GLENWILLOW, Ohio – In a significant breakthrough for the US electronics industry, Eagle Electronics, a small company based outside Cleveland, is on the verge of becoming a major player in the future of electronics manufacturing. Just nine months after its inception, the company is set to launch what it claims are the first 4G modules ever manufactured in the United States.
These modules play a crucial role in connecting cellular phone towers to various devices, including cars, medical equipment, alarm systems, and more. Eagle Electronics has already received necessary certifications from government agencies and some cellular networks, with approval from Verizon expected soon, according to company officials who spoke during a launch celebration attended by notable figures such as Gov. Mike DeWine, Sen. Jon Husted, and U.S. Rep. Max Miller.
TJ Dembinski, co-founder and CEO of Eagle Electronics, announced that the company is currently shipping thousands of sample modules to about 10 customers and plans to commence full production around July 1. The company anticipates producing 200,000 modules monthly, with long-term plans aiming for an annual production of up to 3 million units.
“We delivered on what we said we would do,” stated Joel Young, Eagle’s chief technology officer, highlighting the company’s achievement in ramping up to production in less than a year. “So many times in this world, there are false promises. We are not about false promises.”
Among the customers present at the launch were Geotab, a fleet tracking device manufacturer that counts Amazon among its clients, and Cherish, a Boston-based company that produces remote health monitoring devices for home use. Sumit Nagpal, founder and CEO of Cherish, emphasized the importance of having American-made technology in their devices, which can track vital health data and location in real-time.
“We’re being invited into people’s homes because they trust us,” Nagpal said, underscoring the value of domestic manufacturing in building trust with consumers.
Sen. Jon Husted noted that Eagle’s achievement is part of a broader vision to bring technology production back to the US, particularly for products involving secure information transmission.
The concept for Eagle Electronics was born about a year ago when the O.H.I.O Fund, an investor group, identified an opportunity to create a US-based manufacturer of modules previously produced in China. Eagle is utilizing designs licensed from Quectel, a Chinese-based company, to replicate modules that can be used interchangeably, addressing concerns over the future use of Chinese-made electronic products in the US.
The initiative is timely, given the recent rules finalized by President Joe Biden to prohibit the use of remotely connected vehicle hardware and software systems made by Chinese or Russian companies, citing national security risks.
Eagle partnered with CO-AX Technologies for manufacturing space and staffing support. The O.H.I.O. Fund invested $14 million in creating Eagle and remains the company’s largest investor. Dembinski revealed that the equipment for the production line cost $4.5 million.
“This is just the beginning,” said Mark Kvamme, CEO of the O.H.I.O. Fund and Chair of Eagle Electronics, promising that 5G modules will follow soon.
As Eagle Electronics embarks on this new chapter in US electronics manufacturing, the industry watches with anticipation. The company’s commitment to domestic production and its potential to impact the future of secure technology transmission make it a significant player to watch in the coming years.
