Rapid Locking System

What Rapid Locking System does

Rapid Locking System (RLS), founded in 2015 and headquartered in Hazelwood, Missouri, manufactures flame-free press-to-connect copper fittings and compatible press tools for the HVAC/R industry. The company's proprietary PressSure™ Technology uses annealed copper with dual radial mechanical seals, an HNBR O-ring, and a work-hardening process to create permanent, leak-proof connections rated to 700 PSI in 10 seconds or less, eliminating the need for brazing. The product portfolio spans fittings from 1/4" to 2-1/8" (including the XL line for large commercial systems), press tools and jaws compatible with RIDGID, Milwaukee, and DeWalt platforms, Klauke-branded press kits, and ancillary components (ball valves, filter driers, P-traps, sight glasses, Y-joints) that enable fully flame-free installations. RLS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marmon Holdings, a Berkshire Hathaway company, and operates an 80,000-square-foot automated manufacturing and training facility in the St. Louis area.

Name

Rapid Locking System

Legal name

RLS LLC

Website

https://rapidlockingsystem.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Rapid Locking System manufactures patented flame-free press-to-connect copper fittings and compatible tools for the HVAC/R industry, serving residential, commercial, and industrial contractors through 255+ North American distributors and offices in the UK, Japan, and ANZ.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

HVAC/R Press Fittings

NAICS

Fluid Power Valve and Hose Fitting Manufacturing (332912)

SIC

Gaskets, Packg & Sealg Devices & Rubber & Plastics Hose (3050)

akta.pro primary industry

Seals, Gaskets & Fluid Connectors (O-rings, packings, rotary seals, quick couplers) (IMAHAGAI)

Keywords

• HVAC press fittings
• Refrigeration copper fittings
• Flame-free press-to-connect
• HVAC/R connection systems
• Refrigerant press tools

Headquarters

HQ city

Hazelwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Press Fittings Sales: Core revenue from flame-free copper press fittings for HVAC/R systems. Products include couplings, elbows, tees, flares, reducers, and caps in sizes from 1/4" to 2-1/8". Sold through distribution channel to contractors and HVAC professionals.
2. Press Tools and Jaws: Press tools and jaws compatible with RIDGID, Milwaukee, and DeWalt brands. Includes 15kN, 19kN, 24kN, and 32kN force classes. Full kits available including tool, jaws, and accessories from Klauke.
3. Ancillary Products: Supplementary products including ODM ball valves, filter driers, P-traps, sight glasses, and Y-joints for complete flame-free installations. Complements core fitting product line.
4. Training and Certification: Online certification program for HVAC professionals. Upon completion of video modules and quizzes, users receive certification. Additional in-person demos and training through mobile showroom.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Rapid Locking System (RLS) manufactures patented flame-free, press-to-connect copper fittings under its PressSure™ Technology for high-pressure HVAC/R refrigerant and air-conditioning systems, enabling leak-proof mechanical connections made in 10 seconds without brazing. Its lineup spans copper press fittings from 1/4" to 2-1/8" (including an XL line for larger commercial systems), press tools and compatible jaws for RIDGID, Milwaukee, DeWalt, and Klauke platforms, and ancillary components such as ball valves, filter driers, P-traps, sight glasses, and Y-joints. Supporting offerings include contractor training, online certification, and a mobile showroom touring program.

Product overview

RLS (Rapid Locking System) is a hardware manufacturer of flame-free press-to-connect fittings and tools for the HVAC/R (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration) industry. The product portfolio centers on PressSure Technology, a patented mechanical connection system that eliminates the need for brazing by creating permanent, leak-proof joints in 10 seconds or less. The core offering consists of copper press fittings (available from 1/4" to 2-1/8" diameter, including extra-large XL sizes), a complementary line of press tools and jaws (supporting RIDGID, Milwaukee, and DeWalt platforms, plus Klauke kits), and ancillary components (ball valves, filter driers, P-traps, sight glasses, and Y-joints) that enable fully flame-free installations from start to finish. Supporting services include an RLS Mobile Showroom for on-site training and a certification program for contractors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZoomLock: A proven copper press technology originally distributed through Parker Hannifin's Sporlan Division before RLS began selling directly under their own name in 2019. ZoomLock is a cross-reference compatible product line.

Products and services

• RLS Press Fittings Complete lineup of flame-free copper press fittings for HVAC/R systems, available in sizes from 1/4" to 2-1/8". Product sub-types include couplings, elbows (90° and 45°, standard and long-radius), tees, reducers, caps, and SAE/Euro flare couplings. Uses patented PressSure™ Technology to deliver secure, leak-proof mechanical connections rated to 700 psi without brazing.
• Press Tools & Jaws Full range of high-performance press tools and jaws compatible with RLS press fittings, in 15kN, 19kN, 24kN, and 32kN force classes. Compatible with RIDGID, Milwaukee, and DeWalt press tools, and offered as Klauke kits (15 kN, 19 kN) with Makita 18V battery system. Includes jaw sets (e.g., RIDGID 24kN 6-jaw and 8-jaw) and actuator jaws.
• XL Line Extra-large RLS press fittings (1-5/8" and 2-1/8") and corresponding XL tools and jaws for large commercial and industrial HVAC/R systems. The largest HVAC/R press fitting sizes on the market, complementing the standard 1/4" to 1-3/8" range.
• Ancillary Products Full line of press-ready ancillary components for completing flame-free HVAC/R installations: ODM ball valves (flow control/isolation), ODM filter driers (moisture/contaminant removal), ODM P-traps, ODM sight glasses (refrigerant monitoring), and ODM Y-joints (multi-directional branching).
• 3/8" - 5/16" RLS Reducer New RLS reducer fitting that connects tubes of 3/8" and 5/16" diameters in HVAC/R systems, enabling flame-free size transitions in the press fitting lineup. Features PressSure™ Technology with annealed copper construction, dual radial mechanical seals, and HNBR inner seal.
• RLS Mobile Showroom Traveling demo and training center bringing hands-on flame-free press technology demonstrations directly to contractors, distributors, and events across the U.S. Features live press demos, hands-on training, burst test challenges, and virtual reality facility tours.
• RLS Training & Certification Online and in-person training and certification programs for HVAC professionals covering proper RLS press fitting installation techniques, tube preparation, and system best practices. Upon completion of video modules and quizzes, installers receive certification backed by the RLS 15-year limited warranty.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60% faster installation than brazing
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Viega: Viega is the global leader in press-to-connect fittings, serving plumbing, heating, and gas applications. It is the most direct competitor to RLS in mechanical press connection technology, with deeper plumbing cross-sells and broader international footprint.
• Conex Bänninger (Aalberts): Conex Bänninger, part of Aalberts, manufactures press fittings for plumbing and HVAC. It is a leading European competitor with overlapping product technology and similar target customer base among HVAC/R contractors.
• SharkBite (Reliance Worldwide): SharkBite pioneered push-to-connect fittings for plumbing and is expanding into HVAC/R. While primarily plumbing-focused, its push-to-connect technology is conceptually adjacent to RLS's press-to-connect, competing for the same trade contractor audience.
• IBP Group (Aalberts): IBP Group, also part of Aalberts, manufactures press fittings and accessories for plumbing and HVAC. It directly competes with RLS in mechanical press connection systems, particularly in European and international markets.

Broad incumbents

• NIBCO: NIBCO is a leading manufacturer of copper fittings, valves, and flow-control products for plumbing and HVAC. While it has a broader catalog than RLS, it competes in copper fittings and serves overlapping HVAC/R distributor channels.
• Mueller Industries: Mueller Industries is a major manufacturer of copper and brass products, including copper fittings and tubes used in HVAC/R. It is a vertically integrated copper products supplier with overlapping customer segments.
• Parker Hannifin: Parker Hannifin's Sporlan Division was RLS's exclusive distribution partner for the ZoomLock brand from 2015-2019. Parker remains a major fluid connector and HVAC component supplier with overlapping refrigerant fitting products.
• Watts Water Technologies: Watts Water manufactures plumbing, HVAC, and water quality products including fittings and valves. It serves the same HVAC/R and plumbing distributor channels and competes in adjacent categories like press and push-to-connect fittings.

Others

• RIDGID (Emerson): RIDGID is a leading press tool brand whose tools are compatible with RLS jaws (24kN platform). As an ecosystem enabler rather than direct competitor, RIDGID's installed base of contractors is a key adoption channel for RLS fittings.
• Klauke (Emerson): Klauke manufactures professional press tools sold through RLS as part of its complete press solution kits. As a tool ecosystem partner, Klauke's 15kN and 19kN tool platforms are integral to RLS's residential and light commercial offering.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnP9YoFsAJDBC3U6YZJl2rA
• Xx.com/rapid_rls
• Facebookfacebook.com/RapidLockingSystem
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rls-rapid-locking-system

Compliance25 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

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 Rapid Locking System