Start-up acquires Thomas & Betts OMNI product line

Connectors for Networking (CFN), a connector manufacturer startup (www.cfncorp.com), based in Tustin, CA led by three former Thomas & Betts (www.tnb.com) employees, has purchased the OMNI connectivity product line from the cable management manufacturer Memphis, TN.

Steve Reed, CFN's director of sales and marketing, says the OMNI products are its sole manufacturing line. The line includes UTP and ScTP jacks for Category 3, 5e, and 6 installations, outlets for up to six ports, and 16-, 32-, 48- and 64-port patch panels.

Dale Weber, vice president of engineering and operations for CFN, says his company took this strategy after it gave up on Category 5. Weber says buyers and installers now want Cat 5e, so that's where the company's strategy will focus.

"We've been surprised by the business we've gotten since we opened up," Weber says. "We're seeing sales of 2,000 to 4,000 jacks a week. I think it's an established market by a lot of installers and distributors. A lot of folks are out there looking for it."

Weber says his former company, Thomas & Betts, meanwhile, spun off what it considered to be products that no longer fit its refocused niche-the expanding market for broadband communications infrastructure.

"Thomas & Betts is focusing on the electrical side, like overhead lighting, electrical conduit fittings, etc.," says Weber. "When you get into electronic connectors, it really doesn't fit into what they are making."

Weber says CFN did well to choose the OMNI product line

"It's been around a long time," says Weber. "It's proven, and it's returns are zero. These products are never returned."