Afex

What Afex does

AFEX Fire Suppression Systems (legal entity Bonaventure Group, Inc.) is a family-owned private manufacturer founded in 1968 and headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. The company specializes exclusively in fire suppression systems for heavy-duty mobile equipment, operating with 51-100 employees across a single manufacturing and corporate facility in Raleigh. AFEX self-describes as the number one manufacturer of fire suppression systems in the Americas and distributes globally through a network of 100+ trained distributors spanning North and South America, Europe, Africa, Australia, and Asia.

The core product portfolio consists of dry chemical, liquid chemical, dual agent, and compact liquid agent fire suppression systems, paired with a proprietary Control Unit featuring telematics connectivity, a 3,272-entry internal data logger, programmable LCD display, dual detection circuits, and enhanced EMI/power surge protection. All systems are third-party certified to FM 5970 HDME, ISO 9001:2015, CE, and ActivFire AS 5062:2022 standards. AFEX sells through three primary go-to-market motions: direct enterprise sales to large mining, oil and gas, forestry, and waste handling operators; OEM factory-installation partnerships with John Deere, Liebherr, and Ground Force Worldwide; and a global distributor channel providing installation, service, and aftermarket parts. The business model is quote-based enterprise B2B with multi-year contracts, targeting primary segments of mining, oil/gas/energy, and forestry, alongside secondary segments including waste handling, construction, agriculture, transportation, steel, coal, and wood/paper products.

Revenue is generated through complete fire suppression hardware system sales and an ongoing aftermarket stream of replacement parts, recharges, and technical service delivered through the distributor network. Recent strategic activity includes the 2023 official African market expansion (systems now deployed in 10+ African nations), the 2025-2026 Compact Series product launches targeting smaller equipment applications, and the 2026 Groeneveld-BEKA partnership combining lubrication and fire suppression solutions. Named enterprise customers include Vale SA, Newmont Corporation, Ferreyros CAT, U&M Mineracao, First Quantum Minerals (Cobre Panama), Waste Pro, ProPetro, and Komatsu-affiliated distributors across the Americas, Africa, and Oceania.

Name

Afex

Legal name

Bonaventure Group, Inc.

Website

https://afexsystems.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

AFEX Fire Suppression Systems, founded 1968 in Raleigh, NC, manufactures fire suppression systems exclusively for heavy-duty mobile equipment serving mining, oil & gas, forestry, and waste handling operators globally through direct sales and a 100+ distributor network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fire Suppression Systems for Heavy Equipment

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Motor Vehicle Electrical and Electronic Equipment Manufacturing (33632)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Hazard Fire Suppression Systems (Clean Agent/Foam/CO₂/Kitchen Hood) (BPABAHAD)

Keywords

• Fire suppression systems
• Heavy equipment safety
• Mobile equipment protection
• Dry chemical suppression
• Dual agent fire systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Raleigh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fire Suppression System Sales: AFEX generates revenue through the sale of fire suppression hardware systems including dry chemical, liquid chemical, dual agent, and compact systems. These are sold as complete packaged systems with components including tanks, nozzles, detection circuits, control units, and piping.
2. Aftermarket Parts & Service: Ongoing revenue from replacement parts, system recharges, maintenance services, and technical support through the global distributor network. Distributors provide in-field technical support, local spare parts availability, and after-sales care.
3. OEM Option Packages: Systems sold as factory-installed options through OEM partners like John Deere, with system costs included in equipment financing packages for improved customer cash flow.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AFEX designs, manufactures, and supplies fire suppression systems purpose-built for heavy-duty mobile equipment such as haul trucks, loaders, dozers, drills, feller bunchers, and rail maintenance machines. Its offering spans dry chemical, liquid chemical, dual agent, and compact liquid agent suppression systems, supported by an in-cab Control Unit detection and monitoring panel with telematics, plus aftermarket parts, installation, and service through a global distributor network.

Product overview

AFEX Fire Suppression Systems offers a comprehensive portfolio of fire suppression products and services exclusively for heavy-duty mobile equipment. The product line centers on three main suppression technologies: Dry Chemical Systems, Liquid Chemical Systems, and Dual Agent Systems (which combines both). The Dual Agent System represents the company's flagship offering, delivering dry chemical for rapid flame knockdown followed by liquid agent for surface cooling and reignition prevention. Supporting the core suppression systems is the Detection & Monitoring product line featuring the Control Unit—an advanced in-cab monitoring panel with telematics connectivity, programmable LCD display, and dual detection circuits. The Compact Liquid Agent System extends the portfolio to smaller equipment applications. The company also provides accessories and comprehensive services including installation, maintenance, and ongoing support through a global distributor network. All systems are designed and manufactured in Raleigh, NC, USA, and backed by third-party certifications including FM 5970 HDME and ActivFire AS 5062.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dry Chemical Fire Suppression Systems Fire suppression systems using dry chemical agents for fast flame knockdown and fire suppression on heavy-duty mobile equipment operating in mining, construction, forestry, and other heavy industries.
• Liquid Chemical Fire Suppression Systems Fire suppression systems using liquid chemical agents to cool hot surfaces and prevent fire reignition on heavy mobile equipment operating in harsh environments.
• Dual Agent Fire Suppression Systems Advanced fire suppression systems combining dry chemical for rapid flame knockdown with liquid agent for cooling hot surfaces and preventing reignition, designed to deliver comprehensive fire protection on heavy mobile equipment.
• Compact Liquid Agent Fire Suppression System Compact fire suppression system designed for smaller equipment in industries such as forestry, transportation, and underground mining, available in 1.5-gallon and 3-gallon configurations with FM 5970 HDME certification.
• Detection & Monitoring (Control Unit) Advanced fire detection display and monitoring panel mounted inside equipment cabs, featuring an integrated programmable LCD display, standalone battery, internal data logger, telematics connectivity, audible alarm and LED lights, and up to two simultaneous detection circuits with EMI and power surge protection.
• Fire Suppression Accessories Supplementary components and parts for AFEX fire suppression systems, including installation hardware, replacement parts, and system accessories.
• Fire Suppression Services Comprehensive services covering initial quote, installation, ongoing service, and technical support for AFEX fire suppression systems, delivered by the company's in-house teams and global network of trained distributors.
• Next-Generation Compact Panel V2.0 Redesigned next-generation compact monitor panel with integrated on-panel press-to-discharge actuation for immediate system discharge, expanded power flexibility, and simplified installation.

Quantifiable outcome

• System successfully detected and extinguished engine compartment fire within weeks of installation, allowing machine to return to service with only minor damage
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, minor and core.

• Groeneveld-BEKAstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership building momentum to bring fire suppression solutions to heavy equipment fleets. Combines Groeneveld-BEKA's lubrication systems expertise with AFEX fire suppression for integrated heavy equipment protection solutions.
• NewmontstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Newmont participated as guest speaker at AFEX 2025 Distributor Training School. Graeme Robinson (Principal Advisor, Asset Management) shared how Newmont developed its Fire Risk Management (FiRM) program using structured, data-driven approach to mobile equipment fire risk classification and mitigation.
• Komatsu ChilestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Komatsu Chile participated as guest speaker at AFEX 2025 Distributor Training School. Francisco Rivera Bogdanic (Product Support Director) highlighted collaborative Fire Risk Assessments with AFEX and Fluitek in Antofagasta, emphasizing impact on operator safety and social license to operate.
• CSIRO (Australia)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Australia's national science agency participated as guest speaker at AFEX 2025 Distributor Training School. Dr. Christopher Preston (Director of Infrastructure Technologies) provided overview of ActivFire Certification Scheme and AS 5062:2022 standard evolution.
• John DeerecoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2016AFEX systems available as factory-installed option on John Deere tracked feller bunchers, wheeled feller bunchers, and skidders. Option codes included at time of purchase with financing. Also partnered with Paladin CustomWorks to offer AFEX systems on any John Deere vehicle platform.
• LiebherrcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2016Liebherr features AFEX systems on T284 mining trucks (featured at MINExpo 2016) and PR 776 hydrostatically-powered crawler dozer. Partnership showcases AFEX on world-class mining equipment at major industry events.
• Ground Force WorldwideminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2016Mining support equipment manufacturer featuring AFEX-equipped machines at MINExpo 2016. Designs, engineers, and manufactures mine support equipment including fuel/lube trucks, water trucks, and cable reel trucks.
• FluitekcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 201410-year partnership (since 2014) with Chile-based distributor Fluitek, which has installed hundreds of systems across mining, construction, and forestry equipment in Chile. Fluitek provides in-field technical support, local spare parts availability, and after-sales care. Key partner for Cobre Panama and other South American mining operations.
• First Quantum MineralsstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2014AFEX systems chosen for Cobre Panama project (Minera Panama), one of the world's largest copper mines. Approximately 50 machines equipped with AFEX systems including Komatsu WA600 auxiliary machines. Fluitek provided installation services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Amerex Corporation: Amerex is a major US manufacturer of fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems serving industrial, vehicle, and commercial markets. It directly competes with AFEX in mobile and industrial fire suppression equipment.
• Firetrace International: Firetrace International manufactures automatic fire detection and suppression systems using clean agents, dry chemical, and CO2 for industrial, vehicle, and heavy-equipment applications. It is a direct competitor to AFEX in the mobile/industrial equipment fire suppression category.
• Buckeye Fire Equipment: Buckeye Fire Equipment is a US-based manufacturer of fire extinguishers and clean-agent fire suppression systems, including systems for industrial and mobile equipment. It competes with AFEX in the broader industrial fire suppression equipment market.
• Stat-X (Ruggid): Stat-X (owned by Ruggid) manufactures condensed aerosol fire suppression systems for industrial, mining, heavy mobile equipment, and vehicle applications. It directly competes with AFEX in providing fire suppression solutions for heavy-duty equipment, particularly in mining and energy.
• Fogmaker: Fogmaker is a Swedish manufacturer of water-mist fire suppression systems for heavy mobile equipment including mining machines, forestry equipment, buses, and construction vehicles. It competes head-to-head with AFEX in the heavy-equipment fire suppression niche, particularly in Europe and mining markets.
• Ansul (Johnson Controls): Ansul is one of the most established manufacturers of special hazard fire suppression systems for industrial and mobile equipment, including dry chemical and foam systems for heavy machinery. It is a direct competitor to AFEX in the heavy-equipment fire suppression category, with a much larger corporate parent (Johnson Controls) providing scale advantages.

Broad incumbents

• Kidde (Carrier Global): Kidde, owned by Carrier Global Corporation, manufactures a broad portfolio of fire detection and suppression products spanning residential, commercial, industrial, and vehicle applications. It overlaps with AFEX in industrial/vehicle fire suppression but operates at much greater scale and across wider end-markets.
• Minimax: Minimax is a German-based global fire protection company offering detection, suppression, and fire safety systems across industrial, marine, and commercial sectors. It is a broader incumbent competitor to AFEX, with overlap in industrial and mobile equipment fire suppression as part of a larger portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=ny3zi0tOzTQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afex-fire-suppression-systems
• Xx.com/afexsystems
• Facebookfacebook.com/afexsystems

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Afex