Published 2/16/2021

Advanced Infrastructure Technologies launches third division for FRP composites

New operating division AIT Manufacturing currently offers GBar, GBolt, GMat, GCage and GWall composite products for the infrastructure industry.

Edited by: Grace Nehls

Senior Managing Editor, CompositesWorld and Products Finishing

Advanced Infrastructure Technologies (AIT, Brewer, Maine, U.S.) an innovative fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite solution provider, announced on Feb. 16 the addition of a new operating division: AIT Manufacturing. This new division adds to AIT’s two existing divisions: AIT Bridges, a composite bridge supplier that uses technology developed in cooperation with the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC), and AIT Buildings & Structures, a marketing division for all non-bridge-related composite solutions. AIT Manufacturing specializes in the fabrication of FRP composite reinforcing solutions for the infrastructure industry.

AIT Manufacturing, located in North Randall, Ohio, U.S., is overseen by retired U.S. Army engineer Charles Robertson. The division currently manufactures five products: GBar, GBolt, GMat, GCage and GWall. GBar is said to be the first fully threaded glass FRP (GFRP/BFRP) bar available to the market, and GBolt is a nut and coupler system designed for GBar. GMat and GCage are pre-assembled cages and mats using GBar, and GWall is an earth retaining wall system that is primarily designed as a seawall.

AIT Manufacturing products are now available for order, with expected delivery in Q2 2021. AIT Manufacturing is also a distributor of MiniBars and BasBar from ReforceTech AS (Norway). MiniBars are high-performance concrete structural macro-fibers, and BasBar is a basalt FRP composite rebar designed to reinforce concrete structures.

“AIT Manufacturing sets out to be the leading manufacturer of FRP composite reinforcing solutions for the infrastructure industry. This would not be possible without the FRP expertise that AIT and the ASCC brings,” says Charles Robertson, Group president, AIT Manufacturing. “Ohio has established itself as a composites industry hub, and we are looking forward to joining the list of successful businesses in the state. We are currently in production building inventory for Q2 deliveries; please reach out if we can supply composite solutions for your next project.”

Gbar, a fully threaded glass FRP.

For more than a decade, AIT has been developing FRP composites for the infrastructure industry. AIT was founded after licensing the “Bridge in a Backpack” technology from UMaine’s ASCC. From there, AIT has worked hand in hand with the ASCC to further develop and test the GArch and GBeam composite bridge systems, and other composite solutions. AIT then created its first operating division, AIT Bridges, with the idea of introducing more specialized composites divisions in the future. Now with three divisions, AIT says it can help supply FRP composite solutions from rebar to bridges, while continuing to develop composite innovations with the ASCC.

To show further commitment, AIT has rebranded itself with a new corporate website and is increasing efforts to promote the benefits of FRP composites in infrastructure. AIT’s corporate website showcases the business, its operating divisions and more information on sustainability.

“We are excited to announce the addition of AIT Manufacturing to AIT’s operating divisions. AIT has been creating composite solutions in infrastructure for over a decade, and now we are able to provide a more comprehensive range of offerings for the industry,” says Brit Svoboda, chairman, and CEO of AIT. “It is imperative that we start using more composites in infrastructure to increase lifespan and decrease costs. We need more sustainable materials that leave a smaller carbon footprint, and composites do just that. We look forward to continuing to lead in driving more sustainable products and solutions to the market.”