AAF International Inaugurates New Cleanroom Facility for HEPA Filter Manufacturing and Launches Impress Pleating Technology

LOUISVILLE, KY--(Marketwired - May 27, 2014) - AAF International held a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 22, 2014 commemorating its new ISO 4, 6, and 7 cleanroom for HEPA filter manufacturing in its Columbia, Missouri facility. Hiroo Yoshioka, Senior Executive Officer and board member of AAF's parent company Daikin Industries Ltd, Peter Kurto, AAF Chief Executive Officer, and Bob McDavid, Mayor of Columbia, were in attendance along with other state and local government officials, to celebrate the inauguration. Peter Kurto stated, "The official opening of the cleanroom and our exciting new product launch highlight AAF's mission to be a world class air filtration solution provider, innovative technology leader, and supplier of choice. We thank the mayor and city of Columbia for their support of this project as we build for AAF's and Columbia's future."

Mayor McDavid commented, "I am so pleased that a high-tech company such as AAF has decided to expand in Columbia. I believe the fact that AAF has decided to expand here can be attributed to the employees. Both a company and a city with momentum make me proud. Let's keep the momentum going!"

The new cleanroom will contain four core process steps: media pleating, filter assembly, testing, and packaging. All cleanroom areas are designed, constructed, and validated following the international standards as defined in ISO 14644: Cleanrooms and associated controlled environments.

The quality of a HEPA filter directly affects process performance and output quality of critical cleanroom environments, such as those found in the pharmaceutical and microelectronic industries. Even the smallest contamination can make the difference between success and failure. This means that not only the efficiency of the HEPA filter needs to comply with performance specifications, but also contamination of the HEPA filter itself has to be eliminated. AAF recognized the importance of this and constructed the new cleanroom for its U.S. HEPA manufacturing facility.

As a member of Daikin, AAF has the ambition to be the number one preferred supplier of clean air solutions. Kurto stated, "The new cleanroom is dedicated to Mr. Yoshioka, a Daikin board member, who was instrumental in initiating this cleanroom. The new cleanroom facility exemplifies the positive development of our organization and strengthens AAF's leading position in the high-end air filtration market." In addition to the Columbia, Missouri plant, AAF has also implemented various improvements to its other manufacturing locations. These improvements enable AAF to deliver the highest quality levels in terms of process, product, and the environment.

Additionally, AAF launched Impress Technology during the event. Impress is the latest generation of embossing and pleating technology delivering advantages not seen in other filters. Impress Technology offers the most energy efficient, low pressure drop technology available. Embossed, reinforced V-pleat geometry offers smoother airflow, with higher dust holding capacity. Several products designed with Impress Technology will be introduced in the upcoming months.

AAF International, based in Louisville, Kentucky, has more than 3,000 employees, 22 manufacturing facilities, and 5 R&D centers worldwide. AAF designs, develops, and manufactures air filtration solutions for commercial, industrial, cleanroom, transportation, and nuclear power applications. AAF also provides inlet air cooling and sound attenuation solutions for high-speed rotating machinery. For more information visit www.aafintl.com.