Fiber optic cable manufacturer Superior Essex Communications is investing in its manufacturing capabilities and equipment at its Brownwood, Texas facility to help meet the demand for Outside Plant (OSP) fiber optic cable, introduction fiber and hybrid cable.
With continued growth in the fiber optic and hybrid markets, the total $73 million plant expansion investment is designed to create 170 new U.S. manufacturing jobs and support the nationwide broadband build-out that will bring high-speed Internet and 5G services to Americans.
The investment will be used to improve manufacturing equipment and build an additional 90,000 square feet adjacent to the existing facility, bringing the total production area of the facility to more than 500,000 square feet. It is designed to support new work and shift some existing work from traditional OSP copper cable manufacturing to focus on fiber optic cables.
The expansion will also incorporate green building practices - such as Power over Ethernet (PoE) lighting and the use of retrofit equipment - and explore the use of solar and battery power for the plant, the company said. Brad Johnson, president of Superior Essex Communications, explained, "The improvements at the Brownwood facility are an investment not only in our company, but in American manufacturing and communities across the United States. This expansion will create manufacturing jobs in the United States, which will bring more jobs to the Brownwood area and boost the production of American-made broadband products. In doing so, we demonstrate our commitment to providing 'Build America, Buy America' products that help deliver high-speed broadband services to communities across the country."
This announcement follows the announcement earlier this year that fiber optic cable providers Compaq and Corning are expanding their U.S. manufacturing facilities to help accelerate the rollout of fiber optic technology in underserved areas.
