AFL Grows U.S. Fiber Optic Cable Capacity
AFL plans to invest more than $50 million to expand its fiber optic cable manufacturing operations in South Carolina. The company aligns this expansion with the Biden-Harris administration’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Internet for All initiatives to increase broadband access across the U.S.
AFL will create new jobs through this investment and further strengthen its portfolio of products that comply with the Build America, Buy America Act (BABA). The company aims to support critical broadband and infrastructure projects that rely on U.S.-made fiber optic solutions.
Expanding Production and Innovating Fiber Solutions
AFL will use the new funding to increase production capacity and develop next-generation fiber optic cable solutions. This announcement builds on a previous investment of more than $35 million in domestic cable manufacturing, which supports broadband deployment and modernization of the power grid.
These expansions continue AFL’s four-decade commitment to U.S. manufacturing and job creation. By scaling production, AFL can better serve network operators, utilities, and service providers who require reliable, high-performance fiber infrastructure.
Key Benefits of AFL’s South Carolina Expansion
AFL’s latest expansion delivers several important benefits for customers and local communities:
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Increased production capacity to meet surging demand for fiber optic cable.
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New jobs at AFL’s South Carolina manufacturing facilities, which boost the local economy.
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Development of innovative and more sustainable fiber optic cable solutions.
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Stronger commitment to U.S.-made materials and a resilient domestic supply chain.
AFL also reinforces its role as a strategic partner for customers who must meet BABA and other domestic content requirements in federal and state-funded projects.
AFL’s Commitment to BABA-Compliant Connectivity
AFL CEO and President Jaxon Lang emphasized that this expansion supports multiple national and customer goals. He highlighted the company’s focus on delivering an end-to-end BABA-compliant cable and connectivity portfolio for its U.S. customers.
Lang also noted that the investment marks a significant milestone in AFL’s ongoing contribution to a stronger, more connected future for communities across the country. With expanded manufacturing and innovation capabilities, AFL aims to help close the digital divide and support long-term infrastructure resilience.
AFL’s Global Reach with a Strong South Carolina Base
Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina, AFL operates facilities in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan and serves customers in more than 130 countries.
From its South Carolina base, AFL supports both domestic and global network projects with fiber optic cable, connectivity, and accessories that power communications, energy, and industrial applications.