Fiber optics developer Integra Optics Inc. has announced the launch of its first international production facility in São Paulo, Brazil, in response to an expanding customer base and the country’s increasing demand for network technologies. The company’s first fiber optic equipment production facility south of the U.S.-Mexico border, the São Paulo location is self-sustaining with a team of in-house engineers. Customers are provided with 100 percent OEM-compatible optical transceivers, passives and hybrid fiber-coaxial network components. “There is a huge market demand in Brazil for expanded telecommunications and additional bandwidth as more and more consumers are using the internet and commercial users migrate to the cloud,” said Integra Optics’ Chief Operatin Officer Jeff DeWeese. “Brazil is currently ranked No. 5 in the world for highest number of internet users, and that number is projected to grow by more than five percent in 2016. Our facility in Brazil is based on the model that fueled our success in the U.S. and is poised to meet that demand. This facility is our first engineering, custom coding and production facility with significant inventory south of the US-Mexico border.” Integra Optics Brazil is being led by Odilon Claro de Oliveira Jr., the division’s CEO. Brazilian astronaut and Air Force pilot Marcos Pontes has been hired as an advisor and brand ambassador. Stationed in São Paulo, Pontes will work closely with Oliveira and his team to build brand awareness, develop new business strategies and create new sales opportunities. “In the past, South and Central American multiple system operators and telecommunication companies had no choice but to source products from overseas inventory, await shipping and customs delays and incur import tariffs,” Oliveira said. “Today, we are able to service these companies better than anyone else in the industry. We stock significant inventory with a logistics-driven facility that ensures our customers receive orders at the fastest rate in the industry.” The entire Integra Optics product line is quality tested to ISO9001 certified standards and custom coded on-site to ensure compatibility with customers’ specific platforms. Integra Optics is a global provider of carrier-grade fiber optic components and custom-engineered networking solutions.