Innovative split design enables mid-span installation without cable disconnection, simplifying subsea maintenance and extending cable life.
Cleveland, June 23, 2026 – PMI Industries, Inc., a global leader in engineered solutions for underwater marine cable connectors and subsea cable terminations, introduces its new Split Bending Strain Relief (BSR), an innovative cable protection solution designed to provide graduated stiffness, limit bend radius, and protect cable systems in demanding marine environments.
Constructed from a corrosion-resistant adaptor, polyurethane, and stainless steel bands, the Split BSR features a symmetrical design with omnidirectional performance. Unlike traditional bending strain relief products that must be installed at the cable end, PMI’s split design allows the unit to be installed mid-span without disconnecting equipment or performing cable preparation, making it ideal for retrofit applications, maintenance, and field replacement.
The Split BSR can be designed for a wide range of cable sizes, from 0.2 inches to 5 inches, and tailored to specific cable system requirements by adjusting stiffness characteristics, length, and connection requirements. Its split construction also allows the unit to slide along the cable during or after installation, providing ease and convenience for various project plans. The custom-designed strength capabilities help distribute bending forces along the length of the cable as load conditions vary, which can increase service life and help prevent critical problems from occurring.
Developed in response to customer demand for a field-installable solution, the Split BSR is particularly well-suited for government, defense, research, and marine applications where existing cable systems require additional protection or replacement of aging strain relief components without major system disruption.
“The Split BSR demonstrates PMI’s ability to solve highly specific customer challenges with practical engineering,” said President and CEO Bob Centa. “By allowing installation directly over an existing cable without disconnecting equipment, this design gives operators a much more efficient way to protect critical cable systems while reducing downtime in the field.”
The Split BSR is available as a custom-engineered solution, with alternate color options and mounting configurations, including bolt hole patterns or preinstalled studs, depending on application requirements. PMI has validated the design through in-house testing and successful customer project deployments, ensuring reliable performance in harsh subsea environments.
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About PMI Industries, Inc.
For over four decades, PMI has been a global leader in engineered protection solutions for underwater marine cable connectors and subsea cable terminations, including assemblies and hardware that are used in electrical, optical, pressure, and mechanical applications. The solutions that PMI designs, manufactures, and tests are used on cable systems for impact and abrasion protection, to prevent bending and provide strain relief, and for dynamic and static cable protection. Its products include high-strength cable terminations and gripping products, towed array and seismic survey lead-in and umbilical terminations, and cable assemblies and hardware. Markets served include U.S. Navy and defense contractors; oil and gas/seismic survey; ocean (marine) exploration/university and research institutes; and communications. For additional information, visit www.pmiind.com.
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We are proud to announce that PMI Industries, Inc. has successfully been recertified under the ISO 9001:2015 standard with design scope. This certificate, issued by Smithers Quality Assessments, Inc., an accredited quality and environmental management systems certification body, is valid through January 11, 2029 and reflects our unwavering commitment to quality, continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
Since 2017, PMI Industries has partnered with Smithers to ensure our Quality Management System (QMS) aligns with the highest global standards for design, manufacture and distribution of offshore, subsea cable hardware assemblies as well as testing services.
This renewed certification underscores the strength of our QMS:
- Our design processes meet industry-leading benchmarks.
- PMI’s design, manufacturing and distribution of offshore subsea cable hardware assemblies continue to be executed in a way that reduces failures, improves installation time and meets stringent customer requirements.
- Our promise to deliver on-time, cost-effective and high-quality solutions.
- Our dedication to continuous improvement – not just meeting ISO requirements, but driving excellence.
“I would like to thank our entire team for their focus, dedication and attention to detail in helping earn this recertification. I would also like to thank our customers and partners for their continued trust and collaboration”, said Bob Centa, President & CEO of PMI Industries, Inc.
As a global leader in engineered solutions for underwater and offshore cable systems, PMI Industries supports major markets including defense, oil & gas, ocean exploration, communications, and more. Our certified QMS gives our customers added confidence that when they specify PMI – they’re choosing a partner whose systems and processes are audited and independently verified.
To view our certificate in full, please follow this link: ISO 9001:2015 with Design Certificate
When LaVaughn Chatman, PMI’s production supervisor, graduated from high school, he followed his uncle’s lead and went to work for the same company, General Electric Lighting. He met many people there, including someone who later joined PMI Industries. This person told LaVaughn about a job opening at PMI, which led to LaVaughn being hired by PMI in 2016.
LaVaughn found that he liked being part of a small company, especially the challenges he encountered each day.
“You must come to PMI with your ‘A’ game,” he said. “We design and build underwater marine cable connectors and subsea cable terminations here, it can get involved. Paying attention to details is my number one priority.”
We asked LaVaughn to share more about himself and the work he does at PMI.
Please tell us about the department you work in at PMI Industries.
I was hired to work in Production as a technician I. Later, I became a technician II before spending one year working as a quality control inspector. Eighteen months ago, I moved into the production supervisor position.
What do you enjoy most about the work you do?
I like the fact that I am a true technician here, it is not assembly line work. At PMI, I do the job—from beginning to end—and the responsibility for the work is all mine. I like having direct control.
Depending on the type of cable assembly, we might find ourselves working with thousands of feet of cable, configured in multiple layers, where we need to build terminations for both ends. Some of our work is incredibly involved, especially cable assemblies that contain an inside fiber optic core. Before working alone with fiber optic cables, I went through about a year’s worth of training.
What is an area or a specialty of yours of which you are particularly proud?
I came here with zero experience in fiber optics. Working with these fibers, they are so delicate, it is like an art to be able to manage something that delicate.
How would you describe a “typical” work week?
It starts with an 8 a.m. meeting every day. Then, it is out to the production floor and huddling with the technicians to go over our work and to-do list. Depending on PMI’s deliverables, we may need to shift our focus to help the supply chain manager. We are versatile and wear many hats.
There is always a lot going on here, which makes the work exciting. I always like a good challenge.
When you are not working, what do you enjoy doing?
Being with my family. I am a family man. I have chores to do around the house and kids to raise. One of my kids just graduated from college, and another one is starting his senior year in college. The two youngest are twins, they just started high school.
