Peninsula Fiber Network, WINN seeking merger | News, Sports, Jobs
MARQUETTE — Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC, and WINN Communications announced on Tuesday an agreement that will see the two companies merging, pending regulatory approvals.
PFN is a leading provider of fiber optic-based telecommunications and Next Generation 911 services throughout Michigan, Wisconsin and parts of Minnesota. WINN Communications is an established telecommunications firm operating a fiber optic network in central Michigan with its headquarters in downstate Mount Pleasant.
“We have known and worked with WINN for many years,” PFN General Manager Scott Randall said in a news release. “Its fiber optic network fills a void for us in central Michigan and we are very excited to add its employees to the PFN family. We continue to grow rapidly and feel this move is key to continuing to deliver a quality customer experience.”
“We are very excited to join the PFN team,” Mark Graf, WINN communications general manager, said. “The synergies create great opportunities for both customers and team members. We feel this is an excellent fit as our cultural backgrounds are very similar and the growth potentials are vast, not just to gain and service customers but for team members to grow their talents.”
The combined companies would operate a fiber optic network that spans three states covering more than 6,000 miles. The merger would allow both companies to provide a more robust and more resilient network to their customers, they said.
In addition to its offices in Marquette and Lansing, PFN will gain offices in Mount Pleasant and downstate Gaylord.
The close of the transaction is anticipated around March 1 pending the usual federal and state regulatory approvals.