About Us
Setting the standard in cable preparation tools
Founded in 1936, Ripley has been leading the way in the design and manufacture of equipment, tools and technology for specialized applications ever since. Today, we’re a global provider of cable preparation tools and accessories to the power utilities, fiber optic and cable television industries. Our pioneering approach to product design has enabled us to create innovative tools that solve the everyday challenges faced by linemen, cable engineers, technicians and installers.
Our company values
Our focus has always been to make the job of today’s linemen, telecommunications, utility and electrical workers safer, faster and more efficient.
The story of our business
1930s
1932
1932 - George C. Devol, Jr. founds the United Cinephone Corporation, a manufacturer of photoelectric cells and vacuum tube control systems in New Jersey, USA.
1936
1936 - United Cinephone’s vice president Louis Ripley establishes Ripley Company, Inc.
1940s
1945
1945 - The Sun-Switch is developed utilizing photo-sensitive circuits to control lighting systems in streetlights and buildings.
1946
1946 - Ripley Company Inc. absorbs United Cinephone Corporation. Ripley Company relocates from Torrington, Connecticut to the Palmer Mills Industrial Complex at 1 Factory Street in Middletown, Connecticut.
1960s
1961
1961 - Ripley Company, Inc. begins selling 82,500 shares of common stock.
1968
1968 - NASD adds Ripley Company's stock to the national list with more than 2,000 stockholders located throughout the US.
1970s
1972
1972 - Ripley Co. acquires Utility Tool Corporation, a manufacturer of power-driven CATV and electric utility cable stripping tools located in East Haddam, Connecticut.
1974
1974 - Utility Tool Corporation registers its Cablematic® brand of CATV tools.
1975
1975 - After a devastating fire destroys Ripley's factory on July 5, 1975, Ripley Co. relocates to 46 Nooks Hill Road in Cromwell, Connecticut.
1976
1976 - Utility Tool Corp. is relocated to Ripley's Cromwell manufacturing facility, serving as the UtilityTool® brand.
1990s
1990
1990 - Ripley sells its photo controls division to M. H. Rhodes, Inc. Later in the year, Ripley Co. is acquired by Capewell Components, LLC.
1994
1994 - K. Miller Tool Company of Springfield, Massachusetts is acquired and becomes the Miller® brand.
2000s
2000
2000 - Capewell Components expands Ripley's global presence by acquiring Abeco Tools Ltd. located in Birmingham, England.
2004
2004 - Capewell acquires Clauss's Fiber Optic and Telecom division of fiber optic preparation tools.
2005
2005 - Abeco Tools Ltd. is renamed Ripley Europe Limited, serving as Ripley's European sales office now located in Kingwinsford, England.
2006
2006 - Ripley opens a sales office in China.
2010s
2013
2013 - Capewell's Ripley manufacturing facility in Cromwell, Connecticut is ISO 9001:2008 certified. Capewell Components Asia Ltd. Shanghai opens, serving as its Asian sales office.
2014
2014 - Capital Works in Cleveland, Ohio acquires Capewell Components, LLC and its assets. Ripley Tools LLC opens as a separate entity from Capewell.
2015
2015 - Capewell Components Asia Ltd. Shanghai located in Shanghai, China is renamed to Shanghai Ripley Hardware Tools Co., Ltd., serving as Ripley's Asian sales office.
2017
2017 - Ripley Tools acquires Optical Design Manufacturing Inc. (ODM) located in Laconia, New Hampshire and expands its product line to include fiber optic testing equipment under the new ODM® brand.
Optical Design Manufacturing Inc. is renamed to Ripley ODM LLC.
2018
2018 - Ripley ODM LLC relocates to a larger facility in Belmont, New Hampshire.
Ripley Tools LLC in Cromwell, CT is ISO 9001:2015 certified.
2020s
2020
2020 - Ripley Labs opens as an innovative center for customized design, testing, and product training.
Our People
We’re incredibly proud of our Ripley team. It’s a team made up of skilled engineers, dedicated customer service specialists and experienced industry professionals. Together, they have what it takes to make sure our customers have the right tools at the right time, every time.
Careers at Ripley
Do you want to work for a company that believes in nurturing talent, diversity and inclusivity, innovation and collaboration and always aiming for excellence? Find out more about joining the Ripley team.
Our capabilities
Our engineering capabilities cover everything from research and development of innovative new tools through to product testing and quality assurance. We also provide comprehensive manufacturing services including cutting, machining and finishing as well as product assembly.
The Ripley Family Brands
The Ripley family of tool brands bring the best in cable preparation tools and accessories to the ever-evolving power utilities, fiber optic and cable television industries. As cable technologies advance, choose the tools that will make sure your business is future-fit and ready for anything.
