The company was founded in 1957 to meet a need for specially engineered custom cable and continues to stand as a leader in the cable industry. Consistent threads in South Bay Cable’s success are the company’s commitment to innovation, dedication to customer satisfaction, a focus on quality, and unmatched expertise.
SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
South Bay Cable’s sales and engineering representatives work closely with clients to achieve a shared goal: engineering, building, and delivering a cable that not only emphatically does the job, but one that is manufactured to last.
“A commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility has always been important in the marine technology industry, and South Bay Cable will continue to align its strategies accordingly to remain a leader in the market,” says General Manager Ken Cripe.
The technology used by South Bay Cable combines proven methods and the latest advances.
“South Bay Cable’s leadership in the marine technology industry is driven by deep-rooted expertise, cutting-edge innovations, and a proven track record of delivering solutions that withstand the most challenging marine environments,” added Cripe.
Advances in material chemistry have increased South Bay Cable’s ability to build cables that are lighter and stronger than ever before, which according to the company’s Sales Manager, Bill Tell, in turn allows for exploration at greater ocean depths. “The data rate of fiber optics (versus coax and analog) is a complete game-changer for the cables we produce,” Tell explains. “South Bay Cable will continue to grow and expand into the future. We are investing in new, more efficient equipment.”
The expansion of both employees and equipment ensures that South Bay Cable continues to meet demands efficiently and effectively, maintaining the high standards customers have come to expect.
Since the company’s inception in 1957, the ability to take a customer’s idea and turn it into reality has been an unshakeable commitment and an established cornerstone of the team’s success—the capacity to apply an evolving portfolio of products to fresh challenges has always kept South Bay Cable primed for the task at hand.
Marine technology innovators and South Bay Cable have a long history of collaboration, Cripe points out.
“Our commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and our unwavering focus on customer needs position us at the forefront, enabling us to provide unmatched reliability and performance, making us the go-to partner for marine technology solutions worldwide.”
STRONG FOUNDATIONS
South Bay Cable’s history dates back more than 67 years to a residential garage in the South Bay of Los Angeles. Gordon and Joyce Brown, the founders and former owners, started out by building custom cables, assemblies, and connectors right out of their home in Gardena, California.
Beginning with three divisions under the parent corporation of Consolidated Products, the Browns set out to provide a service that went beyond the catalogues. In the late 1960s, the Browns moved their operation to the mountains of Riverside County, in Idyllwild, and eventually added a second manufacturing facility in Temecula.
As businesses in the industry changed and evolved, the demand for custom cable eclipsed the need for connectors and assemblies, and the South Bay Cable division became the sole manufacturer and name.
“During my nearly 50 years in the business, we have remained steadfast and true to our conviction: quality and performance of product,” Tell states.
PRIMED FOR SUSTAINED GROWTH
The past four years of South Bay Cable’s journey have been both challenging and rewarding. As the company has grown, the team has stayed loyal to the Browns’ core values of integrity, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
“We continue to persevere through difficult labor markets and delays in our supply chain after COVID-19,” informs Cripe. “I am pleased to announce that despite these challenges, our business is experiencing a phase of exceptional growth and success, which has driven us to increase our capacity by an impressive 35 percent.”
Cripe owes the ability to improve capacity with the increasing demand to a committed team of employees: “Their unwavering hard work and dedication have been instrumental in achieving this milestone.”
He points out that the success of the business has allowed South Bay Cable to offer a significant increase in pay and benefits: “This not only strengthens our workforce but also reinforces our commitment to being an employer of choice in our industry and in our communities.”
“We have a solid base of upcoming professionals within the organization, all of whom are eager to meet tomorrow’s challenges,” Tell said.
Looking ahead to the next five to 10 years, South Bay Cable will continue its growth trajectory by further diversifying its product range, expanding into new markets and geographical regions, and embracing emerging technologies.
“Our goal is to continue improving South Bay Cable and to continue to exceed our customer’s expectations. Here’s to a future filled with mutual success and prosperity,” Cripe concludes.
This feature appeared in ON&T Magazine’s 2025 Special Edition, The Future of Ocean Technology, Vol. 5, to read more access the magazine here.
