Our Story

The first ten years of aFe POWER as a company were full of struggles and constant growing pains. While now, the ample growth is still there and, of course, the issues keep arising, but we are moving through our growth with much more grace. Today, we’re providing performance products to virtually every single market out there – and the list of products keeps growing. 

Over the past ten years, we’ve 

taken our original product lineup 

(that started with air filters, 

then intakes, then eventually

exhaust) and have expanded it 

drastically.

“We’ve seen people cater to certain markets, from a diesel guy to a sport compact guy, but we want to cater to all of those people.”

- Stuart Miyagishima, VP of Engineering. 

Ten years ago, we made our official debut into the 

sport compact market, starting our import-focused brand, Takeda. Soon after, 

we went on to create intercoolers, 

differential covers, transmission 

pans, headers, turbochargers, 

performance electronics, and more. 

With the need for more space, a 

165,000 square foot facility was 

purchased, including what we call 

the “Factory Store.”

Enthusiasts can visit our HQ's factory store to purchase product or aFe branded gear.

Soon after came our expansion into the suspension world. It started with Pfadt Race Engineering, Inc. then we acquired Sway-A-Way, taking both the on- and off-road performance suspension worlds by storm.

2014 

Pro-GUARD 7 Patent

Unparalleled Off-Road Performance

2016

Performance Center Opens

Roto Power Acquisition

PSI Power Acquisition

From receiving SEMA’s media of the year award (not once, but twice) and our “Product of the Year” award for our Diesel Fuel Systems, to recent acquisitions of roto-molding and electronics businesses, our continued growth proves “hard work pays off.” The contributions from those four friends that started off to create the ultimate air filter – and all the hundreds of employees since – have made it all worth it.

                                               “The best thing about this company is the                                                     people – they’re just really good people. We                                                 have a group that’s truly passionate,” said                                                   Dave Simpson, Sales President. 

                                               “We’re at the beginning of a new phase,”                                                        said Stuart. “Moving forward, we’re looking                                                  to build up our team, further expand                                                              production capabilities, customer service,                                                    and more.”

...Here's to another 20 years of POWER.

PART TWO 

PART ONE 

of the story

 “Never once did someone say, or admit, this was going to fail. It was a given: we were going to do whatever it took to make it work.” – Dave Howey, CFO

Four friends stood in an empty building – they had just quit their jobs, emptied their savings, and maxed out their credit cards. “We stood there, looking at each other like, what were we thinking?” remembers Nick Niakan, President and CEO of aFe POWER. 

That was in 1999. That was when the former coworkers made the decision to put everything they had into creating a superior air filter. This meant leaving behind their comfortable life, barely seeing their families, balancing dozens of credit cards, and coping with no vacations and zero paychecks for close to three years.  

“It was just about believing in the 

dream,” said Dave Howey. 

HERE'S OUR STORY

“We started from scratch,” said Stuart Miyagishima, VP of Engineering.

The original team of four hand cut, oiled, packaged, and shipped out each filter – holding their work to the highest quality standards, all while on a budget with limited resources. “My proudest moment was the creation of that first filter.”

They took advantage of a small section of a local strip mall, making that home to super long working hours and a rapidly expanding business: 

advanced FLOW engineering.

They expanded to take over 

the surrounding storefronts 

including roughly 50,000 square feet of space, before making a leap to purchase

a 78,000 square foot building across the street. “The company was expanding at a rate that, at every six months, we had a new set of issues and completely different problems,” explains Dave Howey.

“We took over that building, and all of a sudden, we have a dyno, we’re making exhaust systems...” With its continued growth, the company then continued into the suspension and electronics markets to fill gaps in the industry where it 

was evident that quality parts were lacking.

“This company is so dynamic in the sense that it keeps forging forward. I expected it to grow this way – everyone did,” said Dave Howey. The immense drive that radiates from the team is still extremely evident to this day. Dave Simpson, VP of Sales, said, “You can’t beat Nick’s passion. You can’t beat Nick’s drive.” Dave Howey adds, “We’re brothers.”

 “Thank you for your continued support of aFe and for celebrating with us in our 20th year in the automotive aftermarket. This is what we do.” – Nick Niakan, President & CEO

SEMA 2005 

SEMA 2007 

PART TWO

of the story