SPX To Shutter Dielectric Broadcast Antenna Biz

In a letter sent to company customers by Mark Fichter, the general manager of Dielectric Communications, Broadcast and Wireless Antenna Operations, the announcement was made that SPX would close the Dielectric Communications business. The letter follows:

Dear Valued Customer: 

After careful consideration, SPX has decided to discontinue the broadcast television and radio and wireless antenna operations of its Dielectric Communications business unit worldwide, due to extremely difficult global economic conditions in the broadcast marketplace, and SPX's ongoing efforts to further focus its future growth strategy on its Flow Technology business. We have made the impacted Dielectric employees in the U.S. aware of this difficult decision. 

While you are likely anxious to understand more specifics in how the discontinuation of Dielectric's broadcast and wireless antenna operations may impact your company, we respectfully request your patience and understanding over the coming weeks as we work through the many complex steps associated with this decision. As a result, please be aware that Dielectric broadcast and wireless antenna personnel will be unavailable during the week of April 22 as we focus on coordinating next steps. We anticipate that by the early part of the following week of April 29 that we will be able to directly respond to your inquiries. 

Please note that Dielectric broadcast and wireless antenna will continue to operate in a limited capacity through the end of June 2013. Our primary focus will be on completing outstanding orders while also conducting the necessary steps to close the business. 

We will continue to accept orders on a limited basis for in stock inventory items. However, orders for such items may only be accepted if payment is received up front and in full and delivery is taken on or before May 31. 

Again, we will do our best to respond to all inquiries as quickly as possible starting the week of April 29. Many thanks again for your patience and understanding. 

Sincerely,
Mark Fichter
GM Dielectric Communications, Broadcast and Wireless Antenna Operations

The Dielectric brand began in 1942 when Dr. Charles "Doc" Brown's Dielectric Products Corporation started developing transmission lines for early wartime radar systems. This set the stage for what would become the Dielectric family of products from SPX Communication Technology.

After the war, Doc Brown's team applied its technology in the new civilian field of television broadcasting. Dielectric began to invent and supply equipment for all three major television networks. In 1954 Doc Brown moved the company to his hometown in Raymond, ME, where it has been headquartered ever since. Dielectric joined the SPX family in 2001.