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Manufacturing slump crimps sales of ''metal with holes'': makers of perforated metals have stolen market share from expanded metal companies in the past decade, but with the help of a revitalized trade association, the forces of expanded metals plan to fight back. (Expanded vs. Perforated).

Article Excerpt
In response to weak end-use demand and competitive challenges from makers of perforated metals, expanded metals manufacturers have stepped up the marketing of their products to win back market share they have lost over the past 10 years.

In simple terms, expanded and perforated metals both have holes to allow the flow of air, fluid or light and are natural rivals for such applications as enclosures, racks, shelving and architectural elements. Although the two materials have applications in common, their producers argue that each product is unique, possessing very different strengths and weaknesses.

Perforated metal is produced by punching holes in flat-rolled steel, aluminum, copper and other substrates. Expanded metal is made by slitting and stretching the sheets, thus adding structural strength while producing no waste.

Although 90 to 95 percent of expanded metal is sold through service centers, only 20 to 30 percent of perforated metals is sold through distribution, mainly specialty houses.

Gene McNichols, chairman, president and chief executive officer of McNichols Co., Tampa, Fla., a service center chain that specializes in "metals with holes," says that expanded metal, perforated metals and wire cloth have all sold better than general line products over the past few years because of their specialized applications. "Both perforated and expanded have been running neck and neck. Both have been flat to...