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Expansion anticipates better times: ''on the tarmac'' in Tamarac, this international distributor prepares for the eventual take-off in aerospace tubing sales.

Article Excerpt
Despite the lingering weakness in the economy, Future Metals Inc. recently relocated and expanded, taking a positive, long-term view of its aerospace market's potential.

Founded in 1971, Future Metals relocated its headquarters this summer from Ft. Lauderdale to a new $5 million, 58,400-square-foot office/warehouse in nearby Tamarac, Fla. Purchased by the Marmon Group in 1996, the company is a subsidiary of tubing and bar distributor Marmon/Keystone Corp.

Future Metals--which has grown to seven locations in recent years,--sells to major airframe manufacturers, regional jet manufacturers, private/corporate airplane manufacturers, jet engine manufacturers, landing gear manufacturers, and the subcontractors for all of the above, plus repair and modification shops, airlines worldwide, the U.S. Department of Defense, defense contractors and NASA. It has about 1,500 active customers worldwide.

The product mix, by metal, is roughly 40 percent stainless steel, 30 percent high-temperature metals, 15 percent titanium, 10 percent aluminum and 5 percent alloys. Tubing is the predominant form, with 60 percent of sales, followed by 10 percent each for stringers, extrusions, sheet and bar.

Applications for Future Metals' product line include jet engine fuel lines, hydraulic systems, ducting for air conditioning and exhaust systems, and frames for doors, windows...

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