In 1869, the first cable installation was accomplished between a lighthouse and a courthouse in Yokohama City, Japan, and used for a telegraph station. Approximately seven years later, in 1876, the first electric lights were powered by electricity in Japan.

Fujikura's long history started almost at the same time as the origin of the telegraph and electricity in Japan.

And the history of Japanese cable started with Fujikura over 120 years ago.



AFL Telecommunications & Fujikura Timeline

1883
Zenpachi Fujikura's interest in cable manufacturing began while watching a demonstration of the arc lamps at Ginza, Tokyo where he saw a need for cables to support this technology. At this time, Fujikura had a successful business manufacturing hair ornaments made of silk.

1885
Fujikura ventures into cable business, manufacturing cable with silk yarn and cotton thread. Often visiting electricity exhibitions, he recognized that the mesh stranding technique for shielded cable was very similar to the manufacturing of hair ornaments he was already producing. The first cables manufactured by Fujikura were shielded cables with silk or cotton for electrical machines and equipment. In the beginning, the cables were manufactured by hand, a method similar to hair ornament manufacturing.

1886
FA major turning point for Fujikura's cable business, Toyko Electric began supplying electric power and selected Fujikura as its supplier of power cables.

1888
Fujikura builds a new facility with larger space and sophisticated equipment imported from the United States into Japan. The supply of power to factories came through water wheels to the new facility was built near rivers so that Fujikura had the capabilities for mass production. Fiber cable manufacturing is automated. Business is booming.

1890
Fujikura expands into another facility, increasing manufacturing capacity and now developing rubber-insulated cables.

1893
Fujikura completes the manufacturing line for new rubber-insulated cables and is now known as one of the most modern cable manufacturers.

1901
Fujikura is established as a corporation and called "Fujikura Cable and Rubber Co."

1984
Alcoa, Inc., formerly the Aluminum Company of America, joins forces with Fujikura Ltd. of Japan to form Alcoa Fujikura Ltd. Two divisions emerge - AFL Telecommunications and AFL Automotive.

Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, AFL Telecommunications initially focused on manufacturing Optical Ground Wire and accessories for the electric utility communication networks.

1985
First Optical Ground Wire shipped from Spartanburg, South Carolina

1992
Superior Optics was acquired and AFL now offers ADSS and premise cable product line.

1997
AFL enters services business with acquisition of SixR.

1998
MinTel and Quality Control Systems (QCS) service companies acquired.

1999
Tele-Tech service company acquired. Monterrey, Mexico manufacturing plant is established.

2000
Noyes Fiber Systems acquired, expanding product base to include test and inspection equipment. Aerial cable systems division manufactures 50,000 km of Optical Ground Wire. Aster division of Thomas & Betts and AtPac service company acquired. FOCAS acquired, expanding cable operations to Alpharetta GA and Swindon, United Kingdom.

2001
ISAC service company acquired. Laser Armor Tech acquired to support growth of Optical Ground Wire. AFL enters the wireless market through the acquisition of Pacific 17.

2002
AFL acquires Independent Venture Communications, Inc. (IVCI) service companies. Keptel Division of Arris acquired to expand FMS and broadband product offering. AFL also acquires the assets of Telco Service, Inc.

2005
Fujikura assumes 100% ownership of AFL Telecommunications, aka America Fujikura Ltd.