Hawick-based Emtelle Group, a global manufacturer of “pre-connectorised blown fibre, cabling and ducted solutions,” has agreed to acquire Afripipes Middle East Operations based in Dubai.

Emtelle works in the “fiber to the X” (FTTX) industry.

“The expansion, located at the heart of the world’s trading crossroads, is part of Emtelle’s ongoing investment to sustain its presence as a global leader in the FTTX industry,” said the Hawick firm.

“It will see Emtelle’s manufacturing capability expanded by 15 manufacturing lines and, in total, exceed 75 globally, increasing its manufacturing capability and capacity, improving the security of supply to customers worldwide.”

Emtelle Group CEO Tony Rodgers said, “The purchase of Afripipes, based in the UAE, further increases Emtelle’s presence in the FTTX solutions market.

“The additional capacity married with Emtelle’s long-standing excellence in product innovation and customer service strengthens our position in the global arena, improves efficiencies and better positions us to continue to deliver on excellence worldwide.

“The team and I at Emtelle look forward to welcoming Sanjay Nischal, the current director at Afripipes, to the group senior management Team.”

Founded in July 2007, Afripipes currently manufactures “high-quality HDPE Duct, Sub-duct and Microduct for the FTTX market.”

Upon completion, the Emtelle group will have over 600 employees and an additional 9,000m² of manufacturing space globally.

Nischa said: “AfriPipes Middle East Team is very excited about the new product and market opportunities presented by this acquisition.

“We plan to leverage this strength and provide even more value to our customers.

“It is an ideal platform to extend Emtelle’s reach to customers worldwide, and we look forward to learning from one another to continue to deliver exceptional products to the FTTX industry.”