BUCYRUS — Advanced Fiber Technology (AFT) has announced its second production line at the company’s facility at 125 Crossroads Boulevard in Crossroads Industrial Park in Bucyrus.
The project is a total investment of $5.5 million with $4.75 million in the latest technology, robotics, and automation in the wastepaper conversion industry. The expansion creates six full-time positions and maintains the company’s 33 employees.
“Opening our second plant across the street from our original, still operating, operation is incredibly exciting,” said Adam Weiser, AFT’s general manager.
“The state-of-art- technology and equipment in the second plant, which was all manufactured in the U.S., and many pieces right here in Crawford County, is far more advanced than our original plant which opened in 2001.”
AFT was founded by Bucyrus-native, Doug Leuthold, his brother and father, in 1988. They sold the business to Installed Building Products (IBP) in 2018.
The company started with system design, fabrication, and installation of manufacturing solutions to convert recycled wastepaper into end products.
In 2001, AFT established its first 22,500 sf manufacturing facility in Bucyrus and since has expanded to 90,000 sf including plant two.
Wastepaper is purchased from recycling companies and converted into insulation that is used in residential housing and commercial projects.
They also produce fibers for asphalt paving and industrial applications. The expansion will allow a second line to produce all of AFT’s products, helping to meet demand.
“We congratulate AFT and IBP for their strategic decision to invest in a second production line,” Bucyrus Mayor Bruce Truka said.
“This forward-thinking move not only strengthens their position in our community but also demonstrates their confidence in our local workforce and economic environment.
“The creation of new jobs and adding to the income tax revenue are tangible outcomes of this investment, highlighting the mutually beneficial relationship between businesses and the community.”
Installed Building Products
Installed Building Products, Inc. is one of the nation’s largest new residential insulation installers and is a diversified installer of complementary building products, including waterproofing, fire-stopping, fireproofing, garage doors, rain gutters, window blinds, shower doors, closest shelving and mirrors and other products for residential and commercial builders located in the continental United States.
The company manages all aspects of the stallation process for its customers, from direct purchase and receipt of materials from national manufacturers to its timely supply of materials to job sites and quality installation.
The company offers its portfolio of services for new and existing single-family and multi-family residential and commercial building projects in all 48 continental states and the District of Columbia from its national network of over 250 branch locations.
Visit https://installedbuildingproducts.com/ for more information.
Crawford Partnership
Started in 2006, the Crawford Partnership for Education and Economic Development is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to driving collaborative economic, community and workforce development in Bucyrus, Galion, Crestline, New Washington, and all of Crawford County, Ohio.
This year, the county ranked in the top three percent nationally for economic development and is pursuing an aggressive, strategic, and comprehensive agenda to become a community of choice for business and residents. To learn more about the Crawford Partnership, visit crawfordpartnership.org.