Black Box Corporation

Black Box Corporation
Company typePrivate
Nasdaq: BBOX
IndustryTechnology
FoundedJune 25, 1976; 48 years ago (1976-06-25), in Lawrence, Pennsylvania
HeadquartersPlano, Texas
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Sanjeev Verma (CEO)
ServicesIT Services
5G
Data Centers
Cyber Security
Unified communications
KVM
Digital Signage
Network Management
Network Security
WAN Optimization
Number of employees
3800
ParentEssar Group
Websitewww.blackbox.com

Black Box Corporation is an IT company headquartered in Texas, United States.[1] The company provides technology assistance and consulting services to businesses in a variety of sectors including retail, transportation, government, education, and public safety. Black Box operates in 75 locations across 35 countries. In 2022, Black Box had more than 3,800 employees worldwide.[2]

History

[edit]

The company was founded in 1976 as Expandor Inc. by Eugene Yost and Richard Raub on Beatty Road in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. They soon moved to 1121 Sainte Claire Plaza, suite 300 in Upper Saint Claire Pennsylvania. The first Engineer was Tom McElroy, hired on Thanksgiving Day in 1978. [3][4] In 1982, the company changed its name to Black Box Corporation and released its well-known Black Box Catalog.[5]

Following a temporary dip in operations during Black Monday of 1987, Odyssey Partners bought the company through a leveraged buyout in 1988. In 1989, one of its divisions, “Interlan,” was sold to Racal.[6][7]

1990s

[edit]

After suffering losses from debt servicing, Black Box Corporation underwent a restructuring in 1990.[8] Its telecom product business was divided into a subsidiary called Micom Communications Corporation. Under the name MB Communications, an initial public offering was registered at NASDAQ in December 1992. Micom Communications unit was spun off and acquired by Northern Telecom (Nortel) in June 1996.[9] Micom had money troubles and did some kind of share buy back in 1988. All the other companies were gone and BB was left. BB was then considered the parent company of Micom.[10]

In May 1997, Black Box Corporation’s board of directors authorized management to buy back the company's stock, depending on market prices and other factors. In 1998, the company started offering on-site data and infrastructure services in the United Kingdom that further expanded throughout Europe and the Pacific Rim.[11]

The profitable catalog sales business changed its name to Black Box Incorporated.[12][13]

2000s

[edit]

From 2000 to 2010, Black Box Corporation formed partnerships in the USA with key IT service providers, including Cisco, Avaya, NEC, and Unify. There were about 120 acquisitions and mergers overall.[14][15]

AGC Networks

[edit]

In Mumbai, AGC Networks Limited was established in 1986 under the name Tata Telecom Ltd., promoted by Tata Industries Ltd (TIL). Manufacturing electronic private automated branch exchanges (EPABX) was one of its main goals, and it also offered services like software integration, installation, commissioning, and service support.[16]

With the Japanese company OKI Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (OKI), Tata Industries Limited signed a technical assistance and license agreement as well as a supplemental agreement. The company established new service facilities in Guwahati, Nagpur, Pune, Jammu, and Baroda in 1990. With Japan Radio Co. Ltd. (JRC), the business signed a technology transfer and license agreement in 1991 for equipment with 30 and 120 digital UHF channels.[17]

In order to create a new business called "Trans India Network Systems Private Limited," Tata Telecom and AT&T Network Systems International Inc. USA entered into a joint venture agreement in 1994. Its goal was to produce OPTIMUX and 2Mb/S systems, MAR systems, SLC 120 network access systems, and related modules.[11]

As AT&T left, Tata Telecom and Avaya Systems established a joint venture in 1996. In India, Tata Telecom introduced a line of call centre products in 2000 that it had purchased from its joint venture partner Avaya Communications (formerly Lucent Technologies). Tata Telecom, the joint venture between Tata and Lucent Technologies, was known as a Tata-Avaya. Once the Tata Group sold its 25.1% ownership in Tata Telecom to its joint venture partner, Avaya Inc., the company Avaya Global Connect was created.[18]

AGC Networks Limited was created in 2010 after Essar Group purchased Avaya Global Connect from Avaya Inc.[19]

Transcend United Technologies, established in the US, was purchased by AGC Networks in 2011. Via this acquisition, AGC Networks widened its market reach to the States.[20]

In 2015 AGC Networks acquired Ensource Business, providing services in healthcare vertical.[21]

Rebranding

[edit]

In 2019, Black Box Corporation was acquired by AGC Networks.[22] In 2021, AGC Networks changed its name to Black Box.[23]

Services and operations

[edit]

The business is organized as follows:

  • Black Box Global Solutions Integration (GSI) provides Connected Buildings, Digital Workplaces, Customer Experience, Data Centers, and Enterprise Networking Services.
  • Black Box Technology Product Solutions (TPS) provides professional Audio Video, Networking, Cabling, KVM and IoT products.
  • Black Box Xcelerate Services focuses on Consulting & Design, Project Management, Field Services, and Customer Success and Support Services.

Acquisitions

[edit]
Name Acquisition date Activities Country of HQ Description Sources
Norstan December 2004 voice services provider Minnetonka, Minnesota The acquired company provided communication technology services. [24][25]
Universal Solutions of North America, LLC August 2005 voice and data network systems Charleston, Mississippi The acquired company provided data, voice, and hotline products and services when it was taken over. [26]
NextiraOne, LLC April 2006 Telecommunication Services Houston, USA The acquired company provided voice technology services. [27]
CBS Technologies Corp. (CBS) October 2009 Telecommunication Services Islandia, New York The acquired company provided telecommunication services. [28]
Avaya Global Connect May 2010 Unified Communications India Essar group Acquired IT wing of Avaya Global Connect in India and renamed it AGC Networks [29]
Logos Communications October 2010 Unified communications, wireless LAN, routing & switching and security Westlake, Ohio The acquired company provided unified communications, wireless LAN, routing & switching. [30]
InnerWireless, Inc. January 2012 In-building wireless Systems, Horizon4GTM Distributed Antenna System (DAS) Richardson, Texas The acquired company provided communication solutions, especially Wireless communication. [31]
Transcend United March 2013 Global IT systems integration Wayne, New Jersey The acquired company provided Unified Communications, Data Center Infrastructure, and Managed Services. [32]
Ensource Inc. June 2015 ICT solutions integrator Jacksonville, Florida The acquired company provided services in the complex healthcare vertical market. [21]
Cloudium Systems Limited (IPR) April 2016 KVM Products Limerick, Ireland The acquired company provided in IT services. [33]
Black Box January 2019 Global Solution Integration & Technology Product Solution Lawrence, USA Key business areas of Black Box were Solution Integration and Technology Products Solutions when it was acquired by AGC Networks. [22]
Fujisoft June 2020 Cloud Solution Middle East The acquired company provided IT Services company providing Cloud Computing & Virtualization services in the Middle East. [34]
Pyrios August 2020 Cloud Solution Australia Pyrios was a cloud services company. [35]
Mobiquest October 2020 mobile application design, development and support provider Singapore The acquired company provided Mobile and smart sensor technologies and services. [citation needed]
Z Services March 2021 Cybersecurity & Cloud Solutions UAE The acquired company provided Cyber Security Cloud services provider in UAE. [36]
Dragon Fly March 2021 Cybersecurity & Automation Australia The acquired company provided Cybersecurity, Enterprise Networking & Automation company in Australia. [37]

Awards

[edit]
  • TVB Europe Best of Show Award IBC 2022[38]
  • Disability Equality Index, 2022 Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion[39]
  • Stevie Awards for consecutive years 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, and 2013[40]
  • 2020 NAB Show Product of the Year New York[41]
  • Digital Media World Awards - Special Merit 2019[42]
  • TMC Cyber Defense Awards 2014[43]
  • CRN Five-Star Awards 2013[44]

Locations

[edit]

Black Box has operations in the following locations:[citation needed]

Asia Pacific
China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.
America
Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Canada, and the USA.
Europe
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom.
Oceania
Australia and New Zealand.
Middle
East Saudi Arabia and UAE.
Africa
Kenya.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Bureau, BW Online (28 September 2022). "Middleweight Rank 2: Globally Aligned". BW Businessworld. Retrieved 2022-11-10. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ Results, Annual (March 2022). "Black Box Ltd. - Results Performance, Latest Financials, Stock Scores, and Fundamental Analysis". Trendlyne.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  3. ^ "Eugene Yost, Obituary". Legacy.com. December 13, 2006. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017.
  4. ^ "Vault Guide to Top Tech Employers (2009)". Archived from the original on 2017-12-01.
  5. ^ "Black Box Corporation". PC Magazine. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  6. ^ "Racal to acquire Interlan for $57 million - UPI Archives". UPI. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
  7. ^ "What does Rohm and Hass think about the Black Box Protocol Converter A/S-1?". Computerworld. November 24, 1980. p. 62. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  8. ^ "Black Box Hopes to Raise $98 Million With Offerings". Los Angeles Times. July 17, 1990. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  9. ^ "Schedule 13 D/A: Tender Offer Statement". June 17, 1996. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 14, 2016.
  10. ^ "Post-Buyout Cuts Put Micom Back in the Black : Computers: The Simi Valley-based maker of communications equipment says layoffs and cost-cutting led to profit". Los Angeles Times. 14 November 1989.
  11. ^ a b "Black Box History | Black Box Information". The Economic Times.
  12. ^ "Black Box Corporation History". Funding Universe. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  13. ^ "Form SC 13G/A". US SEC. February 14, 1994. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  14. ^ Network World. IDG Network World Inc. 1989-06-05.
  15. ^ Press, St. James (1998). "History of Black Box Corporation – FundingUniverse". www.fundinguniverse.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  16. ^ "AGC Networks Limited" (PDF). careratings.com.
  17. ^ "Black Box Ltd". Business Standard India.
  18. ^ "BLACK BOX > Company History > Computers - Software > Company History of BLACK BOX - BSE: 500463, NSE: BBOX". Moneycontrol.com.
  19. ^ "Essar to acquire Avaya stake in AGC Networks". The Hindu. 30 May 2010.
  20. ^ Shinde, Shivani (18 March 2013). "AGC Networks acquires US-based Transcend United Technologies". Business Standard India.
  21. ^ a b "AGC Networks acquire business of Ensourse Inc". Moneycontrol.
  22. ^ a b Bureau, ET (January 2019). "AGC Networks completes acquisition of Black Box Corporation". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2022-11-10. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  23. ^ News Service, India Infoline (November 2021). "AGC Networks sheds 2% after renamed as 'Black Box Limited'". www.indiainfoline.com. Retrieved 2022-11-10.
  24. ^ "Black Box acquires Norstan". www.sec.gov.
  25. ^ "Black Box acquired Norstan". Bizjournals.com.
  26. ^ "Charleston-based Universal Solutions sold to Black Box - Charleston Business News". CRDA.org.
  27. ^ "Black Box Corporation signs Purchase Agreement to Acquire". Bloomberg.com. 10 April 2006.
  28. ^ "Black Box Announces Acquisition Of CBS Technologies Corp. - Quick Facts". RTTNews.
  29. ^ "Avaya Global Connect Is Now AGC Networks". Firstpost. 3 May 2010.
  30. ^ "Black Box Corporation Announces Acquisition of Logos". Bloomberg.com. 25 October 2010.
  31. ^ "Black Box Acquires InnerWireless | Mergr M&A Deal Summary". mergr.com.
  32. ^ Shanbaug, Amit (19 March 2013). "AGC Networks announces acquisition of business of Transcend United Technologies". The Economic Times.
  33. ^ "Black Box acquires assets of KVM-over-IP specialist Cloudium Systems". Cablinginstall.com.
  34. ^ "AGC Networks to acquire Fujisoft to enhance presence in MEA region". The Economic Times. 1 June 2020.
  35. ^ "AGC Networks intimates of proposed acquisition by its indirect subsidiaries". www.business-standard.com. 10 June 2020.
  36. ^ "AGC Networks to acquire stake in Z Services HQ DMCC for $3.94 million". The Economic Times. 12 March 2021.
  37. ^ "Black Box acquires Dragonfly Technologies in Australia; Stock trades lower". indiainfoline.com.
  38. ^ "Best of Show at IBC 2022 winners announced". TVBEurope. 11 September 2022.
  39. ^ Treadwell, Kristina. "Best Places to Work - 2022". Disability:IN.
  40. ^ "Search All Past Stevie® Winners and Finalists | Stevie Awards". stevieawards.com.
  41. ^ "2nd Annual NAB Show Product of the Year Awards". NABSHOW.com.
  42. ^ "SPECIAL MERIT - Black Box Emerald Unified KVM". Digitalmediaworld.tv.
  43. ^ "Black Box Network Services Wins Two Security Awards". Benzinga.
  44. ^ "2013 Partner Programs Guide". CRN.
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