To use the interactive timeline above, click the left and right arrows to view the next event or click and drag in the grey timeline area.

1984

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.

1985

First reel of OPGW ships from Spartanburg, South Carolina. 

1992

AFL acquires Superior Optics, now offering ADSS and premise cable product line.

1996

AFL provides optical and electrical splicing of the Fujikura Ltd. cable used for TV coverage of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

1997

AFL enters services business with acquisition of SixR.

1998

AFL acquires MinTel and Quality Control Systems (QCS) service companies.

1999

AFL acquires Tele-Tech service company and establishes Monterrey, Mexico manufacturing plant.

2000

AFL acquires Noyes Fiber Systems, expanding product base to include test and inspection equipment. Aerial cable systems division manufactures 50,000 km of OPGW. AFL acquires Aster division of Thomas & Betts and AtPac service company. AFL acquires FOCAS, expanding cable operations to Alpharetta, GA, and Swindon, United Kingdom.

2001

AFL acquires ISAC service company. AFL also acquires Laser Armor Tech to support growth of OPGW. AFL enters the wireless market through the acquisition of Pacific 17.

2002

AFL acquires Independent Venture Communications, Inc. (IVCI) service companies; Keptel Division of Arris, expanding fiber management systems and broadband product offering; and the assets of Telco Service, Inc.

2005

Fujikura assumes 100% ownership of AFL, aka America Fujikura Ltd., and moves AFL headquarters to Duncan, SC. 

2008

AFL Network Services acquires Northstar, expanding its outside plant engineering capabilities. ACA Conductor Accessories, an AFL division, acquires Dossert Corporation. AFL acquires The Light Brigade, a fiber optic training company.

2009

AFL acquires Draka's OPGW division, strengthening its position as the #1 producer of OPGW.

2010

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.

2011

AFL opens new R&D facility in Lowell, MA. AFL acquires TCC Group and expands global reach to the European, Middle Eastern and African (EMEA) markets.

2012

AFL acquires ALTA Group based in Atlanta, GA. Its 1,000 associates join the AFL family in supporting services business in the U.S., U.K. and Canada.

2013

AFL acquires Optimal Cable Services, expanding AFL's manufacturing capabilities to the South Pacific.

2014

AFL acquires Tier2 Technologies, an Alberta, Canada-based fiber construction services firm, expanding AFL's offering of telecommunications services. AFL associates around the world celebrates the company's 30th anniverary. 

2015

BlueStream Professional Services, a KGP Company, purchases select assets of AFL Network Services, Inc.'s EF&I business. AFL acquires AFC, expanding AFL's global offering of solutions to the telecommunications, utility, enterprise and industrial markets.

2016

AFL expands portfolio of products utilizing spider web ribbon technology.
 

Fujikura Timeline

1885

Fujikura Ltd. is established as an electrical wiring company when founder Zenpachi Fujikura discovers 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 and recognizes that the mesh stranding technique for shielded cable is very similar to the manufacturing of hair ornaments he was already producing. The first cables Fujikura Ltd. manufactures are shielded cables with silk or cotton for electrical machines and equipment. The cables are manufactured by hand, a method similar to hair ornament manufacturing.

1886

A major turning point for Fujikura's cable business, Toyko Electric begins supplying electric power and selected Fujikura as its supplier of power cables.

1888

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.

1890

Fujikura expands into another facility, increasing manufacturing capacity and is now developing rubber-insulated cables.

1893

Fujikura completes the manufacturing line for new rubber-insulated cables and is now known as one of the most modern cable manufacturers.

1901

Fujikura is established as a corporation and is now called "Fujikura Cable and Rubber Co."

1984

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.