Large cable firm celebrates 25th anniversary

Press, 14 October 1986, Page 26

Large cable firm celebrates 25th anniversary

One of the largest companies in the New Zealand telecommunications field, Austral Standard Cables Proprietary, Ltd, is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary today. Although Austral Standard Cables has been producing copper cables for the last 25 years, it is also known as a specialist in optical fibre cable manufacture.

Unlike its copper counterpart, optical fibre cables can withstand such “hostile” environments as power stations, like Wairakei, lightning storms, and damp bushland conditions. A 36-fibre cable, it is capable of carrying 36,000 simultaneous telephone conversations, and weighs a mere 235 kg a kilometre. Optical fibre is also capable of providing the facilities for video telephones, facsimile, telephone, and machine control in factories, to name a few. Optical fibre cables are currently being laid

for the Post Office, but are only operating at a fraction of their full capacity.

Because of the high standards dictated by such customers as New Zealand governmental departments and the larger electronic firms, Austral Standard Cables produces world-class quality optical fibre cable which can run 4km to 6km before needing any joining. It is strong enough to be “mole-ploughed” into the ground in rural areas, hauled into ducts in the uran areas, or just dropped into a trench.

Company products range from single connecting wires, coaxial cables and telephone cords, to cables containing 4000 conductors and optical fibre cables. A wide range of cables for industrial and commercial applications are. also produced by Austral Standard Cables.

Situated on 6.48 hectares and comprising 17,072 square metres under one roof, the Austral Standard Cables plant is equipped with modern facilities and employs some 300 people. In 1961, the company initially produced mainly

paper-insulated, leadsheathed and armoured cable for the Post Office, but modern technology dictated changed cables for telecommunications.

The company now supplies numerous industrial users and other Government authorities with a wide variety of cables, the majority of which were previously imported. Although well known throughout the telecommunications market for its role with optical fibre, Austral Standard Cables has kept a low public profile until 1985, when it was presented with the prestigious New Zealand Design Award for New Zealand design content, high innovation, and excellence of design.

It was also a finalist for the Prince Philip Award for the most outstanding New Zealand design of the year.

With such a large potential in optical fibre cables, Austral Standard Cables looks forward to even further expansion in the field of telecommunications.