The American Ridge Tool Company is one of the world's leading producers of tools for a range of professional trades, including pipe working, plumbing and all major mining industries. The company's famous trademark is Ridgid, and their tools are sold all over the world, including in South Africa.
Tools for the professional
The very first tool made by the company was a heavy-duty pipe wrench, which was launched in 1923. At the time it was publicized as being a revolutionary hand tool in terms of strength, quality and durability. Nothing quite like it had ever been seen before. Ever since, the company has proudly produced "tools for the professional" and is recognized as a world leader in the pipe working trade. Their range of tools includes:
* Clamping tools, including various different wrenches.
* Threading and roll grooving tools for pipes.
* Various press fitting tools suitable for a range of materials including stainless steel, copper, PEX pipe, and multi-layered tubing.
* A range of cut-off and deburring tools for pipe work.
* Various bending tools for bending and shaping pipes.
* Sawing tools for cutting metal, including at least one cut-off saw.
* Assembly and maintenance tools.
* Specialist diamond drilling and cutting tools.
* Tools that are manufactured specifically for video inspection of pipes and drains, and tools that can be used for locating and cleaning drains. These include machines, jetters and a variety of ingenious accessories.
* Specific storage systems suitable for use in the pipe industry.
Tools that offer quality solutions for pipe work
The company prides itself on producing tools that offer good, innovative solutions for working effectively in specific trades, pipe work in particular. This is, of course, an industry that requires products that will perform consistently in some incredibly harsh environments, when pipelines are being constructed across unchartered terrain, for example. Some of the industries and operations that utilize this company's tools include the air conditioning, central heating and sanitary industry, the water distribution and gas industry, mining and oil drilling industries, as well as sprinkler installations and the construction industry. They are also used for industrial maintenance, and for the localization, inspection and cleaning of drains. Various governments and local authorities also use their tools for a variety of projects.
The tools are not only suitable for metal work and pipe work, many of the tools are also suitable for woodwork and quality carpentry, including various pneumatic or air nailers, as well as air compressors.
While the company is headquartered in Ohio, it manufactures tools in various other parts of the world in addition to the USA, specifically in both Asia and Europe. Its European headquarters are in Belgium. The company, which has been a part of Emerson Electric since 1966, sells its tools and other products (like its storage systems) in more than 140 countries throughout the world. The company also offers worldwide support for all its Ridgid tools.
