Editing ADC Telecommunications

{{Short description|Defunct American company}}
{{more citations needed|date=March 2009}}
{{Infobox company
| name = ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
| logo = ADC Telecommunications Logo.svg
| logo_size = 160px
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
| traded_as = {{NASDAQ was|ADCT}}
| fate = Acquired
| successor = [[CommScope]]
| defunct = {{end date|2010}} (acquisition completed)<!--date it went bankrupt/merged etc.-->
| foundation = {{start date and age|1935}}, in [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]
| location = [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]] U.S.
| key_people = Eddie Edwards ([[President (corporate title)|president]]/[[Chief executive officer|CEO]], CommScope)
| num_employees = 9,300 (Sept 2010)<ref name="ADC-Telecommunications-Nov-2010-10-K"/>
| industry = [[Telecommunication|Communications Services]]
| products = [[Networking hardware]], [[Wireless]] Coverage & Capacity, [[Telecommunications]]
| revenue = {{increase}} [[United States Dollar|US$]]1.157 Billion <small>(''FY 2010'')</small><ref name="ADC-Telecommunications-Nov-2010-10-K">{{cite web|url=http://pdf.secdatabase.com/1710/0000950123-10-108231.pdf |title=ADC Telecommunications, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Nov 23, 2010 |publisher=secdatabase.com |accessdate =Dec 30, 2012}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{increase}} [[United States Dollar|US$]]45.9 Million <small>(''FY 2010'')</small><ref name="ADC-Telecommunications-Nov-2010-10-K"/>
| net_income = {{increase}} [[United States Dollar|US$]]78.5 Million <small>(''FY 2010'')</small><ref name="ADC-Telecommunications-Nov-2010-10-K"/>
| assets = {{increase}} [[United States dollar|US$]]1.475 Billion <small>(''FY 2010'')</small><ref name="ADC-Telecommunications-Nov-2010-10-K"/>
| equity = {{increase}} [[United States dollar|US$]]429 Million <small>(''FY 2010'')</small><ref name="ADC-Telecommunications-Nov-2010-10-K"/>
| homepage = {{URL|http://adc.com/}}
}}
'''ADC Telecommunications, Inc.''' was a communications company in [[Eden Prairie, Minnesota|Eden Prairie]], [[Minnesota]], a southwest suburb of [[Minneapolis]]. It was acquired by [[TE Connectivity]] (Tyco Electronics) in December 2010 and ceased to exist as a separate entity. ADC products were sold by [[CommScope]] after it acquired the Broadband Network Solutions business unit (including ADC) from TE Connectivity in August 2015.

==History==

ADC Telecommunications was founded in 1935 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by Ralph Allison and Walter Lehnert.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 February 2003 |title=A 21st-Century Workplace: ADC Telecommunications Global Headquarters by Hammel, Green & Abrahamson (HGA) |url=http://www.archnewsnow.com/features/Feature106.htm |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=archnewsnow.com}}</ref><ref>Letter from Walter Lehnert to Fred Chapman (Sept. 18, 1950).</ref>

During their first year in business, ADC built hearing aids and audiometers—a machine used for evaluating hearing acuity. Initially the audiometers were built for Maico, but in 1945 ADC began building audiometers under its own name. Additionally, by 1942, the company had designed a sophisticated audio system for the [[University of Minnesota]], and the resulting [[jack (connector)|jack]]s, [[plug (connector)|plug]]s, [[patch cords]] and jackfields became the cornerstones for ADC's later entry into telecommunications.

In 1949, ADC sold its audiometer product line and Ralph Allison left the company to form a new business in California. With Walter Lehnert remaining as president of the company, ADC diversified and focused its efforts in the area of transformers and filters for power lines, military electronics, telephone jacks and plugs.<ref>W.E. Lehnert to Address Section December 12th, SCOPE Radio Engineers (Dec. 1950).</ref>

In 1961, ADC merged with Magnetic Controls Company, a manufacturer of power supplies and [[magnetic amplifiers]] with strong ties to the U.S. space program. The resulting company, ADC Magnetic Controls, had a decade of mixed success. Although transformer sales boomed during the 1960s, other new product initiatives failed to materialize. Perhaps the most significant product innovation during this period was the bantam jack, a miniaturized component that eventually became the standard for telephone circuit access and patching. Building on its growing sales of jacks and plugs in the early 1970s, ADC introduced prewired, connectorized jackfields, wired assemblies and test equipment for telephone operating companies. By 1974 the company was on solid ground, and by 1976, ADC had become the largest independent supplier of test boards in the United States.

[[Image:ADC Telecommunications Headquarters.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Former ADC headquarters complex in Eden Prairie, MN, USA. Now occupied by Optum Health]]
ADC grew in 1983, when [[American Telephone & Telegraph|AT&T]] was ordered to deregulate by the federal government. By establishing the seven [[Regional Bell Operating Company]] (RBOC) carriers as independent entities, the U.S. market for telecommunications expanded by 90 percent. ADC became a supplier for the RBOCs.

ADC embarked on some acquisitions in the early 1990s, attempting to move "up the stack" in the datacom field by acquiring companies that manufactured datacom equipment.  However, their ability to find synergies between these companies proved limited and eventually ADC was forced to move away from a hardware-only strategy, broadening out into software.  This effort resulted in limited success as well, and happening about the same time as the dot-com bubble burst, caused ADC stock to plummet.

ADC Telecommunications was acquired by [[Tyco Electronics]] in July 2010 for a reported $12.75 per share in cash, or an [[enterprise value]] of approximately $1.25 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Gennine |date=13 July 2010 |title=Tyco’s $1.25 Billion Acquisition of ADC Telecom |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2010/07/13/tycos-125-billion-acquisition-of-adc-telecom.html |access-date=20 November 2024 |website=CNBC}}</ref>

The acquisition of ADC by [[TE Connectivity]] was completed on December 9, 2010 <ref name="acquisition">{{cite web |url=http://investors.tycoelectronics.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=209396&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1506277 | title=Press Release:Tyco Electronics Completes Acquisition of ADC|accessdate=2010-12-09}}</ref><ref name="ADC-Telecommunications-Dec-2010-8-K">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/232/129993310004380/filing-main.htm |title=ADC Telecommunications, Form 8-K, Current Report, Filing Date December 9, 2010 |publisher=secdatabase.com |accessdate = December 30, 2012}}</ref>

On January 28, 2015, it was publicly announced that the boards of directors of both TE Connectivity and [[CommScope]] agreed for CommScope to purchase the Broadband Network Solutions business unit of TE Connectivity in an all-cash deal for US$3.0 billion.  The former ADC is a part of this business unit.<ref name="CommScope to Buy TE Connectivity Unit for $3 Billion">{{cite web |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2015/01/28/commscope-to-buy-te-connectivity-unit-for-3-billion/?_r=0 | title=CommScope to Buy TE Connectivity Unit for $3 Billion| date=28 January 2015|accessdate=2015-03-04}}</ref><ref name="TE Connectivity Announces Definitive Agreement to Sell Its Broadband Network Solutions Business to CommScope for $3.0 Billion">{{cite web |url=http://investors.te.com/news-releases/press-release-details/2015/TE-Connectivity-Announces-Definitive-Agreement-to-Sell-Its-Broadband-Network-Solutions-Business-to-CommScope-for-30-Billion/default.aspx | title=TE Connectivity Announces Definitive Agreement to Sell Its Broadband Network Solutions Business to CommScope for $3.0 Billion|accessdate=2015-03-04}}</ref>  The purchase of the Broadband Network Solutions business was closed on August 31, 2015.<ref name="CommScope Completes Transformational Acquisition of TE Connectivity’s Telecom, Enterprise and Wireless Businesses">{{cite web|url=http://www.commscope.com/NewsCenter/PressReleases/CommScope-Completes-Transformational-Acquisition-of-TE-Connectivitys-Telecom-Enterprise-and-Wireless-Businesses/ |title=CommScope Completes Transformational Acquisition of TE Connectivity's Telecom, Enterprise and Wireless Businesses |publisher=commscope.com |accessdate =Dec 24, 2015}}</ref>

==Corporate acquisitions==
The company acquired Telinq in 1990.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ADC Telecommunications Acquires Telinq {{!}} Mergr M&A Deal Summary |url=https://mergr.com/transaction/adc-telecommunications-acquires-telinq |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=mergr.com}}</ref> In 1993, ADC acquired Fibermux Corp., a manufacturer of LAN Hubs and Data Multiplexers.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1991-04-24 |title=COMPANY BRIEFS |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/04/24/business/company-briefs-950591.html |access-date=2025-04-15 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> ADC sold Kentrox to the private equity firm Platinum Equity, LLC in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|title=ADC sells off wireless and access divisions|url=http://www.microwave-eetimes.com/en/adc-sells-off-wireless-and-access-divisions.html?cmp_id=7&news_id=17301291|access-date=2012-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208203055/http://www.microwave-eetimes.com/en/adc-sells-off-wireless-and-access-divisions.html?cmp_id=7&news_id=17301291|archive-date=2015-02-08|url-status=dead}}</ref> 

ADC also acquired American Lightwave Systems,<ref>{{Cite web |title=» Product categories » American Lightwave |url=https://worldwidesupply.net/product-category/american-lightwave/ |access-date=2025-03-07}}</ref> a manufacturer of [[uncompressed video]] transport equipment for telecom carriers.  This division was later sold to [[C-COR]] Electronics.

In 1996, ADCT merged with ITS (Information Transmission Systems) but has since sold it off.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2001-11-04 |title=BROADCASTINGADC Changes Name |url=https://www.tvtechnology.com/miscellaneous/font-colorcc0000broadcastingfontbradc-changes-name |access-date=2025-03-07 |website=TVTechnology |language=en}}</ref>

In May 1997, ADC Telecommunications signed a definitive agreement to acquire The Apex Group Inc., for  approximately $26 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1997-05-01 |title=adc Telecommunications Inc., Minneapolis, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire The Apex |url=https://www.lightwaveonline.com/business/mergers-acquisitions/article/16652695/adc-telecommunications-inc-minneapolis-has-signed-a-definitive-agreement-to-acquire-the-apex |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Lightwave |language=en}}</ref>

In 1999, the company acquired Saville.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1999-06-28 |title=ADC BUYS SAVILLE {{!}} RCR Wireless News |url=https://www.rcrwireless.com/19990628/archived-articles/adc-buys-saville |access-date=2024-12-16 |language=en-US}}</ref> A year later, in May 2000, ADC purchased the Swedish-based company Altitun.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2000-05-19 |title=Kennet Capital portfolio company, Altitun, acquired by ADC Telecommunications for $872 million |url=https://kennet.com/kennet-capital-portfolio-company-altitun-acquired-by-adc-telecommunications-for-872-million/ |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Kennet |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2000. ADC acquired PairGain Technologies Inc. for 1.6 billion USD in stocks.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Huffstutter |first=P. j |last2=Fields |first2=Robin |date=2000-02-24 |title=PairGain Agrees to Be Acquired by Rival ADC Telecom |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-24-fi-1959-story.html |access-date=2024-11-09 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2004, ADC acquired KRONE, a supplier of copper and fiber-based connectivity products and services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2004 |title=ADC Buys KRONE |url=https://www.lightreading.com/business-management/adc-buys-krone |access-date=16 October 2024 |website=Light Reading}}</ref>

In 2005, ADC acquired Fiber Optic Network Solutions (FONS) to expand its FTTX offerings and OpenCell to enhance its wireless coverage and capacity offerings.<ref name="ADC-Telecommunications-Jan-2006-10-K">{{cite web|url=http://edgar.secdatabase.com/2492/95013406000594/filing-main.htm |title=ADC Telecommunications, Form 10-K, Annual Report, Filing Date Jan 17, 2006 |publisher=secdatabase.com |accessdate =Dec 30, 2012}}</ref>

G-Connect was acquired by ADC Technologies in 2006 for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2006-02-27 |title=ADC Telecommunications gobbles Israel's G-Connect |url=https://www.eetimes.com/adc-telecommunications-gobbles-israels-g-connect/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=EE Times}}</ref>

In 2007 ADC acquired LGC Wireless.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-10-24 |title=ADC to acquire LGC Wireless |url=https://www.cablinginstall.com/home/article/16481273/adc-to-acquire-lgc-wireless |access-date=2024-12-16 |website=Cabling Installation & Maintenance |language=en}}</ref>  

In 2008, ADC expanded its market presence and manufacturing capacity in China by acquiring Century Man Communications.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=CBR Staff |date=2007-11-14 |title=ADC acquires Century Man Communication |url=https://www.techmonitor.ai/technology/adc_acquires_century_man_communication/ |access-date=2025-03-25 |website=Tech Monitor |language=en-US}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[http://www.commscope.com CommScope]
*[http://www.commscope.com/NewsCenter/ CommScope In the News]
*[http://www.secdatabase.com/CIK/61478/Company-Name/ADC-TELECOMMUNICATIONS-INC ADC Telecommunications SEC Filings]
{{Minnesota Corporations}}

[[Category:Networking companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq]]
[[Category:Companies based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies based in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Defunct companies based in Minnesota]]
[[Category:Telecommunications equipment vendors]]
[[Category:American companies established in 1935]]
[[Category:Telecommunications companies established in 1935]]
[[Category:Manufacturing companies disestablished in 2010]]
[[Category:1935 establishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:2010 disestablishments in Minnesota]]
[[Category:2010 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:American companies disestablished in 2010]]
[[Category:Telecommunications companies disestablished in 2010]]
[[Category:Defunct computer companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Defunct computer hardware companies]]
[[Category:Defunct networking companies]]
[[Category:Networking hardware companies]]