What General Machine Products does

General Machine Products (GMP) is a US-based specialty manufacturer of cable installation tools and equipment serving the outside plant (OSP) telecommunications, power utility, and cable television industries. Founded in 1936 by George M. Pfundt in downtown Philadelphia, the company originated as a specialty machine shop serving Bell Telephone Company and Philadelphia Electric Company, and in 1947 partnered with Bell Telephone Laboratories to pioneer the Model B Lasher, the modern automatic lashing machine that became the telephone industry's accepted standard for aerial cable lashing. GMP has since produced over 45,000 lashing machines, and the company relocated to a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Trevose, PA (suburban Philadelphia) in 1957, where it continues to operate today.

GMP's product portfolio covers the full cable installation lifecycle and includes cable lashing machines, cable blowing machines (Hurricane, Breeze, Tornado, AccelAir, Airstream, Whisper, AccelAir2, JetStream — many originating from the 2004 acquisition of UK-based CBS Products LLC), cable pulling products (including the Sidewinder), cable blocks (D-blocks, Corner Blocks, ADSS Blocks), pole line hardware, duct rodders, cutting tools, underground and aerial equipment, safety/protection gear, and ePOWER electronic tools. Recent 2025 launches added the ReelRunner powered reel system, the Fiber Blowing Workstation (which integrates the Klein Tools Modbox rail system), and patent-pending OPGW Pocketbook Grips. The company's underlying technology is precision mechanical and materials engineering — high-strength 6061 aluminum, mechanical force indicators, and patented self-closing hinge mechanisms — rather than software or digital platforms.

GMP operates as a private, B2B specialty industrial manufacturer with 51-100 employees, selling one-time/perpetual-license hardware through a global network of industrial distributors targeting telecom contractors, electric utilities, and cable TV operators. Commercial terms are Net 30 with a $150 minimum order (smaller orders incur a $25 service fee), and all shipments are F.O.B. Trevose, PA. Since 2017, GMP has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of family-owned Klein Tools, Inc., operating as General Machine Products Company (KT), LLC, and is positioned alongside complementary brands within the Klein family of companies. No revenue, funding, or AI capability disclosures are available in the input data.

Name

General Machine Products

Legal name

General Machine Products Company (KT), LLC

Website

https://gmptools.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1936

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

General Machine Products manufactures specialty cable installation tools and equipment — including lashing machines, cable blowers, pulling products, and blocks — for the telecommunications, power utility, and cable television industries, selling B2B through industrial distributors as a subsidiary of Klein Tools since 2017.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Feasterville Trevose

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Specialty Tools and Equipment Sales: GMP generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of specialized cable installation equipment including lashing machines, cable blowers, pulling equipment, cable blocks, and accessories. Sales are conducted through industrial distribution channels with B2B transactions. Terms are Net 30 with minimum billing of $150.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

General Machine Products (GMP Tools) designs, manufactures and sells specialty tools and equipment used to install aerial and underground telecommunications, power, and cable TV cable. Its product portfolio spans cable lashing machines, cable blowing equipment, cable pulling tools, cable blocks, pole-line hardware, duct rodders, and a growing line of new patented innovations such as the ReelRunner powered reel system and self-closing OPGW Pocketbook Grips. The company sells B2B through authorized industrial distributors and direct accounts to telecom operators, electric utilities, CATV operators, and outside-plant contractors.

Product overview

General Machine Products (GMP) is a manufacturer of specialty tools and equipment for the telecommunications, power utility, and cable television industries. The company's product portfolio centers on cable installation solutions including Cable Lashing Machines (the original Model B Lasher from 1947 and its successors), Cable Blowing Machines (Hurricane, Breeze, Tornado, AccelAir, Airstream, Whisper, AccelAir2, JetStream), Cable Pulling Products (including Sidewinder), and Cable Blocks (D-blocks, Corner Blocks, ADSS Blocks). Recent innovations include the ReelRunner powered reel system, Fiber Blowing Workstation, and OPGW Pocketbook Grips. The portfolio is complemented by Aerial Equipment, Underground Equipment, Pole Line Hardware, Cutting Tools, Duct Rodders, Safety & Protection, and ePOWER product lines. GMP operates as a subsidiary of Klein Tools, acquired in 2017.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Cable Lashing Machines (Model B Lasher) GMP's flagship automatic cable lashing machines (including the original Model B Lasher introduced in 1947 and successors like the J2 Aerial Cable Lasher) that wind stainless steel wire around telephone, power, and multi-media cable to secure it to supporting messenger strand; over 45,000 lashing machines produced since 1947 for telecom, power utility, and CATV aerial deployments.
• ReelRunner Powered Reel System Patent-pending powered reel-trailer conversion system that attaches to virtually any standard non-powered cable reel trailer to deliver high-efficiency powered cable pay-off, featuring 12-inch horizontal travel, dual-side mounting, a force indicator, and a flat-proof airless wheel; built for contractors seeking to move cable faster and reduce crew labor and fatigue.
• Fiber Blowing Workstation Portable collapsible workstation tailored for professional field use with GMP fiber blowers and fiber-splicing tasks, with a standing-height worktable, KLEIN TOOLS Modbox rail system integration, lift-assist piston, and airless off-road tires; designed for fiber-optic installation crews needing a mobile, ergonomic setup.
• OPGW Pocketbook Grips Lightweight comealong pocketbook grips for tensioning OPGW (Optical Ground Wire) and other aerial conductors, made from high-strength 6061 aluminum with a patent-pending self-closing hinge for one-handed installation, up to 40% lighter than competitor products, available in sizes for conductors from 0.300 to 0.859 inch diameter.
• Cable Blowing Machines Full line of cable blowing machines for installing fiber optic and other cables, including Hurricane, Breeze, Tornado, AccelAir, Airstream, Whisper, AccelAir2, and JetStream models, designed to be fast, safe, and effective across fiber installation applications.
• Cable Blocks Cable support blocks used during installation, including D Cable Blocks, 45-degree Corner Blocks, Stringing/Power Utility Blocks, Prelash Blocks, ADSS Blocks, and associated accessories, offered as a comprehensive line for various cable installation scenarios.
• Cable Pulling Products Cable pulling equipment for placing copper, coaxial, and fiber cable both aerially and underground, including the Sidewinder Fiber Optic Cable Puller with a 42-inch capstan and a complete line of best-in-class pulling products.
• Aerial Equipment Aerial installation equipment for telecommunications, power utility, and cable television industries, including lashing tools and associated hardware for working above ground on cable plant.
• Underground Equipment Equipment and accessories for underground cable installation, including duct rodder accessories used in conduit and duct applications.
• Pole Line Hardware Hardware for pole line installations that support telecommunications and electrical infrastructure in outside-plant environments.
• Cutting Tools Cutting tools used for cable preparation and installation in telecom, utility, and CATV outside-plant work.
• Duct Rodders and Accessories Rodding tools and accessories for duct and conduit installation as part of underground cable deployment operations.
• Safety & Protection Equipment Safety and personal protection equipment for field technicians working on cable installation, lashing, pulling, and blowing operations.
• ePOWER Tools Electronic and powered tools used to support cable installation operations in telecom, power utility, and cable television outside-plant work.

Quantifiable outcome

• Produced over 45,000 lashing machines since 1947
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Klein Tools, Inc.coreOthers · 1 January 2017GMP was acquired by family-owned and operated Klein Tools, Inc. in 2017. GMP operates as General Machine Products (KT), LLC, a subsidiary of Klein Tools. This acquisition made GMP part of the Klein family of companies, which includes complementary industry leaders in tools and equipment.
• CBS Products LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004In 2004, GMP acquired UK-based manufacturing company CBS Products LLC, adding cable blowing equipment such as the Breeze, Tornado, and AccelAir to their product line. This acquisition expanded GMP's cable installation equipment portfolio.
• Klein ToolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican company based in Lincolnshire, Illinois that manufactures hand tools. Known for popularity with workers in electrical and telecommunications industries. GMP is now part of the Klein family of companies.
• CBS ProductscoreTechnology or IntegrationAt the forefront of cabling technology, design and manufacture of installation equipment for HV Transmission towers, LV Distribution lines, Railway Tracksides and underground CATV/Telecommunication networks.
• KLEIN TOOLS (Modbox Rail System)coreTechnology or IntegrationThe Fiber Blowing Workstation incorporates the KLEIN TOOLS Modbox Rail System for use with Klein Tools rail accessories, demonstrating product integration with Klein Tools accessories ecosystem.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Condux International: Condux International is a direct competitor to GMP in outside plant (OSP) cable installation equipment, manufacturing cable blowers, pullers, rodders, and duct installation tools used by telecom and utility contractors — overlapping directly with GMP's cable blowing, cable pulling, and duct rodder product lines.
• Lemco Tool Corporation: Lemco Tool Corporation is a direct competitor in cable lashing equipment, manufacturing manual and motorized cable lashers used by telecom outside plant crews — overlapping with GMP's flagship Model B Lasher line and serving the same contractor and utility customer base.
• DCD Design & Manufacturing: DCD Design & Manufacturing is a direct competitor in cable blowing equipment for fiber optic installation, producing air-blown fiber systems used by telecom operators and contractors — competing head-to-head with GMP's CBS-derived Breeze, Tornado, AccelAir, and JetStream cable blowing line.
• Arnco Corporation: Arnco Corporation manufactures cable installation equipment including cable blowing machines, duct rodders, and associated accessories for telecom and power utility outside plant construction — a direct peer to GMP's cable blowing, duct rodder, and underground equipment categories.
• MaxCell: MaxCell manufactures fabric innerduct and cable management solutions used during cable pulling and underground installation — overlapping with GMP's underground equipment and cable pulling categories as a complementary/competing OSP product line serving telecom contractors and cable operators.

Broad incumbents

• Sherman + Reilly: Sherman + Reilly, a Hubbell Power Systems brand, manufactures stringing equipment, cable pullers, and reel trailers for utility power line and telecom construction — competing directly with GMP's pulling and stringing products and serving overlapping utility/cable contractor customers from a larger parent.
• Preformed Line Products (PLP): Preformed Line Products is a publicly traded manufacturer of hardware and systems for electric utility and communications networks, including cable anchoring, splicing, and OSP accessories — overlapping with GMP's pole line hardware and aerial equipment lines while serving the same telecom and utility customer base.
• AFL Telecommunications: AFL Telecommunications (a Fujikura subsidiary) is a major fiber optic cable, hardware, and installation equipment provider — competing with GMP in cable blowing, fiber installation accessories, and OSP deployment tools while also serving the same telecom carrier and contractor market.
• CommScope: CommScope is a large, publicly traded provider of telecommunications infrastructure including fiber optic cabling, connectivity, and outside plant solutions — adjacent to GMP as a customer/supplier in the same telecom ecosystem, with overlapping reach into cable operators and carriers.
• Hubbell Incorporated: Hubbell is a large electrical and utility products conglomerate whose Power Systems segment includes Sherman + Reilly stringing equipment — competing broadly with GMP's pulling and stringing product lines from a much larger industrial portfolio serving the same utility and telecom markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gmptools
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3253296
• Facebookfacebook.com/generalmachineproducts

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

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 General Machine Products