CHALLENGER COMMUNICATIONS: Pursuing New Opportunities With A New Website
The Center was our first choice when it came to designing our new C-Band Ready website. They designed our first company website in 2015 and it was integral in putting Challenger Communications on the map as a leader of top-quality, USA-made ground station satellite antennas. It has been a pleasure working with The Center’s team over the years and we appreciate the continued support we have received from them.
-- Jill Sorgi, Director of Sales and Marketing
Established in 2011 by Gene Sorgi, Challenger Communications, LLC (www.challengercommunications.com) has since grown to become a leading manufacturer of world-class aluminum antenna reflectors and steel mounting structures. Challenger Communications offers a variety of manufacturing capabilities including fabrication, welding and precision machining of both prototype and production assemblies. Other services include retrofitting/updating existing antennas and mounts, building custom feeds and servicing or installing new and legacy brand antennas and mounts. Challenger Communications is committed to exceeding customer expectations, which is supported by their friendly staff, great customer service, easy product assembly, cost-effective shipping and high-quality product offerings. Based in Albion, Mich., Challenger Communications employs a staff of 15 with more than 50 years of manufacturing experience.
Challenge
Challenger Communications was contracted to manufacture and distribute satellite antennas to support the transition of licensees in the 3.7-4.2 GHz band (C-band) spectrum. Known in the satellite industry as the “C-band Relocation,” the move was mandated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to free up 60% of the spectrum by 2023 for mobile phone companies to use, including for the deployment of the Fifth Generation (5G) cellular network. This compelled Challenger Communications to create an additional website with a new and separate identity focused on supporting this transition.
Solution
Challenger Communications turned to the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (The Center) for assistance with developing their new website. The Center’s website expert worked with Challenger Communications to create a site that would match their existing company branding while keeping the end user in mind. The resulting website (www.cbandready.com) is easy to navigate, with their 5G product offerings – including satellite dishes, feeds and filters – prominently featured on the homepage. The website also positions their separate identity, C-Band Ready, as a leading innovator of communications technologies. Going forward, this new website will enable Challenger Communications to more effectively pursue additional opportunities involving 5G.
Results
- New Sales: $128,000
- Cost Savings: $10,000
- Jobs Retained: 3