25
March
2015
|
23:00
Europe/London

Scottish manufacturer celebrates multi million pound contract extension with BT to support UK fibre broadband rollout and

BT’s local network business Openreach today confirmed a multi-million pound, four year contract extension with its supplier of duct and fibre in the UK, Scottish Borders-based manufacturer Emtelle Group.

Emtelle manufactures cable duct – the plastic piping which encases underground fibre cables – as well as sub-duct and blown fibre products at its two plants in the rural towns of Hawick and Jedburgh.

Emtelle is a key supplier in BT’s roll-out of high-speed fibre broadband across the UK, with more than 50 million metres of duct, sub-duct and blown fibre tubing* provided during 2014.

The contract extension is for the continuing supply of these vital components, for use in the creation of the UK’s high-speed digital networks until the end of 2019.

Brendan Dick, director of BT Scotland, said: “Fibre investment in the UK is not just about kilometres of cable in the ground but about our economic capabilities and prospects. As well as the direct benefits of fibre connections for UK businesses, our rollout has a positive impact on suppliers across the UK.

“The Emtelle team has worked closely with us to develop products which meet the significant operational, technical and logistical challenges of rolling out high-speed fibre broadband across the UK, from Shetland to Scilly, in a fast, economical manner.

“We look forward to continuing to work with them over the next five years on our fibre rollout and beyond, and helping them to support sustainable employment in the rural communities in which they operate.”

BT is investing £3 billion in fibre optic deployment across the UK, including £500m in its partnerships with the public sector to extend the high speed technology into areas which were not included in the private sector’s commercial plans.

Around 22m premises, or roughly three-quarters of the UK, are now passed by Openreach’s fibre broadband network, with millions of homes and businesses already connected via their chosen service provider.

In Scotland, the fibre network now passes more than 1.5m premises, with more than 220,000 gaining access via the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband partnership with the Scottish and UK Government, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and others.

Emtelle has been a supplier to BT for more than 30 years. It employs 300 people at its manufacturing plants in the Borders and is investing £10m in the sites during 2014-2016 to support and create local jobs.

Mads A. Hogfeldt, chief executive of Emtelle Group, said: “Today is an exciting day for Emtelle. This reinforcement of our long-term relationship with BT will help us continue to grow our business and provide quality employment for more than 800 people, including 300 at our two manufacturing plants in Scotland.

“The relationship we have developed with BT over 30 years has provided a very stable platform for us to make long-term investments, drive down costs and develop business in key areas such as export to overseas markets.

“We are very proud to be helping Openreach to deliver one of the most significant civil engineering projects in Europe, creating a huge, high-speed digital platform for Scotland and the UK which will benefit generations to come.”

ENDS

Sub-duct and blown fibre tubing offer additional protection, and enable fibre optic cable to be installed effectively in the Openreach duct network.

Contact:
For more information on this press release contact the BT Scotland press office on 0800 085 0660 or Kirsteen Cockburn at Emtelle on 01450 364004. A range of photographs are available on request.

About Emtelle 

With over 30 years experience in the telecommunications industry Emtelle is a leading global manufacturer of blown fibre and ducted network solutions. It has a proven track record, and a reputation for exemplary customer service.

Emtelle has not only evolved as a direct result of telecommunications. Its innovative and forward thinking approach to solving problems for customers has ensured it is a leading edge proponent of modern telecommunications and a global market leader in multiple sectors.

In addition to being a world leader in blown fibre and ducted network solutions, its product portfolio incorporates multiple solutions for various market sectors. Emtelle operate in sectors including Power Duct Systems, Underground Drainage, ITS for Highways & Rail in UK & Ireland, Water Supply in Scandinavia, Drip Feed Irrigation systems in India.

Emtelle is a truly global company. It has over 800 employees worldwide. It operates manufacturing facilities in Scotland, India and Denmark. It is this “Global-Local” approach to operations that enables Emtelle to service its ever-expanding customer base in 67 countries.