Okonite
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing |
| Founded | 1878 |
| Founder | John Haven Cheever |
| Headquarters | Ramsey, New Jersey , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Insulated wire and cable (300V to 345,000V) |
| Website | www |
The Okonite Company is a U.S.-based producer specializing in insulated wire and cable.
History
Established in 1878 by John Haven Cheever under the name New York Insulated Wire and Vulcanite Company, the firm adopted the Okonite name in 1885. Initially located in Passaic, New Jersey, its early clientele featured pioneers such as Samuel Morse and Thomas Edison. During its formative period, Charles A. Cheever (1852–1900) held the position of President.
Okonite's cables have played a crucial role in significant projects, including the Pearl Street Station, recognized as the first electrical generating plant in the United States (1882), the illumination of the Statue of Liberty, and more recently, One World Trade Center. The term "Okonite" originates from a compound created by mixing residue from the distillation of the mineral wax ozokerite with rubber, which served as an electrical insulating material.
In 1965, ownership transferred to James Ling. Subsequently, in June 1976, control shifted to employees through an Employees' Stock Ownership Trust, thereby aligning corporate governance with employee interests.
Facilities
Headquartered in Ramsey, New Jersey, Okonite maintains six manufacturing facilities distributed throughout the continental United States.
Products
The company manufactures insulated wire and cable products with voltage ratings spanning from 300V up to 345,000V. These products cater to sectors including Instrumentation, Power and Control, Medium Voltage, and High Voltage applications. The cables incorporate a variety of insulating and jacketing substances such as Okoguard® EPR, laminated polypropylene paper (LPP), alongside other thermosetting and thermoplastic materials.
Further reading
- History of the company