EDUCATION & TRAINING
People Make the Difference
At FFT, people are the critical element to sustaining the company's
high level of productivity.
Ever-changing technology demands
a highly-trained workforce
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We intend to keep our work force the very best in the industry by
continuing to provide training and education on every level.
FFT employees undergo ongoing instruction with an emphasis in
cross-training so everyone can perform skillfully all the jobs
within a team cell.
FFT employs Statistical Process Control (SPC). This involves the use of
math and statistics as tools to solve problems and implement ongoing
improvement.
The ultimate goal is achievement of a zero defect level, and
responsibility for quality rests with each person making the products.
Our participative management approach and Product Manufacturing Teams
provide a vital conduit to effective problem solving.
The Preventative Manufacturing Quality Control (PMQC) system
effectively links people to products. The PMQC model is based on
three integrated and equally important areas of consideration:
people, process and materials.
INNOVATION
The Industry Standard
Since its inception, Formed Fiber Technologies, Inc. has set
the industry standard for engineered automotive textiles that add
value in every application. Our most significant innovations came
about because of the company's creative efforts in solving customers'
problems.
Style, performance and economy are
combined in every FFT product
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Take trunk liners, for example. Before innovations by FFT,
trunk lining was simply carpet glued to cardboard and scored, or
carpet backed with fused polyethylene. It was heavy, wrinkled
easily and wouldn't maintain its shape. It felt flimsy and the
edges were uneven.
FFT engineered a whole new technology for blending two types
of fibers with differing thermal responses and created a nonwoven
lining that is attractive, lightweight, environmentally friendly,
highly durable, custom designed, and very cost-effective.
Turn the cargo
area into a luxurious
extension of the interior
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Suddenly the trunk became a luxurious extension of the car's
interior. The cargo area was transformed from an ugly void into a
highly appealing and functional product feature.
Today, Formed Fiber Technologies continues its role as a key
innovator in the global nonwovens industry.
Our R&D group focuses on developing new products that will continue to meet
or exceed our customers' needs.
THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Start-to-Finish, We Do It Right
FFT products have become the automotive industry standard
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The manufacturing process at our Auburn, Maine facility starts
with the opening of fiber bales and blending the fiber. The fiber is
then carded and needlepunched by precision barbed needles to
interlock the fibers.
The process is continuously monitored to assure the control
the consistency of weight and thickness of each particular web.
Our thermoforming process to create complex 3-dimensional
shapes is economical, accurate and versatile.
Ensuring quality of the finished product, Formed Fiber Technologies
utilizes a quality system based on a combination of
Statistical Process Control (SPC) and the Toyota Production System
(TPS).
5-axis robotic waterjet systems
create a precise finish
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SPC is used to regulate much of our nonwoven processes while
TPS, Kaizen (continual improvement) and synchronous manufacturing
techniques monitor quality and efficiency in the molded parts
process.
Because these processes monitor trends constantly, variances are
recognized and corrected before they can adversely affect the
quality of product.
FFT's nonwoven expertise in manufacturing top-quality nonwovens
will prove invaluable in meeting your company's fabric
requirements.
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MANUFACTURING LOCATIONS & ACTIVITIES
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Auburn, Maine USA
- Corporate Headquarters
- Needlepunching
- Thermoforming
- Die cutting
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Sidney, Ohio USA
Sumter, South Carolina USA
Polyester and polypropylene fiber extrusion
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Intelligent design delivers
both quality and low cost
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