Sheet metal manufacturing is expected to continue to grow to  US$17.7 Billion by 2027, according to Research and Market’s report, Sheet Metal Fabrication Services – Global Market Trajectory & Analysis. It notes that demand is increasing from a “wide range of major end users such as military & defense, aerospace, automotive, oil and gas, industrial machinery, medical devices, construction, agriculture, consumer products, and electronics is expected to drive growth.”

That’s good news for metal manufacturers— provided they have the capital resources to meet demand. 

Here we’ll share the best business credit cards for sheet metal manufacturers and explain how they can help these businesses continue to meet growing demand. 

Financial Challenges Of Metal Manufacturers Today

While demand may be high and the industry outlook is strong, metal manufacturers face challenges meeting that demand. Labor shortages, supply chain disruptions, rising prices for materials, and tariffs are a few of the difficulties faced by small business owners in this industry.  

Sheet metal manufacturing requires an investment in equipment and specialized tools such as CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) machines; band, chop or miter saws; cutting torches; rolling machines and more. 

Large expenses can add to cash flow challenges. Businesses that want to be or stay competitive will need access to capital to finance many of these purchases at a time when interest rates are rising. And higher material costs and supply chain slowdowns can create pressure on cash flow as well. 

How Business Credit Cards Can Help Metal Manufacturers

Small business credit cards can prove helpful to metal manufacturing businesses in several ways. They offer a secure and easy way to pay for purchases. Employee cards can allow managers and other employees to make needed purchases and avoid bottlenecks. 

Credit cards can provide helpful expense management tools, and many easily integrate with accounting software. 

Credit card companies know that businesses tend to spend more on business credit cards than consumers do on their personal credit cards. They want your business. As a result, credit card offers will often feature generous sign-up bonuses in addition to ongoing rewards. 

Rewards credit cards offer cash back, travel rewards and other perks like airport lounge passes, extended warranties and purchase protection. Businesses with a significant amount of business purchases can rack up significant rewards. It is helpful to review your business spending as some cards offer bonus rewards for business expenses in bonus categories, like spending in office supply stores or gas stations. 

And while you may not think of a credit card when you think of small business loans, most of these cards offer access to a line of credit that can be helpful for short-term financing. Cardholders who don’t plan to carry a balance and pay their balances off in full can still get a month or more of float on new purchases without incurring interest, depending on the timing of those purchases.

Finally, most small business credit cards report to at least one of the major commercial credit bureaus. This means they can help business owners build business credit. Good business credit scores in turn can help businesses qualify for other types of financing such as small business loans or net-30 terms with suppliers. 

Be aware that most business credit card applications will require the owner’s Social Security number as well as an Employer Identification Number (if available) and will check the owner’s personal credit score, and most cards require a good or excellent credit history. A personal guarantee is usually required. 

Best Business Credit Cards For New Sheet Metal Manufacturers

A new sheet metal manufacturing business may use credit cards to purchase everything from office supplies to small equipment. 

Many business owners overlook the fact that these credit cards may be an important source of financing until the business starts generating revenue. Most credit card issuers base the decision to issue the card in part on the owner’s personal creditworthiness and income from all sources, not just the business. 

The majority of these cards are available  to entrepreneurs operating as sole proprietors, though most metal manufacturing businesses will (and should) have formed an LLC or Corporation to minimize the risk of liability to their personal finances. 

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card 

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card The offers an excellent combination of an introductory APR of 0% on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening, along with an attractive welcome offer. Earn a $250 statement credit after you make $3,000 in purchases on your Card in your first 3 months.. 

The ongoing rewards rate is solid as well. Earn 2% cash back on all eligible purchases on up to $50,000 per calendar year, then 1%. 

Even with all these benefits, the annual fee is $0 making this American Express card a great choice for new businesses. Amex cards generally require excellent credit. 

Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card 

If you want a solid cash back reward card without caps, this Chase card can be a good choice. Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business. And if you need short-term financing, you can also get a 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months.  

The annual fee is $0.  However there is a foreign transaction fee of 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars. 

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Excellent Credit 

Capital One Spark cards deliver solid value for business owners, and business owners with fair to good credit may qualify. Get $750 Cash Back once you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.It offers straightforward cash back rewards on purchases. Earn 1.5% Cash Back on every purchase and 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel..

Lowe's Business Rewards Card from American Express 

Businesses that get supplies from Lowe’s will want to check out this card. The welcome offer bumps up an already competitive cash back rate significantly, and that makes it especially helpful for startup expenses. 

Extra Value Offer: 5% cash back on purchases at Lowe’s for the first 6 months. 2% back after. New accounts only.

Best Business Credit Cards For Existing Sheet Metal Manufacturing Companies

Established metal manufacturing companies will typically have significant business spending. They may need higher credit limits, and can earn significant rewards and perks from their credit card spending. 

Bank of America® Business Advantage Customized Cash Rewards Mastercard® credit card 

Where this card shines is in how it customizes rewards. If you know your main spending categories you can maximize the rewards you earn. 2% cash back on dining purchases (for the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter), 1% cash back on all other purchases, and 3% cash back in the category of your choice (for the first $50,000 in combined choice category/dining purchases each calendar year, 1% thereafter)..

Get an introductory APR of 0% for 9 billing cycles on purchases. There’s also a solid welcome bonus: $300 online statement credit after you make at least $3,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening..

However if you will be making purchases from companies outside the US you should be aware of the foreign transaction fee of 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each transaction. 

 

Although this new Chase Ink card carries an annual fee of you can get far more than that in value from this cash back card if you meet spending requirements. 

BILL Divvy Corporate Card 

If you’re looking for a corporate card with advanced expenses management capabilities, you may want to consider the BILL Divvy Corporate Card. It offers high credit limits to businesses that qualify, unlimited virtual cards, and automatic integration with Divvy’s expense management software. It also has a flexible rewards program. 

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express 

This premium business credit card can offer tremendous value for those who value travel rewards. Amex business cards are known for their flexible spending limits and travel perks. 

Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.

There’s a whole list of other perks especially popular with business travelers, like gold status with popular hotel chains, room upgrades with certain hotel bookings, platinum travel counselors, airport lounge access and more. 

The annual fee is $695, but if you spend a lot it will be worth it.

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

If you’re looking for a cash back business card with an annual fee of  $0 consider this card. 

Earn $900 bonus cash back after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening..

Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year. Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other card purchases with no limit to the amount you can earn.

Best Overall Business Credit Cards For Metal Manufacturers

Any of these cards are solid choices, and the best card for your business will depend on your business needs and spending habits. But two cards stand out as excellent options for sheet metal manufacturing businesses: 

The American Express Blue Business Cash™ Card

This card is a standout for its intro APR, welcome bonus and excellent ongoing rewards. 

With its very high cash back bonus and higher-than-average rewards rate this card can be particularly attractive for high spenders.