CBS Products
CBS Products designs and manufactures cable installation equipment — including fibre optic cable blowing machines, overhead line winches, pullers, tensioners, and air compressors — serving power utilities and telecommunications operators globally through direct sales and a distributor network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1971
- HeadquartersOakham, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What CBS Products does
CBS Products (KT), Ltd., headquartered in Oakham, Rutland, England, designs and manufactures cable installation equipment for power transmission and telecommunications infrastructure. The company was founded in 1971 and originally produced cable jointing equipment before diversifying into winching equipment for the power transmission industry. Following deregulation of the UK electricity industry, CBS extended its capabilities into fibre optic cable installation along transmission line networks, developing pullers, tensioners, running out blocks, and the Tornado, Jetstream, and Hurricane series of cable blowing machines. In 2004 the company partnered with GMP Tools USA to extend global reach, and in June 2017 both businesses were acquired by Klein Tools USA, with CBS renamed CBS Products (KT), Ltd.
The company's product portfolio spans four categories presented on its website: overhead line equipment (multi-purpose winches, clamps, poles, accessories) for HV transmission towers and LV distribution lines; telecoms equipment including the Tornado, Jetstream, and Hurricane fibre optic cable blowing machines for underground CATV and telecommunication networks; Atmos Air Compressors; and distributed Klein Tools hand tools. CBS Products also manufactures cable jointing equipment, pullers, tensioners, and running out blocks. Products are documented through downloadable PDF catalogues covering main products, general tools, overhead line stringing, and underground cable laying.
CBS Products operates a sales-led go-to-market model combining direct enquiry-based engagement with a global network of agents and distributors across the UK, Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; customers contact sales by phone, email, or website enquiry to receive quotes. The company holds BS EN ISO 9001 certification and serves enterprise customers including British Telecommunications (BT) as an exclusive cable blowing equipment supplier. It is privately held as a subsidiary of Klein Tools USA, with 51–100 employees.
CBS Products firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- CBS Products
- Legal name
- CBS Products (KT), Ltd.
- Website
- https://cbsproducts.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1971
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- CBS Products designs and manufactures cable installation equipment — including fibre optic cable blowing machines, overhead line winches, pullers, tensioners, and air compressors — serving power utilities and telecommunications operators globally through direct sales and a distributor network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
CBS Products industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cable Installation Equipment
- NAICS
- Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531), Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing (3359)
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Miscellaneous Electrical Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (3690)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Transmission & Distribution Line Equipment (Bushings, Insulators, Arresters, Conductors, Hardware) (IMAGAAAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Cable Accessories & Joints/Terminations (splices, joints, terminations, link boxes) (EUADADAC)
Keywords
Where CBS Products is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oakham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
CBS Products business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Equipment Sales: Design and manufacture of cable installation equipment including fibre optic blowing machines, winches, clamps, tensioners, and accessories sold to utility and telecommunications companies globally.
- Specialised Equipment Manufacturing: Custom and standard cable jointing equipment, overhead line products, and auxiliary equipment for power transmission and telecommunications infrastructure projects.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Enquiry-based pricing - no public pricing available |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
CBS Products product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CBS Products designs and manufactures cable installation equipment for HV Transmission towers, LV Distribution lines, and underground CATV/Telecommunication networks. The product portfolio includes fibre optic cable blowing machines (Tornado, Jetstream, Hurricane), multi-purpose winches, pullers, tensioners, running out blocks, clamps, cable jointing equipment, and Atmos air compressors. The company also distributes Klein Tools hand tools and professional equipment.
Product overview
CBS Products is a cable installation equipment manufacturer offering a unified product portfolio centred on four core areas: overhead line equipment (multi-purpose winches, clamps, poles, and auxiliary equipment), telecoms/fibre optic solutions (Tornado, Jetstream, and Hurricane cable blowing machines under the Fibre Blowing Products line), distributed Klein Tools, and Atmos Air Compressors. The company also manufactures cable jointing equipment, pullers, tensioners, and running out blocks. Products are available via downloadable catalogues and a global distributor network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Klein Tools: Klein Tools products distributed by CBS Products. Klein has a reputation for supplying only the finest quality products, available around the world through a well-established network of agents and distributors.
- Tornado
- Jetstream
- Hurricane
Products and services
- Tornado Cable Blowing Machine Fibre optic cable blowing machine designed for high-speed cable placement in telecommunications networks. Outperformed competition in UK market evaluation to win exclusive supplier contract with British Telecommunications (BT).
- Jetstream Cable Blowing Machine Fibre optic cable blowing machine for installing cables in telecommunications networks.
- Hurricane Cable Blowing Machine
- Cable Jointing Equipment Equipment for cable jointing and splicing operations in power and telecommunications installations.
- Pullers
- Tensioners
- Running Out Blocks
- Overhead Line Products
- Atmos Air Compressors
- Klein Tools Range of quality hand tools and professional equipment distributed by CBS Products, available through global network of agents and distributors.
Quantifiable outcome
- Tornado fibre optic cable blowing machine outperformed competition in demanding UK market evaluation
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use CBS Products
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
CBS Products technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
CBS Products partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- GMP Tools USAcoreIn 2004, CBS joined forces with GMP Tools USA to further enhance the global reach and breadth of outside plant equipment capabilities. This partnership preceded the 2017 acquisition of both companies by Klein Tools.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
CBS Products competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Plumettaz SA: Swiss manufacturer of cable blowing machines and fibre optic cable installation equipment, competing directly with CBS's Tornado, Jetstream, and Hurricane product lines in telecom and FTTH deployments.
- Condux International: US-based manufacturer of cable installation equipment including cable blowers, pullers, and winches for the power and telecommunications industries, directly competing with CBS's overhead line and fibre optic equipment portfolio.
- General Machine Products (GMP) Tools: US cable placement equipment maker and historical partner of CBS Products, co-acquired by Klein Tools in 2017. Sells a comparable product line of cable lashers, pullers, and stringing equipment to telecom and utility customers.
- Sherman + Reilly: US manufacturer of cable installation equipment for power transmission and distribution lines, including pullers, tensioners, and reel trailers. Overlaps with CBS's overhead line equipment business for HV transmission tower installation.
- Jameson LLC: Manufacturer of cable installation tools and equipment for utility, telecom, and lighting applications, including pulling grips, blocks, and running ground equipment comparable to CBS's accessories line.
Broad incumbents
- Klein Tools: US-based parent company of CBS Products since 2017 and a major manufacturer of professional hand tools and electrical equipment. Operates broadly in the same installed-base customer segment as CBS for utility and electrician channels.
- Nexans: Global cable manufacturer and turnkey installer for submarine, underground, and overhead cable systems. A broad incumbent whose installation services and accessories compete with CBS equipment in some RFPs.
- Prysmian Group: World's largest cable manufacturer with EPC capability including HV, submarine, and fibre optic cable projects. Competes with CBS's customer base and shapes demand for cable installation equipment.
Emerging players
- AFL Telecommunications (AFL): Provides fibre optic cable, hardware, and installation equipment, including blowing machines, with a strong US footprint. Partial overlap with CBS in fibre deployment tooling and accessories for telecom operators.
Others
- Lambert EMR (Hubbell): Hubbell's utility products division supplies cable installation accessories, pulling equipment, and stringing hardware for power transmission and distribution. Adjacent ecosystem participant with overlapping customer base in utilities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
CBS Products social profiles
Digital presenceCBS Products compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
CBS Products financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
CBS Products leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
CBS Products funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
CBS Products M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about CBS Products
What does CBS Products do?
CBS Products designs and manufactures cable installation equipment for HV Transmission towers, LV Distribution lines, and underground CATV/Telecommunication networks. The product portfolio includes fibre optic cable blowing machines (Tornado, Jetstream, Hurricane), multi-purpose winches, pullers, tensioners, running out blocks, clamps, cable jointing equipment, and Atmos air compressors. The company also distributes Klein Tools hand tools and professional equipment.
Is CBS Products a public or private company?
CBS Products is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was CBS Products founded?
CBS Products was founded in 1971. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is CBS Products based?
CBS Products is headquartered in Oakham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does CBS Products make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hardware Equipment Sales are the primary driver. The others are specialised Equipment Manufacturing.
Who are CBS Products's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Plumettaz SA, Condux International, General Machine Products (GMP) Tools, Sherman + Reilly and Jameson LLC. Broad incumbents are Klein Tools, Nexans and Prysmian Group. AFL Telecommunications (AFL) is listed as an emerging player. Lambert EMR (Hubbell) is listed as an others.
Does CBS Products have an API?
No public API is recorded for CBS Products.
What industry is CBS Products in?
CBS Products's product category is Cable Installation Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAAAF, Transmission & Distribution Line Equipment (Bushings, Insulators, Arresters, Conductors, Hardware), with a secondary code of EUADADAC, Cable Accessories & Joints/Terminations (splices, joints, terminations, link boxes). Its NAICS code is 33531 and its SIC code is 3600.