(PLPC) Preformed Line Products - Ratings and Ratios

Preformed Line Products Company (NASDAQ: PLPC) designs and manufactures a broad portfolio of hardware and systems that support the construction, operation, and monitoring of overhead, ground-mounted, and underground networks for energy, telecommunications, cable, and data-communication markets.

Key product lines include optical ground wire (OGW) for power-line protection, self-supporting dielectric fiber-optic cables for grid monitoring, a variety of bolted, welded and compressed substation connectors, polymer insulators, wildlife-protection hardware, and motion-control devices. The firm also sells rugged outside-plant closures that shield fiber-optic and copper cables from moisture and environmental hazards, as well as cable-vibration solutions, urethane products, and a suite of tools used across utility and renewable-energy projects.

Beyond hardware, PLPC has expanded into services such as drone-based inspection of transmission and distribution assets, substation and generation facilities, and communications infrastructure, plus ancillary offerings in solar-panel framing and electric-vehicle (EV) support equipment.

Its customer base spans public and private utilities, telecom carriers, cable operators, government agencies, contractors, distributors, and value-added resellers across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, with sales driven through a direct force and a network of manufacturing representatives.

**Recent performance snapshot (FY 2023):** revenue of approximately $452 million, operating margin of 11.3 %, and earnings per share of $2.08. The company reported a backlog of roughly $300 million, indicating sustained demand for its infrastructure-related products. Growth is being propelled by continued U.S. and global infrastructure spending, the rollout of 5G and fiber-to-the-home networks, and the acceleration of renewable-energy projects that require advanced grid-monitoring solutions.

**Sector drivers:** the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and similar stimulus programs abroad are expected to boost utility-grade cable and connector demand by 4-6 % CAGR through 2028. Meanwhile, the global shift toward renewable generation and EV charging infrastructure raises the need for robust, weather-resistant hardware-areas where PLPC’s product mix is well-positioned.

For a deeper quantitative dive, the ValueRay platform offers a granular breakdown of PLPC’s financials and peer benchmarks.