AFM’s 50-year history
From the foundation to the start of activities, 5 years passed. In the meantime, the project, construction and acquisition of machinery were consolidated. The biggest difficulties at the time were linked to the lack of infrastructure such as roads, energy sources and telecommunications.
On September 2, 1976, AFM started its productive activity with about 50 employees. In the 1970s, Luís Alves did not have banking institutions, telephony or road infrastructure that could facilitate locomotion. Communication with customers and suppliers was done by telex, with AFM being the first such device in the municipality.
Already in its first year of operation, despite the difficulties, the company conquered important customers whose relationship it still maintains today. Until the mid-1980s, AFM had around 120 to 130 employees, even after the economic crisis of 1982, which hit the segment hard. The year 1986 was marked by great achievements; AFM acquired its second Induction Furnace, increasing the molten metal production capacity up to 1800 kg. From 1988 on, AFM started exporting to Germany, Chile and the USA.
The beginning of the 1990s was marked by great economic instability, which led to a reduction in the number of employees. In 1992, AFM suffered the loss of its founder, Frederico Missner. The company remained under the direction of the family, being managed by his wife, Helge Ruth Missner, and their sons Arne Roberto Missner and Carlos Frederico Missner.
In 2000, the company obtained the ISO 9001 certificate. That event boosted the opening of new markets and the diversification of its production. The years that followed were ones of stimulation, growth and the conquer of new customers.
As of 2008, with the entry of the third family generation into the administration, the company invested heavily in quality management, productivity and environmental issues; initially, it acquired equipment capable of regenerating the sand used in the process (ADF). The Heat Treatment, Melting and Quality areas were also completely renovated. Investments in technology and employee training made it possible to conquer markets focused on quality, whose demands require complex parts with greater added value.
Since its first part, cast in September 1976, AFM has remained in the market with solid values and with the vision that it must, invariably, grow in line with its customers and employees. It has been investing and encouraging people for 50 years, with a strong sense of duty towards everyone with whom it relates and with an innovative spirit in the search for solutions and overcoming obstacles.
The challenges in the early years of operation, at first sight insurmountable, were not able to prevent the dream and the vision of the future from persisting. Tenacity and the purpose of overcoming obstacles have always been imperative.
As of 2020, the company invested in restructuring its molding and heat treatment line, combining 4.0 technology concepts in its processes.
Currently its main molding line is automated, focusing on the production of steel parts between 20 and 500kg of weight. Its heat treatment and inspection structure provides the ideal conditions to meet high levels of quality and reliability.
