American Flock Association
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6 Beacon St.
Suite 1125
Boston, MA 02108
617 303-6288
info@flocking.org
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Join the American Flock Association

American Flock Association

Mission Statement

The American Flock Association provides positive leadership to foster a strong flock industry in North America. The purpose of this website is to assist visitors who have a need for value-added fiber coating solutions to obtain the information they need and to connect with qualified AFA members who can provide those solutions.

AFA members include manufacturers of roll-to-roll coated textiles, papers, and films as coaters of 3 dimensional objects and printers of apparel decoration and graphics arts products. Industry suppliers are a key sector of the membership.

AFA is the key forum in North America for companies and people in the fiber-coating industry to come together for industry promotion and addressing common industry issues and needs.

AFA invites any firm engaged in the manufacture, processing or marketing of flock, flock products, adhesives, used in flock products, flock machinery and other supplies, equipment, and technology related to the manufacture of flock products to apply for membership in the Association.

Membership categories are:

Full Member: any company meeting the above activity description that has operations in North America.

In 2006 the AFA introduced a new dues strategy designed to make membership more attractive for flock coaters and sellers of flock coated products for whom that business is only part of the company's overall business. Please contact us for details.

Foreign Associate Member: any company meeting the above activity description with no operations in North America.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Benefit of Membership
Manufacturer/
Supplier
Foreign Associate
Sales Lead Referral System to collect and disseminate leads to members
YES
---
International Promotion of Flocked Product
YES
YES
Association Sponsored Trade Show Exhibitions
YES
YES
Association coordinated response to industry safety and health issues. (more)
YES
---
Industry Contact and Networking
YES
YES
Inclusion in Website Fiber-Coating Industry Member Directory
YES
YES
Informative Meetings Attended by Numerous Industry Representatives
YES
YES
Industry Educational, Technical, and Promotional Projects
YES
YES
High Value Space on the Association Website to Communicate Your Company Message
YES
Yes, internal
Access to Consulting on Government Regulatory and Trade Protection Issues
YES
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For a
membership application form

AMERICAN FLOCK ASSOCIATION SALES LEAD REFERRAL SYSTEM

As a major benefit of membership, the AFA sales lead program responds to inquiries of all types from potential customers seeking products and services relating to flocking (fiber coating) by qualifying and immediately transmitting the inquiries directly to all full members of the association by email and/or regular mail.

Features of the sales lead system include: 

  • Collection of inquiries from the AFA website.
  • Development of leads at AFA trade show exhibits.
  • Development of leads by AFA staff and other members through contacts at trade shows,  conferences, etc.
  • Leads are qualified by AFA staff and sent to members within 24 hours of receipt if possible.

Results:

  • The following counts of qualified leads have been transmitted to members:



  • In a 2004 survey of companies and individuals that sent inquiries to AFA the following results were reported:


  • 80 past potential customer contacts were polled.
  • Approximately 50% of respondents reported entering orders that led to business with AFA members.
  • 25% of orders placed from the lead system were for in excess of $25,000.
  • Member feedback on the lead system:
    • My company’s largest single job originated through an inquiry to the AFA” – 3-D object flocker.
    • “The quality of AFA leads has really improved in the last year.”-roll-to-roll flock coater.
    • “We have on occasion found our customers looking for product. This provides a check on our own customer satisfaction” – supplier.

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AMERICAN FLOCK ASSOCIATION WEBSITE ADVERTISING

AFA offers its members low cost access to high value space on its website. Since a major website upgrade in the spring of 2004, AFA website activity has been strong and growing, as this chart of site visits indicates:


There are two levels in the AFA website ad placement program:

  • Level One: 2” X 3” (approx) scrolling space on the website home page and Member listing page with click through access to the member’s website or a larger member profile page (see Level Two)

  • Level Two: 4” X 6” (approx) space for company profile/copy space accessed by clicking on the scrolling ad, with click through access to the member’s website.

    Contact the AFA office for details. info@flocking.org or 617-303-6288

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    HEALTH AND SAFETY

    AFA maintains access to professional and member resources that have been successful in dealing with health and safety issues that impact the fiber-coating industry. Through its connection with the National Textile Association the AFA provides resources dealing with broader issues that impact the textile industry in all the Americas.
    Health:Issue: Fiber Inhalation
    AFA participated on a joint committee with NIOSH to develop industry guidelines for operating a safe flocking production facility.
    Safety:Issue: Fire Safety
    AFA member committee produced facility design guidelines for use by OSHA in response to a plant fire.
    AFA, through the National Textile Association, monitors and contributes to the developing fire safety standards for upholstery and bedding.

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