Formtek is excited to announce that Brian Rodgers, Senior Applications Engineer, will take the stage at FABTECH 2026 as part of the Forming and Fabricating educational track. If you work in metal forming and want practical, experience-driven knowledge you can put to use right away, these sessions belong on your schedule.
Brian's background in roll forming is anything but typical. He began his career as a roll form operator, developed a passion for roll form methodology, and worked his way through an apprenticeship, a supervisory role overseeing 22 roll mill lines and 25 operators, and ultimately into tool engineering and applications. Today, as Senior Applications Engineer at Formtek, he brings that full arc of hands-on experience to every presentation he delivers. At FABTECH 2026, he will be covering two foundational topics that matter to anyone involved in roll forming: understanding the basics of the process and making the business case for it.
What to Expect from Brian's Sessions at FABTECH 2026
Attendees who join Brian's presentations will walk away with more than theory. His sessions are grounded in real-world application, drawing on years of direct experience with roll form processes, tooling design, and equipment selection. Whether you are new to roll forming or a seasoned professional looking to sharpen your knowledge, Brian delivers content that is accessible, practical, and immediately useful.
Brian also makes time for conversation. His sessions are known for encouraging the kinds of questions that lead to better decisions on the shop floor and in the purchasing office. Come ready to engage!
Two FABTECH 2026 Sessions You Won't Want to Miss
1. Roll Forming Basics
Date: Wednesday October 21, 2026
Track: Forming & Fabricating
Session Name: F020 - Roll Forming Basics and Justification
Session Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Room: N205-206
Roll forming has a rich history, and the process has evolved significantly alongside advances in automation. In this session, Brian walks attendees through the full landscape of the roll forming industry, from small to large roll formers, from basic blank-fed machines to complex roll form lines incorporating presses, welders, and other value-added processes. Attendees will gain a clear picture of the breadth of machines and styles that fall under the roll forming umbrella. By the end of this session, you will be equipped to ask better questions, whether you are looking to improve your existing equipment or purchase something new.
2. Roll Forming Justification
Date: Wednesday October 21, 2026
Track: Forming & Fabricating
Session Name: F020 - Roll Forming Basics and Justification
Session Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Room: N205-206
This session is designed for companies that are evaluating whether roll forming is the right fit for their operations. Brian covers the opportunities roll forming presents, the value-add possibilities it enables, and the consistency it delivers in high-volume production environments. Roll forming is often a hidden process; its benefits in consistent, high-volume output are not always visible until you understand what it can do. Attendees will learn what materials can be roll formed, what additional value-added processes can be introduced into the line with minimal labor, and what requirements need to be in place to make roll forming work well for their application.
A Can't-Miss Co-Presentation with Paul Williams
Session Name: F025 - Requesting a Quote for Roll Forming 101: Let Us Help You
Date: Thursday October 22, 2026
Track: Forming & Fabricating
Session Time: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Room: N205-206
Brian rounds out his FABTECH 2026 schedule by teaming up with Paul Williams, Vice President of Business Development, for a session that addresses a challenge nearly every manufacturer has run into at some point: how to request a roll forming quote that actually works in your favor.
Getting a quote is easy. Getting a good quote, one that is accurate, complete, and positions you for a successful project, requires knowing what to ask for and how to ask for it. That is exactly what this session is designed to teach. Brian and Paul will break down the quoting process step by step, helping attendees understand what suppliers need to provide a meaningful number, how to present part specifications and tolerances clearly, and what details are commonly left out that can lead to costly surprises down the road.
The session also looks beyond the transaction. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how to engage with roll forming partners in a way that sets the stage for long-term success, not just a one-time order. What makes this session especially valuable is the combination of perspectives Brian and Paul bring to the room. Paul has spent more than four decades working across nearly every corner of the roll forming industry, from toolmaking and field service to product management and business development. Brian has operated the machines, designed the tooling, and troubleshot the processes. Between the two of them, they cover the full picture of what happens on both sides of a roll forming quote, and that is the kind of insight you simply cannot get from a spec sheet or a catalog.
Why You Should Attend FABTECH 2026
FABTECH is North America's largest metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing event. It is the premier venue to sharpen your skills, network with industry experts, and discover solutions to your biggest production challenges. Brian's sessions offer a rare opportunity to learn from someone who has lived every stage of the roll forming process, from operating the machines to designing the tooling to helping customers find the right equipment solutions.
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!
Visit Formtek at FABTECH 2026
FABTECH is one of the best opportunities of the year to get face time with the people and products that can move your operation forward. Make sure Formtek’s booth #C2510 is on your list. Our team will be on hand throughout the show to answer your questions, dig into your specific application challenges, and walk you through the roll forming solutions that could make a real difference in your production environment.
If Brian's sessions spark questions you want to explore further, the booth is the perfect place to continue that conversation. No appointments necessary. Just stop by, introduce yourself, and let's talk roll forming.
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 Paul Williams
Paul has over 40 years of 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 VP of Business Development. Paul received his schooling from the Tooling and Manufacturing Association in tool and die making and engineering and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. He has been with Hill Engineering since 1988 and has served as a speaker and conference chairman for FMA, PMA, and SME conferences. Paul served on the Fabricators and Manufacturers 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 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 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.
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. With multiple brands spread across several facilities and 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 includes B&K, Coilmate/Dickerman, CWP, Dahlstrom, Hill Engineering, Lockformer Custom Machinery, Rowe, Tishken, Winpro, and Yoder.