Gallery
An Xcelite nut driver.
Standard-length and "stubby" interchangeable shaft screwdrivers.
Precision pliers.
Xcelite interchangeable shaft screwdriver
| Product type | Hand tools |
|---|---|
| Owner | Apex Tool Group |
| Country | USA |
| Previous owners | Cooper Industries |
| Website | Weller Xcelite Tools |
Xcelite is a brand of hand tools geared towards the electronics service industry. It is currently owned by Apex Tool Group and markets screwdrivers, nut drivers, pliers, and various specialized electronics tools. [1]
Xcelite was founded in 1921 by F. Birney Farrington (1886-1962), as the Park Metalware Company, Inc., a small metalworking shop in Orchard Park, New York. [2] John Zilliox’s (1874-1971) U.S. Patent 1,386,217 for an adjustable wrench, launched the company into manufacturing hand tools for worldwide distribution. The company marketed tools under the "XCEL" and, later, "Xcelite" brand names. [3] John N. Petre (1891-1952) held six patents assigned to Park Metalware. Among his important inventions was the interchangeable shaft screwdriver U.S. Patent 2,476,762 . By 1952, the Xcelite brand name was so well known in the electronics, television and radio repair industries, the company changed its corporate name to Xcelite, Inc. [4]
In 1973, the brand was purchased by Cooper Industries. [5] [6]
In 2010, the brand was transferred to Apex Tool Group, a joint venture formed by Cooper Industries and Danaher Corporation. [7]
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