A grand opening last week marked the coming together of two seasoned wireless tower equipment companies. The festivities commemorated the re-opening of Rohn Industries Inc.’s Peoria, Ill.-based manufacturing operation, under its new owner, Canada’s Radian Communication Services Inc., a subsidiary of Onex Corp.
Rohn has been around for more than 50 years and employed more than 1,500 people worldwide, including more than 300 in Peoria, at its peak. The company’s towers are found in more than 50 countries.
Rohn struggled to stay financially viable throughout the telecom downturn that plagued the early part of the current century. The company expected to be purchased for $8.75 million by Platinum Equity L.L.C., but that deal fell apart in early 2003, and Rohn instead said it would pursue a financial restructuring plan, which included closing its Peoria plant, along with layoffs. Still, Rohn was forced to declare bankruptcy in September. In a final attempt at survival, its assets were sold to Radian in December for $7.9 million.
“This is good news,” said Craig Ahlstrom, national sales manager at Radian, formerly of Rohn, commenting on the new company. “We have probably the widest [product] array in the industry today.”
Rohn manufactures towers, poles and antenna mounts for wireless telecommunications, in addition to the lighting, wind power and utility transmission/distribution industries. Those products are now exclusively distributed under the Rohn brand name by Radian.
Rohn’s product portfolio complements Radian’s existing products and services, including tall broadcast towers and technical support and engineering services. The company now serves as a “one stop shop for carriers,” said Doug Tipple, Radian’s president and chief executive officer.
In addition, Radian’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities have been granted certifications including ISO9001:2000, American Institute of Steel Construction (Category II-Complex Steel Structures) and the Canadian Welding Bureau. According to Radian, it is the only tower manufacturer to have all three certifications, which further strengthens the Rohn product line.
The company retained most of Rohn’s Peoria-based engineering, drafting, quoting and field sales personnel, as well as management. The company has also added plant personnel, outside sales people and a construction manager. Products began shipping from Peoria in early March.
Already, the combined company has shipped more than $1 million in tower products and expects to ship more than $20 million by the end of the year. Customer activity is also on the rise, and Radian points to its $3 million backlog as evidence.
