---
title: The Mestek Machinery Blog | industry trends
description: industry trends | Backed by over 100 years of expertise and experience in metal forming and fabrication, The Mestek Machinery Blog is where HVAC duct and fittings manufacturers and fabricators and other industry professionals can learn more about the technologies and processes that drive your operations.
---

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# The Mestek Machinery Blog

Backed by over 100 years of expertise and experience in metal forming and fabrication for the HVAC duct and fittings fabrication industry, The Mestek Machinery Blog is where fabricators, contractors, and industry professionals can learn more about the technologies and processes that drive your operations.

[![](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/hubfs/Mestek%20Machinery%20Blog%20Images/2026/MEP%20Construction%20Design%20Drawing%20Worker%20Hard%20Hat.jpeg)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/mep-innovation-conference-2026-key-trends-takeaways-from-austin)

## [MEP Innovation Conference 2026: Key Trends & Takeaways from Austin](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/mep-innovation-conference-2026-key-trends-takeaways-from-austin)

Mar 3, 2026

 January 26–28, 2026 | Austin Marriott Downtown, Austin, TX

[Read More](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/mep-innovation-conference-2026-key-trends-takeaways-from-austin)

[![](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/hubfs/Mestek%20Machinery%20Blog%20Images/Sustainability%20Manufacturing%20Hard%20Hat.jpeg)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/embracing-sustainability-trends-in-sheet-metal-fabrication-and-how-to-stay-ahead)

## [Embracing Sustainability: Trends in Sheet Metal Fabrication and How to Stay Ahead](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/embracing-sustainability-trends-in-sheet-metal-fabrication-and-how-to-stay-ahead)

Sep 9, 2025

 As the sheet metal fabrication industry continues to evolve, one trend stands out above the rest:...

[Read More](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/embracing-sustainability-trends-in-sheet-metal-fabrication-and-how-to-stay-ahead)

[![](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/hubfs/Mestek%20Machinery%20Blog%20Images/2023%20Machinery%20Posts/Lockformer%20Vulcan%20Fiber%20Laser%20Cutting%20System/Lockformer-Vulcan%20fiber%20laser.jpg)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/trends-in-sheet-metal-fabrication-and-how-to-stay-ahead-sustainability-automation-and-connectivity)

## [Trends in Sheet Metal Fabrication and How to Stay Ahead: Sustainability, Automation, and Connectivity](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/trends-in-sheet-metal-fabrication-and-how-to-stay-ahead-sustainability-automation-and-connectivity)

Sep 9, 2025

 The sheet metal fabrication industry is experiencing a tremendous amount of change driven by new...

[Read More](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/trends-in-sheet-metal-fabrication-and-how-to-stay-ahead-sustainability-automation-and-connectivity)

### Topics

- [ahr expo (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/ahr-expo)
- [Air Compressors (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/air-compressors)
- [Automation (2)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/automation)
- [bim (7)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/bim)
- [cad (2)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/cad)
- [cam (2)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/cam)
- [Coil Feed (2)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/coil-feed)
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- [corner insertion (5)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/corner-insertion)
- [cornermatic combo (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/cornermatic-combo)
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- [cornermatic versa (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/cornermatic-versa)
- [Cutting Systems (15)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/cutting-systems)
- [duct fabrication (22)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/duct-fabrication)
- [duct fittings (4)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/duct-fittings)
- [duct seam (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/duct-seam)
- [duct seams (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/duct-seams)
- [ductwork (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/ductwork)
- [ductwork seams (3)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/ductwork-seams)
- [ductwork terms (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/ductwork-terms)
- [engel (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/engel)
- [Fabrication Shop Best Practices (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/fabrication-shop-best-practices)
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- [fabshop (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/fabshop)
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- [fittings (4)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/fittings)
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- [good shop layout (4)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/good-shop-layout)
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- [industry trends (3)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/industry-trends)
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- [Sheet Metal (29)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/sheet-metal)
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- [sheetmetal (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/sheetmetal)
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- [shop design (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/shop-design)
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- [shop layout (8)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/shop-layout)
- [SMACNA (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/smacna)
- [snap lock (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/snap-lock)
- [software (7)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/software)
- [Spiral Duct (8)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/spiral-duct)
- [Spiral Fittings (6)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/spiral-fittings)
- [spiral machinery (4)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/spiral-machinery)
- [sustainability (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/sustainability)
- [Tax Information (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/tax-information)
- [TDF (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/tdf)
- [Trade Shows (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/trade-shows)
- [Tube and Pipe (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/tube-and-pipe)
- [VulcanPlus (2)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/vulcanplus)
- [Water Jet (3)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/water-jet)
- [Webinar (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/webinar)
- [whisperloc (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/whisperloc)
- [Workshop Education (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/workshop-education)
- [workshop experience (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/workshop-experience)
- [wrap brake (1)](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/tag/wrap-brake)

see all topics

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At Mestek Machinery, our teams are committed to serving every facet of the HVAC duct and fittings fabrication industry. It's one of the reasons why our brands — Lockformer, Iowa Precision, Engel, ISM Machinery, Roto-Die — continue to lead the industry in the design and manufacturing of the most complete, productive, and innovative metal forming solutions and precision technologies for the fabrication of HVAC sheet metal ductwork and fittings. Click the logos below to learn more about each of our brands and sign up to receive the latest news and updates right in your inbox.

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![Enagel](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Mestek_Machinery_January_2022/images/White-Engel.png?width=97&name=White-Engel.png "Enagel")

- Engel
- [Engel Home](https://mestekmachinery.com/engel/)
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- [Contact Engel](https://mestekmachinery.com/engel/contact-us)

![Iowa Precision](https://blog.mestekmachinery.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Mestek_Machinery_January_2022/images/Iowa-Precision_WH-3.png?width=97&name=Iowa-Precision_WH-3.png "Iowa Precision")

- Iowa Precision
- [Iowa Precision Home](https://mestekmachinery.com/iowa-precision/)
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- [Solutions](https://mestekmachinery.com/iowa-precision/metal-forming-and-fabrication-solutions/)
- [Video](https://mestekmachinery.com/iowa-precision/video/)
- [About Iowa Precision](https://mestekmachinery.com/iowa-precision/about-iowa-precision/)
- [Contact Iowa Precision](https://mestekmachinery.com/iowa-precision/contact-us/)

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- Roto-Die
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