RLH Founder, Robert Harris

Our Mission

To bring people and information together through the power of light.

About Us

RLH Industries, Inc. is a fiber optic telecommunications company based in Orange, California. We design, manufacture, and provide service solutions including:

Being Great Since ’88

We are one of the world’s most experienced innovators in fiber optic communications, with a 35+ year track record of bringing robust fiber optic communications products to market. Beginning with our fiber optic converters in 1988, we have grown along with the fiber optic industry and our products have evolved to include end-to-end telecommunication solutions as well.

Our manufacturing and services objective is to be nimble and accommodating, which allows us to build on our experience to meet today’s rapidly changing communications requirements while helping our customers take advantage of new opportunities in the marketplace. Whether it’s specialty fiber optic converters, custom solutions, or specialized field termination projects, we are committed to delivering goods and services that are not merely ordinary, but exceptional. Today, we provide solutions for growing segments like wind energy, solar energy, substations, data centers, transportation, automation, and control systems.

At Home in the USA

We are a family owned and operated business with a guiding principle of honesty, decency, and fairness. Our success is shared with many present and past employees with partial ownership.

We proudly manufacture our Fiber Optic Converters, Fiber Isolation Systems, and Cable Assemblies to the highest standards in Orange County, California. Design, engineering, electronics assembly, testing and repairs, packing and shipping are performed locally here in California for these product lines.

Along with our distinguished service on the IEEE high voltage protection committee, we are proud members of the following Associations:

The Founding of RLH Industries

RLH Founder, Robert Harris
RLH Founder, Robert Harris

Our founder Robert Harris was a Product Line Manager for Anaconda-Ericsson Transmission Products in Garden Grove, CA. As Product Manager, he interfaced with Ericsson subsidiaries around the world. One such subsidiary, Ericsson New Zealand, had developed a rudimentary fiber optic product called the “Tucon Optical Link” designed to interface with a copper telephone line, convert the copper signal into an all-dielectric fiber optic signal, transmit this signal up to 12 feet and reconvert it to the original copper signal. Mr. Harris thought the product had possibilities and in 1986 began developing opportunities. At the time Pacific Bell asked for assistance in isolating their telephone lines from a high voltage facility. This resulted in the first installation of the Tucon Optical Link in the U.S. at Dinosaur Point Utility Sub Station in 1986. The next year another installation was initiated in China Lake, CA.

Dinosaur Point, CA – 1987
Dinosaur Point, CA – 1987

The response from Pacific Bell about these field trials was very positive. Recognizing the business potential, Mr. Harris made a presentation in 1987 to Anaconda-Ericson management in Dallas, Texas in encourage a larger marketing effort for the Tucon Optical Link. At that time, Mr. Harris was informed that Anaconda-Ericsson was in the final stages of finalizing its divestiture of the Anaconda-Ericsson Transmission Products Line and had no plans to continue to carry the Tucon Optical Link.

As a result Ericsson New Zealand and Mr. Harris entered into contract for Mr. Harris to be the exclusive provider of the Tucon Optical Link in the U.S and Canada, thus, Robert L. Harris & Associates Inc. was incorporated on Feb. 2, 1988 and opened for business in Orange, CA.

After incorporation, Mr. Harris went on to develop his own complete Fiber Optic Link System and the company has continued to innovate and develop products for the utility and fiber optic industry ever since.

The Founding of RLH Industries

RLH Founder, Robert Harris
RLH Founder, Robert Harris
Dinosaur Point, CA – 1987
Dinosaur Point, CA – 1987

Our founder Robert Harris was a Product Line Manager for Anaconda-Ericsson Transmission Products in Garden Grove, CA. As Product Manager, he interfaced with Ericsson subsidiaries around the world. One such subsidiary, Ericsson New Zealand, had developed a rudimentary fiber optic product called the “Tucon Optical Link” designed to interface with a copper telephone line, convert the copper signal into an all-dielectric fiber optic signal, transmit this signal up to 12 feet and reconvert it to the original copper signal. Mr. Harris thought the product had possibilities and in 1986 began developing opportunities. At the time Pacific Bell asked for assistance in isolating their telephone lines from a high voltage facility. This resulted in the first installation of the Tucon Optical Link in the U.S. at Dinosaur Point Utility Sub Station in 1986. The next year another installation was initiated in China Lake, CA.

The response from Pacific Bell about these field trials was very positive. Recognizing the business potential, Mr. Harris made a presentation in 1987 to Anaconda-Ericson management in Dallas, Texas in encourage a larger marketing effort for the Tucon Optical Link. At that time, Mr. Harris was informed that Anaconda-Ericsson was in the final stages of finalizing its divestiture of the Anaconda-Ericsson Transmission Products Line and had no plans to continue to carry the Tucon Optical Link.

As a result Ericsson New Zealand and Mr. Harris entered into contract for Mr. Harris to be the exclusive provider of the Tucon Optical Link in the U.S and Canada, thus, Robert L. Harris & Associates Inc. was incorporated on Feb. 2, 1988 and opened for business in Orange, CA.

After incorporation, Mr. Harris went on to develop his own complete Fiber Optic Link System and the company has continued to innovate and develop products for the utility and fiber optic industry ever since.

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