The new facility in Tucson will serve as a “hub of fiber advancement” as the company continues to grow its optical fiber capabilities.

ST. LOUIS—As digital transformation accelerates demand for the bandwidth made possible by  fiber, a prominent global supplier of network infrastructure and digitization products remains committed to growing its optical fiber capabilities.

The supplier, Belden, recently opened a new state-of-the-art Fiber Technology Center in Tucson, Arizona. The new 300,000-square-foot facility will serve as a multifunctional hub where Belden’s fiber experts lead optical fiber cable and connectivity innovation, research, and development. It will also support warehousing, distribution, administration, and manufacturing as Belden continues to grow its optical fiber capabilities, the company said in a release.

The Fiber Technology Center is located close to airports, freight terminals, and logistics hubs, and to the University of Arizona and the area’s talented tech workforce. As such, it is positioned to streamline and strengthen Belden’s supply chain and increase production of U.S.-based optical fiber manufacturing—all while connecting qualified engineers to new career opportunities, the company said.

According to Belden, the new Fiber Technology Center will benefit customers in several ways. For one, Belden products will be distributed closer to the U.S. West Coast so that customers can get the products they need faster. Fiber assemblies can be made and shipped in two-to-five business days via the company’s FiberExpress offering. Belden said it will offer same-day shipping on eligible fiber cables and connectivity, as well as prototyping capabilities to “provide the best solutions possible.”

“As Belden continues to expand fiber production and innovation to help customers build the future, the Fiber Technology Center will allow us to elevate our work and find new ways to respond to customer demand,” said Jay Wirts, executive vice president of enterprise solutions at Belden, in the release. “Belden is becoming synonymous with fiber systems.”