Imperial® –
More than 100 Years of Excellence
The industrial age was just shifting into high gear in
1905 when four men got together to form The Imperial Brass Manufacturing
Company (“Imperial”). The company began its development featuring a line of
automotive and boat brass specialties. In the ensuing years, Imperial became
known as “expert specialists in brass”.
Their
design of the non-soldering fitting, known today as the flared fitting, led
designers to the development of flaring tools and cutters. Imperial patented
the first flaring tool in 1917. Over the years, the product list grew,
including tube fittings, shut-off valves, drain cocks, tube working tools,
refrigeration and air conditioning products, plumbing products, fuel
strainers and equipment for welding, cutting, soldering and brazing.
Following
the 1961 merger with Eastman Manufacturing Company of Manitowoc, Wisconsin,
Imperial became Imperial Eastman, and entered into a period of aggressive
and dynamic growth establishing them as a technological leader in the fluid
connector field. As a result of Imperial Eastman’s success in the domestic
market, company-owned operations and joint ventures in the United Kingdom,
Japan, Australia, Mexico, Brazil and Germany were established to grow
international markets.
In
September of 1996 Stride Tool Inc. purchased the tools and accessories
division of Imperial Eastman, bringing the Imperial tradition of innovation
and excellence to Stride.
Milbar®
- World-Class Quality Hand Tools
The
Milbar Company of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, a manufacturer of specialty hand
tools since 1956, was acquired by Stride Tool Inc. in 1995.
The world’s leading manufacturer of safety wire
twisters, Milbar wire twisters are an integral part of Stride’s business.
Milbar also brought a strong focus on private label manufacturing, primarily
electrical pliers and retaining ring tools.
Stride
Tool Inc. – Company Profile
Founded
in 1980 in Ellicottville, New York with one tool and one customer, Stride
Tool has grown into a worldwide designer and manufacturer of specialty hand
tools for the professional and DIY market. In May of 2000 the Stride
Ellicottville operation was moved to Ohio and combined with Milbar, and in
November 2004 all Imperial, Stride and Milbar operations were centralized in
a new 120,000 square foot facility in Glenwillow, Ohio.
Today, Stride Tool is a world leader in the development of innovative and
dependable products, including hand tools that make work easier for
customers in a wide array of industries.
From electrical and automotive to HVAC/R service and tube working,
the quality of our Imperial and Milbar products continues to exceed the
expectations of our professional customers.
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From simple beginnings...
...to excellence in service.
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