Company History
In early 1989, two brothers huddled around a paper napkin working on a concept for this thing called a “roof seamer”. Terry and Ted Rider had put their fair share of metal roofs on, working in construction during earlier years and had decided that there had to be a better option out there to help make the job easier. When they discovered that there wasn’t, they made it their mission to create a user-friendly, lightweight and affordable machine to make a builder’s life a little easier. With that in mind, early one morning, out of a 10’ X 20’ shed and an old manual mill and lathe, production began on the first Developmental Industries Roof Seamer.
With a 14 acre campus, including a 64,000 sq. ft. main production facility located in Northeastern Mississippi, we proudly offer a full Research & Development Team, Quality Control Laboratory and a staff of over 40 trained and certified employees. Aside from Roof Seamers, Developmental Industries Inc. is the largest Tool & Die Manufacturing facility in the region. We offer services for everything from concept development to installation and testing at your facility.
Lawrence Rider, the father of Terry and Ted, was instrumental in the creation and beginnings of Developmental Industries, Inc. In late 1988, Lawrence signed for a $5,000 personal loan to be able to purchase some raw steel and turn on the utilities in a dilapidated building that was to become the first Developmental Industries. Acting as the first President of the company, Lawrence was able to instill is work ethic and values into his sons as he guided them through the first rocky years of the company's history. His memory lives on through the hard work and dedication of his sons and their company.
In loving memory of Lawrence Rider, 1923-2006