement and documentation of existing site conditions
• ColumnMax™
• Series 20
• Series 70
• Series 72
• Series 10
• Series 40
• Series 60

Products and services

• Wall Cladding Systems (Series 10–80 family) Tested architectural wall cladding panel systems, including pressure equalized rainscreens, hook-and-pin systems, glazed, wet sealed, gasket sealed, drained and back ventilated, and flat lock systems, engineered to accommodate ACM, aluminum, stainless steel, copper, brass, galvanized steel, fiber cement, and other materials. Targeted at architects, general contractors, and subcontractors specifying building envelopes for commercial, institutional, healthcare, and government projects.
• ColumnMax™ Column Covers Customizable interior and exterior column cover system featuring MDSI's engineered attachment mechanism for fast, easy field installation in new construction and retrofitting applications. For architects, contractors, and owners seeking precise-fit column wraps for commercial and institutional buildings.
• Custom Products Bespoke architectural metal components that either modify existing MDSI systems or develop entirely new solutions for projects with unique performance requirements or distinct aesthetic demands. Targeted at architects and owners on projects that cannot be solved with standard systems.
• Design Lab Comprehensive design-assistance service from concept through execution, providing architectural resources, expertise, and support for building envelope solutions and distinctive branding elements. For architects and project teams seeking early-stage collaboration on complex façades.
• Exact+Site™ 3D Laser Scanning 3D laser scanning and documentation service that captures building geometry with precision down to 1mm, producing point clouds and 3D models for accurate panel fabrication and CAD/BIM integration. For architects, contractors, and building owners undertaking retrofits or as-built documentation where field-measured accuracy is critical.
• Facility Branding Development Turn-key facility branding program including prefabricated components, lighting elements, and full-service project management to deliver consistent branding across multiple locations. For multi-site owners, healthcare systems, and retail/hospitality brands that need standardized visual identity at scale.
• FastTrack Quoting Web-based expedited quoting service for wall panels, column covers, and branding components, designed to deliver faster customer engagement and earlier-stage project conversion. For architects and contractors seeking rapid, self-service estimate turnarounds.

Quantifiable outcome

• Precision measurement down to 1mm accuracy through Exact+Site™ 3D laser scanning
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• EquitoneminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 October 2025Bourbon Bash Sponsor for the 4th Annual Partners Roundtable. Equitone is a manufacturer of fiber cement panel systems.
• 3A CompositesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 October 2025AM/PM Networking Break Sponsor for the 4th Annual Partners Roundtable. 3A Composites manufactures aluminum composite materials.
• AlpolicminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 October 2025Lunch Sponsor for the 4th Annual Partners Roundtable. Alpolic produces aluminum composite and metal composite materials.
• AlfrexminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 8 October 2025Golf Outing Sponsor for the 4th Annual Partners Roundtable conference. ALFREX is an aluminum composite material manufacturer.
• Alro SteelminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Gold Sponsor for the 4th Annual Partners Roundtable. Alro Steel is a metal service center.
• AtlasminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Gold Sponsor for the 4th Annual Partners Roundtable.
• ReynobondminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Gold Sponsor for the 4th Annual Partners Roundtable. Reynobond is an aluminum composite material brand.
• SFSminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Gold Sponsor for the 4th Annual Partners Roundtable. SFS provides fastening systems.
• Heery DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm that collaborated with MDSI on the University of Iowa Children's Hospital project. Heery Design served as the project designer with MDSI providing fabrication expertise.
• AlucoilcoreTechnology or IntegrationManufacturer of ACM Larson and honeycomb Larcore products used by MDSI in the University of Iowa Children's Hospital project. Alucoil supplies the composite materials integrated into MDSI panel systems.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CENTRIA: A Nucor-owned architectural metal wall and roof systems manufacturer offering insulated metal panels, rainscreens, and façade systems. CENTRIA is the most direct specialty competitor to MDSI in engineered architectural metal wall panels, with overlapping Series-equivalent product lines and target architect/contractor customers.
• Morin (a Nucor brand): Manufacturer of architectural metal wall panels and rainscreen systems including concealed fastener, exposed fastener, and integrated façade systems. Morin overlaps directly with MDSI's Series-line portfolio and serves the same architect/contractor specification channel.
• ATAS International: Specialty manufacturer of metal roofing, wall, and ceiling panels serving institutional, commercial, and architectural projects. ATAS offers comparable rainscreen and concealed fastener product lines to MDSI's Series portfolio and addresses the same architect-specification channel.
• AEP Span: Nucor-owned manufacturer of architectural metal wall and roof panels. AEP Span's Design Line and Span-Lok lines are direct analogs to MDSI's flat-lock and rainscreen Series products in the architect specification channel.
• Bemo USA: Manufacturer of aluminum façade systems, particularly unitized curtain walls and rainscreen panels. Bemo USA targets the same architect-specified, complex-geometry projects that MDSI addresses with its Series 20 and Series 70/72 hook-and-pin systems.
• Firestone Metal Products (UnaClad): Architectural metal wall systems business offering standing seam, flat lock, and rainscreen panels. UnaClad overlaps with MDSI's architectural metal panel range and competes in healthcare, education, and commercial specification work.
• Berridge Manufacturing: Manufacturer of architectural metal roofing, wall, and soffit panels with deep institutional project experience. Berridge is a comparable specialty fabricator serving architectural specification-driven projects similar to MDSI's enterprise customer verticals.
• DAMS Incorporated: Architectural metal fabrication company specializing in custom cladding, column covers, and ornamental metalwork. DAMS is a smaller-scale but directly comparable custom façade fabricator with similar design-assist engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Kingspan Insulated Panels: Global building envelope company with a North American architectural wall systems business offering insulated and single-skin metal panels. Kingspan competes with MDSI in rainscreen and architectural wall panel selection at enterprise scale, particularly healthcare and education projects.

Others

• 3A Composites (Alpolic): Manufacturer of aluminum composite materials (ACM/MCM) that MDSI sources and fabricates into finished panel systems. As a supplier relationship (Alpolic is a roundtable sponsor), 3A Composites is a material ecosystem partner; vertical integration of ACM makers into panel fabrication could pose a strategic competitor role.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/metaldesignsystems
• Facebookfacebook.com/metaldesignsystems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1013720

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metal Design Systems, Inc