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= American Felt & Filter Co. Inc: A Brief History = The American Felt & Filter Co. Inc (AFFCO), originally The American Felt Company, is a company that specializes in the production of industrial fabrics and filters. Founded in 1899, it became one of the largest manufacturers in this field during the early 20th century.

Located in the Hudson Valley just north of New York City, American Felt & Filter Company (AFFCO) is a manufacturer of felt and non-woven products. A family-owned textile company established in 1899, AFFCO is dedicated to the design, development, and production of high-quality natural and synthetic technical textiles.

Overview
American Felt & Filter Co. Inc (AFFCO), founded in NY in 1899, specializes in manufacturing nonwoven material, felt, and technical textiles. Although technology has changed since 1899, the uses and applications for this material continue to be as important today as they were then.

In the early days, Felt was found in everything from pianos to locomotives to refrigerators to the popular “poodle skirts” of the 1950s. Wool was the predominant fiber in the production of felt.

Later, felt was manufactured for use in military equipment and supplies during WWII. “For example, every soldier’s canvas canteen cover had a felt lining.”

After the war, manufacturing expanded, with the addition of filtration, medical felts, piano felt, and materials for the aerospace industry.

American Felt and Filter Co. Inc now produces materials for the automotive, aerospace, oil and firefighting industries.

History
American Felt Co. (Now American Felt & Filter Co., Inc.) has grown and changed to suit the needs of the industries in which it serves, and has survived for over 120 years throughout the ups and downs of the American economy.

Founded in 1899, American Felt Co. Originally manufactured at one of America’s first felt factories in Greenwich CT. In 1906, a company headquarters and additional manufacturing location was built in Manhattan. Located in Greenwich Village, this headquarters was established in the area where most big-name piano manufacturers resided, as American Felt Co provided specialized material for dampening the strings within the piano. The building remains today a landmark (although not yet recognized nationally).

Comprised of several manufacturing locations, American Felt Co continued to produce felt materials through the depression. During WWII, manufacturing was taken over by the US military, and felt was produced for use in everything from soldier canteens, boot linings, and airplane insulation.

Notable Figures
One of the prominent figures associated with American Felt & Filter Co. is Bill Pryne, who joined the company as an hourly worker in 1967 and remarkably ascended to the position of president by 1996. His dedication and leadership culminated in his acquisition of the company in 1998, marking a significant milestone in the company's history.

Legacy & Impact
Throughout its existence, American Felt & Filter Co. has maintained a strong sense of community and familial atmosphere, with employees and stakeholders often describing the company as feeling like a family. This enduring culture has contributed to the company's resilience and success over the years.