B&B Electronics Acquires IMC Networks Business

A pioneer in the development of many Ethernet-based products, IMC was founded in 1988 and is known for designing the first fiber optic access and media conversion solutions in the industry. It is now a leading provider of optical access and media conversion solutions for LAN, MAN and FTTx applications. IMC Networks is headquartered in Foothill Ranch, CA with additional offices in Clearwater, FL, and WashingtonDC. The IMC business will operate as a subsidiary of B&B Electronics.

According to B&B President and CEO Sean Harrigan, the acquisition translates into increased portfolio strength for B&B through the addition of enterprise-class fiber-optic solutions designed to easily integrate into existing network infrastructures, as well as wide-area connectivity offerings. "With this expanded scope, B&B extends its position as the single point-of-support for connectivity solutions needed by companies with networks of all sizes," he said. IMC solutions are known for allowing networks to perform better, faster and more reliably, with next-generation fiber access solutions sold in more than 50 countries.  More than 60 percent of the company’s sales come from outside the United States, with customers including telecommunication carriers, military and government entities.  Harrigan indicated that B&B values IMC’s history of innovation and ongoing investment in R&D. 

“The market for IMC’s technology is positioned for strong growth during the next few years, driven by the increasing bandwidth and reach of the edge of networks,”   added Harrigan. “As companies and governmental organizations continue to invest in upgrading and expanding their networks, IMC’s reputation for quality technology that easily integrates into existing networks will further deepen B&B’s position as a compelling, total solution provider for demanding network engineers and designers seeking to boost performance.”

IMC is B&B Electronics’ third major acquisition in the past nine months.  Late last year, B&B purchased Quatech, an Ohio-based manufacturer of industrial connectivity solutions.  Earlier this year, B&B completed the acquisition of the Czech-based Conel s.r.o., a manufacturer of wireless communications routers, gateways and devices that connect cellular networks to Ethernet, serial and other data networks.  The IMC acquisition fits B&B’s strategy of providing end-to-end networking connectivity solutions for industrial networks.

IMC’s product line consists of hundreds of solutions, including copper-to-fiber media converters that integrate with existing copper wiring-based networks, fiber mode converters, distance extenders, repeaters, LAN/WAN bandwidth management, intelligent FTTx solutions, and Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) solutions. IMC Networks supports Ethernet, ATM/SONET, T1/E1 and DS3/E3 networking technologies with Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Management. Its media conversion solutions are available in a variety of form factors and configurations, from low-cost standalone units to rack-mountable modules designed for the high-density applications.