Superior Tool Company

What Superior Tool Company does

Superior Tool Company is a brand operated by C.H. Hanson Company, a fifth-generation family-owned industrial manufacturer founded in 1866 and headquartered in Naperville, Illinois. The Superior Tool brand, established in 1946, manufactures plumbing hand tools targeted at professional plumbers, tradespeople, and DIY consumers. Core product lines include PVC cutters, wrenches, pliers, specialty plumbing hand tools, and—following the 2024 EasyCAM acquisition—sewer and drain inspection cameras.

The product portfolio is anchored by several proprietary innovations, including the PipeLOK 2-in-1 Jaw Design, which combines two cutting functions into a single jaw mechanism, Grip Tight Technology for slip-resistant grip, and the Nipple Extender for threaded pipe applications. Recent product introductions include the PEX Pocket Crimper (2024) and the PipeLOK PVC Cutter (October 2025). The post-EasyCAM portfolio represents a meaningful category extension from purely mechanical hand tools into electronic diagnostic equipment, raising the company's blended average selling price and broadening its presence in the plumbing workflow.

Superior Tool operates a multi-channel distribution model: direct e-commerce through its own website, big-box retail via Home Depot, and independent local hardware stores. Pricing follows standard retail unit-pricing for hand tools, with electronic sewer inspection equipment likely commanding a meaningfully higher unit price. The company operates with 11–50 employees, is privately held, and lists a 2005 investment from Prospect Partners as its only disclosed funding event. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Superior Tool Company

Legal name

C.H. Hanson Company

Website

https://superiortool.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Superior Tool Company, a brand of fifth-generation family-owned C.H. Hanson (founded 1866), manufactures plumbing hand tools—PVC cutters, wrenches, pliers, and sewer inspection cameras—for professional tradespeople and DIY consumers via retail and e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plumbing Hand Tools

NAICS

Saw Blade and Handtool Manufacturing (332216)

SIC

Cutlery, Handtools & General Hardware (3420)

akta.pro primary industry

Tools & Tool Accessories Retail (Hand, Power, Pneumatic) (CRAIADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Pipe Fittings, Couplings & Connectors (IMADALAD), Pipe Installation, Repair & Repiping (HSAOAAAB)

Keywords

• Plumbing hand tools
• Specialty plumbing tools
• PVC cutters
• Sewer inspection cameras
• Slip joint pliers

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: One-time sales of professional plumbing tools, specialty tools, PVC cutters, wrenches, pliers, and accessories. Products are sold at various price points from under $10 to nearly $10,000 for sewer inspection camera systems.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Superior Tool Company manufactures and sells professional-grade plumbing hand tools, including specialty plumbing tools, PVC cutters, wrenches, pliers, tubing tools, and EasyCAM sewer inspection camera systems. The company sells direct-to-customer through its e-commerce site and through retail and hardware store channels across the United States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• EasyCAM: Sewer inspection cameras and related products featuring modular, owner-serviceable design for plumbing professionals. EasyCAM was acquired by C.H. Hanson in 2024 and operates as part of the Superior Tool family of brands.

Products and services

• PipeLOK PVC Cutter Series Ratcheting PVC cutters with a patented 2-in-1 jaw that locks both large and small diameter pipe in place for square, burr-free cuts. Designed for plumbers, contractors, and DIY homeowners cutting PVC pipe for plumbing installations and repairs.
• PEX Pocket Crimper Handheld PEX crimping tool that combines the power and capabilities of multiple tools in a single device, enabling plumbers and contractors to make PEX connections with one tool. Available individually and as part of a 5-Piece PEX Expansion Tool Kit.
• EasyCAM Sewer Inspection Camera Systems Modular, owner-serviceable sewer inspection camera systems with self-leveling camera heads for plumbing professionals diagnosing drain and sewer line issues. Available in 125 ft, 150 ft, and 200 ft cable lengths, plus locator wands and repair kits. Users can swap parts in the field with simple hand tools, eliminating expensive factory repairs.
• BasinBuddy Universal Faucet Nut Wrench Universal faucet nut wrench invented by professional tradesman Barry Gammon for one-handed operation in tight under-sink spaces. Round profile with no protruding parts, made in the USA, and featured in Supply House Times Magazine. Sold to professional plumbers and DIY homeowners (Part No. 3825, $23.98).
• Mr. Thread Cleaner Trademarked and patented thread cleaning tool (Part No. 5265, $19.98) for removing debris and renewing threads on outdoor faucets, helping plumbers and homeowners restore damaged threads rather than replacing fixtures.
• 1/2" Nipple Extractor and Shower Arm Thread Remover Patented extractor (Part No. 5245, $13.98) with thin-wall, 1/2" long-reach design for removing hard-to-reach broken shower arm threads. Made in the USA and used by plumbers for repairing shower arms without damaging surrounding walls.
• Water Pump Slip Joint Pliers Line of slip joint and water pump pliers ranging from 6-3/4" Angle Nose Slip Joint Pliers ($21.98) to 12-3/4" Soft-Grip Slip Joint Pipe Wrench Pliers ($46.98). Features proprietary Grip Tight clip technology on selected models for additional leverage and reduced slippage.
• Tubing Tools (Cutters, Benders, Flaring Tools and Accessories) Complete line of tubing cutters, flaring tools, tube benders, and tubing accessories for cutting and shaping copper, brass, and other tubing used in plumbing installations and repairs. Used by professional plumbers and DIY homeowners.
• Plumbing Pipe Wrenches (Aluminum and Cast Iron) Aluminum and cast iron plumbing pipe wrenches, plus cleanout wrenches, designed for gripping and turning pipes and fittings. Sold to professional plumbers and trade contractors for plumbing installations and repairs.
• Specialty Plumbing Tools (Sink, Basin, Tub Drain, Shut Off, Faucet, Extractors) Range of specialty plumbing hand tools including sink wrenches, basin wrenches, tub drain wrenches, shut off wrenches, faucet tools, and extractors. Designed for specific jobsite tasks such as working on faucets, drains, and hard-to-reach plumbing connections.

Quantifiable outcome

• EasyCAM cameras feature owner-serviceable modular design eliminating weeks of factory downtime typical with competitor cameras
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• C.H. Hanson CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025C.H. Hanson Company, a fifth-generation family-owned manufacturer since 1866, acquired the EasyCAM product line. EasyCAM founder Rick Joy stays on as consultant. This gives EasyCAM access to broader distribution through Superior Tool channels while maintaining the plumber-first philosophy that made EasyCAM successful.
• Wal-Rich ToolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWal-Rich Tools originally brought the Basin Buddy into production. Superior Tool subsequently took the product to the masses via retail through brick-and-mortar and online stores.
• Dan Kidd (PEX Pocket Crimper Inventor)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDan Kidd, a design engineer and CNC machine shop owner, partnered with Superior Tool to bring the PEX Pocket Crimper to mass production. The partnership allows Dan to achieve mass production in the USA and access broader retail distribution including Home Depot.
• Barry Gammon (Basin Buddy Inventor)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarry Gammon, a professional tradesman since 1986, invented the Basin Buddy after open bypass surgery. He partnered with Superior Tool to bring his one-handed faucet nut wrench design to market, now a featured product in their specialty tools line.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• RIDGID (Emerson): RIDGID is a leading plumbing tool brand offering pipe wrenches, tubing cutters, drain cleaning machines, and sewer inspection cameras (SeeSnake). It is the most directly comparable competitor across Superior Tool's hand-tool, PVC cutter, and EasyCAM-style inspection camera categories.
• Channellock: Channellock is a US-based, family-owned manufacturer of pliers, pipe wrenches, and specialty plumbing hand tools sold through hardware stores and home centers. Highly comparable as a US plumbing-hand-tool specialist with overlapping SKUs in water pump pliers, pipe wrenches, and slip-joint pliers.
• Knipex: Knipex is a German premium pliers and specialty hand tool manufacturer widely used by professional plumbers and electricians. Comparable as a specialty plumbing pliers and wrenches competitor with overlapping products in water pump pliers, slip-joint pliers, and pipe work.
• General Pipe Cleaners: General Pipe Cleaners specializes in drain cleaning machines, sewer inspection equipment, and pipe-related plumbing tools for professionals. Highly comparable to EasyCAM as a direct competitor in the sewer inspection camera and drain cleaning tool category.
• Reed Manufacturing: Reed Manufacturing is a US-based, family-owned maker of pipe and tubing tools including cutters, wrenches, and specialty plumbing tools for professionals. Comparable as a direct specialty plumbing hand tool competitor with overlapping pipe work and tubing tool SKUs.

Broad incumbents

• Milwaukee Tool: Milwaukee is a dominant professional power tool brand under Techtronic Industries that increasingly targets plumbing and trades niches with pipe wrench, press tool, and M12/M18 plumbing-specific platforms. Comparable as a broader incumbent increasingly overlapping with Superior Tool's professional plumbing customer base.
• Klein Tools: Klein Tools is a US manufacturer of professional hand tools for electricians and tradespeople, sold through electrical and plumbing wholesalers and home centers. Comparable as a US-made, professional-grade hand tool brand with overlapping specialty tool positioning and similar channel mix.
• DeWalt: DeWalt is a Stanley Black & Decker professional power and hand tool brand with extensive home center shelf presence including plumbing-relevant tools. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for the same contractor and DIY shelf space in plumbing tools.
• Lenox (Irwin Tools): Irwin/Lenox under Stanley Black & Decker sells a wide range of hand tools and cutting tools to tradespeople, including products used in plumbing. Comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping professional trade distribution and tool categories.

Others

• C.H. Hanson: C.H. Hanson is the fifth-generation family-owned parent company that manufactures and operates the Superior Tool brand. Listed as a peer because it shares facilities, distribution, and product platform, even though it is the legal parent rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@superiortoolplumbing
• Facebookfacebook.com/superiortoolcompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/superior-tool-company-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/superior_tool
• Xx.com/superiortool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Superior Tool Company