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07/09/07 Film
Technologies International, Inc. a Manufacturing Success Story
Film Technologies
International (FTI) began operations in 1975 and to this day remains at its
original location at 2630 Fairfield Avenue South in St. Petersburg. Since
its inception, FTI has become one of the industry’s leading manufacturers
of window film worldwide. They were the first to introduce such innovations
as the first dry adhesive system, optically clearer adhesives, dye in laminating
adhesives and its award-winning Spandral Gard OEM product line.
In 2005, Film
Technologies invested approximately $4 million into its existing facility
(150,000 sq. ft.), which included increasing its capacity through
manufacturing line upgrades, improvements to in-house research and
development equipment, as well as maintenance infrastructure enhancements
to keep pace with the growing demand for its window film products. In
addition, the firm upgraded its product packaging to enhance brand awareness
worldwide. With a team of in-house chemists, laboratory technicians, and
manufacturing specialists and sales and marketing professionals, Film
Technologies International employs over 100 employees at its main
headquarters and manufacturing facility in St. Petersburg.
Its direct customers
are distribution partners in targeted geographical territories worldwide.
Hot markets are perceived to be Australia, Eastern and Western Europe,
South American, and the Middle East. Its success in these markets has been
directly attributed to the strength of distribution partner relationships.
Film Technologies International utilizes credit insurance and letters of
credit from its distribution partners to ensure a successful long-term relationship.
A key obstacle to growth in the Middle East and South American markets has
been financial security, where payment before processing an order is
required for product fulfillment.
Each month Film
Technologies International produces millions of square feet of window film
in a variety of thickness, colors, and general application principles,
which are exported to nearly 70 countries around the world. Its core
product lines include:
·
SUN-GARD® a premier professional-grade window
film for application on automobiles, commercial and residential buildings.
·
GLASS-GARD® a high-end safety/security
window film to protect people from personal injury property from natural
disasters, theft and vandalism.
·
SAFE-GARD® a product used in film/glass
composite building and design technologies.
·
Elite® program offers the best flat
glass dealers exclusive rights to dual-reflective film and support marketing
materials.
·
Diamond
Dealer® program offers automotive
dealers profit-making extended warranty and support marketing materials.
Film Technologies International
prides itself on not only providing innovative products, but also
innovative solutions, tailored to specific needs of a particular country or
distributor. With distribution partners selling in 70 countries, custom
product orders are the norm not the exception at its manufacturing plant
and it’s an integral service to provide as they maintain its profile as a
global focused product provider.
Due to recent growth,
Film Technologies International has opened company owned distribution
centers in Florida, Georgia and Arizona. Recent trends in such areas as national
security, natural disasters, and going “green” initiatives are seen as
growth opportunities for the company. In 1999 FTI established its first
international office in Europe. As FTI looks to the future it anticipates the
possibility of opening an office and distribution center in Asia to better service
distributorship demands in that part of the world.
To learn more about FTI’s
successes as an international exporter, its industry award winning window
film product lines or to become a distribution partner, please visit Film
Technologies International.
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