December 2, 2025 - For nearly a century, the Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped (CCABH), known in industry circles as CAB® Products, has shown that meaningful work and world-class manufacturing can share the same foundation.

Since 1927, CAB® has created lasting employment for individuals with disabilities while engineering cable management systems that support some of the most demanding industries on earth: mining, solar, tunneling, energy, and now, marine and offshore.

What began as a small workshop in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, is today a globally recognized manufacturer serving 38 countries. CAB® supports many of the world’s largest mining projects, more than 150 gigawatts of utility-scale solar installations, and the Alaskan North Slope oil pipeline.

For CAB®, employing individuals with disabilities is not a side story. It is the foundation of the company’s genesis, growth, and reputation.

CAB® was founded by members of the Johnstown Lions Club in 1927 to create jobs for people who were blind or visually impaired. Those early workers wove rugs and sewed garments, building confidence and independence through skill.

By the late 1960s, that mission expanded to include individuals with all types of disabilities, and CAB® became something unique: a nonprofit manufacturer that competes, innovates, and exports globally while staying rooted in its community purpose.

Today, more than 250 individuals with disabilities work across CAB®’s Johnstown and Ebensburg divisions, supported by a professional staff of supervisors, engineers, and vocational trainers. Together they manufacture millions of hangers, hooks, and safety systems each year for industries where performance and consistency cannot be optional.

Proven Reliability for the Marine and Offshore Industry

CAB®’s products have supported the marine sector for years, earning a reputation for performance in environments where corrosion, vibration, and safety standards leave no room for compromise.

Returning to the International WorkBoat Show this year, CAB® is highlighting its commitment to serving the marine and offshore industries with cable management products and systems designed for reliability and simplicity in harsh conditions.

A centerpiece of CAB®’s exhibit is its S-Hook and J-Hook product line, engineered for rugged cable and hose management in shipyards, offshore platforms, and industrial facilities.

Available in multiple sizes, each S-Hook is precision-formed from high-strength carbon steel and coated with a thick, high-dielectric plastisol layer that provides insulation and corrosion resistance. With working load capacities up to 350 pounds, CAB® S-Hooks perform reliably in the most demanding environments.

The PVC coating protects against abrasion and electrical contact, making the design ideal for routing power, hydraulic, or pneumatic lines in tight or exposed areas. The simple form allows fast installation and long service life, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

The same dependability that made CAB® a trusted name in mining and solar is now driving its growth in shipbuilding and port infrastructure. CAB® continues to collaborate with Huntington Ingalls Industries and other major shipyards to adapt its systems for large-scale marine applications.

For shipbuilders and maintenance teams, CAB offers something rare: U.S.-made, field-tested hardware with traceable quality, engineered for tough conditions and backed by a workforce proud of what it produces.

Quality by Design: ISO 9001:2015 Certified

CAB®’s reputation for quality is built on process discipline and continuous improvement.

The company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification, the internationally recognized standard for quality management systems at its state-of-the-art Ebensburg, Pennsylvania facility, that includes research and development, product testing, engineering, manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution.

This achievement reflects CAB®’s commitment to maintaining quality control at every stage of production, from material sourcing and product manufacturing to packaging and delivery.

Alongside its ISO certification, CAB® has completed significant facility expansion projects that increased manufacturing capacity and efficiency, allowing it to meet growing demand while keeping operations entirely U.S.-based.

Every product that leaves a CAB® facility carries full traceability, inspection, and documentation that meet or exceed international standards. It is a promise of consistency that global mining, energy, and marine customers depend on every day.

Purpose That Performs

CAB®’s success is built on the principle: the best results come from people who care about their work.

Every employee, from the production floor to logistics and administration, plays an active role in maintaining safety and quality. That accountability gives customers confidence and gives employees independence. Work here is more than a paycheck; it is a source of pride, self-sufficiency, and proof that inclusion drives performance.

This model has worked for nearly a hundred years not because it is charitable, but because it is practical. Skilled, supported workers deliver reliable results. That is what CAB’s customers count on and what has made the company a trusted partner in industries where reliability is everything.

Looking Ahead

As CAB approaches its 100th year, the direction is clear: continue growing through innovation, partnership, and purpose.

The company’s continued involvement in the marine and offshore sectors is a natural step, combining proven engineering with social impact in industries that value both.

CAB®’s next century will be guided by the same principle that defined its first: manufacturing done with purpose is good for people and good for performance.

When visitors stop by Booth 449 at the International WorkBoat Show, they will not just see coated hangers or S-Hooks. They will see 98 years of dedication , people and products that connect industries, communities, and lives through work that truly matters.

About CAB Products

CAB® Products is the manufacturing division of the Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped, headquartered in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1927, CAB® employs more than 250 individuals with disabilities and manufactures wire management, cable support, and safety systems serving mining, solar, tunneling, energy, and marine industries in 38 countries.