What Richards Manufacturing does

Richards Manufacturing is a specialty industrial manufacturer founded in 1945 and headquartered in Irvington, New Jersey, producing electrical and gas distribution equipment for blue-chip utilities and commercial/industrial customers. The company operates four core product lines: Medium Voltage Products (loadbreak/deadbreak elbows, cold shrink splices, R-800 combined connectors, R-Stack, and arresters rated 5kV–35kV), Connectors (compression lugs, splices, hot line clamps, and wedge connectors), Network Products (Network Protectors from 800A to 5100A and the ETI division's Microprocessor Network Protector Relay and SCADA communication systems), and Natural Gas Products (meter connections, manifold assemblies, and prefabricated assemblies for gas utilities). Richards claims to be the largest manufacturer of Network Protectors globally and holds over 40 patents including proprietary in-house EPDM rubber formulations produced via vertically integrated injection molding at its Irvington facility, with a state-of-the-art high-voltage test lab and ISO 9001:2015 certification.

The business model is hardware sales of utility-specification components, with quote-based pricing, a $100 order minimum, and credit card processing available for a 3% fee. Richards distributes through a network of authorized sales representatives covering all US states, Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, and South Korea, supplemented by international distributors. Go-to-market is sales-led with technical support, product demonstrations, and training coordinated through the rep network. The ETI subsidiary provides design and installation services for underground network distribution automation, including the MNPR relay, FieldPro programming software, and Commander mobile applications for Android and iOS. Revenue is not publicly disclosed; in 2025, TE Connectivity acquired Richards Manufacturing for approximately USD 2.3 billion, integrating it into TE's Industrial Solutions segment.

Name

Richards Manufacturing

Legal name

Richards Mfg Co Sales LLC

Website

https://richards-mfg.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Richards Manufacturing is a 1945-founded Irvington, NJ-based manufacturer of medium-voltage electrical connectors, Network Protectors, and natural gas distribution equipment for blue-chip electric and gas utilities, acquired by TE Connectivity in 2025 for ~$2.3 billion.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electrical Distribution Equipment

NAICS

Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515)

SIC

Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Cable Accessories & Joints/Terminations (splices, joints, terminations, link boxes) (EUADADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Line Hardware & Fittings (clamps, connectors, dampers, spacers, vibration control) (EUADADAD), Metering & Grid Measurement (Smart Meters, CT/VT, PQ Meters) (IMAGAAAH), Power Quality, Metering & Monitoring (HDACAJAG)

Keywords

• Medium voltage connectors
• Underground distribution equipment
• Network protectors
• Gas meter assemblies
• Cold shrink splices

Headquarters

HQ city

Irvington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Electrical Distribution Equipment Sales: Richards generates revenue through the sale of medium voltage products, connectors, network protectors, and accessories to utilities and commercial/industrial customers. Products include deadbreak and loadbreak elbows, cable splices, network protectors, and related hardware.
2. Natural Gas Distribution Equipment Sales: Sale of natural gas meter connections, accessories, manifold assemblies, and prefabricated meter assemblies to gas utilities.
3. Network Communication Systems and Services: ETI division provides design and installation services for automating underground network distribution systems, including custom solutions incorporating MNPR relays, sensors, and communication systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Richards Manufacturing designs, injection-molds, and tests in the USA a portfolio of electrical and gas distribution equipment for utilities and commercial/industrial customers. Core offerings span four product lines: Medium Voltage Products (5-35kV loadbreak/deadbreak elbows, cold shrink splices, R-800, R-Stack, and arresters), Connectors (overhead/underground compression lugs, splices, crab joints, and disconnect switches), Network Products (800A-5100A Network Protectors, MNPR microprocessor relays, and ETI secondary network communications), and Natural Gas Products (meter connections, manifold assemblies, prefabricated meter assemblies). The ETI division additionally provides design and installation services for underground network automation.

Product overview

Richards Manufacturing is a producer of electrical and gas distribution equipment for utility and commercial/industrial markets, operating as a single-product-portfolio company with four main product lines: Medium Voltage Products (loadbreak/deadbreak elbow connectors, cold shrink splices, R-800 combined units, R-Stack connectors, and arresters for underground distribution 5-35kV), Connectors (compression lugs and splices, distribution equipment, underground equipment, pole line hardware for overhead and underground systems), Network Products (Network Protectors 800-5100A, MNPR microprocessor relays, ETI secondary network communications with SCADA integration), and Natural Gas Products (meter connections and assemblies). The company's flagship innovations include the R-800 combining 600A elbow with 200A tap plug, the CSH Cold Shrink Hammerhead with integrated jacket seal, and the ETI division's communicating MNPR relays with DNP3 protocol. Products are manufactured in Irvington, NJ using injection molding processes with in-house EPDM rubber production and high voltage testing capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ETI: ETI is a division of Richards Manufacturing specializing in network and communication equipment, including Microprocessor Network Protector Relays (MNPR), monitoring sensors, and SCADA communications enclosures for automating underground network distribution systems.

Products and services

• Medium Voltage Products Loadbreak and Deadbreak pre-molded products for installation on underground distribution systems between 5kV and 35kV, including elbows, splices, arresters, and junction accessories designed, injection-molded, and tested in the USA. Used by electric utilities for underground power distribution.
• Connectors Overhead and underground distribution products including compression lugs, splices, vise connectors, hot line clamps, stirrups, cable limiters, and crab joints for utility and commercial/industrial power distribution.
• Network Products Network protectors (800A to 5100A), microprocessor-based relay monitoring systems, and secondary network communications equipment for automating and monitoring underground network distribution systems.
• Natural Gas Products Meter connections, accessories, manifold assemblies, and prefabricated meter assemblies for natural gas utilities.
• Secondary Network System Communications (ETI Division) Design and installation services for automating underground network distribution systems, including custom solutions incorporating MNPR relays, sensors, and communications systems. Includes secondary network system communications hardware enabling SCADA integration.
• Network Protectors (800A-5100A) Network protectors from 800A to 5100A with voltages of 125/216V, 277/480V, 347/600V, manufactured for all makes and models including 313NP, 137NP, 147NP, and 416NP series. Richards claims largest manufacturer globally.
• Microprocessor Network Protector Relay (MNPR) Direct replacement for electromechanical and solid state relays in Westinghouse and GE Network Protectors, featuring real-time three-phase data acquisition, waveform capture for harmonic analysis, and DNP3 protocol communication with any SCADA system. Sold under the registered MNPR trademark.
• R-800 Separable Connector Innovative design combining 600A elbow and 200A tap plug into a single unit, available in 15kV and 25kV configurations, providing reduced inventory, simplified installation, and improved reliability. 100% compatible with other manufacturers' components.
• R-Stack Connector Combined Deadbreak Connecting Plug and Deadbreak Elbow in a single premolded composite unit, reducing total assembly force to only 25 lbs versus 100 lbs for a standard connecting plug and cutting stack height by 4 inches per two elbows (20% reduction).
• CSH Series Cold Shrink Hammerhead All-in-one deadbreak elbow solution with integral jacket seal and capacitive test point, range-taking, 100% EPDM construction with proprietary in-house rubber formulation, oil-resistant exterior, fully shielded and submersible design.
• CS8 Series Cold Shrink R-800 Combines CSH and R-800 technologies with cold shrinkable cable entrance eliminating need for cable adapter and separate jacket seal kit, with stainless steel fastener system and integral loadbreak tap and deadbreak elbow housing.
• SSC Series Cold Shrink Splice Cold shrink splicing system for medium voltage power cables through 35kV, hybrid design incorporating cold shrink and push-on technologies with integral jacket seals.
• JSCS Series Cold Shrink Disconnectable Joint Multi-way medium voltage splicing system through 35kV with range-taking cold shrink sleeve design (3-in-1), eliminating need for cable adapter, jacket seal, retaining ring, and vent rod; molded from proprietary cold shrink EPDM formula with rugged oil-resistant exterior.
• 600/900A Deadbreak Elbow Easy, reliable cable termination and primary cable splicing up to 35kV with fully shielded bolted connection available in aluminum (600A) or copper (900A).
• 200A Loadbreak Elbow 200A class elbow for load break/make operations with hot-stick, rated up to 15kV with standard probe interface for safe, reliable operations.
• 600A 35kV R-Stack Arrester Ultra-efficient underground cable/equipment protection using gapless Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) technology in fully-shielded, submersible EPDM housing with bolted 600A Deadbreak interface rated for 40kA fault current. Covered by US Patents 10,347,403 and 9,728,307.
• Deadbreak Elbow Extension Adapter Robust solution for extension of medium voltage power cable for livefront-to-deadfront conversions and cable repairs; interfaces with deadbreak elbow and disconnectable joint sleeve.
• ABWC Series Aluminum Bolted Wedge Connector Mechanical wedge connector for overhead conductor connections featuring innovative clip design with shear bolt head guaranteeing required installation torque. Covered by US Patent 11,183,778 and related shear bolt patents.
• Overhead Disconnect Switch (91ODS) 900A-rated, 15kV-Class distribution overhead switch providing a convenient straight disconnect point and low-cost live-switching option.
• WARN/Richards Linemans Drill Winch (LDW) Utility drill winch for tensioning wire and cable with ergonomic benefits, 40ft of 5/32in synthetic non-conductive rope with 750 lb single-line tensioning capacity, co-developed with WARN.

Quantifiable outcome

• Eliminates risk of contamination during installation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• TE ConnectivitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025TE Connectivity acquired Richards Manufacturing Co. in 2025 for approximately USD 2.3 billion. This acquisition integrates Richards into TE Connectivity's Industrial Solutions segment, strengthening TE's capabilities in energy infrastructure and industrial applications. Richards now operates as part of the TE Connectivity family of companies.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• ABB Electrification: ABB's Electrification business provides medium voltage switchgear, cable accessories, and protection relays for utilities globally, competing broadly with Richards' medium voltage, connector, and network protector lines.
• Schneider Electric: Schneider Electric offers medium voltage equipment, network protection, and grid automation products serving utility and industrial customers, addressing the same end-markets as Richards' full product portfolio.
• Siemens Smart Infrastructure: Siemens supplies medium voltage distribution equipment, protection relays, and grid automation solutions to utilities, with overlapping capabilities in network communications, MNPR-style relays, and switchgear.
• 3M Electrical Markets Division: 3M's electrical division produces medium voltage cable accessories, terminations, and splices that compete with Richards' cold shrink and pre-molded product portfolio, leveraging 3M's broader scale and global channel presence.
• nVent Electric (ERIFLEX, Trachte): nVent offers electrical connection and protection products for industrial and utility applications, including medium voltage and power distribution equipment that overlaps with Richards' connector and switchgear-adjacent offerings.

Direct peers

• MacLean Power Systems: MacLean Power Systems manufactures overhead and underground connectors, pole line hardware, and utility-grade distribution products that compete directly with Richards' connector product line for utility customers.
• Eaton (Cooper Power Systems): Eaton's Cooper Power Systems division manufactures network protectors, medium voltage cable accessories, and underground distribution equipment serving the same blue-chip utility customers as Richards. It is one of the most direct competitors in network protector and elbow/splice categories.
• Hubbell: Hubbell's electrical segment produces medium voltage connectors, cable accessories, and utility-grade wiring devices comparable to Richards' connector and medium voltage product lines, sold through similar utility channels.
• S&C Electric Company: S&C Electric specializes in medium voltage switchgear, network protectors, and underground distribution equipment for electric utilities, overlapping directly with Richards' network protector and medium voltage product portfolios.
• G&W Electric: G&W Electric manufactures loadbreak and deadbreak elbows, splices, and network protection products for utility underground distribution, directly competing with Richards' R-800, CSH, and SSC product lines.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Richardsmfg
• Xx.com/richards_mfg
• Facebookfacebook.com/richardsmfgco
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/richards-manufacturing-company

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Richards Manufacturing