Greenlee
Greenlee is an American industrial and electrical tool brand founded in 1862 and now associated with Emerson Electric Co.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Greenlee is an American industrial and electrical tool company headquartered in Rockford, Illinois. Its origins date to 1862, when twin brothers Robert L. Greenlee and Ralph S. Greenlee developed a hollow chisel mortiser for the furniture industry. The device combined a drill with four surrounding chisel blades and was designed to produce mortises, the recessed openings used in mortise-and-tenon woodworking joints. Although Greenlee no longer manufactures the original machine, the invention established the company’s early identity as a practical machinery and tooling supplier for professional users. The company later broadened its range beyond woodworking machinery. Its early diversification included hand woodworking tools and equipment used in the manufacture of wooden barrels. The Greenlee brothers also developed machinery for railroad construction, including an automatic tie and track laying and drilling machine that operated behind the section of track it had just installed. Their industrial orientation was influenced by their father’s work as a cooper and remained visible as the business moved into specialized tools for construction, manufacturing, utilities, and electrical work. Greenlee changed ownership several times while expanding its product portfolio. Ex-Cell-O Corporation, a Detroit-based industrial company, acquired Greenlee in 1969. Textron subsequently acquired Ex-Cell-O and its subsidiaries in 1986, bringing Greenlee into the Textron industrial portfolio. During the 1990s and 2000s, the brand expanded through acquisitions and new product categories. Fairmont Hydraulics joined the business in 1992, followed by German tool manufacturer Klauke in 1996. A series of acquisitions in 1999 and 2000 strengthened Greenlee’s presence in data and telecommunications equipment, later organized under Greenlee Communications. The company also expanded its professional and do-it-yourself offering through the acquisition of Paladin Tools in 2007 and acquired Utilux in 2008. In 2013, Sherman + Reilly and HD Electric became part of the Greenlee family of utility brands. These additions extended the portfolio into cable preparation, communications work, utility construction, hydraulic equipment, and electrical maintenance. Greenlee’s current portfolio is centered on tools and equipment used by electricians, utility crews, telecommunications installers, contractors, and industrial technicians. Its major categories include cable pulling and fishing, conduit and knockout systems, conduit bending, wire and cable cutting and termination, power-tool accessories, electrical testing and measurement, storage and material handling, utility hydraulic tools, and general-purpose and safety equipment. Products include cable pullers, wire-fishing tools, knockout sets, punches and dies, conduit benders, crimpers, cable cutters, insulated hand tools, hydraulic pumps, impact wrenches, test instruments, wire carts, and professional tool-storage systems. On April 18, 2018, Textron announced an agreement to sell Greenlee to Emerson Electric Co. The transaction was expected to close within 90 days, and Greenlee was identified as an Emerson subsidiary or affiliate by September 30, 2019. Under Emerson, Greenlee sits within a broader industrial technology environment while retaining its identity as a specialist provider of electrical, utility, communications, and industrial tools. Publicly available reference material does not establish a separate current corporate listing for the Greenlee brand.
History
Greenlee began in Rockford, Illinois, in 1862, when twin brothers Robert L. Greenlee and Ralph S. Greenlee created a hollow chisel mortiser for furniture manufacturing. The machine used a drill enclosed by four chisel blades to cut mortises for traditional mortise-and-tenon joints. This invention addressed a practical production problem in the furniture trade and gave the company its initial reputation as a manufacturer of specialized industrial machinery. The brothers’ background was connected to the region’s broader manufacturing economy. Their father was a cooper, and the family’s experience with industrial craft influenced the brothers’ interest in machinery and production tools. Greenlee subsequently developed a wider range of hand woodworking tools and machinery for making wooden barrels. The company also contributed equipment to railroad construction, including an automatic tie and track laying and drilling machine designed to move along newly laid track. Over time, Greenlee moved beyond woodworking and barrel-making equipment into tools for electrical and industrial trades. Its later portfolio included specialized products for cable installation, conduit work, wire preparation, hydraulic applications, and professional maintenance. Ownership changes helped provide resources for this expansion. Ex-Cell-O Corporation acquired Greenlee in 1969. In 1986, Textron acquired Ex-Cell-O and its subsidiaries, including Greenlee. The 1990s brought a substantial broadening of the business. Greenlee acquired Fairmont Hydraulics in 1992, strengthening its hydraulic and utility-tool capabilities. In 1996 it acquired Klauke, a German tool manufacturer with expertise relevant to electrical and cable-termination applications. Greenlee then expanded into data and telecommunications equipment through several acquisitions in 1999 and 2000. These activities formed the basis of the Greenlee Communications brand and extended the company’s reach beyond conventional electrical contracting. The company continued adding specialist brands and product capabilities in the 2000s. Paladin Tools was added on December 17, 2007, supporting the company’s do-it-yourself and specialized tooling presence. Utilux was acquired in 2008. In 2013, Sherman + Reilly and HD Electric joined the Greenlee family of utility brands, adding further connections to utility construction and electrical field work. Greenlee’s product structure ultimately developed around the needs of professional tradespeople. Cable pulling and fishing products support the installation of wire and cable. Knockout systems and conduit benders assist electricians and contractors with enclosure and conduit preparation. Cutters, crimpers, and other termination tools support wire and cable assembly. Testing and measurement equipment addresses electrical inspection and maintenance, including low- and high-voltage applications. Hydraulic pumps, breakers, and impact wrenches serve utility and heavy-duty field operations, while tool-storage systems, wire carts, and stands support transportation and job-site organization. In April 2018, Textron announced plans to sell Greenlee to Emerson Electric Co. The proposed transaction was expected to close within 90 days. By September 30, 2019, Greenlee was listed as an Emerson subsidiary and/or affiliate. The brand therefore moved from Textron’s industrial portfolio into Emerson’s industrial technology organization. Greenlee remains identified with professional electrical, utility, communications, construction, and industrial tools. The supplied reference material does not provide a current standalone executive roster, separate public listing, or confirmed official website address for the brand.
- 2019
Greenlee listed within Emerson
[1]Greenlee is listed as an Emerson subsidiary and/or affiliate by September 30, 2019.
- 2018
Textron announces sale to Emerson
[1]Textron announces plans to sell Greenlee to Emerson Electric Co.
- 2013
Utility-brand expansion
[1]Sherman + Reilly and HD Electric join the Greenlee family of utility brands.
- 2008
Utilux acquisition
[1]Greenlee acquires Utilux as part of its continuing expansion in electrical and related tooling.
- 2007
Paladin Tools added
[1]Greenlee adds Paladin Tools on December 17, expanding its do-it-yourself and specialized-tool offering.
- 2000
Further communications acquisitions
[1]Additional acquisitions strengthen the business that later operates under the Greenlee Communications brand.
- 1999
Expansion into communications equipment
[1]Greenlee begins expanding into data and telecommunications equipment through acquisitions.
- 1996
Klauke acquisition
[1]Greenlee acquires German tool manufacturer Klauke.
- 1992
Fairmont Hydraulics acquisition
[1]Greenlee acquires Fairmont Hydraulics, expanding its hydraulic-tool capabilities.
- 1986
Greenlee enters the Textron portfolio
[1]Textron acquires Ex-Cell-O and its subsidiaries, including Greenlee.
Products and positioning
A professional-grade industrial tool brand focused on electrical, utility, telecommunications, construction, and industrial maintenance applications. Greenlee’s positioning is built around specialized equipment for demanding field work, including conduit preparation, cable installation, wire termination, utility construction, testing, and material handling.
Electrical installation tools
Cable Pulling and Fishing
This category includes cable pullers and wire-fishing equipment used to route conductors through conduit, raceways, and other building or infrastructure pathways. The products are aimed primarily at electricians, contractors, and utility or communications installers working on commercial, industrial, and infrastructure projects.
Conduit and enclosure tools
Knockout Systems
Greenlee knockout offerings include knockout sets, punches, dies, and drivers for creating clean openings in electrical enclosures and other metal materials. These tools support conduit entry, panel fabrication, and electrical installation work where accurate openings are required.
Electrical installation tools
Conduit Bending
The conduit-bending range includes electric, hydraulic, and mechanical benders as well as hydraulic pumps. These products help professionals shape conduit to fit electrical layouts while maintaining repeatability and reducing manual effort on demanding construction and industrial jobs.
Electrical connection tools
Wire and Cable Termination
This product family covers cable cutters, crimpers, and related tools used to prepare and terminate electrical conductors and cables. The equipment is intended for professional installation, maintenance, utility, and communications applications where controlled cutting and connection work is essential.
Electrical test equipment
Testing and Measurement
Greenlee provides low- and high-voltage testing and measurement tools for electrical inspection, troubleshooting, and maintenance. These instruments are designed for professional users who need to assess electrical systems and verify operating conditions in field or industrial environments.
Tool accessories
Power Tool Accessories
The accessories range includes step bits, auger bits, drills, and taps. These products extend the usefulness of power tools in electrical, construction, woodworking, and general industrial applications, particularly where holes, penetrations, or threaded openings must be prepared.
Utility and heavy-duty tools
Utility Hydraulic Tools
Utility hydraulic products include pumps, breakers, and impact wrenches for demanding field operations. They serve utility construction, infrastructure maintenance, and other applications requiring high-force tooling and portable hydraulic power.
Professional tool organization
Storage and Material Handling
Storage and handling products include storage boxes, wire carts, stands, and related job-site equipment. These products help electrical and utility crews transport, organize, and stage tools, wire, and materials during installation and maintenance work.
Professional hand tools
General-Purpose and Safety Tools
This category includes professional hand-tool kits, manual bolt cutters, and insulated hand tools. The range addresses routine cutting, fastening, and electrical work while also supporting job-site safety requirements associated with professional electrical service.
Brand decisions
2018
Textron agrees to sell Greenlee to EmersonM&ABackground
Greenlee had operated within Textron since Textron acquired Ex-Cell-O and its subsidiaries in 1986. By 2018, the brand comprised electrical, utility, communications, and industrial tool activities developed both organically and through acquisitions.
Action taken
Textron announced on April 18, 2018 that it planned to sell Greenlee to Emerson Electric Co., with the transaction expected to close within 90 days.
Aftermath
Greenlee was listed as an Emerson subsidiary and/or affiliate by September 30, 2019. No transaction value is provided in the supplied reference material.
Recent events
Emerson's Greenlee works with FSG on GreenApple Labs training[2]
Reported:
Emerson's Greenlee business is working with electrical contractor FSG to integrate GreenApple Labs curriculum into FSG's free training program.
Sources2 sources
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