Fast Arch was invented by Darrel D.Lilly in 1991 and was patented (Patent#5572834) in 1996. The business startedoff as a one man operation in a 900 sq. ft. facility, with a goal of producing and selling 200 arches/units per month. That was quickly achieved by the third month of operation and the business started to grow. Over the next 10 years, Fast Arch of America Inc. gained much popularity and the demand from its customers has continually increased.

Currently, Fast Arch of America Inc. has 21 full time employees and a 5,000 sq. ft. facility, which it is quickly outgrowing, but the company has plans for a 10,000 sq. ft. facility. Fast Arch of America Inc. currently services 73 various subdivisions for four national tract home builders, four local tract home builders and several custom home builders, and that is just in the Phoenix Metro area. On top of that, it has hundreds of customers nationally. The Fast Arch Systems are used in residential, industrial and commercial buildings. Fast Arch of America Inc. has surpassed its initial goal of 200 arches/units per month, and currently produce and sell over 4,250 arches/units per month.

Initially Lilly created the Fast Arch System for in-house use by his custom home building company. He used machinery and various skills from his previous enterprise, which was a duct work and specialty metal company. Although, Lilly was an expert in the construction sheet metal industry, he admits that he was, in fact, lacking in framing skills. He used his sheet metal lay-out skills and an extensive math background to create a simpler, easier and more dependable method of making an arch. He designed the basic Fast Arch System in less than a day and has kept the same concept ever since.

Although, the initial concept has remained the same, the applications have continued to expand over the years. The original idea was to construct a simple arch form that attaches over a square framed opening to create an arched look that was consistent, uniform and versatile. While that continues to be the mainstay of the business, the Fast Arch System has been successfully used to construct and simplify a wide variety of previously difficult framing problems. The Fast Arch System can be used for interior or exterior applications. Some of the solutions that Fast Arch of America Inc. currently offers, that are beyond the basic archway or niche, and that are available in an infinite number of sizes and shapes are: A) Five different types of groined ceilings (common, reverse, circular, intersecting and compound), B) Three different shapes of interior and exterior domes (flat, elliptical or full radius), C) Any length or shape of barreled hall, D) Curved wall stud track, and E) Compound curve arches for radiused wall applications.

Since Fast Arch of America Inc. can build “Any Shape, Any size, Any time”, it is also presently expanding its product line to fulfill its customers requests and will include the following: A) Structural grade radiused and compound radiused box beam,s and B) Cupola-type range hoods.

Lilly believes that the company’s success and growth has been constant for the last 10 years due to two very fundamental goals. The first is that success cannot be attained by a great product alone. The product must be joined with a complete dedication to customer service and satisfaction. The company is fully aware that because the Fast Arch System is an integral part of the framing structure, there is a narrow window of time to produce and deliver the product to the location, and have it installed without interfering with other trades. In keeping with this idea, Fast Arch of America Inc. ships most arch orders in less than 48 hours and complex applications that require different grade metal or special lay-out are shipped in less than five working days. The orders are shipped via UPS, which means that, if necessary, the customer can have his/her order shipped overnight to help alleviate excess stress from the job. On-site installation of the average arch only takes three minutes or less, while complicated ceilings may take a few hours.

Keeping the whole process of ordering, pricing, shipping and installation SIMPLE, while offering an unlimited range of shapes and sizes at a very reasonable price is the other key to the success of Fast Arch of America Inc. Once a customer understands the simplicity of ordering (three numbers and a single word), he/she is able to FAX most orders without the need for complex detail, radius calculation, drawings or product codes. Using the unique and copyrighted Fast Arch System Technology, the customer is relieved of the mathematical calculating (or guessing) and can be assured of receiving exactly the right arch every time.

The Fast Arch System is unique from other prefabricated arch systems for many reasons. One significant reason is that they offer an infinite number of radiuses and shapes, plus they do not charge a set-up fee or time delay, while other arch systems are limited to a very narrow range of readily available width/rise combinations. Also, the Fast Arch System allows the customer to order any expanded wall depth and use just one arch per opening, whereas other arch systems require the use of two or more per opening which increases the cost and installation time.

Also, the Fast Arch System ordering process is always kept to the simplest level. This is done by allowing the customer to be able to order directly from eight licensed regional manufacturers. This keeps the product pricing low by eliminating distributorship costs, reducing delivery time and assuring the delivery of the correct arch. Other arch systems convolute the ordering process.

Lastly, the Fast Arch System costs less to use than any other arch method available, including field framed wood or steel. This has been proven in multiple tests that have confirmed the cost efficiency, accuracy, consistency and versatility of the Fast Arch System. The cost difference is anywhere from 20-70% less expensive than any other product or method.

Remember, Fast Arch of America Inc. is able to produce “Any Shape, Any size, Any time”, so the next time you are in a framing situation and need an arch, niche, ceiling or anything else with a curve, make sure you look up Fast Arch of America Inc. You can fax orders, quotes or information requests to the company’s main office at (602) 272-1490. Or call us at (602) 272-1110.