Innovation

Innovating Processes, Machinery, and Engineering

Zahner is an innovative company, simply by virtue of the incredible structures that bear its metalwork, innovation begins long before metal is set in place.

Innovation Starts at the Top

CEO/President L. William Zahner is a visionary leader, noted speaker, and a widely published author on metallurgy and the science of metal.  He is a visionary leader, noted speaker, and a widely published author on metallurgy and the science of metal.  He is a tinkerer, an experimental metallurgist, artist, and sculptor. Wired Magazine calls Zahner the Alpha Geek  for his dedication to the future and changing the architectural metal industry through innovation.

L. William Zahner examines the Titanium surface for Frank Gehry's New World Symphony.
Photo © Jimmy Fishbein for Wired Magazine.

1937 Patent for a rooftop sheet metal seaming machine

Innovation runs deep in Zahner's genetic code. Above is a patent from the early days of A. Zahner Sheet Metal Company. The patent above was signed by L. William Zahner's great-grandfather and his father, founder of the original company in 1897.

The machine about the size and weight of a cast-iron bathtub, and was rolled around the roof to seam roofs on large-scale projects. The machine is no longer used, as fabrication techniques have changed the way that Zahner produces buildings.

Digital Definition

Zahner engineers and designers digitally define exacting specifications for literally an infinite number of possibilities and applications.  Our products are extensively evaluated through three-dimensional CAD inspection and controlled environment field testing.  Through this keen attention to detail, Zahner team members constantly redefine the way the industry views architectural metal.

“The brilliant minds and skilled craftsmen are the heart of our organization, but it is innovation which lies at our very soul.”

— L. William Zahner, CEO/President of Zahner

Zahner offers architects, designers, general contractors and building owners a virtually unlimited palette of metal finish options from which to design and construct buildings. At the same time, the art community relies on Zahner to deliver true one-of-a-kind experiences in terms of surface medium to apply to their work. To that end Zahner has pioneered an enormous portfolio of surface and finish combinations.

Through cutting edge breakthroughs like ZEPPS™, INVERTED SEAM™ System Panels and Flat Seam Panels™ ZAHNER is able to create practically any shape or texture for exterior or interior surfaces.

Patents

Zahner holds multiple patents for our innovative processes.  They form the basis for the unique processes and services offered by Zahner.

• Patent No. US 7,434,366 B2
  Date of patent: October 2008
  This is the fundamental basis of design for all of our ZEPPS™ systems.  These systems give architects the ability to build any curvulinear from imaginable.
• Patent No. US 7,210,273 B2
  Date of patent: May 2007
  This is the basis for an extruded Inverted Seam™ system. This system gives architects the ability to construct a building surface with complete control over the seams; to create a pattern or make the seams disappear.
• Patent No. 7,212,688 B2
  Date of patent: May 2007
  This is the fundamental basis for the ZIRA™ system.  This system allows architects to add varying degrees of subtle or pronounced imagery to their projects.
• Patent No. 5,394,666
  Date of patent: March 1995
  This is the fundamental basis for an Inverted Seam™ system.  This system gives architects the ability to construct any building surface with complete control over the seams; to create a pattern or make the seams disappear.
• Patent No. 5,272,849
  Date of patent: December 1993
  This is the basis of Bold Batten Standing Seam™ system.