Story

Experience’s heritage in compressed air since 1870. 140 Years Experience.

AF, a privately owned company was formed in Liège in 1870, to produce pneumatic hammers used for tunnelling in the local mining industry. In the early 1900’s we were manufacturing reciprocating compressors for the coal industry. During the decades that followed, our company continued to develop its heavy duty compressors especially for the steel industry. After 1960 when Ateliers François SA was formed, a range of oil free reciprocating compressors with PTFE piston rings was
developed and successfully used in the brewing, chemical and food industries. With the emergence of the PET industry in the early 1980’s along with a constant Research & Development philosophy, and thanks to our numerous subsidiaries, our customers are today benefiting of all this experience in 135 different countries throughout the world.

History

2010  to 1980 :

The emergence of the PET Bottling Industry : AF Compressors commits 100% of its resources to the 40 BAR, Oil Free, PET Industry

With the emergence of the PET industry in the early 1980’s along with a constant Research & Development philosophy, and thanks to our numerous subsidiaries, our customers are today
benefiting of all this experience in 135 different countries throughout the world.
Our customers and references are most renown blow moulder manufacturers, Engineering offices, the mineral, spring and drinking water providers as well as the major soft drinks producers… 

Juices, breweries, edible oil, milk, and all other existing PET applications, FOOD or Non Food industries.

 

1980 - 1950 :

Steel , chemicals, glass, breweries, OIL FREE air compressors.

After 1950 when Ateliers François SA was formed, a range of oil free reciprocating compressors with PTFE piston rings was developed and successfully used in the brewing, chemical and food industries.



 

1950 - 1890 :

Steel industry : reciprocating air compressors, rising from the rubble of WWII

AF was manufacturing reciprocating compressors for the coal industry. During the decades that followed, our company continued to develop its heavy duty compressors especially for the steel industry. In 1944 AF’s factory was partially destroyed by bombings.

1890 - 1870 :

coal industry : reciprocating air compressors

AF, a privately owned company was formed in Liège in 1870, to produce pneumatic hammers used for tunnelling in the local mining industry.


Figures

Growth by the numbers for the 40 bar  PET Applications

Companies 1870 – 1980 = 1, 1981 – 1995 = 3, 1996 – 2008 = 12
Compressor Sales 1995 = 60, 2005 = 180, 2006 = 274, 2008 = 330
Installed PET  compressors 1995 = 650, 2005 = 2000, 2003 = 2,200, 2007 = 2700, 2008 = 3000
People of AF Group : 1995 =49 ,2008 =155
Conversant in more than 25 languages…