Leoni and Hengtong form JV to manufacture singlemode fibers

To this end, both companies have signed a framework investment agreement to establish a joint venture, and intend to create additional jobs. The joint venture will be set up officially after approval by the relevant antitrust authorities. “The transmission of signals via singlemode fibers is a forward-looking technology. It enhances our strategic positioning as a technology partner for intelligent data transmission solutions. By expanding our manufacturing competence we expect to strengthen our Fiber Optics business to serve the increasing European demand for singlemode fibers,” explains Bruno Fankhauser, member of the Board of Directors of Leoni AG with responsibility for the Wire & Cable Solutions Division, in a press release. “The establishment of the joint venture in Germany and the accompanying expansion of our business activities in Europe are a perfect fit for our ‘5-5-5’ internationalisation strategy. In Leoni we have found a strong and reliable partner to produce singlemode fibers directly in Europe and sell them in the European market,” adds Jianlin Qian, Chairman of the board of Hengtong. The expansion of broadband in Germany and other European countries and the growing demand for data centres require high-performance singlemode fibers as a key element in optical cables. Leoni and Hengtong are combining their strengths in order to service this growing demand. Through its subsidiary j-fiber GmbH in Jena, Leoni is already an established producer of multimode fibers in Europe. j-fiber will provide the joint venture with the necessary infrastructure to commence its operations rapidly. The two companies will address the European market for singlemode fibers using their combined resources. The joint venture will operate under the name of j-fiber Hengtong GmbH and foresees recruitment of new employees in Jena after taking business.