Optical Cable Corporation
Optical Cable Corporation is a U.S. manufacturer of fiber-optic cable and connectivity products for telecommunications, military, industrial, and other demanding environments.
Last updated August 26, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Optical Cable Corporation, commonly known as OCC, is a Roanoke, Virginia-based manufacturer specializing in fiber-optic cable and related connectivity products. Founded in 1983 by Bob Thompson and Robert Kopstein, the company designs and manufactures products used to transmit data and communications signals across telecommunications, networking, military, industrial, and harsh-environment applications. OCC's core business is fiber-optic cable, including products intended for commercial communications networks and specialized environments where cable construction, mechanical protection, deployment conditions, or reliability requirements are more demanding than those of ordinary enterprise cabling. Its products have been sold through a worldwide distributor network, serving customers in the United States and more than 70 other countries. The company therefore combines domestic manufacturing and product development with an international channel-based sales model. A significant part of OCC's identity is its work in specialized and defense-related applications. The company manufactures military land tactical fiber-optic cable for the U.S. military and offers connectivity products intended for military and harsh environments. These products are designed for circumstances in which portability, ruggedness, field deployment, and resistance to environmental stress are important. OCC also produces cable approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, extending its product scope into mine and industrial safety applications. The company expanded beyond its original cable-manufacturing base through acquisitions. On June 2, 2008, OCC acquired the business formerly known as SMP Data Communications, which develops connectivity and networking products. On November 1, 2009, it acquired Applied Optical Systems, a facility that manufactures specialty fiber-optic connectors and connectivity solutions for military and harsh-environment applications. These transactions broadened OCC's capabilities from cable production toward a more integrated portfolio of cable, connector, and network-connectivity products. OCC became publicly traded in 1996 and is identified with the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol OCC. Its business is oriented toward technically specified products rather than a broad consumer brand proposition. The company serves communications infrastructure and specialized professional users through distributors and application-focused product lines. Available reference material does not establish a separate consumer-facing sub-brand architecture, current executive roster, precise employee count, or a corporate website URL. Accordingly, this profile emphasizes OCC's documented manufacturing activities, international distribution, public-company status, and acquisitions.
History
Optical Cable Corporation was founded in 1983 by Bob Thompson and Robert Kopstein. From its origin, the company focused on designing and manufacturing optical cable products for telecommunications and related communications applications. Fiber-optic cable uses optical fibers to carry information as light, making it a central component of modern communications infrastructure. OCC developed its business around supplying such cable products to professional and institutional customers rather than positioning itself as a consumer electronics brand. The company established a distribution-led commercial model. Its products were sold in the United States and through an international network of distributors serving customers in more than 70 countries. This model allowed OCC to reach telecommunications and networking markets beyond its Virginia manufacturing base while retaining a specialized product and engineering orientation. OCC also developed a substantial presence in applications requiring specialized cable construction. The company manufactures military land tactical fiber-optic cable for the U.S. military, a category associated with field and defense communications. It also offers cable approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration, supporting use in mining and other environments where regulatory approval and resistance to demanding operating conditions are important. In addition, OCC supplies connectivity products for military and harsh-environment applications. The company broadened its capabilities through two documented acquisitions. On June 2, 2008, OCC acquired the business formerly known as SMP Data Communications. That business developed connectivity and networking products, complementing OCC's existing cable activities. On November 1, 2009, OCC acquired Applied Optical Systems, a facility manufacturing specialty fiber-optic connectors and connectivity solutions for military and harsh-environment applications. Together, these acquisitions expanded OCC's offering from optical cable into connectors, networking, and more complete connectivity solutions. OCC became a publicly traded company in 1996 and is identified as trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker OCC. Its public-company structure and international distribution network supported the continued sale of its products across telecommunications, networking, defense, mining, and other specialized markets. The available reference material does not provide a detailed account of later corporate events, current leadership, financial performance, product-level launch dates, or a confirmed official website address. The documented history consequently centers on the company's founding, public listing, international reach, specialized military and industrial products, and 2008–2009 acquisitions.
- 2009
Applied Optical Systems acquisition
[1]On November 1, OCC acquired Applied Optical Systems, a facility producing specialty fiber-optic connectors and connectivity solutions for military and harsh-environment applications.
- 2008
SMP Data Communications acquisition
[1]On June 2, OCC acquired the business formerly known as SMP Data Communications, which developed connectivity and networking products.
- 1996
The company becomes publicly traded
[1]OCC began public trading and was identified with the Nasdaq market under the ticker OCC.
- 1983
Optical Cable Corporation is founded
[1]Bob Thompson and Robert Kopstein founded OCC as a designer and manufacturer of telecommunications cable products.
Products and positioning
A specialized U.S. fiber-optic cable and connectivity manufacturer serving telecommunications, networking, military, mining, and other harsh or technically demanding environments.
Fiber-optic cable
Telecommunications fiber-optic cable
OCC's principal product area is fiber-optic cable for telecommunications and communications-network applications. These products are designed to carry information over optical fiber and are sold through the company's distributor network in the United States and international markets.
Military communications cable
Military land tactical fiber-optic cable
This specialized cable category is manufactured for land-based tactical communications and is used by the U.S. military. Its application context requires cable intended for field deployment and demanding operational conditions.
Fiber-optic connectivity · 2009
Specialty fiber-optic connectors and connectivity solutions
OCC offers specialty connectors and connectivity solutions for military and harsh-environment applications. This capability was strengthened through the 2009 acquisition of Applied Optical Systems and complements the company's cable manufacturing activities.
Mining and industrial cable
Mine Safety and Health Administration-approved cable
The company offers cable approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration. These products serve mining and industrial contexts in which regulatory approval and suitability for demanding operating environments are significant purchasing requirements.
Networking connectivity · 2008
Connectivity and networking products
Connectivity and networking products became part of OCC's broader portfolio through the acquisition of the business formerly known as SMP Data Communications in 2008. The available material does not specify individual product names or launch dates.
Brand decisions
2009
Expansion of specialty military and harsh-environment connectivityM&ABackground
OCC supplied specialized cable products, including military tactical fiber-optic cable, and sought related connectivity capabilities.
Action taken
On November 1, OCC acquired Applied Optical Systems, a facility manufacturing specialty fiber-optic connectors and connectivity solutions for military and harsh-environment applications.
Aftermath
The acquisition strengthened OCC's documented connector and connectivity offering for specialized environments.
2008
Expansion into connectivity and networking productsM&ABackground
OCC's established business centered on optical cable products, while the company also served communications and networking markets.
Action taken
On June 2, OCC acquired the business formerly known as SMP Data Communications, adding a business focused on connectivity and networking products.
Aftermath
The transaction broadened OCC's documented product scope beyond cable manufacturing into connectivity and networking.
Recent events
Optical Cable Corporation reports first-quarter 2020 results[2]
Reported:
Optical Cable Corporation announced financial results for the quarter ended January 31, 2020, reporting net sales of $12.9 million and a net loss of $2.6 million.
Sources3 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/optical-cable-corporation · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled