Kingfisher International

Kingfisher International Pty Ltd
Company typePrivate
IndustryTelecommunications
FoundedMelbourne, Australia (1986 (1986))
FateAcquired by Tempo Communications
Headquarters
Melbourne, Australia
Area served
Worldwide
Number of employees
Under 30
Websitekingfisherfiber.com

Kingfisher International Pty Ltd[1] is an Australian manufacturer of fiber optic test and measurement equipment, located in Mulgrave, Victoria.[2]

The company has worldwide distribution channels, and currently participates in various national and international standards development groups.

Since 2014, the company has been wholly owned and managed by co-founder Bruce Robertson.

Kingfisher is one of the world's oldest fiber optic test companies,[1] and is regarded by industry elders as having a significant influence on the development of the industry.[3][4][5]

Kingfisher products are used by professional technicians when installing and maintaining fiber optic cabling and systems, and its fiber optic test equipment range includes such items as, optical power meters, optical light sources, optical loss test sets, optical test and inspection kits, variable optical attenuators, inspection microscopes and various optical fault locators.

In 2023, Kingfisher was acquired by Tempo Communications.[6][7]

Background

The company was co-founded in Melbourne in 1986.[8] as an international electronics trading firm, by Rosmin Robertson (née Jaffer) and Bruce Robertson.

Bruce Robertson's technical involvement in fiber optics started 1980 - 1985, when he was a researcher at GEC's Hirst Research Centre in the UK, developing novel fiber optic cable designs, manufacturing processes, fiber optic sensors & instrumentation, and was awarded various patents.

To get Kingfisher started, Bruce developed the ground-breaking KI2000 Optical Light Source and KI020 Optical Talk Set.[9]

In 1988, the business moved to a large garage, further contracts were won, and an Australian Federal R&D Grant[citation needed] was received for early development work on optical power meters, which culminated in the release of the KI6000 series power meters soon afterwards.[citation needed]

In 1991, Kingfisher had grown into its first factory in Rowville.[9] Kingfisher then located to 30 Rocco Drive, Scoresby 3179 from 2001 to May 2015, when it moved to 720 Springvale Road, Mulgrave Victoria 3170.

In 2005, the company had twenty-two employees.[1] The company has always made most of its products in Australia.[9]

Early Awards and recognition

Various industry recognitions include:

  • 1993-7 Telecom Australia (now Telstra) Export Endorsement[10]
  • 1999 Dun & Bradstreet Export award[8][10]
  • 2002 Governor of the State of Victoria export award[10]
  • 2002 Australian exporter of the year national finalist[11]
  • 2005 State of Victoria Manufacturing Hall of Fame[8][10][12]
  • 2005 State of Victoria Photonics Network (VPN) Achievement Award[13]

References

  1. ^ a b c Ministry for manufacturing and export (12 May 2005). "Media release: Two Scoresby manufacturers enter hall of fame". Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victoria, Australia. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2012.
  2. ^ "Kingfisher. Fiber optic instrument manufacturers". Kingfisher International. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2012. Our...factory is located in Scoresby, about 1 hour from Tullamarine airport.
  3. ^ World Optical Light Source (OLS) Market Report, Frost & Sullivan 2007
  4. ^ World Optical Loss Test Set (OLTS) Market Report, Frost & Sullivan 2007
  5. ^ World Optical Power Meter (OPM) Market Report, Frost & Sullivan 2007
  6. ^ Buckley, Sean (7 July 2023). "Tempo Communications boosts portfolio with Kingfisher International acquisition". Lightwave. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  7. ^ Staff, Cabling Installation & Maintenance (10 July 2023). "Cabling tools and test equipment supplier Tempo acquires Kingfisher International". Cabling Installation & Maintenance. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Garry Barker (28 July 2007). "Kingfisher's vision finds global results. Business". The Age. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  9. ^ a b c "Kingfisher International world's first achievements". Kingfisher International. Archived from the original on 7 September 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2012. 1991. Moved out of garage, into a small factory based in Rowville.
  10. ^ a b c d "Biography: Rosmin Robertson. Managing director, Kingfisher International" (PDF). NICTA. May 2007. Retrieved 24 June 2012.
  11. ^ http://www.exportawards.gov.au/Home-Awards/default.aspx%7C Export Awards[dead link‍]
  12. ^ "Business Victoria - Manufacturing - Previous Inductees". www.business.vic.gov.au. Archived from the original on 9 March 2011.
  13. ^ "Media Release: Victorian ICT company wins international achievement". Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Victoria. 10 March 2005. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 24 June 2012.