Awards and Recognition

2025

• EcoVadis Sustainability Achievement

  • Bronze | Top 35%

• Lightwave+BTR Innovation Reviews

  • Apex® X-1 Sealed Splice Closure 4.5

• United Way of the Piedmont, Large Business Partner of the Year

  • Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) Plant Safety Award

  • Awarded to five AFL manufacturing locations in Spartanburg, South Carolina

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance

  • 4th Annual Manufacturing Madness" contest - Coolest Thing Made in SC. Spider Web Ribbon came in the top four.

2024

• 2024 Data Centre Solutions Awards

  • Data Centre Physical Connectivity Innovation of the Year for our Data Center Interconnect Solution

• Lightwave Innovation Reviews Honoree

  • Fujikura 45S Cladding Alignment Fusion Splicer
  • FlowScout® SE100 Single Ended Test Set

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) Plant Safety Award

  • Awarded to five AFL manufacturing locations in Spartanburg, South Carolina

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA)

  • Outreach Award Finalist

2023

• Most Sustainable Organization, EnergyCAP

  • Recognized with Rising Star Award for outstanding achievements in energy efficiency and sustainability practices.

• Community Outreach Award

  • Presented by SC Manufacturing Extension Partnership recognizes SC manufacturers making a positive impact on their respective communities.

• SC Best in Business

  • Recognized as Best Telecommunications Provider

• SC Biz News’ Inaugural 2023 Empowering Women

  • Recognized for a track record of supporting women in the workplace.

• 2023 Collaborator of the Year Award

  • Presented by SC Manufacturing Extension Partnership

2022

• 2022 Laser Focus World Innovators Awards

  • Our Metal-Coated Optical Fibers recognized among the best.
  • Verrillon® VHT500 Ultra-High Temperature Single-mode Series
  • Verrillon VHT5000 Multimode Series
     

• United Way of the Piedmont, Large Business Partner of the Year

  • Awarded to companies with 100 or more employees and considered total campaign giving, average gift, per capita gift, undesignated giving, participation rate, and company intangibles.
  • Increased average gift, increased per capita gift, 79% undesignated, largest UWP campaign in history.
  • Recognized for top down leadership, excellent campaign management, company culture of philanthropy, and board / donor group participation.
     

2021

• Safer Buildings Coalition™ Safe Inside 2021 Project of the Year

  • Recognizes outstanding projects in the in-building public safety communications market
  • Spotlights projects for their impact, quality of workmanship, innovation and contribution to reducing noise and interference
  • Awarded for project at Fifth + Broadway 
     

• Broadband Technology Report (BTR) Diamond Technology Review

  • 4.0 Diamonds
    • Apex® Splice Closure
    • FlexScan® TS100 FTTH PON Troubleshooter
  • 3.5 Diamonds
    • FlowScout PON Optical Power Meter
    • Field-replaceable Port Saver OTDR Connectors

• Cabling Installation & Maintenance (CI&M) Innovators Awards Program

  • Platinum: Apex® Splice Closure
  • Gold: Fujikura 90R Ribbon Fusion Splicer

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) Plant Safety Award

  • Awarded to five AFL manufacturing locations in Spartanburg, South Carolina

• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Safety Award

  • Recognition based on the Lost Time Incident Rate recorded during 2019 calendar year
  • Five Spartanburg locations recognized

• Lightwave Innovation Reviews Honoree

  • Apex® splice closure - 4.0 
  • Fujikura 90R mass fusion splicer - 4.5

• Fierce Innovation Award - Telecom Edition

  • The peer-reviewed awards program highlights advances in service and equipment developments
  • Awarded to the FlexScan® TS100 FTTH PON Troubleshooter

2020

• Cable Installation & Management Innovators Awards Program

  • Gold: Fujikura 90S Core Alignment Fusion Splicer

• BTR Diamond Technology Review

  • 4.0 Diamonds Award
    • Fujikura 90R Mass Fusion Splicer
  • 3.5 Diamonds Award
    • NodeFlex™ Bendable Cable Assembly

• NC Department of Labor/Union County Chamber of Commerce - Excellence in Safety

  • AFL Raleigh was presented with the Gold Award for the 11th consecutive year
  • AFL Monroe was given a Gold Award for the third consecutive year for the rate of days away from work, job transfer or restriction at least 50 percent below the industry average

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) Plant Safety Award

  • Awarded to three AFL manufacturing locations in Spartanburg, South Carolina

• 2020 South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Safety Award

  • Recognition based on the Lost Time Incident Rate recorded during 2019 calendar year

• Lightwave Innovation Reviews Honoree

  • Splicer Accessory Management via Bluetooth® - 3.5 stars

2019

• Association of Fundraising Professionals (SC, Piedmont Chapter) 2019 Corporate Philanthropist of the Year Award

  • The award honors a business, corporation or foundation who demonstrates outstanding commitment to the Upstate community through direct financial support to nonprofit organizations and charitable projects.

• Better Business Bureau® of the Upstate, 2019 Business of Integrity Award for Community Service

  • Recognition for commitment to exceptional marketplace standards that benefit consumers, employees, suppliers, industry peers and the communities in which we do business and serve

• Cable Installation & Management Innovators Awards Program

  • Platinum - Bluetooth®-enabled Splicing Family
  • Gold - FlexScan® Quad OTDR
  • Silver - FOCIS Lightning Multi-fiber Connector Inspection System 

• BTR Diamond Technology Review

  • 4.5 Diamonds Award
    • FOCIS Lightning Multi-fiber Connector Inspection System
  • 4.0 Diamonds Award
    • FlexScan® Quad OTDR

• United Way of the Piedmont, Employee Giving Award ($200K+)

  • Special recognition for outstanding contribution

• United Way of the Piedmont, Game Changer Award

  • Awarded for increasing employee donations by 42 percent 

• United Way of the Piedmont, Outstanding Campaign Committee Award

  • Awarded for demonstrating exceptional teamwork resulting in increased associate per capita giving

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) Corporate Responsibility Award

  • Recognized for the positive contributions made in the local community

• NC Department of Labor/Union County Chamber of Commerce - Excellence in Safety

  • AFL Raleigh was presented with the Gold Award for the tenth consecutive year
  • AFL Monroe was given a Gold Award for the second consecutive year for the rate of days away from work, job transfer or restriction at least 50 percent below the industry average

• United Way of Central Carolinas 2018 Outstanding Accounts Award

  • Special recognition for outstanding contribution

• 2019 South Carolina Chamber of Commerce Safety Award

  • Recognition based on the Lost Time Incident Rate recorded during 2018 calendar year

• 2019 Blue Cross Blue Shield LiveLifeBlue℠ Award

  • Awarded to companies who have implemented corporate-level policies and programs to improve the well-being of associates at their company and in their community 

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) Plant Safety Award

  • Awarded to five AFL manufacturing locations in Spartanburg, South Carolina

• Lightwave Innovation Reviews Honoree

  • Awarded for the FOCIS Lightning Ultrafast MPO/MTP Connector Inspection System

 

2018

 

• United Way of the Piedmont, Corporate Philanthropist of the Year

  • Recognized through the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Piedmont Chapter

• BTR Diamond Technology Review

  • 4.0 Diamonds Award
    • FleXpress™ Fast OTDR Test Mode for FlexScan® OTDRs

• Cable Installation & Management Innovators Awards Program

  • Silver Award
    • Multi-Fiber Identification System
    • FOCIS Duel Fiber Optic Connector Inspection System

• DHEC, Recycling and Green Hospitality Award

  • Awarded for Outstanding Waste Reduction & Recycling Efforts
     

• United Way of the Piedmont, Employee Giving Award ($200K+)

  • Awarded to companies based on increase in employee and employee per capita giving

• United Way of the Piedmont, Campaign Creativity Award

• United Way of the Piedmont, Outstanding Campaign Committee Award

  • Awarded for demonstrating exceptional teamwork resulting in increased associate per capita giving

• United Way of the Piedmont, Campaign Coordinator Award

  • Presented to individuals who set an example of outstanding leadership through their involvement in United Way activities

• NC Department of Labor/Union County Chamber of Commerce - Excellence in Safety

  • AFL Raleigh received a gold award and was recognized for one year with an incident rate at least 50 percent below the industry average
  • AFL Monroe received a gold award and was recognized for nine years with the rate of days away from work, job transfer or restriction at least 50 percent below the industry average

• Laser Focus World Silver Innovators Award

  • Awarded for the LZM-110A+ LAZERMaster

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) Corporate Responsibility Award

  • Recognized for the positive contributions made in the local community

• Spartanburg Community College Economic Visionary Award

  • Awarded for extraordinary leadership in transforming the Upstate of South Carolina  

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) Workplace Safety Award

  • 2017 Workplace Safety Award for cabling, connectivity/splicing and accessories manufacturing plants

• Middle Tyger Community Impact Award

  • Awarded by the YMCA of Greater Spartanburg, the award is given to individuals or organizations that demonstrate extraordinary commitment and support of the YMCA's mission

• Best in Show at BICSI Winter/New Product Pavilion

  • Awarded by BICSI attendees, AFL's FOCIS Duel won "Install Tools, Methods and Testing" category and overall Best in Show

2017

• United Way of the Piedmont, Employee Giving Award ($150K-$200K)

  • Awarded to companies based on increase in employee and employee per capita giving

• United Way of the Piedmont, Outstanding Campaign Committee Award

  • Awarded for demonstrating exceptional teamwork resulting in increased associate per capita giving

• United Way of the Piedmont, Campaign Spirit Award

  • Awarded to companies whose associates exemplified the highest level of team spirit during their campaign

• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

  • Workplace Safety Award (for 2016) - Cable, Accessories and Wire manufacturing

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA)

  • Workplace Safety Award (for 2016) - Cable and Accessories manufacturing

• Kriz Davis Partner of the Year Award 

  • Recognizes companies for combined overall growth in sales dollars, growth percentage in sales, overall growth and collaborative sales efforts

• Cable Installation & Management Innovators Awards Program

  • Gold Award
    • FOCIS Flex
    • ROGUE OTDR with aeRos® Workflow Management 
    • Wrapping Tube Cable with SpiderWeb® Ribbon 

2016

• IABC-SC (International Association of Business Communicators – SC)

  • Awards of Excellence
    • Employee Engagement: United Way Annual Campaign
    • Advertising Campaign: Fusion Splicing Ad Campaign
  • Award of Merit
    • Internal Communication: Just AFL Campaign

• IABC Southern Region (International Association of Business Communicators)

  • Silver Quill Awards of Excellence
    • Employee Engagement: United Way Annual Campaign
    • Marketing, Advertising and Brand Communication: Fusion Splicing Ad Campaign

• Cabling Installation & Maintenance Platinum Innovation Award

  • Recognizes innovative products and systems as well as their uses and applications. AFL's FlexScan Complete Kits received the platinum award.  

• AT&T Supplier Diversity Crystal Award

  • Awarded to Prime Suppliers who attained and/or exceeded 21.5% diversity utilization in 2015, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to helping the diverse supplier community grow and prosper

• Energex Suppliers Award (Australia)

  • Recognizes companies with outstanding operational performance, quality and delivery

• City of London Gold Award (UK)

  • Acknowledges companies that consistently exceed the requirements of the Code of Good Practice and have a regard for the surrounding environment by reducing disturbance to businesses and residences

• United Way of the Piedmont, Employee Giving Award ($150K-$200K)

  • Awarded to companies based on increase in employee and employee per capita giving

• United Way of the Piedmont, Outstanding Creativity Award

• United Way of the Piedmont, Campaign Spirit Award

• North Carolina Department of Labor

  • Safety Award
    • Silver Award - AFL Enterprise Division, Monroe, NC and OSPE Division, Raleigh, NC
    • Gold Award - AFL Enterprise Division, Monroe, NC and OSPE Division, Raleigh, NC

• SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)

  • Recognized by the Smart Business Recycling and Green Hospitality Program for recycling efforts

• Lakes Region Community Services (LRCS)

  • Community Partner Award (2016) - AFL's Test & Inspection Division

• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

  • Commendation of Excellence Award/Safety Program Recognition (2015) - Ridgeview, Hidden Lake and USAC manufacturing

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA)

  • Safety Performance Recognition Award (for 2015) - Ridgeview, Hidden Lake and USAC manufacturing

 

2015

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA)

  • Made in South Carolina Excellence in Corporate Responsibility Award
  • Safety Performance Recognition Award (2014) - Ridgeview and Hidden Lake manufacturing
  • 18 Years without a Lost Workday Incident Recognition Award - Hidden Lake manufacturing plant (ranked among the top three SCMA members)

• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

  • Commendation of Excellence/Safety Program Recognition (2014) - Ridgeview, Hidden Lake and USAC Manufacturing

• Union County Chamber of Commerce

  • 2014 Gold Award for Safety - AFL Monroe and AFL Raleigh
  • Million Hour Safety Award - AFL Monroe

• BB&T Insurance Lighthouse Beam Safety Award Program

  • Excellent Safety Performance

• IABC-SC (International Association of Business Communicators – SC)

  • Best of Show
    • AFL Fall Festival
  • Awards of Excellence
    • Special Events: AFL Turns 30
    • Special Events: AFL Fall Festival
      • Received Best of Show award
    • Marketing Communication: Swage Bus and Cable Accessories Product Launch Campaign
    • Employee Engagement: United Way Annual Campaign
    • Advertising Campaigns: Marketing Automation Campaign

• IABC-SC (International Association of Business Communicators – Southern Region)

  • Silver Quill Award of Excellence
    • Communication Management - Internal Communication: United Way Annual Campaign
  • Silver Quill Award of Merit
    • Communication Management - Internal Communication: AFL Turns 30

2014

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA)

  • Made in South Carolina Excellence in Corporate Responsibility Award

• United Way of the Piedmont, Employee Giving Award ($100K - $150K)

  • Awarded to companies based on increase in employee and employee per capita giving

• United Way of the Piedmont, Campaign Spirit Award

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA)

  • Total man hours worked since last incident - Ridgeview Manufacturing
  • Total man hours worked without a lost workday incident during 2013 - Ridgeview Manufacturing Safety
  • Performance Recognition Award - Ridgeview and Hidden Lake manufacturing

• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

  • Commendation of Excellence/Safety Program Recognition (2013) - Ridgeview and Hidden Lake manufacturing

• IABC-SC (International Association of Business Communicators – South Carolina)

  • Awards of Excellence:
    • Internal Communication: United Way Annual Campaign
    • Audio Visual: Poli-MOD Motion Graphics Piece
    • Audio Visual: SkyWrap® Motion Graphics Piece
    • Community Relations: AFL Community Outreach Team
    • Marketing Communications: AFL Trade Show - IEEE
  • Awards of Merit:
    • Employee Engagement: AFL Habitat House Build
    • Other Graphic Design: AFL New Trade Show Booth
    • Audio Visual: AFL 30-year Documentary

• IABC (International Association of Business Communicators – Southern Region)

  • Sliver Quill Award of Excellence:
    • Communication Management - Internal Communication: United Way Annual Campaign

• BB&T Insurance Lighthouse Beam Safety Award Program

  • Excellent Safety Performance

2013

• BB&T Insurance Lighthouse Beam Safety Award Program

  • Excellent Safety Performance

• United Way of the Piedmont, Employee Giving Award ($100K - $150K)

  • Awarded to companies based on increase in employee and employee per capita giving

• United Way of the Piedmont, Outstanding Creativity Award

• Economic Futures Award

  • For Outstanding Commitment and Service to the Spartanburg County Community

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA)

  • Safety Performance Recognition Award - Ridgeview Plant
  • Safety Performance Recognition Award - Hillside Plant
  • Made in South Carolina Excellence in Corporate Responsibility Award

• IABC-SC (International Association of Business Communicators – South Carolina)

  • Awards of Excellence:
    • 70S Fusion Splicer Motion Graphics piece
    • 70S Fusion Splicer Marketing Campaign
    • AFL Lobby Rebranding
  • Awards of Merit:
    • United Way Annual Campaign
    • Hidden Lake Grand Opening

2012

• SC Biz News Roaring Twenties

  • Top 20 Best-Performing Company in SC

• Broadband Gear Report BTR Diamond Technology Review

  • NOYES® FOCIS Fiber Optic Connector Inspection System (3.5 stars)

• Communications Technology Platinum Award

  • NOYES® FOCIS Fiber Optic Connector Inspection System - Honorable Mention

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA)

  • Excellence in Corporate Responsibility Award

• IABC-SC (International Association of Business Communicators – South Carolina)

  • Awards of Excellence:
    • United Way Campaign*
    • www.AFLglobal.com website*
    • Community Brochure (two awards – one for print and one for design*)
  • Awards of Merit:
    • eConnect eNewsletter
    • Company brochure (two awards – one for print communication and one for design)
    • www.AFLglobal.com website

*Award in Top 5 of all entries submitted across SC

2011

• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

  • Commendation of Excellence in Safety (3 SC locations)

• BB&T Insurance Lighthouse Beam Safety Award Program

  • Excellent Safety Performance

2010

• Spartanburg Area (SC) Chamber of Commerce

  • Economic Champion

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA)

  • Safety Award
  • Safety Performance Award

• Broadband Properties Magazine

  • Top 100 Broadband Companies

2009

• Spartanburg Area (SC) Chamber of Commerce

  • Economic Champion

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA)

  • Safety Award
  • Safety Performance Award

• Broadband Properties Magazine

  • Top 100 Broadband Companies

2008

• Nuevo Leon Environment Protection and Natural Resources Agency (APMARN)

  • AFL Monterry Mexico, Nuevo León “Recicla” Award for recycling efforts

• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

  • Top 25 Fastest Growing Companies Finalist (#20)
  • Manufacturer of the Year (medium-sized business)

• South Carolina Occupational Safety Council

  • Edgar L McGowan Award, AFL Spartanburg/Ridgeview facility with
    6,061,567 hours since last lost time incident

• Spartanburg Area (SC) Chamber of Commerce

  • Economic Champion

2007

• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

  • Commendation of Excellence - Safety Program Recognition - Spartanburg / Hillside and Ridgeview facilities

• South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulations

  • Certificate of Safety Acheivement Award - Spartanburg / Hillside and Ridgeview facilities

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA)

  • Plant Safety Recognition Award - Hours Work Without A Lost Work Day Injury

• South Carolina Occupational Safety Council

  • Safety Award for Outstanding Record
  • Palmetto Safety Excellence Award - Spartanburg / Ridgeview Mftg facility

• Spartanburg Area (SC) Chamber of Commerce

  • Economic Champion

2006

• Middle Tyger Council (Spartanburg, South Carolina)

  • Large Manufacturer of the Year for Outstanding Community Service

• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

  • Commendation of Excellence - Safety Program Recognition - Spartanburg / Hillside and Ridgeview facilities

• South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulations

  • Certificate of Safety Acheivement Award - Spartanburg / Hillside and Ridgeview facilities

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA)

  • Plant Safety Recognition Award - Hours Work Without A Lost Work Day Injury

• South Carolina Occupational Safety Council

  • Safety Certificate - Spartanburg / Hillside Mftg facility

2005

• South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

  • Commendation of Excellence - Safety Program Recognition - Spartanburg / Hillside and Ridgeview facilities

• South Carolina Department of Labor Licensing and Regulations

  • Certificate of Safety Acheivement Award - Spartanburg / Hillside and Ridgeview facilities

• South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA)

  • Plant Safety Recognition Award - Hours Work Without A Lost Work Day Injury

• South Carolina Occupational Safety Council

  • Safety Award for Outstanding Record
  • Palmetto Safety Excellence Award - Spartanburg / Ridgeview Mftg facility
  • Safety Certificate - Spartanburg / Hillside Mftg facility