YOFC: Rising to success

Yangtze Optical Fibre and Cable Joint Stock Ltd Co (YOFC) is the world's leading supplier of optical fiber preforms, optical fibers, optical cables, and integrated solutions. [Photo/Optics Valley of China]

China Mobile released its optical cable procurement results from 2023 to 2024 earlier this month, suggesting that YOFC's products take the most significant share – 19.36 percent.

"Now we use technologies to win more markets, but 35 years ago, we could only do the opposite," said Zhuang Dan, president of YOFC.

The company is based in the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC) and was established against the backdrop of the nation's urgent demand for optical fibers. It then became a joint venture whose technologies came from the Netherlands-based Philips.

After years of strenuous exploration, YOFC finally developed the equipment and platforms producing optical fibers and cables in 2017 – a milestone for the company and the nation. 

YOFC's intelligent production line. [Photo/Hubei Daily]

Super thin as it is, an optical fiber is sufficient for seven billion people calling someone else simultaneously.

Not complacent with its business scope, the company began to set foot on fields of optical modules and devices, ocean engineering, and quartz materials by acquiring other companies and setting up subsidiary corporations.

According to Zhuang, YOFC's non-core businesses have contributed more than 30 percent of the company's total revenue, and the business diversification strategy will be a powerful guarantee for its sustained growth.

YOFC has been determined to set on a path of internationality since 2014 when the company announced that it will build factories outside China. Now all its five overseas manufacturing bases in Indonesia, the Philippines, South Africa, Peru, and Mexico continue to profit and expand production.

Over the past decade, YOFC enjoyed some 30 percent of the annual growth in its overseas business. The company is currently completing its layouts in North America and the Middle East, exporting its cutting-edge products and its advanced technologies, business models, and solutions to be more competitive globally.