Hawick-based Emtelle Group, a global manufacturer of “pre-connectorised blown fibre, cabling and ducted solutions,” has announced it will expand into North America for the first time by opening a new manufacturing facility in the US.

Emtelle employs 700 staff worldwide and aims to open up its US facility at a 300,000 sq ft factory in Fletcher, North Carolina, creating up to 200 jobs.

“It will also further enhance Emtelle’s offering to the US FTTx industry, which currently serves through existing supply agreements and distribution partners in the region,” said Emtelle.

“As a result of the investment, Emtelle will be better positioned to serve its North American customer base by providing its first fully ‘Made in The USA’ range of microducts, conduits and eventually its full complement of product solutions for Fibre to the Home (FTTH) applications.

“The expansion further increases Emtelle’s global footprint, which compliments its established manufacturing facilities in the UK, Denmark, Germany and the recently announced acquisition of Dubai-based telecoms ducts manufacturer AfriPipes.”

Emtelle CEO Tony Rodgers said: “Our US expansion marks a landmark moment for Emtelle.

“With an estimated multi billion dollars to be invested in Fibre Rollouts across the US in the next five years, the new manufacturing facility in Fletcher will better position us to ensure our customers across the US have access to our high-quality product range.

“FTTH rollouts across the US are accelerating at pace.

“Therefore we must ensure that our North and South American customers have access to the same level of capacity and service to deliver as those in the rest of the world.

“The facility in North Carolina will help us achieve just that, as well as creating new jobs in the area and adding to our growing global workforce.”