What Roper Whitney does

Roper Whitney is a privately held American manufacturer of sheet metal fabrication equipment, founded in 1910 and headquartered in a single facility in Rockford, Illinois. The company designs and produces a broad portfolio of folders, shears, coil processing equipment, benders, punches, notchers, rotary machines, and hand tools, sold under heritage brand names including AutoBrake, PEXTO, Connecticut, and AutoMax. Core technology centers on CNC-controlled folding systems (SYNERGY control software paired with AutoBrake and AutoMax folders) and, more recently, the AutoKut line of slit-to-width and cut-to-length coil processing machinery. While the heavy equipment is American-made, a meaningful share of the catalog is sourced through exclusive U.S. distribution agreements with three international OEMs: Eckold (Swiss cold forming), EVOBEND (German electric folding), and DRÄCO (mobile shears and benders).

The business model is a hybrid of capital equipment sales and aftermarket support. Heavy CNC machinery is sold via direct sales through the website and phone with a quote-based pricing model, while smaller tools, parts, dies, and accessories are available at unit prices ranging roughly $130 to $15,800. Roper Whitney has also extended into a software ecosystem with Synergy (CNC control), Konstruct (job tracking with a mobile companion app), and Konnect (connectivity platform), and offers a trade-in program and remanufactured equipment line for the installed base. Customer segments are vertically diversified across architectural metal and roofing (primary), automotive and aerospace, HVAC and custom fabrication, industrial fabrication, and sign manufacturing, served through the company website, industry trade shows, and a network of branded sub-brands.

Roper Whitney operates as part of the Tennsmith family of companies alongside Roll Former LLC, with no disclosed parent company, external investors, or M&A activity. The company is small (11-50 employees), operates only in North America, and has no public revenue disclosures. Its strategic direction over the past decade has been to broaden the product line into higher-end CNC and coil processing categories and to expand the offering through international distribution partnerships rather than through acquisitions or geographic expansion.

Name

Roper Whitney

Legal name

Roper Whitney

Website

https://roperwhitney.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1910

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Roper Whitney is a 1910-founded American manufacturer of sheet metal fabrication equipment based in Rockford, Illinois, producing CNC folders, shears, coil processing systems, and benders under the AutoBrake, PEXTO, and AutoMax brands, while also distributing Swiss and German partner lines to U.S. sheet metal shops across roofing, HVAC, automotive, and industrial verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sheet Metal Fabrication Equipment

NAICS

Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing (33351)

SIC

Metalworkg Machinery & Equipment (3540)

akta.pro primary industry

Metal Forming & Fabrication Machines (Presses, Bending, Shearing, Stamping) (IMAHADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sheet Metal Machinery (Laser/Plasma/Waterjet Cutting, Punching) (IMAHADAD), Metal Cutting Tools, Tooling & Workholding (Cutters, Inserts, Chucks, Fixtures) (IMAHADAB)

Keywords

• Sheet metal fabrication
• CNC folding machines
• Metal forming equipment
• Coil processing machinery
• Industrial metalworking machinery

Headquarters

HQ city

Rockford

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Equipment Sales: Sale of sheet metal fabrication equipment including folders, shears, benders, coil processors, and specialty machines. Products sold as one-time capital purchases with various configurations and capacity options.
2. Parts and Accessories: Sale of replacement parts, blades, dies, tooling, and accessories for equipment. Includes punches, dies, decoiler components, and machine accessories.
3. Service and Maintenance: Technical support, maintenance services, and product registration for installed equipment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Roper Whitney manufactures and sells sheet metal fabrication equipment, including CNC folders (AutoBrake, AutoMax, EVOBEND), mechanical, hydraulic, manual, and mobile shears, coil processing systems (AutoKut slit-to-width/cut-to-length lines, decoilers, recoilers), benders, punches, notchers, rotary machines, hand tools, and specialty formers. The company has produced American-made sheet metal fabrication machinery since 1910 and also distributes partner brands including Eckold, DRÄCO, PEXTO, and Connecticut. Supporting software includes the proprietary SYNERGY CNC control system, Konstruct job-tracking, and Konnect connectivity platform.

Product overview

Roper Whitney is a manufacturer of sheet metal fabrication equipment, producing a comprehensive portfolio of American-made machinery since 1910. The product lineup centers on metal folders and brakes (AutoBrake® CNC folders, AutoMax long folders, EVOBEND electric folding machines, and manual folders), shears (mechanical, hydraulic, manual, and mobile varieties), coil processing equipment (AutoKut slit-to-length systems, decoilers, recoilers, coil loaders, and cradles), benders (square-to-round duct formers, slip roll benders, and mobile benders), punches and notchers (bench, hand, and powered), hand tools, specialty formers, and rotary machines. The company also offers proprietary software including Synergy (CNC control system), Konstruct (job tracking), Konstruct Mobile, and Konnect for its CNC equipment. Distributed brands include Eckold (Swiss cold forming machinery), DRÄCO (slitter shears and benders), PEXTO, and Connecticut tools. Roper Whitney operates as part of the Tennsmith family of American manufacturers alongside Tennsmith and Roll Former LLC.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AutoBrake: American-made CNC folding systems including straight and Kombi models in 10' and 12' lengths, powered by Synergy CNC control system
• AutoMax
• AutoKut
• Synergy
• Konstruct
• Konnect
• PEXTO
• Connecticut
• Tennsmith
• Roll Former

Products and services

• AutoBrake CNC Folders American-made CNC folder offering 10' and 12' models in straight and Kombi configurations, powered by Synergy software for precision folding operations up to 10 gauge mild steel.
• AutoMax Long Folders American-made long folder designed for high repeatability and accuracy on specialized long products up to 21' in length, available in standard and Plus models.
• EVOBEND Electric Folders Bidirectional all-electric folding machine designed and built by German partners, available in working lengths from 10.5' to 26.5' for efficient, precise bending with enhanced safety.
• Manual Folders Manual hand brakes including straight brakes, box and pan (finger) brakes, bench-top and floor-mounted models for dependable everyday fabrication work.
• Mechanical Shears M Series and PX Series mechanical shears combining low-maintenance design with reliable performance for cutting up to 10 gauge mild steel in various cutting lengths.
• Hydraulic Shears Powered shears combining compactness of foot shears with convenient hydraulic operation for productive additions to any fabrication shop.
• Mobile Shears Electric and battery-powered metal shears built in partnership with DRÄCO, designed for portability, precision, and clean cutting on straight lines, curves, and seams.
• AutoKut Coil Processing Systems Slit-to-width and cut-to-length systems including M20, 100, and 160 models for efficient coil processing in roofing, HVAC, and fabrication applications, with mechanisms outside the machine so blade changes require no disassembly.
• Square-to-Round Duct Former SR 3016 machine that revolutionizes square-to-round transition forming, creating duct connectors quickly and easily in under two minutes from a single piece of metal.
• Manual Slip Roll Benders PEXTO manual slip roll benders for roll bending sheet metal from 24 gauge up to 14 gauge mild steel with heavy-duty floor mount stand options.
• Radius Master Hydraulic self-contained unit for making radii in mild steel from 27 gauge up to 7 gauge without blade adjustments or setup, with 11 standard radii from 1/8" to 1".
• Powered Punches Powered punch machines built for precision, power, and productivity in large- and small-scale sheet metal punching applications.
• Rotary Machines Manual and powered rotary machines for rolling, beading, crimping, and forming operations in HVAC and fabrication applications.
• Roll Former Machines Roll forming machines available through partnership with Roll Former LLC for architectural trim, custom profiles, and standing seam panels.
• Remanufactured Equipment Refurbished and remanufactured Roper Whitney and partner equipment offering quality performance at reduced cost.
• Synergy CNC Control Software Proprietary user-friendly CNC control system for Roper Whitney folders that manages all machine motions with intuitive interface and real-time bending sequences, providing easy project and product drawing management.
• Konstruct Production Management Software Software solution for sheet metal fabrication job tracking and production management, enabling customers to handle orders, monitor inventory, and schedule production tasks.
• Eckold Cold Forming Machinery (Distributed) Swiss-made cold forming machinery distributed by Roper Whitney in the U.S., featuring technologies for shrinking, stretching, and planishing for automotive and aerospace applications.
• Specialty Formers Specialty forming tools including forming stakes, grooving tools, and shrinker/stretchers in electric, hand, and pneumatic powered variants.

Quantifiable outcome

• SR 3016 Square-to-Round Duct Former can produce a duct-fitting in less than two minutes from one piece of metal with only one joint and no reshaping required

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EckoldcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEckold machinery, crafted in Switzerland, sets the standard in cold forming metal shaping with techniques like shrinking, stretching, and planishing. Roper Whitney is the official U.S. distributor for Eckold products, ensuring industries across America have access to Eckold's innovative equipment for automotive and aerospace applications.
• EVOBENDcoreTechnology or IntegrationEVOBEND is a German company that designed and built the EVOBEND Double Folder - a bidirectional, all-electric folding machine. Roper Whitney offers these products in the U.S. market as part of their comprehensive product lineup for metal fabrication.
• DRÄCOcoreTechnology or IntegrationDRÄCO mobile slitter shears deliver clean, distortion-free cutting for jobs on the go. Roper Whitney offers DRÄCO products including electric and battery-powered metal shears designed for portability, precision, and clean cutting for roofing, HVAC, ducting, and fabrication work. Also provides mobile benders under the DRÄCO brand.
• Roll Former LLCminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExpanded options through partnership with Roll Former LLC for architectural trim, custom profiles, and standing seam panels. Their portable standing seam rollformers allow for on-site fabrication of metal roofing panels, increasing flexibility and shortening lead times.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cincinnati Incorporated: US-based manufacturer of press brakes, shears, laser cutting systems, and other sheet metal fabrication equipment. Closely comparable as a domestic mid-sized competitor serving the same North American fabricating shop customer with overlapping product categories.
• Edwards Manufacturing: US-based manufacturer of ironworkers, press brakes, and plate rolls for metal fabrication shops. Closely comparable in scale and product category overlap, particularly in ironworkers and press brake equipment.
• Accurpress: North American press brake and metal fabrication equipment manufacturer based in British Columbia. Directly competes in press brakes and shears, and operates at a similar size and geographic focus to Roper Whitney.
• Betenbender Manufacturing: US manufacturer of hydraulic press brakes, shears, and custom metal fabrication machinery. Comparable as a similarly sized domestic competitor with overlapping press brake and shear product lines for the same fabricating shop customer base.

Broad incumbents

• LVD Strippit: US operations of Belgian LVD Group, a global sheet metal machinery manufacturer offering press brakes, shears, and laser cutting systems. Comparable in product overlap but larger, more globally distributed, and more automation-focused.
• Amada America: US arm of Amada, a global leader in sheet metal machinery including press brakes, shears, laser cutters, and punching systems. Competes in the same categories from a position of much greater scale, broader product range, and global service network.
• Trumpf Inc. US subsidiary of German global machine tool leader with deep presence in sheet metal fabrication equipment including press brakes and laser cutting. Comparable customer base but vastly larger R&D and global footprint.
• Bystronic Inc. US arm of Swiss sheet metal processing equipment manufacturer offering press brakes, laser cutting systems, and automation. Competes in overlapping bending and cutting categories with a much broader and more automated product range.
• Durma Machinery: Turkish global manufacturer of press brakes, shears, laser cutters, and punching machines. Competes in Roper Whitney's core bending and shearing categories from a lower-cost manufacturing base with broader product range.

Others

• Tennsmith: Sister company within the same Tennsmith family of manufacturers, producing American-made sheet metal machinery including shears and brakes. Not a competitor but the closest corporate affiliate, sharing ownership and headquarters in Rockford, IL.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/roper_whitney
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/roper-whitney

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Roper Whitney