Our roots in Southern Thuringia go back to the mid-1990s, when ADVA Optical Networking – now part of Adtran – opened its first production facility in Meiningen. Today, the site is one of our most important operations and R&D centers and home to our recently launched Terafactory. This state-of-the-art hub is designed to strengthen supply chain security, boost production autonomy and minimize our environmental footprint – all while bringing manufacturing closer to our European customers. That commitment has now been recognized with the Company of the Year Award from the South Thuringia Chamber of Industry and Commerce – part of the MuT initiative celebrating responsible and sustainable business leadership.

Local impact, global responsibility

The award has been covered by regional media, which highlighted the significance of our work in Meiningen and its impact on the local economy.

That impact goes beyond production – it reflects our broader commitment to marrying global reach with local responsibility. That’s exactly the kind of long-term, joined-up thinking South Thuringia is celebrating with this award. From advanced automation to solar-powered systems, we’re increasing efficiency while meeting our obligations to reduce emissions companywide.

From solar-powered systems to childcare spaces, we’re building a future that’s efficient, inclusive and locally rooted.

As part of Europe’s broader energy and digital transitions, the site is a model for how industrial investment can be more sustainable while creating real public value. The campus has also been carefully designed as a modern, well-supported environment for skilled work with spaces dedicated to childcare provision and areas where employees can socialize in their free time.

People-powered growth

From precision manufacturing and product innovation to logistics and quality assurance, it’s the people working each day at our Meiningen facility who make it all possible. Their expertise and commitment enable us to deliver the industry-leading connectivity solutions that support Thuringia’s economy and expand the availability of high-quality jobs throughout the region.

And we’ll keep investing in skills, good jobs and resilient manufacturing so that the benefits of our technology continue to be felt in Thuringia, across Europe and in every community we connect around the world.