First result of cooperation is an innovative time and cost reducing device for branching fiber within customer premises
Amsterdam, February 8, 2010 -- Draka Communications, a global leader in the cabling and optical fiber industry, today announces a partnership with Swiss cable laying specialist Plumettaz. The collaboration will combine the expertise of both companies in developing new cable laying productivity solutions tailored to meet the complex needs of FTTH deployment environments.
One immediate result of the partnership is a new technique and tool for fiber cable branching within customers premises, to be designated as SmartDrawXS in Draka’s portfolio and branded independently by Plumettaz as the DomoJet..
This hand-held device reduces the need for splicing and skilled labour, while simplifying the task of branching fiber inside the customer premises . It can contribute to an estimated saving of between 15 to 30% of costs during the critical phase of bringing fibre into customer premises. The technique is applicable to both outdoor and indoor plant situations,
“With its complementary skills, Plumettaz is proving to be the ideal partner at a time when our combined knowledge can result in cost-reducing productivity solutions for the FTTH industry. SmartDrawXS is a proof of this,” says Edgar Aker, Marketing Director, Draka Communications Telecommunications Solutions.
Jouni Heinonen, CEO of Plumettaz adds, “ We are pleased to be working together with a leader in FTTH deployment. Our accumulated experience and jointly developed products will make the final stages of FTTH installation cheaper while decreasing the effort required to bring fiber into the home of the final user.”
About Plumettaz
Plumettaz SA , a company headquartered in the town of Bex in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, has worldwide recognition for manufacturing and distributing precision equipment for the installation of underground cables within the electrical and telecommunications industries. Like Draka, the company has extensive knowledge in blow-jetting techniques that have revolutionized cable laying in networks. To build upon its strong presence in Europe and China, last year the company acquired an American subsidiary to support Plumettaz’s presence in the fast growing U.S. marketplace.
About Draka
Draka (Euronext Amsterdam: DRAK), headquartered in Amsterdam, has over 9000 employees in countries worldwide and revenues of € 2.7 billion. Draka has a presence in 32 countries in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia.
Draka’s activities are divided into three groups: Energy & Infrastructure, Industry & Speciality and Communications. Draka Communications with its two business units, Telecom Solutions and Multimedia Specials, is a global market leader in the development, production and sales of fibers, cables and advanced network solutions. More information at www.draka.com.
Photo: Draka’s Edgar Aker (left) and Jouni Heinonen, CEO of Swiss firm Plumettaz, agree on a continuing relationship between the two companies to jointly develop new productivity tools that will accelerate FTTH deployment while providing cost economy at critical stages during the cable laying process.
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For more information contact:
Terry Davidson, The Communications Group, Tel: +32 2 640 92 07 or terry@eurocom.be
Edgar Aker, Draka Communications, Tel: +31 20 56 89 462 or edgar.aker@draka.com
Jouni Heinonen, Plumettaz SA, Tel: + 41 79 51 46 192 or jouni.heinonen@plumettaz.com