Superior Essex Communications announced it will invest $73 million in manufacturing capacity and equipment at its Bronwood, TX plant “to help meet global demand for OSP [outside plant] fiber-optic cables, drop fiber and hybrid cables,” the company said when it announced the investment May 31.
“As the fiber and hybrid markets continue to experience strong growth, the overall $73-million plant expansion investments will create 170 new U.S. manufacturing jobs and support broadband buildouts nationwide to bring high-speed internet and 5G service to all Americans,” Superior Essex Communications added. “The expanded facility’s increased capacity and other improvements will continue Superior Essex Communications’ market leadership in fiber, drop and hybrid cables.”
The company further explained the investment will improve manufacturing equipment as well as build an additional 90,000 square feet adjacent to the current Brownwood plant—expanding the facility to more than 500,000 total square feet of production. In addition to creating new jobs, the upgrade will convert some existing jobs from legacy OSP copper cable manufacturing to focus on optical-fiber cables.
Superior Essex Communications has been a long-time advocate of green building principles and practices. The company was the first manufacturer in the communications cable industry to publicize its products earning environmental product declarations (EPD) and health product declarations (HPD). In that same vein, the Brownwood plant expansion will incorporate green building practices, including Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting and the use of repurposed equipment. The project also will explore the use of solar and battery power sources for the plant.
“The Brownwood plant improvements are not only an investment in our company, but also an investment in U.S. manufacturing and in communities across America,” said Brad Johnson, president of Superior Essex Communications. “This expansion will create manufacturing jobs right here in America, which will bring more employment opportunities to the Brownwood region and boost production of American-made broadband products. In doing so, we’re demonstrating our commitment to providing ‘Build America, Buy America’ products that help deliver high-speed broadband services to communities across the nation.”
