lcoa Fujikura Ltd. (AFL-Brentwood, TN), seeking to nurture its presence in the worldwide fiber-optic market, has acquired a major manufacturer's fiber-optic product line plus a regional telecommunications engineering firm.
In an undisclosed cash value purchase in November, AFL acquired Thomas & Betts Corp.'s (Memphis, TN) entire line of fiber-optic products marketed under the Aster brand name. The sale includes splitters, couplers, cable assemblies, and fiber-management systems for original equipment manufacturers and systems suppliers.
The Aster business, based in Attleboro, MA and employing nearly 90 people, is seen as adding a regional manufacturing presence while strengthening AFL's fiber-optic product portfolio.
Thomas & Betts is a leading designer and manufacturer of cabling connectivity and management products, as well as electrical connectors and components. The company said the Aster product line was no longer within its core business plan, which is to be a leader in supplying components for managing electricity-including products that are designed to help control the flow of power and data across local area networks.
In another regional acquisition in November, AFL purchased Salem, VA-based AtPac-a provider of engineering, furnish and installation (EF&I) services to the telecommunications industry. AtPac has operations in northern Virginia, and in Akron and Columbus, OH. "The addition of AtPac to AFL's family of EF&I companies sub stantially increases our service and product offerings to our major telecommunications customers," said Frank Larence, president of AFL Telecommunications.
AFL, a provider of fiber optic products and services, has manufacturing and service locations throughout the U.S., Mexico, and the U.K.
- Steve Smith