Originally Published as: Best Buy Metals: Growing with Purpose, Grounded in Service
In an industry where speed, consistency, and reliability can make or break a contractor’s day, Best Buy Metals has carved out a reputation built on more than just product. It’s a company that has grown steadily over the past two decades by focusing on relationships, responsiveness, and a willingness to adapt—without losing sight of its core values.
Since being named to the Inc. 5000 list in 2021, Best Buy Metals has continued to expand its footprint, refine its operations, and invest in both people and equipment. But I asked founder and CEO Isaac Libbey what stands out most over the past five years, and his answer isn’t just about new locations or product lines—it’s about leadership.
“We added a couple new locations and we’re continuing to grow,” Libbey says. “What stands out is, thankfully, we were able to add a good number of leaders within our team to help, which is moving us in a good direction without overloading us as we add new locations. So we feel really good about the leadership that we have within the company to help take it to a new level.”
That deliberate approach to growth—building the team alongside the footprint—has allowed the company to expand into key markets like Dalton, Georgia, and Knoxville, Tennessee, while maintaining the level of service customers have come to expect.
“We’ve added more stores, expanding into Dalton, Georgia,” Libbey explains. “We were already selling in the Atlanta area, but Dalton helped us expand into the surrounding areas and take care of our contractors. Some of the contractors we already sold to, but it helped us to be able to serve them better.”
The Knoxville expansion followed a similar logic but added a manufacturing component that proved especially impactful.
“We sold in Knoxville for years, but we were able to open a manufacturing facility in Knoxville,” he says. “That definitely helped contractors be able to get better service. If they need something right then, we can manufacture the packages right then or the next day—just whatever their needs might be.”
Expanding the Product Mix
While geographic growth has been important, Best Buy Metals’ evolution is just as evident in its expanding product lineup. Traditionally known for roofing panels, the company has leaned heavily into siding and complementary building components in recent years.
“One of the biggest things that’s really taken off since the last magazine when it comes to new products is siding,” Libbey says. “Residential board and batten panel has really been a big hit.”
That board and batten offering is a good example of how Best Buy Metals is differentiating itself in a crowded market. The company’s ability to emboss metal panels to mimic wood grain not only enhances aesthetics but also improves performance.
“One thing about board and batten that makes us different than others is our equipment will emboss the metal to give a wood grain feel,” Libbey explains. “Embossing isn’t just for looks; it gives a lot of strength and keeps the panels a lot more rigid. Other metal, if the surface isn’t perfectly smooth, can ripple. Embossing helps with looks as well as the actual performance.”
The company has also introduced new roofing profiles, including its Apex Panel—a reimagined take on the traditional exposed-fastener system.
“Our Tuff Rib panel is 3-foot wide with ribs 9 inches apart. We’ve sold this screw-down panel for years,” Libbey says. “We added a couple machines to make a new roof panel with a new look. It still has 3-foot coverage, still exposed fastener, but the ribs are 12 inches apart and square, so it makes it look like a hidden fastened panel but doesn’t cost any more than the same 3-foot panel we’ve been selling for years.”
The result is a product that offers a standing seam aesthetic without the added cost or complexity.
“It looks like standing seam and is easy to install. It gives a different look,” he adds. “People like having another option.”
Beyond panels, Best Buy Metals has also expanded into structural components like metal trusses for post-frame buildings. By increasing the size and strength of its truss offerings, the company has tapped into growing demand in that segment.
“We upped the size,” Libbey says. “They were 1½ inches; all ours are now 2 inches. It’s a thicker, stronger truss that we stock and have readily available. That’s helped us sell a lot more of those over the last few years.”
A Service-Driven Strategy
Despite the product and geographic expansion, Libbey is quick to point out that the company’s momentum is rooted in something less tangible: customer care.
“The one thing that we’ve tried is always stay steady—add to the team and focus on customer relations,” he says. “Don’t let customers fall through the cracks.”
That philosophy has led to investments in both outside sales and dedicated customer relations roles, with team members tasked specifically with checking in on contractors and ensuring their needs are met.
“Their main goal is to check on some of our contractors, make sure they’re taken care of,” Libbey explains. “When we come up short, make it right. We’ve tried our best to do that.”
It’s a mindset shaped, in part, by observing gaps in the market.
“Our biggest reason we’ve gone to other places is you don’t feel like you’re necessarily needed as a customer—you feel like nobody cares,” he says. “We don’t want to operate like that. Our main goal, from front to back, is that every individual is important. They need to know they’re important.”
That emphasis on service has helped the company build a loyal and growing contractor base.
“We’re seeing a lot more solid contractor base that keeps returning every year,” Libbey says. “They keep coming back.”
Navigating Industry Shifts
Like every manufacturer and supplier in the metal construction space, Best Buy Metals has had to navigate significant industry changes over the past five years—from supply chain disruptions to evolving design preferences.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company experienced its share of challenges but managed to maintain stability.
“During COVID we saw some challenges for sure with supply chain, but we stayed steady and had a strong year—and even the next year,” Libbey says.
Today, supply constraints have largely eased, but pricing volatility remains a factor, particularly with ongoing tariff uncertainties.
“We buy American steel—U.S. steel here in America. We take pride in that domestic steel,” he says. “But it fluctuates because tariffs… Not tariffs on our steel but on the foreign steel which causes the domestic steel to change and adapt to what’s going on around. It has made unknowns a little bit more unknown. It hasn’t caused a shortage, just a little more navigating.”
To mitigate those uncertainties, the company prioritizes inventory.
“We keep plenty in stock so customers won’t have to wait on any downtime waiting on colors,” Libbey notes.
At the same time, shifting aesthetic trends are influencing product development. One notable change is the growing popularity of ultra-low gloss finishes.
“It used to be that all the rolls of metal coils were shiny,” Libbey says. “Now we have these ultra-low gloss, dull flat colors people are starting to like. We try to make sure we have several colors available.”
Investing in Equipment and Efficiency
Behind the scenes, Best Buy Metals has made significant investments in manufacturing capabilities, particularly in coil processing and equipment upgrades.
One key improvement has been the expanded use of slitters, allowing the company to maximize flexibility from a single master coil.
“We can take the master coil and have it on the floor and use it for many different products by slitting what we need,” Libbey explains. “We’ve purchased several more slitters from SWI, and that’s helped us be more efficient.”
That flexibility is especially valuable as the product mix grows to include board and batten, soffit, standing seam, and multiple panel widths.
On the forming side, the company continues to invest in high-quality equipment designed for longevity and consistency.
“You could buy a roll former for half the price, but they’re not going to make the same consistency and won’t last as long,” Libbey says. “We run Metal Rollforming Systems Titans. We’ve had great success with ours.”
The company has also embraced newer technologies, including a 28-foot all-electric brake from ASCO USA that eliminates the need for hydraulics.
“The big feature about it is it’s 100% electric—no hydraulics,” Libbey says. “Hydraulics wear and tear over time. All electric is a newer concept. It’s tested well and runs efficiently.”
Additionally, Best Buy Metals is investing in new panel capabilities, including a large, corrugated panel machine, also from MRS, that reflects a resurgence in that profile.
“It used to be an old panel. Now it’s coming in as a modern look,” Libbey notes.
Training, Safety, and Team Development
As the company has grown, so has its workforce—now totaling around 235 employees. With that growth comes a heightened focus on training and safety.
“We do a lot of training for product knowledge and safety,” Libbey says. “If our team, especially in sales, doesn’t know the product, they won’t be able to take care of the customer or have confidence.”
To address that, Best Buy Metals has implemented structured training programs that guide employees from basic products to more complex offerings.
“We start out with the most common panels and move into more detailed specialty products,” he explains. “We make sure they have the right tools to learn everything.”
Safety remains equally critical, particularly in a metal manufacturing environment.
“Always wear gloves, sleeves, and boots,” Libbey says. “Forklift training is a must. There’s a lot that goes into safety, and it’s a huge factor. We’re very thankful to try to keep a good record.”
Competing in a Crowded Market
With growth in the metal roofing and cladding sector has come increased competition. What was once a relatively sparse landscape is now much more crowded.
“When we first opened 24 years ago, we saw very few that roll form metal around us,” Libbey says. “Now within a few hours, you’ll have more who have chosen to do something very similar. It keeps you on your toes.”
For Best Buy Metals, the response has been to double down on its core principles.
“We continue to do what we do best—customer service—and keep the base that we’ve established,” he says. “We work hard to keep a good name. We do what we say we will do and follow through. If we come up short, we make it right.”
At the heart of that approach is a simple but deeply held belief: “Doing the right thing because it’s the right thing,” Libbey says. “Morals and doing the right thing—that’s what matters most.”
Looking Ahead
As Best Buy Metals looks to the future, growth remains firmly on the agenda—but not at the expense of culture or service.
“We’re not done growing,” Libbey says. “We’re continuing to research new markets and new facilities.”
At the same time, the company is mindful of maintaining its identity as it expands.
“We want to grow at a healthy pace so we can keep customer service the way it should be,” he explains. “Keep that family-based atmosphere. We’re a family business, so we want to keep that going and not lose that if we get too big.”
Several facility upgrades and expansions are already in motion, positioning the company for its next phase.
Ultimately, Libbey says, the mission remains unchanged.
“The biggest thing is we’re in this for the long term—to continue to serve our customers,” he says. “We’re in this as a team. It’s important for people to know that. We want to grow at a good, healthy pace.”
In a fast-moving industry where products, profiles, and technologies continue to evolve, that steady, people-first approach may be Best Buy Metals’ most enduring advantage.
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