AFS Sedan: continuing industrial know-how
After being taken over a year ago by two former employees, Akers foundry is continuing its development and remains a preferred partner of many large steel companies (Arcelor Mittal, Thyssen ...).
The Ardennes site became independent in 2014 under the name “Advanced Foundry Services Sedan” (AFS) while maintaining a business relationship with its previous owner, still supplying cylinders to swedish group Akers.
In a difficult environment (other Akers sites in France are now in liquidation), Pascal Vanderpoorte and Denis Muszalski, with the support of their workforce, were eager to save the business by taking advantage of different levers, such as the low-tax B.E.R. package "Bassin d'Emploi à Redynamiser". This package, almost unique in France, allows exemption from tax and social commitments for 5 years under some conditions.
Today AFS Sedan employs over 120 people (six employees have been recruited since the takeover) and is the world leader in rolling cylinders manufacturing. With complete control of the production process, the desire to keep its employees at the forefront of technology through training and reinforcement of R & D, AFS Sedan has bounced back and continues to drive its development.
By Ardennes Développement, the Ardennes economic development agency - ardennes-developpement.com