2024
Press
Releases
10.17.2024 – Amfuel Featured in Defense and Munitions Article
MAGNOLIA, ARK. – Defense and Munitions featured Amfuel in the article, Safely Fueling Military Aircraft: Amfuel is Flying High After Investing in, Improving, and Building New Facilities. “In a very short period of time we were able to increase our throughput, our deliveries in the first nine months of ownership went up to 77% on time delivery, which is extraordinary, especially referring to a product that’s so difficult to manufacture,” says Michael Accordino, president at Amfuel. “It was through a committee of senior military leadership and through the results right out of the gates as well as the plan we put forward that enabled the program offices within NAVAIR to step up and support and invest in Amfuel as well as a Title III grant. We received more than $55 million in total to ensure the viability and strength of Amfuel for decades.”
https://www.defenseandmunitions.com/article/safely-fueling-military-aircraft-amfuel/
11.9.2024 – CH-53K King Stallion Visits Amfuel
MAGNOLIA, ARK. – Coinciding with the Marine’s 249th birthday and Veteran’s Day, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 461 (HMH-461) stopped over in Texarkana with their CH-53K King Stallion on their return to MCAS New River, NC. “We can’t thank the crew enough for their hospitality, VIP tour of the aircraft and service to the country,” Commented Mike Accordino, Amfuel President. “You really can’t grasp the size of the aircraft until you stand next to it or climb in. We hope that they will be able to stop in Magnolia, Arkansas on a future cross-country trip.” Amfuel is the sole-source fuel cell provider to Sikorsky’s CH-53K program.
07.26.2024 – Congressman Bruce Westerman Presents Amfuel with the Presidential “E” Award for Exports
MAGNOLIA, ARK. – Congressman Bruce Westerman presented Amfuel with a 2024 Presidential “E” Award for Exports. Amfuel is the first Arkansas company to win this award in five years – and one of only 64 awardees nationally. Amfuel thanks Richard Duda, U.S. Commerce, International Trade Administration for his export assistance in our journey. Thank you also to Jonathan Bricker, Chairman of the Arkansas District Export Council for their group’s participation in the event. Amfuel look forwards to continuing our export momentum in 2025 and beyond.
06.26.2024 – Col. Kate Fleeger of PMA-261 Visits Amfuel CH-53K Team
MAGNOLIA, ARK. – Amfuel welcomed Col. Kate Fleeger, PMA-261, H-53 Helicopter Program Manager for the U.S. Marine Corps. Amfuel is the sole source provider of crashworthy and self-sealing fuel bladders for the CH-53K King Stallion, Sikorsky’s newest heavy lift helicopter. With self-sealing protection, a fuel bladder is able to close up around a projectile wound, enabling the helicopter crew to ret return to a safe location. Col. Fleeger toured the plant, checked out several NAVAIR investments in the program, and spoke with management and production floor personnel alike. “We appreciated the kind words and motivational conversations,” commented Faith Elliott, VP.
06.16.2024 – Amfuel Granted Patent for Advanced Fuel Cell Shipping Container
MAGNOLIA, ARK. – The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted a patent for an advanced fuel cell shipping container, which Amfuel refers to as the “Amfuel Box” (US 12,037,183 B2). The impetus for the Amfuel Box was the discovery of product issues upon post-delivery inspection at a customer’s facility. A subsequent investigation with the customer verified high-quality product at time of shipment from Amfuel, revealing the root cause to be handling by the customer’s 3rd party logistics provider. Amfuel thus designed a specialized shipping container system to prevent damage during shipment. Mike Accordino, Amfuel President, added, “The Amfuel Box has proven to be a great a success with no further shipping damage experienced to date.”
4.23.2024 – Amfuel Welcomed DCMA Leadership, Col. Sean Imbs and
Col. Ryan Ocampo
MAGNOLIA, ARK. – Amfuel welcomed Colonels Sean Imbs and Ryan Ocampo from the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) to Magnolia. We thanked Col. Imbs (right) for his leadership and assistance over the years and wished him well in his new overseas assignment. Army Col. Ryan Ocampo, DCMA Huntsville’s commander, is set to become the new commander of DCMA South, which is a consolidation of the DCMA Huntsville and Dallas offices. “We look forward to working with Col. Ocampo’s team,” noted Michael Accordino, “as we work to support the warfighter.”
3.20.2024 – Four-Star Army General Wesley Clark (Ret.) Visits Amfuel
MAGNOLIA, ARK. – Four-star Army General Wesley K. Clark (ret.) toured the Magnolia facility and spoke to a crowd of hundreds. Gen. Clark’s insightful talk touched on geopolitics, history, real stories of war and peacetime, and the future of America’s defense, including Amfuel’s crucial contributions to US defense. Honored guests included local politicians, first responders and Marine Corps Colonel Michael Kline, chief of the Defense Logistics Agency’s USMC Aviation Customer Operations Directorate.
“We couldn’t have our armed forces without your work, and I just sincerely want to thank you for it,” Clark said in his remarks. Speaking to a KSLA TV crew from Shreveport afterward, Clark said, “The big message is we are all part of a team. That team is organized to keep America safe. These tanks are high technology, the latest technology, and most of them go to the defense use, so it’s a very important contribution to the country.”
Gen. Clark was valedictorian of his class at West Point and a Rhodes Scholar. He commanded an infantry company in Vietnam, where he was severely wounded. In his final assignment as Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, he led NATO forces to victory in Operation Allied Force. His awards include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Defense Distinguished Service Medal (five awards), Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, honorary knighthoods, and numerous awards from other governments.
https://www.ksla.com/2024/03/20/retired-general-tours-amfuel-arkansas-talks-defense-readiness/
3.14.2024 – Sikorsky Awards Amfuel Contract Worth More Than $22M
MAGNOLIA, ARK. – Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a Lockheed Martin Company, awarded a contract for $22,131,019 to Amfuel for CH-53K King Stallion Lot 7/8 fuel cells to be delivered 2024-2026. According to Amfuel Vice President of Operations Faith Elliott, the latest SAC award is the largest contract in the history of Amfuel. “Amfuel is proud of our work for the CH-53K program, and we look forward to many years as a key production partner for Sikorsky as they provide a great aircraft to the U.S. Marines and our allies.”
2.22.2024 – Amfuel Hosted 9th Graders for “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day”
MAGNOLIA, ARK. – Amfuel hosted 9th grade girls in Columbia and Lafayette counties for an “Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day.” Della Wooley, HR Manager, commented, “It was a really good experience for all.” The students and teachers began the day with a facility tour. Afterwards, the students were given a hands-on assignment designed to get them thinking about problem solving in a team environment. Faith Elliott, VP (and an Engineer) orchestrated the day, noting, “The girls really got into their hands-on assignments. Our engineers also enjoyed working with the high schoolers. It was serious play with a clear objective and looked to be fun for all. The teachers had no idea of what goes on at Amfuel, enjoying the real-world learning experience as well.”
American Fuel Cell and Coated Fabrics Company, LLC (Amfuel) is the premier manufacturer of self‐sealing and crash resistant fuel cells for aviation and defense, support services and liquid logistic solutions. Fuel cells are specialized fuel bladders for fixed wing and vertical lift aircraft, and ground vehicles. Liquid logistic bladder solutions range in size from 5,000 gallon transportable to 1,000,000 gallon embankment tanks.
Phone: +1 (870) 234-3381, +1 (870) 235-7203 (Direct Sales Office)
Email: press@amfuel.com
Location: 601 Firestone Dr. Magnolia, AR 71753