Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

Ever wondered how the internet reaches your home or business? Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD) designs, manufactures, and distributes the fiber optic management, protection, and delivery products that make it all possible. But how exactly does Clearfield operate, and what makes its approach unique in the competitive telecommunications landscape? Join us as we explore the history, ownership, mission, and business model that drive Clearfield's success in the fiber optics industry, where they offer the industry's only fiber management and delivery platform that scales to align capital equipment expenditure alongside subscriber revenue through a single architecture.

Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD) History

Clearfield, Inc.'s Founding Timeline

Year established

Clearfield, Inc. was established in 1979.

Original location

The company was originally located in Plymouth, Minnesota.

Founding team members

While specific names of the founding team members are not widely publicized, the company was formed with a vision to provide innovative solutions for communication networks.

Initial capital/funding

Details regarding the initial capital or funding of Clearfield, Inc. are not readily available in the public domain.

Clearfield, Inc.'s Evolution Milestones

Clearfield, Inc.'s Transformative Moments

• Strategic Acquisition by APA Enterprises: Cheri Beranek's acquisition and leadership marked a turning point, steering the company towards becoming a leader in fiber management solutions.
• Focus on Fiber Optics: The company's strategic decision to concentrate on the fiber optics market, aligning with the growing demand for broadband infrastructure, proved pivotal.
• Initial Public Offering (IPO): The IPO in 2013 provided Clearfield with the necessary capital to invest in growth initiatives, expand its product line, and increase its market presence.
• Product Innovation: Continuous innovation, particularly with the FieldSmart FDS, allowed Clearfield to offer advanced solutions that met the evolving needs of its customers.
• Market Expansion: Expanding into international markets broadened Clearfield's revenue streams and positioned it as a global player in the telecommunications industry.

These transformative moments reflect Clearfield's ability to adapt to market changes, capitalize on emerging opportunities, and maintain a competitive edge through innovation and strategic decision-making. These moments showcase the evolution of Clearfield, Inc. from its early stages to its current standing as a prominent provider of fiber optic solutions as of April 2025.

To gain more insights into the investors and stakeholders who are shaping Clearfield's journey, explore this detailed profile: Exploring Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD) Ownership Structure

Understanding Clearfield, Inc.'s ownership structure provides valuable insights into its control and governance. A mix of institutional and individual investors shapes the company's direction.

Clearfield, Inc.'s Current Status

Clearfield, Inc. is a publicly traded company, meaning its shares are available for purchase on the open market. It is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol CLFD.

Clearfield, Inc.'s Ownership Breakdown

Clearfield's ownership is distributed among various shareholders, including institutional investors, individual shareholders, and company insiders. The following table summarizes the ownership breakdown:

Clearfield, Inc.'s Leadership

Clearfield's leadership team is responsible for the strategic direction and day-to-day operations of the company. Key members of the leadership team as of April 2025 include:

• Cheri Beranek: President and Chief Executive Officer
• Daniel Herzog: Chief Financial Officer
• Kevin Morgan: Chief Marketing Officer

These individuals, along with other key executives, guide the company's strategy and execution. To gain more insight into the values that guide the company, explore Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD).

Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD) Mission and Values

Clearfield is dedicated to connecting communities with its innovative fiber optic solutions. The company values customer satisfaction, innovation, and community engagement.

Clearfield's Core Purpose

Official mission statement

Clearfield's official mission statement is: 'To enable our customers to connect their customers to what matters by designing, manufacturing and distributing innovative, cost-effective and scalable fiber management solutions.'

Vision statement

Clearfield's vision is to be the leading provider of practical fiber management solutions that enable and accelerate the FTTH (Fiber to the Home) transformation. This includes:

• Being the recognized leader and trusted partner.
• Providing innovative solutions.
• Delivering superior customer service.
• Creating value for their shareholders.

Company slogan/tagline

Clearfield's tagline, 'Connect. Evolve. Grow.,' encapsulates its commitment to:

• Connect: Providing the necessary infrastructure for connecting communities.
• Evolve: Adapting and innovating to meet the changing demands of the market.
• Grow: Supporting the growth of its customers and stakeholders through reliable and scalable solutions.

To gain more insights into Clearfield, Inc., consider reading Exploring Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD) How It Works

Clearfield, Inc. operates by designing, manufacturing, and distributing fiber optic management and connectivity solutions, enabling service providers to meet the growing demand for bandwidth and reduce the high costs associated with deploying fiber to homes and businesses.

Clearfield, Inc.'s Product/Service Portfolio

Clearfield, Inc.'s Operational Framework

Clearfield’s operational framework is centered around providing comprehensive fiber management solutions. This involves:

• Product Development: Clearfield focuses on innovation, designing products that address the evolving needs of the fiber optic market. They invest in research and development to create solutions that improve network performance, reduce deployment costs, and simplify fiber management.
• Manufacturing: The company manufactures a wide range of fiber optic products, from enclosures and panels to connectors and splitters. Their manufacturing processes are designed to ensure high quality and reliability.
• Supply Chain Management: Clearfield manages its supply chain to ensure the timely delivery of products to customers. This includes sourcing components, managing inventory, and coordinating logistics.
• Sales and Marketing: Clearfield sells its products through a direct sales force and a network of distributors. They also engage in marketing activities to promote their products and build brand awareness.
• Technical Support: Clearfield provides technical support to help customers deploy and maintain their fiber optic networks. This includes training, installation assistance, and troubleshooting.

Clearfield, Inc.'s Strategic Advantages

Clearfield's success in the fiber optic solutions market is underpinned by several strategic advantages:

• Focus on Fiber Management: Clearfield specializes in fiber management solutions, allowing them to develop deep expertise and a comprehensive product portfolio in this area.
• Innovative Product Design: The company is known for its innovative product designs that simplify fiber deployment and management, reducing costs and improving network performance.
• Strong Customer Relationships: Clearfield has built strong relationships with its customers by providing high-quality products and excellent customer service.
• Agile and Responsive: Clearfield's smaller size compared to some competitors allows it to be more agile and responsive to customer needs and market changes.
• Made in America: Clearfield emphasizes that its products are made in America, which can be a selling point for customers who value domestic manufacturing and supply chain security.

To gain more insights into Clearfield's guiding principles, explore: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD).

Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD) How It Makes Money

Clearfield, Inc. generates revenue by providingfiber optic management andconnectivity solutions totelecommunications service providers,municipalities, andutilities.

Clearfield, Inc.'s Revenue Breakdown

Clearfield's revenue is primarily derived from selling its fiber optic products. Here's a breakdown of their revenue streams based on the latest available information:

Clearfield, Inc.'s Business Economics

Clearfield operates in the fiber optics industry, where demand is driven by the increasing need for bandwidth and faster internet speeds. Their business economics are influenced by factors such as:

• Pricing Strategy: Clearfield employs a competitive pricing strategy, balancing cost-effectiveness with the value provided by their high-quality, reliable solutions.
• Cost Management: Effective cost management across the supply chain and operations is crucial for maintaining profitability.
• Market Position: Clearfield's focus on specific segments like rural broadband and partnerships with key distributors enhances its market position.
• Economic Factors: Overall economic conditions, including infrastructure spending and government initiatives supporting broadband expansion, significantly impact Clearfield’s financial performance.

Clearfield, Inc.'s Financial Performance

Clearfield’s financial performance can be assessed through the following key points:

• Revenue Growth: For the fiscal year 2024, Clearfield reported revenue of $208.1 million.
• Gross Profit: The gross profit for the fiscal year 2024 was $69.8 million.
• Net Income: The net income for the fiscal year 2024 was $14.8 million.
• Operating Expenses: Clearfield's operating expenses for fiscal year 2024 totaled $55.0 million.
• Cash and Investments: As of fiscal year 2024, Clearfield has $159.4 million in cash and investments.

To gain further insights into Clearfield's financial health, consider reading: Breaking Down Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD) Market Position & Future Outlook

As of April 2025, Clearfield, Inc. is strategically positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for fiber optic solutions, particularly in rural broadband expansion and data center infrastructure upgrades. While the company holds a strong position in specific segments, it faces competition from larger, more diversified players. Readers can gain additional insights into the company's financial performance by visiting: Breaking Down Clearfield, Inc. (CLFD) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.

Competitive Landscape

Opportunities & Challenges

Industry Position

• Clearfield holds a strong position as a provider of fiber management and connectivity solutions, particularly for smaller and rural broadband providers.
• The company differentiates itself through its focus on ease of deployment, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Clearfield is well-positioned to benefit from the ongoing expansion of fiber optic networks and the increasing demand for high-speed internet access.
• The company's success depends on its ability to maintain its technological edge, manage its supply chain effectively, and expand its market reach.