Associated Fiberglass Enterprises' Company History
begins in 1959 with the manufacture or pleasure boats. In the early sixties the
company added to its product line by making one of the first fiberglass
baptistries ever built. The demand for related architectural items soon led to
the design and fabrication of fiberglass steeples, cupolas, domes, cornice and
columns. AFE soon became a leader in fabricating large custom fiberglass
steeples, some of which tower over seventy feet tall. Units have been erected in
all fifty states, Canada and
the Caribbean.
Associated Fiberglass Enterprises further expanded its
position in the fiberglass industry, adding such products as automotive and
aircraft components, pump floats, billboard and other signage items, a variety
of creative items for water and recreation parks, and insulated shipping
containers.
In 1976, AFE acquired a chop-hoop winding capability and
began making tanks up to 12 feet in diameter for storage of corrosive liquids,
potable water and other fluids. It also pioneered the development of fiberglass
manholes, wet well liners and sumps for the water treatment, wastewater
treatment industry. The introduction of fiberglass shelter buildings for
housing chlorine equipment marked another milestone for AFE with efforts to
service the corrosion industry. These insulated houses quickly made their way
into water and wastewater treatment facilities all over the United States.
In 1989 AFE began manufacturing products for the materials handling industry
distribution centers across the nation.
Today AFE
occupies a 16,000 square foot design and manufacturing plant in Fort Worth, Texas
and employs over 40 office and production workers. AFE stands apart from other
fiberglass manufacturers in several distinctive ways:
CAPABILITIES:
Hand lay-up, spray-up, chop-hoop winding, gel coating, vacuum bagging,
pour foaming, casting, pattern and mold making, assembly, finishing,
off-site and in-house repair work, confined space entry, hydrostatic
testing, and tank inspection services.
PROPRIETARY
PRODUCTS: Custom designed baptistries, cupolas, 36 in. to 90 in.diameter manholes, 42 in., 54 in., 66 in. and
other diameter rehabilitation liners (trade name EZ LINERS), and standard
and custom fiberglass shelter buildings. In addition, AFE can wind fiberglass
cylinders from 3 ft. 0 in. diameter up to 12 ft. 0 in. diameter for tanks, sumps,
wetwells, manholes and ductwork. Our inventory of molds include many that
are adaptable for architectural applications such as ceiling domes,
exterior domes, cupolas, facades, cornices, columns, fountains, and tanks.
BUSINESS
RELATIONSHIPS: AFE has accumulated a customer base of over 750 individuals
and firms during its fifty-plus years in business. We are the sole source
manufacturer of products for numerous major accounts, several of whom we
have served over 20 years.
CUSTOM
MANUFACTURING: AFE has long accommodated customers` requests for
specialized products and thereby has developed the ability to do
one of a kind and short run production on a fast track pace. Our in-house
design capability has allowed us to quickly adapt to new challenges and
technology.
DIVERSITY: Our product mix spans many industries which has
been instrumental in our maintaining steady growth despite downturns in
certain segments of the fiberglass industry.
LOCATION:
AFE is located in an industrial area in a suburb of Fort
Worth, Texas (Haltom City). We
have ready access to truck, and rail transportation, the DFW international
Airport is twenty minutes away. Interstate 30 and 35W are within a few
miles of our plant. Our main material suppliers are less than two miles
from us. Other supporting industries abound the area.
SIZE:
AFE occupies a four acre site with approximately 17,000 square feet under
roof and another 40,000 square feet of paved areas. AFE employs 40 office
and manufacturing personnel, running two shifts.
PERMITS:
AFE holds a Title 5 General Operating Permit. We are permitted to do
confined space entry for tank vessel and other repairs.
AFFILIATIONS:
AFE is a member of the ACMA, Texas Association of Business.
AFE can turn ideas into reality with our experienced custom
design, pattern work, mold making, fabrication, assembly and shipping to serve
you. A couple of productsthat you may be familiar with that we produce are the
red pepper for Chilis Restaurants and the fiberglass cows for Chik-fil-A. AFE
has been the choice of Architects throughout the nation for custom fiberglass
products.