A Swindon telecommunications firm will continue at its Stratton base after being bought by an Italian company.

Tratos Cavi Spa has acquired all of AFL Telecommunications Europe Ltd's shares, expanding its UK presence.

The acquisition of a subsidiary of AFL Telecommunications LLC (AFL) is effective immediately, with the head office in Pieve Santo Stefano, Tuscany, Italy.

This move includes all fibre optic cable product lines for the power utility, rail, oil, and gas markets.

The recently expanded AFL Swindon facility will continue operations in the UK.
In addition to its existing electrical cable manufacturing facility in Knowsley, the new acquisition will enhance Tratos's footprint in the UK and the diversified range of products the company designs and manufactures.

Elisabetta Bragagni Capaccini, CEO of Tratos Cavi, said: "Tratos and AFL's Swindon plant share a strong commitment to quality products and services to core customers in the power utility, rail and oil and gas markets."

"Adding their unique product capabilities, staff technical expertise and EMEA sales team to our company will strengthen Tratos's position in these markets enabling us to offer a combined portfolio of market-leading electrical and optical cables to our customers."

Jeff Schmerbeck, vice president of Cable Solutions at AFL, said: "Tratos, as a European electrical and optic cable manufacturer with a long history in the market, is a synergistic match for the AFL Swindon facility.

"This is exciting news for the European utility, renewables, and rail industries."
Founded in 1966 by Engineer Egidio Capaccini, Tratos, TRAfilerie TOScane, started as a copper drawing company.

It has since broadened its product portfolio to include electrical cables, OHL conductors, telecommunications cables, and special cables, operating from Italy, Spain, and the UK and with worldwide sales.

This is not the company's first foray into the UK.

Adding to its Knowsley facility in Merseyside, thanks to a £20m investment by Tratos, 40 new jobs were created.

Prof Maurizio Bragagni Esq OBE, CEO of Tratos UK and board chairman, believes in future investment opportunities which could expand the existing production lines at Knowsley, and broaden market prospects.

Their commitment to innovation and sustainability has been recognised with multiple accolades, including the Queen's Enterprise Award for Innovation, several Silver medals from EcoVadis, a top Sustainability score of 100 by Achilles and numerous local prizes.

AFL, founded in 1984, is an international manufacturer providing diverse solutions to markets such as energy, service provider, enterprise, hyperscale, and industrial.
This deal boosts AFL's reach across more than 130 countries and, according to Mr Schmerbeck, aligns well with Tratos's vision and capabilities.