Emtelle buys Afripipes for microduct portfolio expansion
In what it called “the first in a series of announcements that will expand its global footprint and enhance its capability to guarantee its global customers security of supply,” Emtelle Group has revealed the acquisition of Dubai-based Afripipes Middle East Operations. The deal, terms of which were not disclosed, will add 15 manufacturing lines to Emtelle’s production capacity while expanding its duct portfolio.
Founded in July 2007, Afripipes offers HDPE duct, sub-duct, and microduct for FTTx applications. Afripipes will continue to operate independently under its own brand while Emtelle works to integrate its new assets. When it completes the integration, Emtelle will have more than 600 employees and an additional 9,000 m² of manufacturing space worldwide in five manufacturing sites.
"The purchase of Afripipes, based in the UAE, further increases Emtelle's presence in the FTTx solutions market," said Tony Rodgers, CEO of Emtelle Group. "The additional capacity married with Emtelle's longstanding excellence in product innovation and customer service strengthens our position in the global arena, improves efficiencies, and better positions us to continue to deliver on excellence worldwide. The team and I at Emtelle look forward to welcoming Sanjay Nischal, the current director at Afripipes, to the group senior management team."
"AfriPipes Middle East Team is very excited about the new product and market opportunities presented by this acquisition,” commented Nischal. “We plan to leverage this strength and provide even more value to our customers. It is an ideal platform to extend Emtelle's reach to customers worldwide, and we look forward to learning from one another to continue to deliver exceptional products to the FTTx industry."
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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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