What Global Roofing Solutions does

Global Roofing Solutions (Pty) Ltd is a South African manufacturer of metal roofing, cladding and permanent formwork/decking products, headquartered in Isando, Gauteng, and operating 10 branches across South Africa and Botswana plus an export office serving more than 20 countries. The company's portfolio spans concealed fix sheeting (Klip-Tite, Klip-Lok 700, Brownbuilt, Zip-Tek 420), pierced fix sheeting (IBR 686, IBR 890, Corrugated, Nu-Rib, BR 7), permanent formwork (Bond-Dek, Bond-Lok, QC Flooring) and the Helm Engineering subsidiary range of ventilators, louvres, flashings and rainwater goods. Underlying technology centres on in-house roll-forming and pressing capabilities, supported by laboratories and testing facilities; proprietary patented components such as the KL700 Plus clip and Brownbuilt D-clip system, and a 16-mobile-mill fleet that produces long sheets on construction sites.

The company was formed by combining heritage brands HH Robertson (founded 1958) and Brownbuilt (founded 1964), later expanded with Helm Engineering (1989) and Ventco Engineering (2000), and was acquired by Rockwood Private Equity in July 2021. Revenue is generated primarily through sale of hardware (metal roofing sheets, decking, ventilators, accessories) and secondarily through professional services including technical specification support, on-site mobile mill rolling, custom processing (bullnosing, cranking, curving) and embossing. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales executed via owned branches, a network of 65+ approved contractors, and direct export channels. Customers span commercial and industrial developers, residential projects, government and public sector, and architects/quantity surveyors/engineers who specify products through the Spec-Wizard tool and downloadable CAD/BIM assets; pricing is quote-based on project specifications, materials and coatings selected.

Name

Global Roofing Solutions

Legal name

Global Roofing Solutions (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://globalroofs.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Global Roofing Solutions manufactures and supplies metal roofing, cladding, and decking products in Southern Africa, serving commercial, industrial, residential, and government customers through 10 branches, mobile mills, and approved contractors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Roofing and Cladding Manufacturing

NAICS

Roofing Contractors (23816)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Roofing Systems & Waterproofing (Membranes, Shingles, TPO/EPDM, Liquid-Applied) (IMAFAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Metal Roofing Systems (IMADAFAB), Flashing, Edge Metal & Roof Accessories (IMADAFAJ)

Keywords

• Metal roofing sheets
• Concealed fix sheeting
• Steel roof cladding
• Permanent formwork decking
• Roofing fasteners accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

Gauteng

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Roofing, Cladding and Decking Products: Sale of metal roofing sheets (concealed fix and pierced fix profiles), permanent formwork/decking products, ventilators, louvres, flashings, rainwater goods, and accessories. Products sold directly through branches and via approved contractors.
2. Technical Services: Technical specification support, draftsmen assistance for technical sales, drawing, estimation and cutting list requirements. Specifications team assists with project-related enquiries.
3. On-Site Production/Mobile Mills: Fully contained purpose-built factories on wheels that produce sheets on-site, shortening lead times and reducing costs for customers. Service offering tied to product installation.
4. Custom Processing Services: Bullnosing, cranking, curving, and embossing services for roofing sheets to meet project-specific requirements.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Global Roofing Solutions manufactures and supplies metal roofing sheets, roof and wall cladding profiles, and permanent formwork structural decking for commercial, industrial, residential, and public-sector construction projects in South Africa. Its product range spans concealed-fix profiles (Klip-Tite, Klip-Lok 700, Brownbuilt), pierced-fix profiles (Zip-Tek 420, IBR 686, IBR 890 SUPA-CLAD, Corrugated, Nu-Rib 762, BR 7), decking systems (Bond-Dek, Bond-Lok, QC Flooring), complementary accessories (Helm Engineering ventilators, louvres, flashings, rainwater goods, PV Clamps), and value-added services such as on-site mobile rolling, bullnosing, cranking, and curving.

Product overview

Global Roofing Solutions (GRS) is a multi-brand portfolio of metal roofing, cladding, and decking solutions spanning concealed fix sheeting (Klip-Tite™, Klip-Lok 700™, Brownbuilt™, Zip-Tek 420™), pierced fix sheeting (IBR 686, IBR 890 SUPA-CLAD, Corrugated, Nu-Rib 762, BR 7), and permanent formwork/decking (Bond-Dek™, Bond-Lok™, QC Flooring). The portfolio also encompasses Helm Engineering subsidiary products including ventilators, louvres, flashings, and industrial rainwater goods. GRS operates 10 branches across South Africa and Botswana, offers 16 mobile mills for on-site rolling, and provides specification services through its Spec-Wizard tool. Material coatings are sourced from ArcelorMittal, BlueScope, Hulamin, Columbus Stainless, and Safal. The company acquired Rockwood Private Equity in July 2021.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Klip-Tite Concealed-fix metal roofing and cladding profile for commercial and industrial buildings, fixed using a clip system that hides fasteners from weather exposure.
• Klip-Lok 700 Concealed-fix roofing and cladding profile with a 700 mm cover width, designed for industrial, commercial, and architectural applications requiring weathertight performance.
• Brownbuilt Concealed-fix metal roofing and cladding profile used across commercial and industrial projects as part of Global Roofing Solutions' flagship profile range.
• Zip-Tek 420 Pierced-fix metal roofing and cladding profile with a 420 mm cover, suited to commercial and industrial applications where through-fix fastening is specified.
• IBR 686 IBR (Inverted Box Rib) pierced-fix roofing and cladding profile with a 686 mm cover width, widely used in industrial, commercial, and residential applications.
• IBR 890 (SUPA-CLAD) Wider 890 mm IBR profile marketed as SUPA-CLAD for pierced-fix roofing and cladding of large industrial and commercial roofs.
• Corrugated Classic corrugated pierced-fix metal roofing and cladding profile for residential, agricultural, and light commercial use.
• Nu-Rib 762 Pierced-fix trapezoidal ribbed profile with 762 mm cover, used for industrial, commercial, and residential roofing and cladding.
• BR 7 Pierced-fix box-rib profile in the Global Roofing Solutions range for residential and commercial roofing applications.
• Bond-Dek Permanent formwork steel decking profile used as formwork for in-situ concrete slabs in multi-storey commercial, industrial, and public-sector buildings.
• Bond-Lok Permanent formwork composite decking profile with interlocking side-laps designed for use as formwork and reinforcement in concrete slab construction.
• QC Flooring Quick-construction steel flooring/decking profile for use as permanent formwork in concrete floor slabs on multi-storey buildings.
• Helm Engineering Ventilators and Louvres Range of roof ventilators and wall louvres distributed by Global Roofing Solutions for industrial and commercial buildings, complementing its roofing and cladding profiles.
• Helm Engineering Flashings and Rainwater Goods Range of roof flashings, gutters, downpipes, and rainwater accessories distributed alongside Global Roofing Solutions' profiles for complete roofing systems.
• PV Clamps Non-penetrative solar PV mounting clamps engineered to fix photovoltaic modules to Global Roofing Solutions metal profiles without piercing the sheet, preserving watertight warranty.
• Mobile Mill On-Site Rolling Service On-site rolling mill service using 16 mobile mills to produce custom-length metal roofing and cladding sheets directly at the project site, eliminating end-laps and reducing installation time.
• Bullnosing, Cranking and Curving Service Value-added fabrication service providing bullnosing (rounded ridges), cranking (transitions between roof planes), and curving of metal roofing sheets to specification.
• Spec-Wizard Online profile selection and specification tool that helps architects, engineers, and contractors identify the appropriate Global Roofing Solutions profile for a given roofing or cladding application.

Quantifiable outcome

• Klip-Tite offers superior wind uplift capabilities compared to other concealed fix sheeting in South Africa
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, primary and secondary.

• Helm EngineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSubsidiary established in 1989 to provide engineering services. Acquired Ventco Engineering in 2000. Now manufactures ventilators, louvres, flashings and industrial rainwater goods as part of GRS portfolio. One of the largest companies of its kind in Africa involved in virtually every major project in its field in the sub-continent.
• ArcelorMittal South AfricacoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary supplier of galvanised steel and Chromadek color-coated sheet products. Chromadek is ArcelorMittal's trade name for color coated sheets offering superior corrosion protection.
• BlueScope SteelprimaryTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of Zincalume and COLORBOND products. BlueScope is a global steel producer providing Zincalume (zinc-aluminium coated steel) and COLORBOND pre-painted steel.
• HulaminprimaryTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of aluminium products and Color-Tech coating for aluminium roofing applications.
• Columbus StainlessprimaryTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of stainless steel products for roofing applications requiring enhanced corrosion resistance.
• Safal SteelprimaryTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of Zincal and ColorPlus coating products for South African market.
• PalramsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of translucent polycarbonate sheeting products including SUNLOCK industrial rooflight sheets.
• KG Dongbu SteelsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationSupplier of steel products for GRS manufacturing operations.
• Sassda (Southern African Stainless Steel Development Association)secondaryOthersIndustry association membership providing networking, technical resources, and industry advocacy for stainless steel applications.
• SABS (South African Bureau of Standards)primaryOthersNational standards body providing product certification and quality assurance. GRS products comply with SABS standards.
• SAICS (South African Institute of Steel Construction)secondaryOthersProfessional institute for steel construction industry.
• SAIA (South African Institute of Architects)secondaryOthersProfessional body representing architects - key specifiers for GRS products.
• BIM4UsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationBIM library platform providing GRS product Revit and BIM files for architects and specifiers through registration system.
• GRS Approved ContractorscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of 65+ approved contractors who are trained and authorized to install GRS products. Using approved contractors may enable issuance of workmanship and water tightness guarantees.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Safintra Roofing and Steel: Safintra Roofing is a South African manufacturer of metal roofing, cladding, and roofing accessories, directly competing with GRS in concealed-fix profiles, pierced-fix sheeting, and coated steel supply. Comparable product portfolio, channel model (branches + approved installers), and target segments across commercial, industrial, and residential customers in Southern Africa.
• BMi Steel South Africa: BMi Steel is a major South African producer of steel roofing and cladding products, including pierced-fix and concealed-fix profiles. Directly comparable as a domestic metal roofing manufacturer with overlapping customer base of contractors, developers, and architects, and similar reliance on coated-steel supply chains.
• Macsteel Roofing: Macsteel Roofing manufactures and distributes metal roofing, cladding, and structural steel products across Southern Africa. Directly comparable in product range (IBR, corrugated, concealed-fix), distribution footprint, and customer base in commercial and industrial construction.

Others

• Safal Steel: Safal Steel supplies Zincal and ColorPlus coated products to GRS and also operates its own roofing footprint in East Africa (Mabati Rolling Mills). Comparable as both a supplier and a competing roofing manufacturer in adjacent African markets where GRS exports.
• ArcelorMittal South Africa: ArcelorMittal South Africa is GRS's primary supplier of galvanised steel and Chromadek color-coated sheet products. Comparable as an upstream supplier and ecosystem participant — its pricing and supply decisions directly shape GRS's input costs and competitive position in coated metal roofing.

Broad incumbents

• NCI Building Systems / Cornerstone Building Brands: NCI / Cornerstone Building Brands is one of North America's largest manufacturers of metal roofing, wall systems, and building components. Comparable as a broad-based metal roofing incumbent with branded concealed-fix and standing-seam systems competing globally, though operating primarily in North America.
• BlueScope Steel: BlueScope Steel is a global steel producer and the supplier of COLORBOND and Zincalume coatings used by GRS. Comparable as an integrated upstream-and-downstream roofing player with branded concealed-fix systems (e.g., Trimdek, Spanline) sold globally, including in African markets where it competes against GRS.
• Tata BlueScope Steel: Tata BlueScope Steel manufactures pre-engineered buildings and metal roofing/cladding products across South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Comparable as a broad-based metal roofing and cladding incumbent competing in similar commercial and industrial segments as GRS, particularly in emerging markets.
• Kingspan Group: Kingspan is a global leader in insulated panels, roof panels, and built-up roofing systems with significant operations in Africa. Comparable as a large, broad-based roofing and building envelope incumbent whose product range (concealed-fix panels, insulated roofing) overlaps with GRS's commercial and industrial offering, but with materially larger scale and capital base.

Regional players

• Re-roof / Steel & Roof Africa: Steel & Roof Africa is a Southern African metal roofing distributor and contractor focused on regional and commercial projects. Comparable as a regional player in metal roofing supply and installation that competes for the same contractor and developer base in parts of Southern Africa.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/GRSGlobalRoofs
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC7UDpbPyZQYqsyvfZVNcZGA
• Facebookfacebook.com/GRSRoofs
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/global-roofing-solutionsgrs
• Instagraminstagram.com/grsglobalroofs

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Global Roofing Solutions