Fibersmith expands engineering portfolio with Ahneman Kirby acquisition
Fibersmith, a provider of engineering, fiber network design, and software services for telecom providers, has acquired Ahneman Kirby, a Connecticut-based civil and structural engineering firm, in a move to what it says will be new opportunities and better efficiencies for the telecom industry.
Adding civil and structural engineering to Fibersmith's service offerings is a crucial asset.
“The industry is rapidly changing, and companies need to evolve to meet the explosive demand,” said Donny Smith, CEO of Fibersmith. “This move will broaden the services we provide, helping clients expand broadband access nationwide even faster.”
A big focus of the combined company in the future is to enhance employees’ knowledge. As the companies integrate, Fibersmith will allow employees to participate in cross-training opportunities to expand their skill sets.
In Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, Fibersmith was founded in 2013 to expand broadband internet access to rural and historically underserved areas. Fibersmith specializes in fiber network design and telecom grant and loan applications, focusing on providers trying to close the digital divide in rural areas. The company’s engineers have vast experience designing and expanding a fiber network to reach customers in more communities.
Having completed the acquisition in early June, the two companies plan to begin working on larger-scale projects. Fibersmith and Ahneman Kirby said that the combination of fiber solutions and new engineering techniques can help close the digital divide that several areas of the country still face.
With roots dating back to 1871, Ahneman Kirby is an established engineering firm focused on enhancing the infrastructure, transportation systems, and public spaces that shape communities. Ahneman Kirby said its projects focus on improving accessibility, reducing environmental impact, and promoting safety.
Tom Ahneman, the CEO of Ahneman Kirby, said Fibersmith shared a common focus. “It naturally made sense to partner with a company like Fibersmith, who shares many of our values, to extend our capabilities even further,” he said.
About the Author
Sean BuckleySean Buckley
Sean is the Editor-in-Chief of Lightwave. He establishes and executes Lightwave's editorial strategy across its website, email newsletters, events, and other information products. Before coming to Lightwave in July 2023, he served as editor of Broadband Communities. Earlier, he served as senior editor of FierceTelecom and the editor of the former Telecommunications Magazine. He got his start in the optical industry in 1998 when he became the editor of enterprise and optical networks at Information Gatekeepers. He has a BA in English from the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and lives in Dracut, Mass, with his wife, two sons, and his cat, Dove.
