On April 11, Rush River Steel & Trim (https://rushriversteel.com) hosted an all-day customer appreciation “Rib Fest” event at its facility in Henderson, Minnesota. (The company may sound familiar—former editor Sharon Thatcher introduced them in the article “A Journey of FAITH” in the Summer 2020 issue of Rollforming Magazine.)
The company invited more than 100 local contractors to the event, which offered informational presentations, product demonstrations, and a rib luncheon with all the trimmings. Rush River General Manager Jacob Wollman kicked off the festivities with a welcoming speech that expressed the company’s deep appreciation for its customers. He said, “We do this for our customers because our customers are the reason we’re in business.”
Hixwood’s Paul Zimmerman addressed the crowd, explaining that Rush River and Hixwood share a valuable partnership. Not only do both organizations believe in strong communities and strong families, but they also want the roofs they manufacture to last for the next generation.
As part of that goal, Paul explained that it’s important for Hixwood to use the most corrosion-resistant substrates for long-lasting buildings. He introduced ZAM® as an exciting development for steel coils. ZAM is a steel substrate coated with an alloy layer of zinc, aluminum, and magnesium, and it has tested very well after undergoing two years of accelerated testing. Zinc improves the corrosion resistance of the steel, aluminum enhances weathering and oxidation resistance, and magnesium further boosts overall corrosion resistance. The benefits of ZAM include longer life, cut-edge rust protection, and excellent performance in severe environments. He added that the cost is comparable to G100.
Attendees could see a Swenson Shear Snap Table in action.
It’s obvious the crew at Rush River Steel & Trim keeps the equipment and facility well maintained.
Paul’s talk was followed by an informative presentation by Darren Alonzo of Beckers titled “Paint Systems for Pre-Painted Metal: Choose the Right Paint System for Your Project.” Additional highlights at the event included hands-on demonstrations of hand benders from Malco Tools—which Rush River sells—and equipment demos by members of the Rush River crew.
Founded in 2011, Rush River Steel is dedicated to serving builders and contractors in the region with high-quality steel panels and trims for the commercial, agricultural, and residential markets. The company also supplies tools, closures, and a wide range of accessories to complete any building project.
This year, 2025, is shaping up to be an exciting one for the company. They’ve added four new concealed fastener panel options and five new steel siding profiles.
There are two new machines at the Rush River Steel facility. The first is a Schlebach Quadro XL standing seam roll former, which was bought from MetalForming LLC. The second is an Eastside Machine Company portable roll former in a trailer with six siding profiles.
Coming soon: Starting in July 2025, Rush River will also offer recoiling options for standing seam and siding coils.
Conclusion
Rush River’s customer appreciation event was more than just a thank-you—it was a celebration of shared values, quality craftsmanship, and forward-looking partnerships. As the company continues to grow and expand its offerings, it remains grounded in its commitment to serving contractors with the best products and support. For builders who value reliability and innovation, Rush River Steel & Trim is clearly a partner worth having. RF
