Cleco Production Tools

What Cleco Production Tools does

Cleco Production Tools, founded in 1894 as Cleveland Pneumatic Tool Company and now operated as a brand of Apex Tool Group, LLC (a Bain Capital portfolio company), manufactures industrial assembly tightening tools, material removal tools, fixtured spindles, and controllers for safety-critical manufacturing environments. Its product portfolio spans cordless assembly systems (CellCore, CellTek, LiveWire, CellClutch Connect), corded electric transducer-controlled nutrunners (NeoTek 30/50/70 Series), intelligent fixtured spindles (BTi), the mPro controller ecosystem (mPro250, mPro400GCD, mPro Connect), material removal tools (Heritage Series grinders, Dotco, vertical grinders, sanders), and impact wrenches and pneumatic tools. Core technology centers on precision torque control via transducer-based monitoring, wireless connectivity supporting up to 16 tools per controller, on-tool programming (FastApps), and integration with manufacturing execution systems for traceability of safety-critical joints.

The business model is enterprise B2B with quote-based pricing, multi-year contracts, and a hybrid go-to-market combining direct enterprise field sales supported by application engineers with an extensive global distributor network. The company serves automotive/motor vehicle, agriculture and lawn equipment, heavy truck and trailer, large appliance, aerospace, rail, and adjacent regulated verticals. Named customers include GM, Harley-Davidson, John Deere, Caterpillar, Husqvarna, Dana, CNH, Briggs & Stratton, Cummins, Blue Bird, Harbinger, and Xylem. Operations are anchored by dual manufacturing hubs in Lexington, SC, USA and Westhausen, Germany, supported by eight Cleco Care Service Centers spanning the Americas, EMEA, and APAC. The company maintains ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications and has 501-1,000 employees. Revenue is not publicly disclosed as the parent is privately held.

Name

Cleco Production Tools

Legal name

Apex Tool Group, LLC

Website

https://clecotools.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1894

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Cleco Production Tools, a brand of Apex Tool Group, manufactures industrial assembly tightening tools, material removal tools, and controllers for safety-critical manufacturing. It serves automotive, aerospace, agriculture, heavy truck, and appliance OEMs globally via direct enterprise sales and distributors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lexington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Production Tools Hardware: Sale of assembly tightening tools, material removal tools, and drilling tools including nutrunners, screwdrivers, spindles, grinders, sanders, and accessories. Includes both corded and cordless options across multiple power types.
2. Controllers and Software: Sale of controller systems (mPro250, mPro400GCD) that manage and integrate multiple tools. Controllers provide connectivity, data collection, and process control capabilities.
3. Service and Support (Cleco Care): Technical support, on-site service, repair authorization, calibration certificates, and expedited parts. Training programs through Cleco Academy.
4. Accessories and Parts: Replacement parts, accessories, and consumables including collets, blades, bearings, seals, and specialized components for tool maintenance and customization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Cleco Production Tools manufactures and sells industrial assembly tightening tools, material removal tools, and drilling tools for production lines. Its core offering covers cordless and corded electric nutrunners (CellCore, CellTek, LiveWire, NeoTek), fixtured spindle systems including the BTi Intelligent Spindle Assembly System, the mPro controller ecosystem, material removal tools (Heritage Series and Dotco grinders, sanders, polishers, routers, saws), and impact wrenches and pneumatic tools. The portfolio is delivered as integrated tool-plus-controller-plus-software systems supported globally by the Cleco Care service network.

Product overview

Cleco Production Tools offers a comprehensive portfolio of industrial assembly and material removal solutions. The product lineup includes cordless assembly tools (CellCore, CellTek, LiveWire, CellClutch Connect) and corded electric tools (NeoTek series) for precision fastening, complemented by intelligent fixtured spindle systems (BTi) for automated assembly. The controller ecosystem (mPro250, mPro400GCD, mPro Connect) enables tool management and data connectivity. Material removal is served through Heritage Series grinders, Dotco precision tools, vertical grinders, sanders and polishers. Additional offerings include pneumatic tools (impact wrenches in CWC/CWM/CV series, nutrunners, torque wrenches, air motors), drilling tools (hand drills, riveting), and accessories (TULMan electronic counter, reaction components, scratch protection covers). The tools serve safety-critical, quality-critical, and functional assembly applications across automotive, aerospace, agriculture, heavy truck, and industrial manufacturing sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dotco: Precision surface preparation tools including grinders, sanders, and polishers.
• CellCore
• CellTek
• NeoTek
• LiveWire
• mPro

Products and services

• CellCore Cordless Electric High Torque Assembly Tools Assembly-line cordless electric tools designed for high torque applications across 40-2000 Nm range, featuring FastApps programming directly on the tool or via controller connection, Norbar torque multiplier for accuracy, drop-tested durability, and 500k cycles between maintenance.
• CellCore Cordless Electric Pistol Assembly Tools Pistol-style cordless electric assembly tools designed for quality-critical applications with on-tool programming, drop testing up to 5 feet, and 500k cycles between maintenance for increased uptime.
• CellTek Cordless Electric Pistol Assembly Tools Fastest cordless assembly pistol tools in their class with best-in-class accuracy for safety-critical assembly, featuring reliable real-time synchronization with manufacturing and engineering systems.
• LiveWire Cordless Assembly Tools Cordless tools combining flexibility with real-time wireless error-proofing capabilities for safety-critical fastening data transmission, supporting up to 16 tools per controller with precision torque, angle, and speed control.
• CellClutch Connect Cordless Assembly Tool Cordless assembly tool delivering simple, programmable torque control with connectivity features for assembly line applications.
• NeoTek Corded Electric Assembly Tools (30, 50, 70 Series) Transducer-controlled corded electric assembly tools covering right angle and high torque pistol configurations with torque ranges from 13 Nm up to 4000 Nm, designed for precision assembly in safety-critical applications.
• mPro250 Cordless Tool Controller Cordless tool controller offering leading in-plant connectivity with always-free software, integrates up to 16 cordless tools, featuring enhanced touchscreen, Wi-Fi up to 183 meters range, and Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity supporting 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.
• mPro400GCD Global Hybrid Controller Transducer-controlled hybrid controller supporting corded and cordless tools (NeoTek, LiveWire, CellCore, CellTek, and Conventional BD Spindles), controlling up to 16 tools with an 8.5-inch interactive screen and storage for up to 10,000 run downs, designed for safety-critical applications.
• mPro Connect On-tool Controller On-tool cordless controller that puts control inside the tool for simplified setup, reduced costs, real-time connectivity with fast tool replacement capabilities, and OTA updates.
• BTi Intelligent Spindle Assembly System Intelligent fixtured spindle system for automated assembly without cable festooning, available in multiple sizes (1-4) with various drive configurations (straight, angle, offset) and transducer options for real-time monitoring and precision tightening.
• Heritage Series Industrial Grinders (216, 236, 25 Series) Industrial grinders up to 45% lighter with increased power and durability, featuring advanced lightweight alloy housing, improved motor technology, and configurations up to 1.4 HP and 25,000 rpm.
• Dotco Precision Grinders (including 12LF Series) Precision surface preparation tools including die grinders, right angle grinders, and pencil grinders designed for industrial applications with interchangeable parts for versatility; the new 12LF Series features an improved two-part composite grip with reduced vibration.
• Vertical Grinders Heavy-duty vertical grinders for metal fabrication in shipbuilding, rail, and foundry applications, available in 3 HP and 4 HP versions with streamlined one-piece all-metal housing.
• Sanders, Polishers, Routers, and Saws Industrial surface preparation tools including disc sanders, polishers, routers, saws, and wire brushing tools for flexibility across industrial material removal applications.
• CWC Premium Composite Series Impact Wrenches Premium composite impact wrenches delivering optimal combination of productivity, ergonomics, and durability with twin hammer mechanism and push-button forward/reverse in 1/4- to 3/4-inch drive sizes.
• CWM Premium Metal Housing Series Impact Wrenches Heavy-duty impact wrenches with all-metal construction engineered for the harshest environments, delivering the most power in the Cleco impact wrench family in 3/8- to 3/4-inch drive sizes.
• CV Composite Series Impact Wrenches Value-featured composite impact wrenches ideal for general industrial applications with lightweight, balanced design and variable speed trigger in 3/8- to 1-inch drive sizes.
• Nutrunners and Screwdrivers Pneumatic and electric nutrunners and screwdrivers for precision fastening applications across various torque ranges.
• Torque Wrenches Precision torque wrenches including click type, preset single, micrometer adjustable, and torque limiting screwdrivers for accurate torque control.
• Pulse Tools Pneumatic pulse tools for high-speed assembly operations with reduced reaction torque.
• Air Motors Pneumatic power motors for industrial applications requiring reliable, powerful rotary motion.
• Industrial Hand Drills Industrial hand drills including pistol, angle, and in-line configurations available in various power ratings for aerospace to appliance manufacturing applications.
• Riveting Tools Industrial riveting equipment for high-volume production assembly operations.
• Conventional Fixtured Spindles Fixed mounting assembly spindles including intelligent and conventional options for automated assembly systems, with durability ratings up to 3 million maintenance-free cycles for high-volume production lines.
• TULMan Electronic Counter Universal electronic counter for monitoring and maintaining pneumatic tools with cycle/run time tracking, LED warnings, and free downloadable software for programming and data export.
• Cleco Tool Programming and Management Software Cleco software suite including FastApps for on-tool programming and always-free controller software for production process control, parameter management, run-down storage, and quality reporting.

Quantifiable outcome

• mPro250 delivers up to 6x faster performance over mPro200
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports (Arrow SPM)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 May 2019Apex Tool Group serves as official tool partner for Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports. Expanded partnership in 2019 following initial collaboration in 2018. Cleco tools support motorsports assembly and racing applications.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Makita: Global power tool manufacturer expanding into industrial cordless and assembly applications. Comparable on the cordless power tool side and increasingly relevant to industrial assembly customers evaluating electric and battery-powered alternatives.

Broad incumbents

• Atlas Copco: Global industrial tools and assembly solutions leader with a broad portfolio of DC tools, controllers, and assembly analytics. Directly comparable to Cleco in automotive, aerospace, and general industry assembly, with a larger product breadth and global footprint.
• Ingersoll Rand: Provider of industrial tools, air tools, and material handling equipment. Comparable through its DC tooling and assembly fastener portfolio aimed at automotive, heavy equipment, and general manufacturing end markets.
• Bosch Rexroth: Major supplier of assembly technologies including nutrunners, tightening controllers, and Industry 4.0 software. Overlaps directly with Cleco's transducer-controlled tools (NeoTek), mPro-class controllers, and fixtured spindle offerings for automotive and industrial OEMs.
• Stanley Black & Decker: Diversified global tool manufacturer with industrial fastening, assembly, and material removal offerings. Overlaps with Cleco's industrial corded and cordless tools and serves similar OEM manufacturing customers.
• Snap-on Incorporated: Manufacturer of professional tools, diagnostics, and equipment for industrial and automotive customers. Comparable in industrial torque and assembly tooling, with overlapping customers in heavy equipment and vehicle manufacturing.

Direct peers

• Kolver USA: Producer of electric and pneumatic torque screwdrivers, controllers, and fixtured assembly systems. Comparable to Cleco's precision assembly tool and controller portfolio, especially in electronics, appliance, and light-assembly applications.
• Mountz Torque: Specialist in torque control tools, torque testers, and assembly process control. Comparable to Cleco's torque wrenches, nutrunners, and controller ecosystem for quality-critical fastening applications.
• Desoutter Industrial Tools: Specialist in assembly tools, DC nutrunners, and assembly process controllers for safety-critical applications. Closest head-to-head peer to Cleco in automotive and aerospace assembly, with comparable cordless and transducer-controlled product lines.
• Aimco Tools: Manufacturer of industrial assembly tools including DC nutrunners, pneumatic tools, and torque control systems serving automotive and general manufacturing. Closely comparable in product category, customer base, and assembly application focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZ7OgImHsG0Cf9d69FSmtoA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clecotools
• Xx.com/ClecoTools

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cleco Production Tools