In 1917, American Fuel Cell and Coated Fabrics Company, formerly known as Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, began as a supplier of fuel cells to the U.S. Signal Corp. for aviation needs.
At the end of World War II, Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. moved from California to Arkansas by converting the historic Magnolia Cotton Mill, a textile mill company from N & W Industries, to a large manufacturing complex specializing in coated fabrics. The plant was called Firestone Coated Fabrics Co.
A group of local investors purchased the company in 1983 and it was renamed American Fuel Cell and Coated Fabrics Company, also known throughout the industry as Amfuel. In 1995 Zodiac Aerospace purchased Amfuel to became part of the largest manufacturer and supplier of fuel cells in the world.
This facility concentrated its efforts in the production of coated fabrics, liquid logistics, as well as fuel cell manufacturing for the aerospace industry. In September 2016 a group of investors led by Amfuel WF purchased the company.
Amfuel is located in Magnolia, AR on 71 acres, with 310,000 square feet of operation area, and employs approximately 300 employees. With over 60 years of experience in the production of coated fabric products and aviation fuel cells, Amfuel has also set its sights on expansion of production into Wichita Falls, TX with additional anticipated growth of jobs into the local economy. The plant in Magnolia is the main facility.
