FACE TO FACE
A demonstration of the Thalmann TD long folder on CIDAN’ s stand. A demonstration of the Forma Z folder.
new operators and reduce dependence on individual key people.
3. Energy and resource efficiency as a hard business requirement: Energy-efficient processes( e. g. servo technology and modern fibre lasers), smart scrap handling and sustainable material logistics are already part of the calculation, even at the quotation stage. Customers demand not only performance— but also kWh, CO₂ and total cost over time.
4. The roof as an energy platform— PVready metal and retrofit: In construction sheet metal, interest is accelerating in metal roofs as the base for solar panels. Service life, fire characteristics and operational reliability make metal an attractive carrier for PV systems— both in new builds and re-roofing projects. Systems thinking around fastening, water management and service is just as important as the sheet metal itself.
5. Prefab / offsite to tackle the skills shortage: A shortage of experienced installers and operators drives standardisation, pre-fabrication and clear workflows. The more that can be done in a controlled workshop environment, the faster, safer and more predictable the on-site project becomes.
6. Safety, standards and best practice scale quality: Updated guidelines and handbooks( for example, from SMACNA) set the bar for quality in installations, tolerances and work environment. Companies that base their routines on established standards find it easier to train staff, ensure quality and win tenders.
7. High-performance processes on the show floor— and in the P & L: Blechexpo, and other trade shows, showcase how high-power lasers, parallel load / unload cycles and automated material flows cut lead times dramatically. The takeaway for investors is that more of the value lies in the whole system— control, logistics and training— not just in the machine’ s raw performance.
“ Sheet metal fabrication is entering a phase where automation, connected controls and sustainable economics converge. Winners will build scalable, training-friendly and data-driven flows— while understanding customers’ new requirements for energy, environment and systems’ thinking,” summarised Joachim Schäfer.
Looking to the future
What does this mean for manufacturers’ decisions in 2025 – 2026? Schäfer highlighted how manufacturers should plan their decisionmaking, as a result.
“ Manufacturers should secure RoI( return on investment) with a holistic perspective i. e. view the line as a system( programming, tooling, material logistics and quality assurance). Small bottlenecks can swallow significant machine capacity,” he advised.
“ They should also plan for a mixed skills profile. Smart CNC control systems that guide operators, centralised profile management and standardised workflows help new employees to reach productivity faster. Manufacturers should also build a database now— connected machines and shared databases provide the
baseline for continuous improvement, service planning and more accurate quotations. Roofing contractors should think‘ PV-ready’ in building sheet metal i. e. package sheet + fastening systems + documentation so PV installers have a robust, long-lasting base( especially for re-roofing),” he added.
CIDAN has plans to launch more new products at the DACH & HOLZ trade show in February 2026 in Cologne, Germany. With an eye on the future, it has also been tracking the rise of artificial intelligence( AI) for manufacturing.
“ AI is a new solution and is part of our everyday life now. We are experimenting with AI right now on safety, predictive maintenance, data optimisation for parts production and datadriven decisions for machinery. It will definitely be part of our future development efforts. Internally, we also use AI in our day-to-day work. If AI is used in the right way, it can be empowering,” concluded Haval Othman. n
A CIDAN FX32 folder with new nuLINK control system.
www. cidanmachinery. com
ISMR November 2025 | ismr. net | 25