In 1958, Polara's founder Herbert McGaffey and two partners started Skyborne Electronics, a small electronics manufacturing company that would become Polara's predecessor. Skyborne produced electromagnetic components for military and commercial systems. Operating out of a sheet metal building in Santa Fe Springs, California, the first structure had no air conditioning. In attempt to manage the heat during the summer months, a sprinkler would often be placed on the roof of the building to cool the interior.

In 1963, the partners of Skyborne sold the company to Sprague Electronics, with it eventually ending up in the hands of Alladin International. Meanwhile, Herb was busy starting his next company which would become Polara Engineering, Inc. In 1969, Polara would open its doors in a tiny 2500 square foot building also in Santa Fe Springs, California. Over the next 19 years, Polara and its team would grow in experience and technological capabilities. It would also grow in physical size, taking over neighboring suites until Polara was utilizing all of the 6000 square feet of its small commercial building.

In 1988, Polara transferred operations from Santa Fe Springs, California to Fullerton, California, increasing its footprint from 6000 square feet to 21,000 square feet. As Polara continued to follow technology and market advances, Herb added a new product to Polara's line of electronics: Accessible Pedestrian Crosswalk Systems (APS). The new line would become one of the most successful ADA-compliant crosswalk systems available.

Feeling the growing pains again in 2008, Polara made the move to its current home base in Corona, California. Now occupying a building with over 40,000 square feet of working space, Polara continues to manufacture the highest quality electronic components and state-of-the-art Accessible Pedestrian Systems on the the market today. With its new, modern facility, Polara is well poised to maintain its growth into the future while maintaining the same consistent quality it has always been known for.

Polara Engineering and its founders stand by their commitment to quality and excellence. This commitment is due in large part to their belief and faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Click on the image at left to read more about Polara's Creed, or stop by the office and see the mural!

Polara was established in 1969 by the late Herbert F. McGaffey. Under the leadership of Polara’s current CEO and President, John F. McGaffey, the Company, in it's new, modern, fully equipped, 40,000+ square foot facility, is continuing its history of being a premier supplier of specialty components and finished products to the Medical, Military, Industrial, and Traffic industries. Polara is committed to maintaining the highest level of quality under its ISO 9001:2008 and medical quality system guidelines.