Redesigning for a Global Market at AFT
The World is FLAT, and a LINE
In a world where the boundaries of time and distance are disappearing, AFT is reshaping how we work, deliver, and connect. As a customer, this transformation means you’ll benefit from faster lead times, more consistent quality, and smarter, more responsive service. Whether you’re in North America, Europe, or Asia-Pacific, you’ll have access to the full strength of AFT’s global expertise, with solutions tailored to your exact process and supported by teams that collaborate across time zones to get it right, fast.
You’re not just getting a product — you’re getting a partner who’s structured to serve you better, wherever you are.
A Flat World, Then and Now
In the early 2000s, I was routinely traveling between manufacturing facilities in North America, Western Europe, and South America. Around that time, I picked up a book with a catchy title: The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, April 5, 2005). In it, Friedman described how a series of global commercial and market events leading into the 21st century reshaped business by enabling a truly global economy. Personal computers, workflow software, and the internet leveled the economic playing field—creating, metaphorically, a “flat earth.”
It was a fascinating and timely perspective—one that resonated strongly with where I was in my career—and it still holds true today.
The Evolution of Global Business
A global economy means global competition. This challenges companies to evolve—rethink their products, cost structures, and often, their entire approach to business. Industries once mostly regional, like Pulp & Paper and Heavy Industrial Machinery, have become truly international.
Fast forward 20 years—and here we are. Post-pandemic. Still global, but now even more agile. We’ve embraced remote work, flexible schedules, and digital meeting tools that were novelties just a few years ago. With those changes, the idea of “time” in business has blurred. Traditional office hours have faded. The flat world has stretched into one big, continuous time zone—a line.
I’m sure there have been other periods of sweeping industrial and organizational change, but the last 25 years have brought an evolution I never could have imagined back when I joined the industry in 1988—or as my kids call it, “the 1900s.”
So how do we move forward from here? How do we harness the tools we now have and serve a global customer base with varied needs—and competition that keeps us on our toes?
We change.
Our New Structure: Teams Without Borders
AFT has been supplying high-quality manufacturing equipment and wear parts for over 122 years, and we plan to continue well into the future. To do that, we’ve had to transform—and this time, quite significantly.
We’ve shifted from a traditional regional organization to product-category-oriented, cross-functional global teams. By formally restructuring, we’re empowering employees across regions to collaborate in Product Line Business Management Teams—to improve, design, manufacture, and deliver our unique, technically advanced products, no matter where they’re needed.
Inside AFT, we’re seeing the benefits: greater efficiency, stronger problem-solving, and new levels of innovation. We’re matching the right people to the right roles—not only to maximize technical and cultural diversity but to deliver near-constant attention to customer goals. With globally unified teams, AFT is now a company that never sleeps.
AFT is reshaping how we work, deliver, and connect. All these changes aren’t just about how we work—they’re about how you win. Our goal remains the same: deliver measurable value to your operations through reliable, innovative solutions and unmatched technical support.
Manufacturing Smarter, Delivering Faster
So what does that mean from a manufacturing and delivery perspective?
It means we are more capable than ever of providing our customers with the best solutions for their specific processes. We can now source from multiple global sites to shorten lead times and reduce costs. We’re working to expand process redundancy, standardize core products, and build modular designs that meet diverse needs. And we’re strengthening our global sourcing strategy to secure the right materials for the job—ensuring our customers gain the full value of our offerings.
Once designs and materials are ready, we manufacture and deliver in a safe, responsible way. And by removing the organizational and cultural silos of the past, we’re able to communicate better, apply best practices faster, and operate more seamlessly than ever before. But there’s a catch.
The Human Factor: No Substitute for People
None of this works without our most vital asset: our people.
As we embrace new business models and collaborate globally around the clock, we must not forget the human element. Project management tools, training systems, and non-stop virtual meetings don’t fully capture the value our employees bring. To thrive, we all need to stay flexible—mentally and, sometimes, physically. We need to get out there. Visit teams face to face. Share a coffee. Have conversations that don’t come with a 15-minute time limit.
When we invest time in each other, we unlock our true potential. That’s how we move beyond today’s performance and build the company we all envision. The world may be a flat line—but our people are anything but.
Looking Ahead: Growing on a Flat Earth
We’re expanding our product lines, enhancing our manufacturing capabilities, and growing our reach—regardless of geography. Though we may remain a relatively small company on this now “flat” planet, we’re finding more ways to help our customers than ever before. Our focus remains sharp: saving energy, reducing water use, improving durability, and helping our customers raise the quality of their end products.
We are a trusted technical partner to customers large and small, across the globe—and we’re just getting started.
About the Author
Jeff Hartman is a proud member of a team of skilled professionals focused on the delivery of technically advanced and customer focused engineering services, wear parts and operating capital equipment for screening, refining and stock approach systems within the global Pulp and Paper Industry while actively looking for opportunities to build on our core competencies through service to other industries.