Champion ONE merges with Approved Networks
Champion ONE (Cleveland, OH), a designer, marketer, and supplier of optical networking components worldwide, today announced its merger with Approved Networks (Orange County, CA) and its affiliate, U.S. Critical, two recognized leaders in the programming, testing, and distribution of network systems.
The parties say the newly combined company will be one of the world’s largest independent optics companies, providing both open network and highly-customized optical solutions to the global market’s leading telecommunication service providers, as well as to data centers and U.S. government agencies, among others.
The combined entity, which will continue to operate under the Champion ONE, Approved and U.S. Critical brands, will be headed by Pete Kirchof, Champion ONE’s executive chairman. Kurt Dunteman, Approved Networks’ co-founder and chief executive officer, will serve as chief revenue officer of the unified company.
The new company will feature expanded product offerings – including TAA-compliant custom cabling and connection points – and exceptional customer diversification, say its stakeholders, with improved access to the enterprise and data center sectors. Further, the new company will leverage a growing team of highly-trained professionals and its experienced executive leadership to service its domestic and international customer base.
Champion ONE’s Kirchof notes, “Similar to Champion ONE, Approved Networks has achieved significant growth since its inception, in large part due to its commitment to listening to customers and delivering consistent operational excellence. The decision to merge the companies was based not only on the compelling business synergies, but by the exceptional cultural fit, shared operational ethos, and relentless dedication to customer service.”
“A large part of Approved Networks’ success has been the company’s ability to identify and take advantage of targeted, strategic growth opportunities, and it became clear that a partnership with Champion ONE would create greater value for our clients and stakeholders,” adds Approved's Dunteman. “This is exciting news that means enhanced programming, testing and engineering capabilities; redundant lab operations on both the East and West Coast; and increasing growth opportunities for our employees, while providing expanded product breadth and domain expertise to our customers.”
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