Nortel Plans $400 Million Expansion to Triple Production Capacity

In a move to triple production capacity for fiber optic components and network products, Nortel Networks (Brampton, ON) has laid plans for a $400 million expansion of its optical networking and components business, creating approximately 5000 jobs. The investment includes establishing a 125,000-sq. ft. facility in Ottawa for the fabrication of precision lasers and optical components for dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems. In addition, the company will occupy a new facility in Montreal; expand existing campuses in Paignton, UK, and Monkstown, Northern Ireland; and increase its supply chain and customer service capabilities in Atlanta and Raleigh, NC in the United States.

Facilities investments include $143 million in the Ottawa region, $82 million in the Montreal area, and $105 million divided between Paignton and Monkstown, with the remaining $70 million primarily in the United States. High-Tech Optical Talent. About 5000 full-time positions in systems integration and testing, engineering, supply chain management, and customer service will be created. Of those, 850 will be in Ottawa, 1450 in Montreal, 1800 divided between Paignton and Monkstown, and the remaining 900 in other locations including the United States.