Preformed Line Products (PLP) has announced that it is the first manufacturer of fiber optic closures and pole line hardware to self-certify several of its core products as compliant with the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act, a key component of the U.S. Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
The BABA Act, part of the broader Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, enforces strict U.S. domestic sourcing requirements for infrastructure-related programs, including the BEAD Program. This program is responsible for distributing $42.5 billion in federal grants to states and territories for projects aimed at expanding high-speed internet access to underserved and unserved communities.
PLP, a company with a long-standing commitment to U.S. manufacturing since its founding in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1947, operates manufacturing plants in Arkansas, North Carolina, and Ohio. These facilities produce thousands of components essential for critical communications and power networks globally, such as fiber optic splice closures, pedestals, and pole line hardware devices. The company’s products, now certified as BABA-compliant, are crucial for upcoming U.S. infrastructure projects, including those financed by the BEAD Program.
Since 2022, PLP has invested over $60 million in enhancing its U.S. manufacturing operations. This includes a significant $27 million expansion at its Rogers, Arkansas facility and the acquisition of a new manufacturing plant in Peninsula, Ohio. These investments reflect PLP’s ongoing commitment to bolstering U.S. manufacturing capabilities and supporting American workers as the nation embarks on critical infrastructure initiatives.