SEM Case Study - The Okonite Company

The Okonite Company is one of the original insulators of electrical wire and cable in the United States. Founded in 1878, it was originally known as the New York Insulated Wire and Vulcanite Company. Some of its early customers included Samuel F. B. Morse for his telegraph network and Thomas A. Edison for the Pearl Street Generating Station - the nation's first, built in New York City in 1882. In June 1976, Okonite became the largest company in the United States to be owned by its employees through an Employees' Stock Ownership Trust. As such, Okonite employees have a unique vested interest in the quality of service they provide and pride themselves in delivering that service using sustainable, energy efficient practices.