Hexatronic to acquire fiber-optic training company The Light Brigade
Europe-based cabling company Hexatronic Group AB says it has agreed to acquire The Light Brigade Inc., the U.S.-based fiber-optic training provider, from AFL. Financial terms of the deal, which is expected to close August 1, 2020, were not disclosed.
Hexatronic says the buy will enhance its reach into the U.S. and complement its existing product offerings. However, the company says the acquisition will not have a significant effect on revenue or earnings.
“We are very pleased to welcome Light Brigade to Hexatronic Group. The company will enable Hexatronic to complement our strong FTTH system offering with training in the important U.S. market that is our second largest market. The acquisition will strengthen our position in North America where we see large growth potential for our solutions. The acquisition further enhances Hexatronic Group’s business area training, where we now can offer training in Sweden, Norway, the UK, and the U.S.,” comments Henrik Larsson Lyon, CEO of Hexatronic Group.
Light Brigade, headquartered in Kent, WA, was founded in 1990 by Larry Johnson. The company supplies fiber-optic training for a variety of applications and has partnered with several organizations to help bring fiber-optic education to their members (see, for example, "The Light Brigade, FTTH Council Americas join on CFHP online training" and "Light Brigade, USTelecom pair for network engineering and outside plant training"). AFL acquired Light Brigade in 2008 (see “AFL Telecommunications acquires The Light Brigade”).
“AFL believes that the alignment between Hexatronic and Light Brigade is an excellent fit for the business to move forward and prosper. Hexatronic has a strong fiber-optic training business in Europe, and The Light Brigade is the number one fiber-optic training business in North America. Combining these two businesses enables a synergistic power that will be unmatched in the industry,” says Steve Althoff, president of AFL IG.
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Stephen Hardy | Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, Lightwave
Stephen Hardy is editorial director and associate publisher of Lightwave and Broadband Technology Report, part of the Lighting & Technology Group at Endeavor Business Media. Stephen is responsible for establishing and executing editorial strategy across the both brands’ websites, email newsletters, events, and other information products. He has covered the fiber-optics space for more than 20 years, and communications and technology for more than 35 years. During his tenure, Lightwave has received awards from Folio: and the American Society of Business Press Editors (ASBPE) for editorial excellence. Prior to joining Lightwave in 1997, Stephen worked for Telecommunications magazine and the Journal of Electronic Defense.
Stephen has moderated panels at numerous events, including the Optica Executive Forum, ECOC, and SCTE Cable-Tec Expo. He also is program director for the Lightwave Innovation Reviews and the Diamond Technology Reviews.
He has written numerous articles in all aspects of optical communications and fiber-optic networks, including fiber to the home (FTTH), PON, optical components, DWDM, fiber cables, packet optical transport, optical transceivers, lasers, fiber optic testing, and more.
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