Greenlee Buys Paladin Tools to Build Its Business in VDV Market

Further broadening its position in the voice, data and video (VDV) channel, Greenlee, Rockford, Ill., acquired Paladin Tools, a provider of tools and accessories for the telecom, datacom and wiring industries.

“Strategically, this acquisition provides Greenlee with a complementary brand portfolio and an expanded product line,” said Scott Hall, Greenlee president. “Paladin also gives Greenlee access to additional distribution channels in the voice, data and video industry that will broaden our customer base for communications wiring tools.”

Headquartered in Oilville, Va., Paladin has been steadily growing its presence in the industry since it was founded in 1977. Paladin's brand names include Paladin Tools, DataShark and PowerPlay, and the company's product line includes a variety of cutters, strippers, punchdown tools, crimpers, multi-tools, testers, kits and other hand tools and accessories for use in computer, network, telephone, home entertainment and other communications wiring applications. Distributors selling its products include Graybar Electric Co., St. Louis, and Anixter International, Glenview, Ill.; other sales channels include Home Depot, Menards, Fry's, Tessco, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

“While there is some product overlap with Greenlee's current VDV line, overall the brand portfolios effectively complement one another,” said Martha Kness, Greenlee's Hole Making and Hand Tools vice president and general manager, “The synergies that exist between the two product lines serve to provide a more comprehensive offering of products for all types of wire and cable installation.”

Before the acquisition, Greenlee offered some VDV tools and testers such as premium installation tools, tone generators, telephone test sets, network certification instruments and fiber-optic test equipment. The company also sells a broad array of electricians' tools and earlier this year launched a major expansion campaign that added dozens of new products, including pliers, saws, screwdrivers, wrenches, insulated drivers, tool bags, accessories and tool kits to its offering of hand tools.

“Greenlee's addition of a professional hand tool product line this past year was focused on providing a comprehensive assortment of the top 200 hand tools used by the professional electrician, but not specifically voice/data/video,” said Kness. “This acquisition complements that initiative by increasing the breadth and depth of the products needed in the telecom, datacom, electronics and communications wiring industry.”