MOBILE, Ala. — For 45 years, All Plastics and Fiberglass Inc. has been quietly supplying and servicing the equipment that keeps industrial plants, utilities and facilities running across the Gulf Coast. This year, the Mobile company is celebrating that milestone.
All Plastics and Fiberglass manufactures fiberglass tanks, piping systems and air-handling systems. It also stocks and distributes fiberglass grating, structural shapes and chemical storage tanks, and its engineers provide inspection, installation and repair services for a wide range of fiberglass, plastic and lined-steel equipment.
What the company does
The company’s work covers manufacturing, distribution and field services. According to All Plastics and Fiberglass, its offerings include:
- Manufacturing of fiberglass tanks, piping systems and air-handling systems
- Stocking and distribution of fiberglass grating, structural shapes and chemical storage tanks
- Field inspections for fiberglass tanks, fiberglass piping and rubber-lined steel tanks
- Installation of fiberglass pipe and tanks
- Chemical-resistant lining and repairs
- Fabrication of ducts and stacks, hoods and vents designed to support workers, and structural platforms and sidings
- Sales of plastic materials, such as plastic tanks, fiberglass grating and machined plastic parts
- Distribution of materials such as high-pressure laminate phenolic, UHMW 1900 and nylon
Why fiberglass matters in industry
Fiberglass-reinforced plastic, often called FRP, is widely used in industrial settings because it resists corrosion far better than many metals. In facilities that handle acids, caustics, salt water or other harsh chemicals, steel tanks and pipes can corrode over time, leading to leaks, costly repairs and safety risks. Fiberglass equipment is designed to hold up in those environments.
FRP is also relatively lightweight compared with steel, which can make installation easier, and it can be fabricated in custom shapes and sizes to fit a specific facility’s needs. Those qualities make it common in chemical plants, water and wastewater treatment facilities, pulp and paper mills, power plants and other heavy industries.
Fiberglass grating, one of the products the company stocks, is often used for walkways, platforms and stair treads in areas where corrosion or slip resistance is a concern. Structural shapes made from fiberglass can serve as supports, handrails and framing in environments where metal would deteriorate.
Lined tanks and plastics
The company’s services also extend to rubber-lined steel tanks, which combine the strength of steel with a protective rubber lining that shields the metal from corrosive contents. Regular inspection of those linings helps catch wear or damage before it leads to a failure.
On the plastics side, All Plastics and Fiberglass distributes materials such as UHMW, short for ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, a tough, slick plastic known for its resistance to wear and impact; nylon; and high-pressure laminate phenolic, a durable material often used in industrial and electrical applications. The company also provides machined plastic parts made to customer specifications.
Supporting worker safety and ventilation
Among the company’s fabrication work are ducts and stacks, hoods and vents designed to support workers. In industrial settings, properly designed ventilation systems help remove fumes and vapors from work areas, which is an important part of protecting employee health. Air-handling systems built from corrosion-resistant materials can be especially valuable where the air being moved contains chemical vapors that would damage metal ductwork.
Rooted in Mobile’s industrial economy
Mobile’s position as a port city and home to chemical, paper, steel and manufacturing operations along the Mobile River and in the surrounding region has long supported companies that serve heavy industry. Businesses like All Plastics and Fiberglass play a behind-the-scenes role in that economy, keeping critical equipment in good working order and helping facilities operate safely.
Reaching 45 years in business is a significant accomplishment for any company. It reflects decades of relationships with customers, the work of employees and engineers over several generations, and the ability to adapt as industries and technologies change.
Looking ahead
As All Plastics and Fiberglass marks its 45th anniversary, the company continues to offer the combination of manufacturing, distribution and field engineering services it has built over more than four decades, serving industrial customers from its base in Mobile.