How Riley Hays Roofing Won More Jobs and Cut Lead Times by 80% with SMI
Find out how Riley Hays cut material lead times by 80% and won more roofing jobs.
From Losing Jobs to Winning on Speed in Little Rock’s Growing Metal Market
Key Results at a Glance
- Material lead time reduced: ~12 weeks → ~2 weeks
- Material quote turnaround: Up to 2 weeks → <24 hours
- Job win rate: Increased due to faster turnaround
- Production control: Fully in-house with NTM rollforming
- Technical support response: <5 minutes
The Challenge: Growing Demand, But Falling Behind
In markets like Little Rock, Arkansas, demand for metal roofing is accelerating fast. Roofing decisions are driven by both performance and design. With hot, humid summers, heavy rain, and severe weather events, durability matters — but so does curb appeal.
Many homes in the area feature Southern and Craftsman-style architecture, with porches, gables, and detailed trim that naturally pair with metal roofing accents. That combination of climate demands and architectural style is helping drive the rapid adoption of metal roofing across the region.
Contractors are seeing:
- More full metal roof installs
- More residential accents (porches, bay windows, sheds)
- More hybrid projects mixing shingles and metal accents
As Riley Hays explains, the opportunity was obvious:
“The metal roofing market in Little Rock is on an upward trend.”
But there was a problem.
Despite demand, his company was losing jobs — not because of quality, but because of speed and supply chain limitations due to buying outsourced panels:
- Long material lead times
- Slow quote turnaround
- Lack of control over production
- Missed deadlines for fast-moving projects
“We were losing jobs because we couldn’t get a quote on time.”
In an industry where timing can win or lose a deal, that was a major bottleneck.
The Turning Point: Bringing Production In-House
Instead of continuing to rely on pre-made panels, Riley made a strategic shift:
- Invested in a New Tech Machinery SSQII
- Partnered with Sheffield Metals for coil supply and support
This allowed his team to:
- Rollform panels on-site
- Control production timelines
- Respond faster to customer needs
“I moved into getting my own machine and buying coils from Sheffield.”
The Results: Speed Became a Competitive Advantage
1. Lead Times Cut by ~80%
Before:
- Up to 12 weeks for pre-formed panels
After:
- Up to 2 weeks max for coils and sheets
“With New Tech and Sheffield, I’ve sped that process up… rather than wait possibly 12 weeks, we’re waiting two weeks.”
2. Faster Quotes = More Jobs Won
Before:
- Quotes for pre-made panels could take up to 2 weeks
After:
- Responses in less than 24 hours from Sheffield Metals
“Now we know we’re gonna have an answer in less than 24 hours.”
This directly impacted revenue:
- Faster quotes → Faster decisions
- Faster decisions → More jobs secured
3. Production Speed Became a Sales Tool
By eliminating reliance on external panel suppliers, Riley’s team gained something powerful:
Speed as a differentiator
“No one can touch us on time right now… and that’s sometimes how you get a job.”
In competitive bids, this meant:
- Winning time-sensitive projects
- Beating competitors who couldn’t deliver as fast
- Serving customers who “can’t wait 10 weeks”
4. Eliminating the Middleman
The shift to in-house production simplified everything:
- No third-party delays
- No communication gaps
- No uncertainty in timelines
- No incorrect panel orders
- Better quality
“We have eliminated the middleman… and put it in our own hands.”
Beyond Speed: Support That Drives Confidence
While speed drove revenue, support reduced risk.
Technical Support That Actually Responds
- Calls answered immediately or within minutes
- Help with:
- Material selection
- Panel specs
- Order accuracy
I’ve never called Sheffield where they didn’t answer immediately or call me back in less than five minutes.
-Riley hays Roofing & Construction
Help Navigating Complex Projects
For architect-driven jobs and warranties:
- Assistance with documentation
- Guidance on specs and approvals
- Simplified weathertight warranty process
- Testing available for all NTM profiles through Sheffield Metals
“One call to support and we had it figured out very easily.”
Training and Onboarding That Accelerates Growth
Transitioning into metal roofing can be difficult, but the right supplier partner can help.
“My onboarding and training . . . has been above and beyond.”
This allowed Riley’s team to:
- Ramp up faster
- Avoid costly mistakes
- Confidently expand into metal
The Bigger Impact: A Better Way to Run a Roofing Business
The combination of in-house rollforming, reliable material supply and fast technical support did more than just improve operations. It changed how the business competes.
Before:
- Reactive
- Dependent on suppliers
- Losing jobs due to delays
After:
- Proactive
- In control of production
- Winning jobs on speed and reliability
“We are getting more business because everything goes so seamlessly.”
How Riley Hays Won More Jobs
| The Problem | Riley’s Solution | Business Impact |
| 12-Week Material Lead Times | Brought Production In-House, Sourced Coils and Sheets | Lead Time Cut to 2 Weeks |
| 2-Week Material Quotes | partnered with Sheffield Metals for Coil and Sheet Supply | Quotes Cut to Under 24 Hours |
| Lack of Production Control | Bought an NTM SSQII | In-House Rollforming, Total Control Over Production |
| Suppler Communication Issues | Eliminated the Middleman, Communicated Directly with Sheffield Metals | Refined and Streamlined Workflow |
| Growing Pains Switching to Metal Roofing | Took Full Advantage of SMI’s Technical Team and Training | Quick Problem-Solving, More Happy Customers |
Why It Works: The Power of the Right Partnership
What made the difference wasn’t just equipment or materials — it was alignment.
- Sheffield Metals and New Tech Machinery work together
- Contractors get:
- Compatible systems
- Faster answers
- Less friction
“It’s such a symbiotic relationship… they treat us very, very well.”
Final Word: “There’s No Greater Partner”
At the end of the day, the results speak for themselves.
More jobs. Faster timelines. Less stress.
“I couldn’t think of a better partner in this industry.”
“There’s no greater partner in the metal industry for us.”
FAQs
What This Means for Contractors
If you’re:
- Losing jobs due to slow quotes
- Waiting weeks for materials and pre-formed panels
- Struggling with supplier communication
Riley’s story highlights a clear path forward:
Stop losing jobs to long lead times. Talk to a Sheffield Metals rep today to take control of your production and start winning more.
