Manufacturing Today Issue - 226 July 2024 | Page 41

__________________________________________________________________________________________________ AHF Products
computer . In contrast , wood flooring is a natural product sold at random lengths in the U . S . and therefore has character like knots or different grain , making it much more difficult for an automated system to decipher what a good piece of wood looks like . While we acknowledge automation is crucial to maintaining our manufacturing footprint in the U . S ., we must implement it in a careful way to ensure select products retain a natural aesthetic and have an emotional attachment .”
Jennifer adds : “ We ’ ve also undergone a total transformation of our plant in Somerset , Kentucky , to meet current market demands . The site previously manufactured a product that was declining in volume , so we installed new equipment and technologies to upgrade our capabilities and bring a brand-new product to the market – Densified Wood TM . This revolutionary technology - 100 percent natural hardwood floors not only withstand gouges and stains but are also waterproof - is exclusive to AHF and is intended to withstand wear and tear in high traffic areas .”
Dedicated to driving heritage forward , it ’ s clear that AHF will continue to grow and succeed in the future . “ With freight rates currently on the rise again and volatility in the ocean freight market , our domestic manufacturing footprint gives us a distinct advantage ,” Jennifer suggests . “ We ’ re also optimistic about business in the U . S ., as the domestic market is predicted to cycle back up in the next two-to-three years .”
Brian concludes : “ We will continue to be rooted in manufacturing to grow alongside our customers , as well as adding more product categories and channels that deliver a strong return on investment . We ’ re constantly finding ways to simplify processes for our customers and make it easy to do business with AHF . Looking in the long term , our ultimate goal is to continue exceeding customer expectations and leave something enduring for the next generation of leadership .” ■
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