A & P Technology
A&P Technology, founded 1986 in Cincinnati, manufactures braided composite reinforcement materials — sleevings, fabrics, and preforms — used in aerospace, defense, space, automotive, and recreational applications, serving customers such as Boeing, GE Aerospace, and Honeywell.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersCincinnati, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What A & P Technology does
A & P Technology, Inc. is a privately held, family-owned manufacturer founded in 1986 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, that produces braided composite reinforcements — sleevings, fabrics, and preforms — used as load-bearing inputs in higher-performance composite parts. The company runs the world's largest installed base of braiding equipment, which it designs and builds in-house, including an 864-carrier machine and a 700-carrier machine, and it pairs this with proprietary predictive software for net-shape preform design and application engineering. Its branded product lines (QISO®, Bimax®, ZERO®, TX-45™, Sharx™) cover quasi-isotropic triaxial fabrics, ±45° biaxial fabrics, unidirectional fabrics, and braided sleevings in carbon, aramid, fiberglass, and hybrid fiber systems, with newer offerings in thermoplastic tape braiding (PEEK, PAEK, PEKK, PPS) and SMC + Braid co-molding.
The company earns revenue by selling braided materials (hardware) and by providing customized reinforcement engineering and overbraiding services, primarily under NET 30 terms with volume pricing tied to 12-month blanket orders. It sells directly to aerospace and defense OEMs through a field sales and application engineering team and reaches mid-market fabricators, prosthetics manufacturers, and recreational product makers through a multi-region distributor network. Named flagship programs include Boeing 787 fuselage frames, GE Aerospace GEnx fan case containment, and over 30,000 stator vane preforms per year for Honeywell jet engines, alongside defense work with HDT Global, NASA, the U.S. Army and Air Force, and a growing footprint in space structures, advanced air mobility (Joby Aviation), and EV composites. The company is AS9100:2016 Rev D and ISO 9001:2015 certified and holds multiple industrial awards, including a 2009 JEC Award.
Operationally, A&P operates from a six-building Cincinnati campus with documented capacity for further build-out, employs 251–500 people, and runs as a boot-strapped, non-institutionally-backed enterprise: the only external funding disclosed is a 2023 AFWERX SBIR grant for inline inspection of braided composite components. Its competitive position rests on capital-intensive in-house braiding infrastructure, qualified aerospace programs, branded specialty fabrics with embedded switching costs, and a co-development ecosystem spanning molders, material suppliers, and research institutes (NIAR, NASA Glenn).
A & P Technology firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- A & P Technology
- Legal name
- A&P Technology, Inc.
- Website
- https://braider.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- A&P Technology, founded 1986 in Cincinnati, manufactures braided composite reinforcement materials — sleevings, fabrics, and preforms — used in aerospace, defense, space, automotive, and recreational applications, serving customers such as Boeing, GE Aerospace, and Honeywell.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
A & P Technology industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Composite Reinforcement Materials
- NAICS
- Rope, Cordage, Twine, Tire Cord, and Tire Fabric Mills (314994)
- SIC
- Textile Mill Products (2200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Composite Reinforcement Textiles (Carbon/Glass/Aramid Fabrics & Preforms) (IMAOADAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Narrow Fabrics & Webbings (Tapes/Ribbons/Straps) (IMAOABAD), Industrial & Technical Yarn Manufacturing (High-Tenacity/Aramid/Carbon/Glass) (IMAOAAAG)
Keywords
Where A & P Technology is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cincinnati
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
A & P Technology business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Braided Composite Materials Sales: A&P Technology generates revenue through the sale of braided reinforcement materials including sleevings, fabrics, and preforms. The company offers standard products as well as custom solutions. Terms are NET 30 DAYS from date of invoice. Volume pricing is based on blanket orders placed and shipped in a 12-month time frame.
- Customized Reinforcement Solutions: Majority of braided products produced by A&P are customized solutions created by application engineers working with fabricators and end users. Customizing reinforcements for specific applications optimizes performance and manufacture of composite parts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Products - Full Roll Minimum |
| Unit Pricing | Annual | Volume/Blanket Order Pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
A & P Technology product offering
Product offeringCore offering
A&P Technology manufactures braided composite reinforcement materials sold as sleevings (carbon, aramid, fiberglass, hybrid), fabrics (QISO triaxial, Bimax/TX-45 biaxial, ZERO unidirectional, hybrid), and net-shape preforms and overbraids. The company also offers value-added processing such as thermoplastic tape braiding, lamination, powder coating, and customization services. Production is supported by proprietary braiding machinery designed and built in-house, making A&P the world's largest braider of composite reinforcements for aerospace, defense, automotive, industrial, and recreational applications.
Product overview
A&P Technology is the world's largest braider offering a comprehensive portfolio of braided composite reinforcement materials organized into three main product forms: sleevings (carbon, aramid, fiberglass, and hybrid), fabrics (QISO quasi-isotropic, Bimax/TX-45 biaxial, ZERO unidirectional, and hybrid), and preforms/overbraids. The portfolio includes specialized offerings like Sharx™ brand braided sleevings and branded fabrics such as QISO®, Bimax®, and ZERO®. Supporting the core products are value-added services including thermoplastic braiding, lamination, powder coating, and custom application engineering. The products serve diverse markets including aerospace, military, automotive, industrial, and recreational sectors, with applications ranging from jet engine fan cases to prosthetic devices.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Sharx™: Brand of braided biaxial sleevings used by manufacturers of composite propellers, prosthetics, aircraft ducts and softball bats. Exclusive manufacturer by A&P Technology.
- QISO®
- Bimax®
- ZERO®
- TX-45™
Products and services
- Braided Aramid Biaxial Sleevings (Sharx) Biaxial aramid sleevings used in recreational, aerospace, and industrial markets that enable easy layup of composite parts with predictable performance over changing cross-sections.
- Braided Carbon Biaxial Sleevings (Sharx) Biaxial carbon sleevings enabling easy layup of composite parts with changing cross-sections and providing a seamless interlocked architecture for composite propeller blades, aircraft control surfaces, and other composite parts.
- Braided Fiberglass Biaxial Sleevings (Sharx) Biaxial fiberglass sleevings enabling low-cost, efficient layup of composite parts used in automotive, recreational, and industrial markets.
- Hybrid Sleevings Hybrid biaxial sleevings combining different braided material types such as aramid/carbon and fiberglass/carbon hybrids, used for aesthetic, economical, or performance-driven reasons.
- QISO Quasi-Isotropic Triaxial Fabric Triaxial quasi-isotropic braided fabric with equal amounts of material by weight in every direction (0°, +/-60°), enabling simple layup, significant reduction in ply count, and superior impact resistance. A single QISO layer can replace multiple layers of traditional woven material.
- Bimax Biaxial Braided Fabric Continuous, stabilized +/-45° carbon fabric providing long, continuous off-axis orientation for faster builds, better parts, and less waste versus woven alternatives, with +45 and -45 fibers tensioned equally for uniform properties.
- TX-45 Extremely Drapable Biaxial Fabric Extremely drapable 45° architecture fabric without stabilizing yarns, delivered on carrier film for stabilization during carbon prepreg process or powder coated for infusion stability.
- ZERO Unidirectional Fabric Unidirectional fabrics with no to little crimp providing high translation of fiber properties, available in binderized, veiled, and braided unidirectional formats.
- Hybrid Fabrics Custom braided fabrics with tailored angles, hybrid architectures, and/or hybridized material systems, including hybrid biaxial/triaxial fabrics with varying axial content across the width.
- Preforms and Overbraids Net shape preforms and overbraiding services that create ultimate repeatability for high-speed, high-volume production of parts with complex geometries, including large scale overbraiding for fuselage, ducts, and wing components.
- Thermoplastic Tape Braiding Tape braiding process enabling production of sleevings, fabrics, and preforms using various widths of slit tape and thermoplastic polymers including PEEK, PAEK, PEKK, and PPS; producible as large diameter sleevings or slit tape fabrics up to 65 inches wide.
- Value Added Processing (VAP) Lamination of fabrics and powder coating of fabrics and sleevings for stabilization, improved handling, and protection during composite manufacturing processes.
- Customization Services Application engineering services for material hybrids, architecture hybrids, angle variations, and contoured bodies of revolution that optimize part requirements, reduce waste, and reduce manufacturing costs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 30% better containment properties for jet engine fan cases
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use A & P Technology
Customer profileNamed customers21 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
A & P Technology technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature9 records
A & P Technology partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Patz Materials and TechnologiescorePatz Materials and Technologies (PMT) prepregs A&P's high modulus HM63 QISO for use with Apex vented core to create innovative, low-cost solution for high performance space structures. The partnership creates panels for satellite optical benches, solar array substrates, reflectors and modular building blocks.
- IDI CompositescorePartnership to develop Fortium QISO - a prepreg co-molding compound combining IDI Composites' Fortium SMC with A&P Technology's QISO. This combination provides high strength and impact resistance with ability to mold into complex geometries. IDI Composites and A&P are building upon established compression molding and SMC manufacture methods with an innovative SMC QISO solution.
- National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR)coreMultiple collaborations with NIAR including: overbraided Frankenstein demonstrator (30-foot combat drone inlet duct); FAA certification framework development with Hexcel for overbraided structures; time studies with Toray and Joby Aviation for aerospace prepreg optimization.
- Fiber DynamicscoreCollaboration on the 30-foot overbraided Frankenstein demonstrator designed by NIAR and A&P to explore flexible manufacturing of complex composite structures.
- HexcelcoreHexcel and A&P Technology collaborate with NIAR to develop an FAA certification framework for overbraided composite structures. This development enables high rate manufacture of DoD aircraft components.
- Toray Advanced CompositescoreCollaboration with A&P Technology, NIAR, and Joby Aviation to conduct time studies optimizing aircraft part design for high production rates using A&P's TX-45 continuous +/-45° braided reinforcement compared to Toray's TC380/T800HB traditional woven prepreg.
- Joby AviationcoreJoby Aviation partnered with A&P Technology, Toray Advanced Composites, and NIAR for a time study to optimize aircraft part design for high production rates while meeting cost and sustainability targets.
- Rock West CompositescoreThree veteran composite suppliers (Patz Materials and Technologies, Rock West Composites, and A&P Technology) partnered to develop lower-cost, reduced-labor approach for lightweight HM CFRP cored panels for space applications.
- Profile Composites Inc.coreProfile Composites chose A&P's QISO for composite tooling development winning JEC Award 2009 for 'Composite Applications for Radio Telescopes' (CART) project with National Research Council Canada - Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics.
- ACP CompositesminorDistributor of A&P Technology's braided reinforcements.
- Composites EnvisionsminorDistributor of A&P Technology's braided reinforcements.
- Composites CanadaminorDistributor of A&P Technology's braided reinforcements.
- Composites OneminorDistributor of A&P Technology's braided reinforcements.
- Core CompositesminorDistributor of A&P Technology's braided reinforcements.
- Fibre GlastminorDistributor of A&P Technology's braided reinforcements.
- Soller CompositesminorDistributor of A&P Technology's braided reinforcements.
- ZedtexminorDistributor of A&P Technology's braided reinforcements.
- Clear Carbon and ComponentsminorThermoset molder - Manufacturer of high end composite products and components.
- Composite ResourcesminorThermoset molder - Composite components for the aerospace and defense industries.
- CTL AerospaceminorThermoset molder - Autoclave, RTM, compression molding and sandwich panel fabrication.
- Eagle CompositesminorThermoset molder - Commercial and general aviation and other high performance markets.
- ATC ManufacturingminorThermoplastic molder - High performance thermoplastic composite products through rapid forming for high volume applications.
- TxV Aero CompositesminorThermoplastic molder - Leading-edge thermoplastic composites for commercial aerospace.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
A & P Technology competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vectorply Corporation: Manufacturer of multiaxial and non-crimp fabric reinforcements used as composite drop-in alternatives. Directly comparable to A&P's QISO and Bimax lines as engineered reinforcement fabrics for the same aerospace, marine and industrial customers.
- Saertex: Producer of non-crimp fabrics and stitched multiaxial reinforcements for composites, with braided and NCF product lines serving wind, aerospace and automotive end markets — overlapping directly with A&P's braided reinforcement portfolio.
- BGF Industries: Manufacturer of woven and nonwoven technical textiles including fiberglass, carbon and aramid reinforcements used in composite structures. Comparable as an industrial reinforcement textile supplier serving aerospace and defense.
- Chomarat: French technical textiles group producing reinforcement fabrics including NCFs, woven and braided materials for automotive, aerospace and sports applications. Overlaps with A&P on engineered reinforcement fabrics and hybrid architectures.
- Albany Engineered Composites: Designs and manufactures engineered composite reinforcements and 3D woven/braided preforms for aerospace engine and airframe applications. Direct peer in advanced composite reinforcement preforms serving similar aerospace OEMs.
Broad incumbents
- Hexcel Corporation: Large publicly traded composites supplier of carbon fiber, reinforcement fabrics and prepregs. A&P collaborates with Hexcel on overbraided FAA certification, but Hexcel competes as a much broader incumbent material portfolio to the same aerospace customers.
- Toray Advanced Composites: Global supplier of thermoset and thermoplastic prepreg systems and reinforcement fabrics. Partnered with A&P on aerospace time studies but is an incumbent woven-prepreg supplier competing for the same airframe programs.
- SGL Carbon: Manufacturer of carbon fibers, composite materials and specialty graphites serving aerospace, automotive and industrial markets. Overlaps with A&P on the upstream carbon fiber/reinforcement supply side and composite components.
- Owens Corning: Global composites and building materials company with a Composites segment producing fiberglass reinforcements and engineered fabrics for transportation, wind and infrastructure — broadly comparable as a reinforcement materials incumbent.
Others
- TPI Composites: Independent manufacturer of composite wind turbine blades and transportation components. Adjacent as a downstream consumer of engineered reinforcements, illustrating an ecosystem participant rather than direct reinforcement competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
A & P Technology social profiles
Digital presenceA & P Technology compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
A & P Technology financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
A & P Technology leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
A & P Technology funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
A & P Technology M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about A & P Technology
What does A & P Technology do?
A&P Technology manufactures braided composite reinforcement materials sold as sleevings (carbon, aramid, fiberglass, hybrid), fabrics (QISO triaxial, Bimax/TX-45 biaxial, ZERO unidirectional, hybrid), and net-shape preforms and overbraids. The company also offers value-added processing such as thermoplastic tape braiding, lamination, powder coating, and customization services. Production is supported by proprietary braiding machinery designed and built in-house, making A&P the world's largest braider of composite reinforcements for aerospace, defense, automotive, industrial, and recreational applications.
Is A & P Technology a public or private company?
A & P Technology is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was A & P Technology founded?
A & P Technology was founded in 1986. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is A & P Technology based?
A & P Technology is headquartered in Cincinnati, United States, in the North America region.
How does A & P Technology make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Braided Composite Materials Sales are the primary driver. The others are customized Reinforcement Solutions.
Who are A & P Technology's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vectorply Corporation, Saertex, BGF Industries, Chomarat and Albany Engineered Composites. Broad incumbents are Hexcel Corporation, Toray Advanced Composites, SGL Carbon and Owens Corning. TPI Composites is listed as an others.
Does A & P Technology have an API?
No public API is recorded for A & P Technology.
What industry is A & P Technology in?
A & P Technology's product category is Composite Reinforcement Materials. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAOADAH, Composite Reinforcement Textiles (Carbon/Glass/Aramid Fabrics & Preforms), with a secondary code of IMAOABAD, Narrow Fabrics & Webbings (Tapes/Ribbons/Straps). Its NAICS code is 314994 and its SIC code is 2200.