AP Data Case Study

Over 36 Years of Building American Enclosures

AP Data™ Data Center Enclosure

Introduction

As AI, cloud computing, and hyperscale data centers expand at unprecedented speed, the demand for high-capacity, reliable fiber infrastructure continues to surge. The AP Data™ Data Center Enclosure by American Products answers this need with a purpose-built solution engineered to manage massive dark-fiber volumes where network systems transition into the digital cloud. Designed, fabricated, and assembled in Strafford, Missouri, the AP Data™ is built to perform in mission-critical environments and support the growth of the world’s most advanced data networks.

Background Information

American Products has been a trusted U.S. enclosure manufacturer for over 36 years and is known for its technical expertise, custom engineering capabilities, and commitment to Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliance. As data center operators scaled nationwide with increasingly complex trench and fiber routing systems, a large global technology company (under NDA) turned to American Products for help. Their existing infrastructure required a highly durable, high-capacity solution that did not yet exist in the market.

Leveraging Missouri-based engineering and collaboration with the customer’s technical team, American Products began developing what would become a new industry solution: a large-format, high-density fiber enclosure capable of powering AI-driven operations.

Problem Statement

The customer faced a series of challenges that could not be addressed with existing enclosures:

No commercially available cabinet could support the enormous bundle size and storage required for their dark-fiber trunks.
Their underground trenching systems needed a large, secure, above-ground demarcation point where fiber could feed upward into data center infrastructure.
The solution needed to be extremely durable, weather-resistant, and long-lasting, with a lifespan exceeding 20 years.

Without a solution, the customer risked delayed data center expansion, slowed network development, and potential disruptions to high-bandwidth operations.

The Solution

American Products engineered a first-of-its-kind enclosure, the AP Data™ Data Center Enclosure, designed specifically to solve the customer’s high-density fiber management challenge.

Key Elements of the Solution

High-Capacity Fiber Management
A 92”H × 48”W × 36”D enclosure built to house six precision-engineered slack frames, allowing technicians to spool, route, and organize extremely large dark-fiber bundles.
Rugged, Field-Ready Construction
Built from .125 aircraft-grade aluminum, reinforced with 304 stainless steel hardware, and finished with a corrosion-resistant powder coating tested to 720 hours of salt spray. Designed to meet NEMA 3R protection standards, it shields equipment from dirt, rain, snow, and ice.
Above-Ground Trench Integration
Fiber lines feed through the bottom of the enclosure, making it the ideal demarcation point between underground physical infrastructure and hyperscale data center environments.

Fully BABA Compliant
Fabricated entirely in Strafford, Missouri, using U.S.-made materials—supporting federal compliance, domestic manufacturing, and local economic growth.
Turnkey, Installation-Ready Design
Each unit ships fully assembled with lifting eyes, secure locking mechanisms, corner protection, and palletization for fast, efficient deployment on customer sites.

Through close collaboration with the end user, American Products delivered a solution that combined engineering precision, large-scale capacity, and real-world functionality.

Results

The AP Data™ Enclosure generated significant outcomes for both the customer and the state of Missouri:

For the Customer

Reliable Fiber Demarcation: Provided a secure, organized, high-capacity access point for dark fiber feeding into AI-driven data centers.
Improved Operational Efficiency: Simplified installation and fiber routing, reducing field labor time and long-term maintenance.
Scalable Infrastructure: Gave the operator a repeatable, durable solution that supports nationwide expansion of cloud and AI facilities.
Long-Term Durability: Engineered to perform for 20+ years with minimal degradation, lowering lifecycle costs.

For Missouri & American Products

Strengthened Local Manufacturing: All fabrication, welding, coating, assembly, and testing were performed in Strafford, supporting regional industry.
Job Creation: Approximately 200 Missouri-based employees support the design, production, and logistics of the AP Data™ product line.
Economic Impact: Reinforced the value of U.S.-made products, BABA compliance, and Missouri craftsmanship in a rapidly growing global market.
Industry Recognition: Positioned American Products as a key supplier of fiber-management infrastructure for national data center and AI growth.

Conclusion

The AP Data™ has since become a trusted component in large-scale fiber routing and data center development, proving that innovation and reliability can be built right in Missouri.