What Clearfield does

Clearfield, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLFD) is a U.S.-based fiber optic infrastructure company that designs, manufactures, and sells connectivity and management hardware for fiber-to-the-x (FTTx) deployments across community broadband, data center, wireless/5G, multi-dwelling unit (MDU), defense, and precision agriculture applications. The product architecture spans multiple interoperable platforms — FieldSmart (cabinets, panels, frames), FieldShield (pushable fiber and microducts), Clearview (cassettes), CraftSmart (pedestals and closures), StreetSmart (street-level enclosures), WaveSmart (splitters and WDM), YOURx (terminals), and the January 2026-launched NOVA high-density fiber platform targeting data center applications. Core technical differentiation centers on labor-reducing plug-and-play designs, tool-less installation, modular cassettes, in-cassette splicing (FastPass), and Build America, Buy America (BABA) compliance, which qualifies the company's products for federally funded BEAD broadband deployments.

The company operates a B2B hardware-sales model, selling primarily through direct enterprise field sales to telecom carriers, broadband service providers, data center operators, and government/municipal customers, complemented by a certified partner network and solution partnerships (notably VoltServer for Digital Electricity). Revenue is generated almost entirely from unit-priced hardware on quote-based, volume-discounted terms under net-30 FOB-origin contracts; ancillary revenue comes from Clearfield College training and FOA certification programs and custom integration support. Named customers include Hawaiian Telcom, Midco, Nuvera, Arvig, Allo Fiber, Horizon, and municipal utilities such as Shrewsbury Electric and Sterling Municipal Light Department. Clearfield is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with U.S. manufacturing operations supporting BABA compliance; the company divested its European Nestor Cables subsidiary in November 2025 to focus on North American markets and improve operating margins.

The business is led by founder, President, and CEO Cheri Beranek alongside CFO Dan Herzog and COO Johnny Hill. As of Q1 FY2026, Clearfield generated $34.3M in quarterly revenue (+16% YoY) with 33.2% gross margins, holds approximately $100M in net cash, and has guided to FY2026 revenue of $160-170M. The company is a structural beneficiary of three converging tailwinds: BEAD-funded rural broadband build-out, AI-driven hyperscale data center fiber demand, and 5G small cell densification.

Name

Clearfield

Legal name

Clearfield, Inc.

Website

https://seeclearfield.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Clearfield (NASDAQ: CLFD) is a Minneapolis-based fiber optic infrastructure provider that designs and manufactures connectivity and management hardware for FTTx, data center, 5G, and community broadband deployments, selling primarily to U.S. telecom carriers, broadband operators, and government and municipal customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Fiber Optic Infrastructure Equipment

NAICS

Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing (33429), Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing (335921)

SIC

Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Fiber Distribution, Splice & Termination (ODF/Enclosures/Splice Trays) (HDAFALAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cable Assemblies & Patch Cords (Copper/Fiber) (HDAFALAF), Fiber Optic Cabling (Singlemode/Multimode) (HDAFALAB), Cable Management & Pathways (Racks/Panels/Trays/Conduits/Organizers) (HDAFALAH), Connectors, Jacks & Couplers (RJ45/LC/SC/MPO/MTP) (HDAFALAD)

Keywords

• Fiber optic connectivity
• FTTx deployment solutions
• Fiber management systems
• Telecom infrastructure equipment
• Broadband network hardware

Headquarters

HQ city

Minneapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Fiber Optic Products: Clearfield generates the majority of revenue from selling fiber optic connectivity and management hardware products including cassettes, panels, cabinets, pedestals, terminals, splice closures, microducts, cable assemblies, and optical components. Products are sold directly to service providers, carriers, and enterprise customers for FTTx deployments.
2. Training & Certification Services: Clearfield offers certified product training programs through Clearfield College, including Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, and Field Master levels, plus Fiber Optic Association (FOA) certification training. Also includes Tribal Broadband Training Initiative.
3. Custom Solutions & Integration: Professional services including proof of concept programs, custom fiber deployments, and application engineering support for product selection decisions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Clearfield designs, manufactures, and distributes fiber optic connectivity and management hardware products — including cassettes, panels, cabinets, pedestals, terminals, splice closures, microducts, drop cables, and optical components — sold primarily to broadband service providers, telecom carriers, data center operators, wireless/5G carriers, and government/municipal network operators for FTTx deployments. The portfolio is organized across proprietary platforms (NOVA, FieldSmart, FieldShield, CraftSmart, StreetSmart, WaveSmart, YOURx, Clearview) that work together as an integrated ecosystem to reduce skilled labor requirements and accelerate fiber deployment. The company complements its product sales with training/certification programs through Clearfield College and custom integration/proof-of-concept professional services.

Product overview

Clearfield is a fiber optic infrastructure company that offers a comprehensive portfolio of fiber management and connectivity solutions organized across multiple product platforms and sub-brands. The core architecture consists of: FieldSmart (comprehensive fiber management for cabinets, panels, and frames), FieldShield (pushable fiber delivery with microducts and drop cables), Clearview (fiber cassettes for inside plant and data centers), and YOURx (multi-purpose terminals). Supporting these core platforms are CraftSmart (outside plant pedestals and protection), StreetSmart (street-level products), and WaveSmart (optical components including splitters and WDM). The newest NOVA Platform targets high-density data center applications with up to 384 LC fiber configurations in 4U. Products support Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH), Fiber-to-the-Business (FTTB), 5G backhaul, data center, and broadband infrastructure deployments across Community Broadband, Data Centers, Wireless, and specialized vertical markets. The company also provides deployment tools including FastPass installation methodology and BILT 3D interactive guides.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NOVA: High-density fiber platform for data center and broadband network applications
• FieldSmart
• FieldShield
• CraftSmart
• StreetSmart
• WaveSmart
• Clearview
• YOURx
• FiberDeep
• FastPass
• ClearPass
• Clearfield College

Products and services

• NOVA Platform High-density modular fiber connectivity platform for data center and broadband network applications, supporting up to 384 LC fibers in a 4U panel with tool-less installation. Targeted at hyperscale and colocation data centers and high-density broadband network operators.
• FieldSmart Fiber Management Platform Comprehensive fiber management platform covering fiber cabinets (FSC, FDH), panels, frames, and wall boxes for both inside plant and outside plant deployments. Includes FiberFlex active cabinets and FiberFlex Convergent series for central office and data center applications.
• FieldShield Pushable Fiber Delivery Platform Pushable fiber delivery platform featuring microducts, drop cables (FLEXdrop, FLATdrop, D-ROP), and pushable fiber solutions for outside plant deployments. Includes FieldShield Pushable MPO Cable Assembly for multi-fiber connections in MDU, business services, and cell backhaul.
• CraftSmart Outside Plant Product Line Outside plant product line including FiberFirst pedestals (6, 8, 10-inch), splice closures, vaults, and fiber protection boxes for deployment in the field. The 8- and 10-inch pedestals are BABA-compliant and eligible for BEAD-funded deployments.
• StreetSmart Street-Level Fiber Products Street-level fiber products including pre-assigned FDH cabinets, aerial FDH, fiber hand-off boxes, and collector boxes for urban deployments and street-level fiber access points.
• WaveSmart Optical Components Optical components including fiber splitters, wavelength division multiplexers (WDM), and circulators for fiber network signal management in PON and wavelength-based architectures.
• YOURx Multi-Purpose Terminal Platform Multi-purpose terminal platform including YOURx-Terminal, YOURx Flex Box, YOURx Aerial Terminal, and YOURx Multi-Purpose Terminal for flexible fiber termination and distribution across FTTH, FTTB, and access network deployments.
• Clearview Cassettes Fiber connectivity cassettes including Clearview Blue, Clearview Black, and Clearview xPAK variants for inside plant and data center fiber deployments, providing flexible fiber connectivity and splicing solutions.
• FiberFlex Active Fiber Distribution Cabinets Active fiber distribution cabinets (FiberFlex 600, 1700, 2000, 3000) and FiberFlex Convergent series providing powered fiber distribution capabilities for central office and data center applications.
• Fiber Distribution Hub (FDH) Cabinets Passive fiber distribution cabinets available in various port configurations (96, 144, 288, 432, 576, 864, 1152, 1728 ports) for PON and cross-connect applications in outside plant fiber networks.
• TetherSmart Multi-Fiber Terminal Industry's smallest fully sealed 10-port access terminal for fiber-to-the-home, fiber-to-the-business, and 5G backhaul applications. Deployable in pedestals as small as 6 inches and supporting both centralized and distributed split architectures.
• ClearPass Connector Cleaning Dust Cap Connector cleaning dust cap with built-in cleaning functionality achieving 94.5% effectiveness, designed to simplify fiber connector maintenance and enhance network performance.
• Test Access Points (TAPs) Fiber TAP products including CraftSmart and FieldSmart TAP boxes and home deployment kits for network testing, monitoring, and troubleshooting across fiber plant.
• Fiber Vaults and Protection Boxes CraftSmart Fiber Protection Vaults (FPV) and Fiber Protection Boxes (FPB) for protecting fiber connections in outside plant environments.
• FieldShield Pushable MPO Cable Assembly Field-assembled MPO connector that snaps together in seconds for simplified deployment of multi-fiber connections in MDU, business services, and cell backhaul deployments.
• Clearfield College Training and Certification Program Certified product training programs (Apprentice, Journeyman, Master, and Field Master levels) plus Fiber Optic Association (FOA) certification training and the Tribal Broadband Training Initiative. Designed to close fiber workforce skills gaps and certify the Clearfield partner network.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70% of fiber connectivity cost is tied up in labor, time overruns, and return trips - Clearfield solutions reduce these costs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• VoltServercoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 19 May 2026Clearfield joined VoltServer's Solution Partner Program to promote Digital Electricity technology adoption. The partnership focuses on powering and connecting 5G small cell networks and digital infrastructure by combining VoltServer's fault-managed Digital Electricity technology with Clearfield's fiber optic management and connectivity solutions. The collaboration addresses critical barriers to edge deployment by enabling customers to build and power networks with reliable, scalable, and safe power delivery alongside fiber connectivity.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CommScope Holding Company: CommScope is a direct competitor in fiber optic connectivity, FTTH infrastructure, and broadband network solutions for service providers. Both companies sell fiber distribution hubs, cabinets, terminals, and connectivity platforms to telecom carriers and community broadband operators, with overlapping customer bases in tier-1/2/3 service providers.
• Calix, Inc. Calix provides fiber access networking systems and platforms targeted at the same community broadband and tier-3 service provider customer base as Clearfield. Both companies focus on enabling FTTH and broadband deployments for service providers leveraging federal funding (BEAD, RDOF), making them highly comparable in go-to-market and end customer.
• ADTRAN Holdings, Inc. ADTRAN is a direct peer supplying broadband access equipment, fiber ONTs, and networking solutions to service providers globally. Both companies serve tier-2/3 telecom operators and community broadband providers with fiber-to-the-home solutions, with overlapping customer relationships and BEAD-funding exposure.
• AFL Telecommunications (Fujikura): AFL is a direct peer manufacturing fiber optic cables, connectivity products, fusion splicers, and outside plant equipment for telecom and broadband service providers. AFL's product portfolio in fiber distribution, splice closures, and OSP equipment directly overlaps with Clearfield's FieldSmart, CraftSmart, and FieldShield platforms.
• Sumitomo Electric Lightwave: Sumitomo Electric Lightwave manufactures fiber optic cables, connectivity products, and FTTx deployment solutions for telecom carriers and broadband providers. Their product lines in fiber distribution, splice closures, and outside plant equipment are directly comparable to Clearfield's offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Corning Incorporated: Corning is a much larger, established incumbent in optical fiber and connectivity, producing fiber optic cables, connectors, and optical components. While Corning operates across a much broader portfolio (display glass, life sciences), its Optical Communications segment directly competes with Clearfield in fiber connectivity for telecom and data center markets.
• Prysmian Group: Prysmian is a global leader in fiber optic cable manufacturing and connectivity solutions. While much larger and broader, Prysmian's telecom solutions business competes directly with Clearfield in supplying fiber optic cables, connectivity hardware, and FTTx deployment products to carriers and broadband operators worldwide.
• Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd. Furukawa Electric is a major Japanese manufacturer of optical fiber cables and connectivity products with global operations. Their telecom solutions division serves similar service provider customers as Clearfield, with overlapping product categories in fiber optic cables, connectors, and outside plant equipment.
• Nokia Corporation (Fixed Networks): Nokia's Fixed Networks division supplies fiber access and broadband equipment (ONTs, OLTs, FTTH solutions) to telecom operators globally. While Nokia is much larger and broader, its fiber access solutions address the same service provider customers as Clearfield's connectivity and termination products.

Emerging players

• Ribbon Communications Inc. Ribbon Communications provides networking and communications equipment solutions, including fiber infrastructure components for service providers. While not a direct competitor in the same product category, Ribbon serves overlapping telecom service provider customers with related connectivity solutions for broadband and fiber deployments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/user63333122
• Facebookfacebook.com/133369070025496
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clearfield
• Instagraminstagram.com/clearfieldfiber
• Xx.com/danceswithfiber

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clearfield