Federal International History

Federal International began as a small family-owned business and over 100+ years has grown into a global, diversified company with a footprint in recycling, sustainability and manufacturing across several industries.

We are proud to still be family-owned today, led by the fourth generation, and, for the first time in our history, 100% women owned.

Through the Years

1914@2x
1914

Federal International is founded by the Charak and Kleban families as a paper and textile recycler.

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1920-1945 - Depression + War@2x
1920-1945

Federal International continues with its thriving recycling business during the post-WWI, the Great Depression and WWII eras.

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1959-PU-Trading-in-Europe-bw@2x
1959

Polyurethane foam begins trading in the United States.

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1963-Chatty-Cathy-Doll-bw@2x
1963

Federal International begins trading polyurethane foam in Europe, in part driven by high demand from customer Mattel for its Chatty Cathy doll product.

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1963-1972-Expansion-bw@2x
1963 - 1972

Federal International expands its polyurethane foam trading activities throughout the UK, Denmark, Holland, Italy, Singapore and Nigeria.

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1972-Agglorex-bw@2x
1972

Federal International establishes the company Agglorex in Belgium to manufacture its surplus supply of polyurethane trim foam into a sustainable, recycled rebond foam product for many different end applications and uses.

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1983 - Cokato@2x
1983

Federal International acquires Airtex Industries in Minneapolis, MN, with an additional location in Cokato, MN, later to become Federal Foam Technologies in 1991.

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1993 - Ellsworth@2x
1993

Federal Foam Technologies opens a manufacturing plant in Ellsworth, WI.

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1992-1995-opt-1c-600x400@2x
1995

Federal Foam Technologies builds a ground-up, state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in New Richmond, WI.

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2001-2013@2x
2010

Federal International opens a recycling plant in St. Louis, MO.

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2010 - Dallas@2x
2010

Federal International acquires a recycling plant in Dallas, TX.

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2010 - Houston@2x
2010

Federal International acquires a recycling plant in Houston, TX.

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2013 - San Antonio@2x
2013

Federal International acquires a recycling plant in San Antonio, TX.

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2014 100 Years
2014

Federal International celebrates 100 years in business.

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2015 - Northwood@2x
2015

Federal Foam Technologies acquires a plant in Northwood, IA.

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FE timeline logo
2016

Federal International is divided into parent company Federal International, Inc. and business unit Federal Recycling & Waste Solutions.

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2016 - Denver@2x
2016

Federal Recycling acquires a recycling plant in Denver, CO.

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2018 - Columbus@2x
2018

Federal Recycling acquires its recycling plant in Columbus, GA.

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2021 - FEF@2x
2021

Federal International consolidates its European business operations into a single entity, rebranding Agglorex to Federal Eco Foam.

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2022@2x
2022

Federal Recycling acquires its recycling plant in Harrisburg, PA.

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wbenc timeline logo
2022

Federal International’s ownership transfers to fourth-generation women owners, qualifying the company as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE).

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2023 (1)@2x
2023

Federal Foam Technologies acquires a new industrial property in New Richmond, WI, adjacent to the current plant operations for additional capacity.

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