Alcoa, Inc., formerly the Aluminum Company of America, joins forces with Fujikura Ltd. of Japan to form Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. Two divisions emerge – AFL and AFL Automotive. Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, AFL initially focused on manufacturing Optical Ground Wire (OPGW) and accessories for the electric utility communication networks.
First Optical Ground Wire shipped from Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Superior Optics was acquired and AFL now offers ADSS and premise cable product line.
AFL provides optical and electrical splicing of the Fujikura Ltd. cable used for TV coverage of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
AFL enters services business with acquisition of SixR.
MinTel and Quality Control Systems (QCS) service companies acquired.
Tele-Tech service company acquired. Monterrey, Mexico manufacturing plant is established.
Noyes Fiber Systems acquired, expanding product base to include test and inspection equipment. Aerial cable systems division manufactures 50,000 km of Optical Ground Wire. Aster division of Thomas & Betts and AtPac service company acquired. FOCAS acquired, expanding cable operations to Alpharetta GA and Swindon, United Kingdom.
ISAC service company acquired. Laser Armor Tech acquired to support growth of Optical Ground Wire. AFL enters the wireless market through the acquisition of Pacific 17.
AFL acquires Independent Venture Communications, Inc. (IVCI) service companies. Keptel Division of Arris acquired to expand fiber management systems and broadband product offering. AFL also acquires the assets of Telco Service, Inc.
Fujikura assumes 100% ownership of AFL, aka America Fujikura Ltd., and moves AFL headquarters to Duncan, SC.
AFL Network Services acquires Northstar and expands its outside plant engineering capabilities. ACA Conductor Accessories, an AFL division, acquires Dossert Corporation. AFL acquires The Light Brigade expanding its training division.
AFL acquires Draka's OPGW division strengthening its position as the #1 producer of OPGW
AFL acquires Verrillon, adding specialty optical fiber to its portfolio and enhancing access to other specialty fiber markets including industrial and sensing. AFL opens new fiber optic assembly facility in Swindon, United Kingdom.
AFL opens new R&D facility in Lowell, MA, to attract professional talent and grow test equipment business. AFL acquires TCC Group and expands global reach to the European, Middle Eastern, and African (EMEA) markets.
AFL acquires ALTA Group based in Atlanta, GA. Company's 1,000 associates join the AFL family in supporting services business in the US, UK and Canada.
AFL acquires Optimal Cable Services, expanding AFL's manufacturing capabilities to the South Pacific.
Fujikura Ltd. was established as an electrical wiring company in 1885, when founder Zenpachi Fujikura figured out how to create wires insulated by silk and cotton windings for use in electrical generators – cutting-edge technology at the time.
Mr. Fujikura often visited electricity exhibitions where he recognized that the mesh stranding technique for shielded cable was very similar to the manufacturing of hair ornaments he was already producing. The first cables manufactured by Fujikura Ltd. were shielded cables with silk or cotton for electrical machines and equipment. In the beginning, the cables were manufactured by hand, a method similar to hair ornament manufacturing.
A major turning point for Fujikura's cable business, Toyko Electric began supplying electric power and selected Fujikura as its supplier of power cables.
Fujikura builds a new, larger facility incorporating sophisticated equipment imported from the United States into Japan. The supply of power to factories was delivered through water wheels to the new facility which was strategically constructed near rivers so that Fujikura could mass produce product. Fiber cable manufacturing is automated. Business is booming.
Fujikura expands into another facility, increasing manufacturing capacity and is now developing rubber-insulated cables.
Fujikura completes the manufacturing line for new rubber-insulated cables and is now known as one of the most modern cable manufacturers.
Fujikura is established as a corporation and called "Fujikura Cable and Rubber Co."
Alcoa, Inc., formerly the Aluminum Company of America, joins forces with Fujikura Ltd. of Japan to form Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. Two divisions emerge – AFL and AFL Automotive.
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5/14/2013 Volunteer efforts help three families find a place to call home
5/14/2013 AFL has expanded its One-Click Cleaner product line adding the One-Click Cleaner MPO to its NOYES® cleaning product line.
5/8/2013 Scholarship awarded to Robert Borowicz, J.L. Mann Academy Student
5/6/2013 Exceptional corporate responsibility recognized two years in a row
5/1/2013 Sixth grade students help AFL reach its goal to plant 12,000 trees in five years
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