Black Box Corporation Announces Merger With American Communications Network Corporation - Company Business and Marketing

Cambridge Telcom Report, Nov 22, 1999

Black Box Corporation Friday announced a merger with American Communications Network Corporation (ACN).

Established in 1982 in Cincinnati, Ohio, privately-held ACN provides technical design, installation and maintenance services for premise cabling and related network products to customers in the greater Cincinnati region. Annual revenues of ACN approximate $5 million.

This is the twenty-fourth merger since January 1998 and the tenth of Fiscal Year 2000 as Black Box continues to expand its worldwide technical support service offerings.

Commenting on the merger, Fred C. Young, Chief Executive Officer of Black Box Corporation, stated, "We are pleased to have ACN as part of our rapidly expanding on-site Network Services. ACN will greatly add to our existing Black Box-Comm Line business in the Cincinnati region. These two high quality organizations will be combined within the next several months and together will provide enhanced technical services to our collective customers."

Joseph P. McAfee-Chief Executive Officer, James W. McAfee-President, Mark W. Sirko-Vice President of Engineering and David F. Eastabrooks-Vice President of Operations, and owners of ACN, said, "We believe this merger with Black Box-Comm Line in the Cincinnati area is a great opportunity for all involved." Mr. Joseph P. McAfee will serve as a consultant to the combined operations. Mr. James McAfee, Mr. Sirko and Mr. Eastabrooks will continue with the business and report to James H. Courtney, President of Black Box-Comm Line/ACN.

Mr. Courtney said, "What an opportunity we have merging two great organizations. The strengths of the combined companies will greatly benefit our customers."

This transaction is being accounted for as a purchase. The purchase price has not been disclosed.

Black Box is a leading worldwide technical service provider of computer communications and networking services and related products to businesses of all sizes, operating in 77 countries throughout the world.