Sealevel Celebrates 25 Years of Connectivity and Control

Sealevel Systems, Inc., proudly celebrated 25 years of innovative, reliable hardware and software products to enable computer connectivity and control with a day-long event that included an employee appreciation lunch and an open house for customers and partners.

Sealevel’s story begins in 1984 when CEO and president Tom O’Hanlan designed the first RS-422/485 communication adapter for the IBM PC. In 1986, O’Hanlan, along with his wife Susan, formed Sealevel Systems, Inc.

The company manufactures over 300 standard I/O products and offers customized solutions for a number of industries including military and government, medical, broadcast communications, and process control. The company also upgraded its high-tech, in-house equipment to guarantee top-quality products. From assembly to environmental testing, the goal of the manufacturing process is to maintain the highest standard of quality.

“Because our products are designed and manufactured at our headquarters in Liberty, we have direct control over product development, production, burn-in, and testing,” said Ben O’Hanlan, Sealevel’s chief operating officer. “By maintaining a state-of-the-art facility, we can ensure our customers receive the highest quality products and services.”

Through the years, the company has relocated several times to larger facilities to accommodate industry demands. Sealevel’s current campus on Highway 93 in Liberty houses its design, sales, support and manufacturing in a 48,000 square foot facility. In 2010, the company worked with Creative Builders LLC on a major expansion to allow space for future operations and additional warehouse areas. To prevent static electricity damage to electronic equipment, Sealevel installed over 15,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art electrostatic discharge (ESD) tiling, and 5,000 sq. ft. of warehouse space was converted to manufacturing and office space.

Today Sealevel works with the top companies and government agencies in the world. During 2010, the company was chosen by two leading military contractors to design, manufacture and supply equipment for Department of Defense projects. These projects require the ability to certify that product designs comply with demanding technical specifications. In particular, the company’s relationship with Clemson University’s International Center for Automotive Excellence (CU-ICAR) has been extremely beneficial for conducting testing for electromagnetic interference (EMI) to ensure products will not interfere with other equipment in use nearby. The advanced, highly accurate instruments available through CU-ICAR allow this testing to be done quickly to support rapid product development.

From being named South Carolina Manufacturer of the Year to the Innovision Award, Sealevel has been recognized throughout the years by the community and industry. In 2010, Tom O’Hanlan was awarded the Allan J. McDonald Award from the Society for International Business Fellows for his outstanding international entrepreneurial efforts.

“Over the last twenty-five years, my family and I have watched Sealevel grow into an international success. We will continue developing new ideas and leveraging new technologies to meet the demands of the changing world. We will continue to manufacture products that help our customers make the world stronger, safer and better,” noted Tom O’Hanlan.