Formtek is excited to announce that Paul Williams, Vice President of Business Development, will once again return to the podium at FABTECH 2026 as part of the Forming and Fabricating educational track. If you work in metal forming and want to walk away with knowledge you can put to work immediately, these sessions belong on your schedule.
Paul's reputation in the roll forming industry speaks for itself. With more than four decades of experience spanning the shop floor to senior-level strategy, he has a rare ability to translate complex engineering concepts into clear, practical guidance. At FABTECH 2026, he'll be diving deep into two topics that consistently generate strong interest from manufacturers: maximizing the value of in-line roll forming capabilities, and understanding what press tonnage ratings actually mean in a real production environment.
What to Expect from Paul's Sessions at FABTECH 2026
Attendees who join Paul's presentations will come away with more than just theory. His sessions are built around real-world application, drawing on case studies and field experience to address the kinds of challenges manufacturers face every day. Expect honest, direct discussion on equipment selection, line optimization, and the technical nuances that can make or break a production outcome.
Paul also makes it a point to create space for conversation. His sessions are known for lively Q&A exchanges and the kind of candid technical dialogue that you simply can't get from reading a white paper. Whether you're a seasoned roll forming professional or newer to the field, you'll find his presentations engaging and worth your time.
Two Sessions You Won't Want to Miss
1. Add More to Your Roll Forming Lines with In-Line Punching and Cutoff Solutions
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time: 9AM
Track: Forming and Fabricating
In-line punching and cutoff integration can be a game changer for roll forming operations, but only when it's engineered correctly. In this session, Paul breaks down the design considerations and performance tradeoffs involved in adding these capabilities to a roll forming line. From structural profiles to custom OEM parts, attendees will learn how the right configuration can reduce secondary operations, improve dimensional accuracy, and increase overall throughput. Paul will also examine how different press types influence line dynamics and finished product quality.
2. When the Press Tonnage Rating Is Really Not That Tonnage in Roll Forming
Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Time: 9AM
Track: Forming and Fabricating
Selecting a press based on its nameplate tonnage rating alone is a mistake that costs manufacturers time, money, and headaches. Paul's second session takes a hard look at why stated tonnage and actual forming force are not always the same thing. He'll walk through the mechanics of how force is delivered and absorbed during roll forming, explain where common misconceptions come from, and give attendees a practical framework for evaluating and selecting equipment based on what really matters in production.
Roll Forming RFQ Basics: A Must-Attend Session with Paul Williams and Brian Rodgers
Session F025: Requesting a Quote for Roll Forming 101: Let Us Help You
Paul's sessions are just part of the Formtek story at FABTECH 2026. Later on Thursday, Brian Rodgers, Senior Applications Engineer at Formtek and fellow roll forming expert, joins Paul to co-present a session built around one of the most common challenges manufacturers face: submitting an effective roll forming RFQ.
Don't miss the opportunity to gain valuable, practical insights from two of Formtek's most experienced roll forming experts. Paul Williams and Brian Rodgers will present "Requesting a Quote for Roll Forming 101: Let Us Help You" as part of the Forming & Fabricating track. Whether you're new to roll forming or looking to sharpen your quoting process, this session delivers a clear, practical framework for submitting a Request for Quote (RFQ) that gets results. Attendees will learn what information suppliers need to generate accurate quotes, how to communicate part specifications and tolerances effectively, how to avoid common RFQ pitfalls, and how to engage with roll forming partners for long-term project success.
Date: Thursday October 22, 2026
Time: 1PM
Track: Forming & Fabricating
Session Name: Requesting a Quote for Roll Forming 101: Let Us Help You
With decades of combined experience in roll forming equipment and tooling, Paul and Brian bring real-world expertise that translates directly into actionable guidance. Paul Williams, VP of Business Development at Hill Engineering, has over 40 years of experience in the tool and die and roll forming industries and has served as a speaker for FMA, PMA, and SME conferences. Brian Rodgers, Senior Applications Engineer at Formtek, began his career as a roll form operator and has worked his way through tooling design, process troubleshooting, and team leadership. Together, they offer a well-rounded perspective that benefits both first-time quoting professionals and seasoned veterans looking to improve efficiency and accuracy in their RFQ process.
Why You Should Attend FABTECH 2026
As seasoned professionals in roll forming equipment and tooling, Paul and Brian bring decades of combined experience helping manufacturers streamline operations and improve product quality. Their hands-on expertise will provide attendees with actionable advice that can be applied immediately, whether you're submitting your first quote or your fiftieth.
FABTECH is the premier event for metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing, and it's the perfect venue to sharpen your skills, network with industry experts, and discover solutions to your biggest production challenges.
Connect with Formtek on the Show Floor at FABTECH 2026
While you're at FABTECH, be sure to stop by the Formtek booth C2510 to connect with our team, ask follow-up questions, and learn more about how our comprehensive solutions can support your manufacturing needs. To learn more about Formtek exhibiting at FABTECH 2026, click here.
Claim Your FREE Pass to the FABTECH 2026 Exhibit Hall
Planning to attend FABTECH 2026? Formtek is offering a complimentary exhibit hall pass to all attendees. This free pass provides access to the latest innovations in metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing showcased by world-class suppliers. Don't miss this opportunity to explore cutting-edge technologies and connect with industry experts. Get your free pass on the FABTECH 2026 blog. To claim your free pass, visit the official FABTECH 2026 registration page and use the promo code provided by Formtek. See you in Las Vegas!
About Paul Williams
Paul has over 40 years’ experience in the tool and die and roll forming industries as a Toolmaker, Field Service Technician, Die Design Engineer, Sales Application Engineer, Product Line Manager, and currently as the VP, Business Development. Paul received his schooling from the Tooling and Manufacturing Association in tool and die making and engineering and has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Paul has been with Hill Engineering since 1988 and has been a speaker and conference chairman for FMA, PMA, and SME conferences. With his experience and knowledge, he has also authored several technical articles for leading industry publications. Paul served on the Fabricators and Manufactures Association Board of Directors as an Associate Director during 2013-2014 and is a current member and past chairman of FMA’s Roll Forming and Technology Council.
About Brian Rodgers
Brian Rodgers began his career as a roll form operator, where he quickly developed a strong interest in roll form methodology. He pursued an apprenticeship focused on troubleshooting and leadership, gaining hands-on experience with new tooling tryouts, process troubleshooting, setups, and team coordination. His career progressed into a supervisory role overseeing 22 roll mill lines and a team of 25 operators and setup personnel. Brian later transitioned into tool engineering, concentrating on new tooling design, continuous improvement initiatives, and equipment buy-offs. Today, Brian serves as a Senior Applications Engineer at Formtek, using his extensive background to deliver effective roll forming solutions through equipment and tooling. He is also an active member and past Chair of FMA’s Roll Forming Council.
About FABTECH
FABTECH is North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing event. At FABTECH, you can expect to see world-class exhibits showcasing high-tech metalworking machinery, network with other industry professionals, and learn the latest from expert-led educational sessions. FABTECH offers the opportunity to gain new knowledge and information to help build a better business. FABTECH provides a convenient ‘one-stop shop’ venue where you can meet with world-class suppliers, see the latest industry products and developments, and find the tools to improve productivity and increase profits. FABTECH strongly believes in the power of in-person events to discover, educate, and motivate the metal fabrication industry.
About Formtek
Formtek is a group of long-established metal forming equipment manufacturing companies, each with a well-known name and a history of providing innovative and reliable equipment to the metal forming and metal processing industries. Dedicated to the highest industry standard and technical accountability for our domestic and international customers, Formtek specialists comprise a well-built team of management, sales engineers, and support staff who pride themselves on being true experts with an in-depth knowledge of all our brands of equipment. With multiple brands spread across several facilities, as well as a network of dealers covering six continents, Formtek’s expansive network is here to support your metal forming and fabricating equipment needs. The Formtek family of brands include B&K, Coilmate/Dickerman, CWP, Dahlstrom, Hill Engineering, Lockformer Custom Machinery, Rowe, Tishken, Winpro, and Yoder.