Blog | BrandFX Body Company - composite service truck bodies, line bodies, truck inserts and toppers

Boeing’s Composite 787 Revolutionizing Air Travel

The composite Boeing 787 is expected to provide about 20% fuel savings over comparably sized aluminum aircraft. The plane offers pressurization more akin to ground levels, higher cabin humidity without worry of aluminum corrosion, larger cargo space, and larger window openings thanks to the planes advanced composite technology.

As the first composite Boeing 787 goes into service in just a few weeks, Boeing’s Commercial Airplanes Chief Executive Jim Albaugh told staff, “You’ve no idea what you’ve achieved”. “It’s not often in a career or a lifetime we have a chance to do something like this.” The new plane built with carbon fiber composite skin, rather than a typical corrosion prone aluminum skin – is the future of aviation.

Airlines have already ordered 800 of the planes, and are planning routes which otherwise would not have been profitable, thanks to the expected fuel savings and efficiencies achieved. Read More in USA Today.

Remarkable Test Video of Composite Wings of Boeing 787

This video clearly demonstrates the superior strength of well designed composite construction. BrandFX composite service and utility bodies have also demonstrated a high tolerance to stress. Our composite material is able to flex 33º on its center, and return to form without damage. Watch video.

composite wings flex 150% in strength test

The Amazing Strength of Composite

Astoria Industries of Iowa Pays BrandFX Body Company $2.4 Million in Damages

Astoria Guilty of Trade Dress Infringement and False Advertising

Fort Worth, Texas (August 5, 2011) – BrandFX Body Company received a check today for damages caused by competitor Astoria Industries of Iowa, ending a 7-year court battle. The Texas Court awarded $2.4 million in damages and attorney’s fees to BrandFX concluding that Astoria committed trade dress infringement and false advertising under the Federal Lanham Act, along with Texas common law misappropriation. As expected, Astoria’s futile attempt to appeal the decision was denied by the Texas Court of Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court upheld the award. At every stage of litigation, BrandFX prevailed. Principal, Lee Finley, who has invested more than 30 years developing his lightweight material technologies said “ I couldn’t be more gratified with the court’s ruling. We Win.”

Susie Finley founded BrandFX Body Company in 1993. The company has grown from a fiberglass Line Body producer, to the largest lightweight composites manufacturer of utility and service bodies in the world. BrandFX recently increased manufacturing space to more than one million square feet, housing manufacturing processes for the next generation of BrandFX bodies, toppers and inserts.

Annual Cost of Rust in the United States Estimated at $276 Billion

Over the next 5 years the Pentagon will spend $114.5 billion repairing rust on U.S. Military ships, tanks, planes, and equipment. And, it gets worse, a recent study completed in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration estimates the total annual direct cost of rust and corrosion in the United States to be $276 billion. That’s larger than many of the world’s economies. These numbers bring into focus the dire need for more advantageous, durable solutions to be put in place.

In 2003 our government mandated the creation of a Corrosion Policy and Oversight Office within the Pentagon, Daniel Dunmire is the office’s director. Mr. Dunmire say’s “Corrosion is a pervasive menace,” but is optimistic that new technology and improved maintenance could cut the annual cost of corrosion as much as 30 percent in about 20 years. If you’ve been in the truck equipment business as long as we have, you might find that fact a bit comical, considering the advanced composites that exist today in our industry. BrandFX has been building corrosion free, green fleet solutions for the utility and work truck sectors for more than 30 years.

In the coming years, application of Advanced Composite technologies will grow significantly via market demand and government mandated programs such as the Department of Energy’s FreedomCar and Vehicle Technologies Program. These programs incorporate light-weighting technologies such as Advanced Composites, reducing fuel usage, carbon emissions, and rust problems.

In a world consumed in a “green” movement whose benefits don’t always add up, we felt it was time for a more accurate term for the changes needed across our country, we call them BFX Ecolutions. BFX Ecolutions are ethical choices in greening your fleet that don’t penalize return on investment, power, or durability.

If you’d like to read more on our Military’s battle with rust across their fleets click here.

Texas Supreme Court Denies Astoria’s Petition

On Friday April 1, 2011 the Texas Supreme Court denied Astoria’s petition to review the case. The ruling by the Texas court of appeal stands, confirming once again Astoria was libel for damages from trade dress infringement, common law misappropriation, and false advertising.

Aluminum Corrosion Due to Water

We ran across an article the other day noting that Lockheed Martin’s F22 jets are having corrosion problems with their aluminum skin panels due to poor drainage. They estimate it will cost $228 million to repair the damages. The jets were placed into service in 2005 by the U.S. Airforce. I had to wonder if repair, or altogether replacing the material choice was the best solution. I guess they asked themselves the same question – as Defense Secretary Robert Gates limited production of the F-22 to only the 187 planes already on the ground.

This is one of the known common problems with Aluminum in addition to cracking. Want to know more? Here’s the story on Bloomberg News.

BrandFX Body Company, Growing With Green & Sustainable Trends

BrandFX Relocates Headquarters to a Larger Facility

Fort Worth, Texas (August 2010) – BrandFX Body Company (BFX), the worlds largest producer of composite utility and service bodies, now has more than one million square feet in manufacturing capacity and 150 acres of secured yard storage.

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BrandFX Prevails Again in Astoria Lawsuit

Fort Worth, Texas (May 14, 2010) – Today, in the continuing legal saga arising from Astoria’s wrongful and unethical business practices, the trial court ordered Astoria to increase its bond by over $200,000.The increased amount covers an additional $100,000 in legal fees awarded to Brand FX for prevailing on the appeal and another $100,000-plus interest. Astoria asked for 21 days to come up with extra money. All told, Astoria now owes Brand FX nearly $2.5 million as a result of its wrongful and unethical business practices. Lee Finley, principal of Brand FX said, “Today’s ruling is further evidence that Astoria’s multiple attempts to quash the voice of the jury are futile.” Hugh Connor, attorney for Brand FX, said, “While we have prevailed at every stage in this litigation, I fully expect Astoria to continue to fight the decision of the Court and, ultimately, be forced to pay Brand FX additional legal fees and interest.”

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Texas Court of Appeals Confirms BrandFX Body Company’s $2.1 Million Dollar Judgment against Astoria Industries of Iowa

Fort Worth, Texas (April 9, 2010) The Court of Appeals from the second District of Texas has confirmed the $2.1 million dollar judgment in favor of BrandFX Body Company over Astoria Industries of Iowa. The court confirmed Astoria was libel for damages from trade dress infringement, common law misappropriation, and false advertising. Astoria was also ordered to pay all legal costs associated with their appeal.

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Brand FX to Open Industry’s Largest Composite Utility Truck Body Plant

Fort Worth, Texas – Brand FX Body Company has announced the acquisition of a 178,000 square foot manufacturing facility on 24 acres in Pocahontas, Iowa. The company expects to begin building its lineup of composite service bodies and pickup-truck Toppers and Inserts there by the fall of 2004.

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