Steel roofing is a popular choice in the construction and renovation market. The numerous advantages of steel roofing are what make it so convincing.

The advantages of steel roofing

The roof is one of the most visible, eye-catching elements of a house. If you are looking for an aesthetic, light, and easy-to-install roof with convenient options, all at an affordable price, then you should definitely consider steel roof tiles. It is a solution that has been successfully used for years for roofing in millions of homes and other types of buildings.

A wide range of organic coated steels for roofing applications

ArcelorMittal's range of organic coated Granite® steel for roofing offers a combination of a variety of textures and rich colours. For example: Granite® Storm works impeccably in demanding conditions, Granite® Ultramat offers a distinctive texture and matt finish, and Granite® Impression Cloudy is a steel with unique aesthetics including an appearance resembling natural materials such as clay or terracotta. These coatings are extremely durable and are corrosion and UV resistant.

Challenges in the creation of steel roof tiles

It would seem that there is nothing more pleasant when creating a steel roof tile than inventing its shape - a bend that will enhance the colour or reflect light in a unique way. However, not everyone is aware of the technical and material requirements that should or have to be met. Forming complex shapes on curved, convex, and concave surfaces in addition to the required flexibility of the varnish coat are challenging factors in the creation of steel roof tiles.

A partner in testing ArcelorMittal coatings

To ensure even longer use and greater durability of ArcelorMittal steel roofing, we began working with DACHPOLL to test Granite® Ultramat. Additionally, different tile shapes were tested by analysing bend radii. Thanks to our partner, the shape of the steel roof tiles have been adjusted in such a way so as not to exceed the required parameters for the varnish coat and to offer patterns of roof tiles that meet customers’ expectations.

About DACHPOLL

DACHPOLL have 40 years of experience in profiling roofing sheets and is a manufacturer of sheet metal profiling machines. DACHPOLL have also been conducting research in the field of profiling and sheet metal pressing for many years. A qualified team of engineers and specialists are constantly working to develop even better technological solutions in order to improve the quality of devices and products. As a result, their profiling machines are used by leaders in the roofing industry in Poland and abroad. The dynamic development of the company is also evident via the registration of several hundred industrial designs in patent offices in Poland, the European Union, Russia, and Ukraine. The patented industrial designs of DACHPOLL roofing sheets are currently setting trends in the roofing industry, and ArcelorMittal ensures that our Granite® Ultramat coating is being used at its best.

Text: Constructalia
Images: DACHPOLL

Ever since ArcelorMittal first introduced SteelUser a decade ago, we have continued to develop our digital tools in collaboration with customers. SteelUser itself has evolved to become a multi-platform communication channel, enabling customers to interact with ArcelorMittal via apps, web services, and electronic tools integrated into their business systems. This has made it possible for customers to get production information, send orders directly to ArcelorMittal, and receive invoices and related documents electronically.

In a recent project with Polish customer Inter-Max, ArcelorMittal has added the ability to specify the coating and colour of a product late in the order process electronically. Inter-Max, which uses ArcelorMittal’s EDI Light service, now has full transparency over its orders and can respond quickly and efficiently to demands from their own customers.

EDI Light

Inter-Max, a long-term supplier of roofing solutions, first asked ArcelorMittal about using our digital tools in 2018. By March 2019, the company had agreed to adopt EDI Light. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is an electronic communication method which defines standards for the exchange of data via any electronic means.

Krzysztof Szczerba, president of Inter-Max, explains: “EDI Light integrates the entire product ordering process into our enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. Orders are now simpler, easier, more accurate, and faster. And by adhering to the same standard as ArcelorMittal, we can electronically exchange documents such as purchase orders, invoices, shipping notices, and many others.”

EDI Light also enables data from ArcelorMittal sales invoices to be automatically entered into the accounting modules of the Inter-Max ERP system. There is no need to print invoices or manually enter data.

Prevision orders allow late specifications

In the initial phase of the project, Inter-Max decided to use EDI Light to send and receive orders and order confirmations automatically. But in response to Inter-Max’s need to specify colours and coatings late in the order process, ArcelorMittal made modifications to the system to allow ‘prevision’ orders. Previously this had only been possible if the customer called or emailed their ArcelorMittal contact. By November 2019, the two companies were able to test and approve the new functionality which is now available to all ArcelorMittal customers on request.

“The solution is based on the latest data exchange format and uses files in CSV format,” explains Krzysztof Szczerba. “After several months of intensive work, Inter-Max successfully began placing prevision orders for coiled sheets from ArcelorMittal. It means we can submit an order for a steel substrate, and define the type of coating and colour later in the process.”

Streamlining processes and planning

Inter-Max now sees all orders placed with ArcelorMittal in its own software. They can also see when shipments are due. “This enables us to be much more efficient when we are planning production schedules,” says Krzysztof Szczerba. “It also helps with our own logistics, the analysis of market trends, and the strategic planning we do for Inter-Max’s future activities.”

For Inter-Max, the EDI Light system with late specifications has transformed its business notes Krzysztof Szczerba: “EDI saves us time and money as it prevents the chance of operators making mistakes. We no longer need to spend time chasing these errors. That translates into a higher level of organisation within the company, and has a positive impact on our economic results.”

About Inter-Max

Inter-Max started operations in 1992 as a sheet metal profiling operation. The company was one of the first in Poland to introduce ArcelorMittal’s range of innovative organic coated products including Granite® Deep Matt, Granite® HDS, and Magnelis®.

More info: Inter-Max

Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Images: Inter-Max, ArcelorMittal, deepadesigns, viviamo, and violetkaipa / shutterstock.com

Related link(s)

EDI website

As ArcelorMittal, we always want to be close to people. With our newest tool, your house plays the starring role in which visions can become reality. The protagonist of this stage design? Granite® organic coated steel from ArcelorMittal that gracefully wraps your roof - ensuring elegance, durability, and beauty.

We invite you to participate in the creation of a story in which four heroes meet – your dreams, your home, Granite® organic coated steel, and those who will help your dreams come true: manufacturers.

This design tool is dedicated to the Polish market and is currently available in Polish only. More language versions are in the works!

Text: Constructalia
Images: ArcelorMittal Europe

Related link(s)

Roofing configurator