Cleco
Cleco, a 130-year-old brand within APEX Tool Group (Bain Capital), manufactures precision torque-controlled assembly tools, intelligent spindles, and controllers for automotive, aerospace, heavy truck, agriculture, and EV manufacturers worldwide, sold via direct enterprise sales and the Milwaukee M18 battery ecosystem.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1894
- HeadquartersWesthausen, Germany
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cleco does
Cleco is a 130+ year-old industrial assembly tools manufacturer, founded in 1894 as the Cleveland Pneumatic Tool Company and now operated as a brand within APEX Tool Group, LLC, a Bain Capital portfolio company. The company produces precision torque-controlled assembly tools, intelligent spindle systems, screw-driving controllers, and material removal tools used in safety-critical fastening applications across automotive, aerospace, heavy truck, agriculture, HVAC, medical equipment, rail, and electric vehicle manufacturing. Named end customers include BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Harley-Davidson, John Deere, GM, CNH, Cummins, Blue Bird, Harbinger, Xylem, and an unnamed European rail manufacturer that has appointed Cleco as its sole global tool supplier.
Cleco's product platform spans cordless battery-powered tools (CellClutch, CellTek, CellCore, LiveWire), transducer-controlled electric tools (NeoTek), intelligent spindles (BTi/BTS series with patented daisy-chain wiring), and a unified controller family (mPro250, mPro400GCD, mPro Connect) that can manage up to 16 wired or wireless tools per node with Industry 4.0 connectivity. Core technology is built around brushless DC motors, integrated torque and angle sensors, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, AI-assisted torque monitoring and fastening-curve anomaly detection, and—via partnership with Techtronic Industries—the Milwaukee M18 Red Lithium battery platform. Recent launches (2025) include the BTi intelligent spindle mounting system, the mPro Connect controller with 'always-free' software, the mPro250 controller, and the Dotco 12LF angle grinder series.
Revenue is generated primarily through direct enterprise sales of hardware (tools, controllers, spindles, material removal equipment), bundled and freemium software (e.g., CellCore ships with free software), and recurring service revenue via the Cleco Care program covering on-site repair, retrofits, predictive and preventive maintenance, and express spare parts. Pricing is quote-based with multi-year contracts across automotive and industrial customers, with go-to-market combining direct field sales, application engineering, a regional dealer network, and the global distribution infrastructure of APEX Tool Group. Manufacturing is centered at Lexington, South Carolina (USA) and Westhausen (Germany), with the European headquarters, R&D functions, and an application engineering center in Auburn Hills, Michigan supporting North American customers.
Cleco firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cleco
- Legal name
- APEX Tool Group GmbH
- Website
- https://clecotools.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1894
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Cleco, a 130-year-old brand within APEX Tool Group (Bain Capital), manufactures precision torque-controlled assembly tools, intelligent spindles, and controllers for automotive, aerospace, heavy truck, agriculture, and EV manufacturers worldwide, sold via direct enterprise sales and the Milwaukee M18 battery ecosystem.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cleco industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Assembly Tools
- NAICS
- Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)
- SIC
- General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569), Special Industry Machinery, Nec (3559), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers) (IMAHAHAH)
Keywords
Where Cleco is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Westhausen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Cleco 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, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Industrial Assembly Tools: Cleco generates primary revenue through the sale of precision torque-controlled assembly tools including cordless screwdrivers, electric tools, pneumatic tools, and intelligent spindle systems. These products serve safety-critical fastening applications in manufacturing environments.
- Controller Systems: Sale of control systems (mPro250, mPro400GCD) that manage and monitor multiple assembly tools, providing process documentation, connectivity, and Industry 4.0 integration capabilities.
- Software Solutions: Integrated software for production management, remote programming, and process optimization. Software is bundled with tools and controllers (e.g., CellCore comes with free software), with additional specialized software solutions available.
- Service and Support (Cleco Care): Comprehensive service offerings including on-site repair and overhaul, upgrades and retrofits, predictive and preventive maintenance, repair tracking, and express spare parts. Service plans are flexible and tailored to customer production requirements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Enterprise B2B quotation-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Cleco product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cleco manufactures and sells precision torque-controlled assembly tools and fastening systems for industrial production lines. The portfolio spans cordless, electric, and pneumatic screwdrivers and nutrunners, material removal tools, drilling and riveting tools, and intelligent spindle systems paired with programmable mPro controllers. Offerings target OEM and tier-supplier assembly operations in automotive, heavy equipment, aerospace, industrial, and energy markets.
Product overview
Cleco is a comprehensive industrial assembly and production tool manufacturer offering a unified platform of interconnected products for manufacturing applications. The core product portfolio centers on battery-powered and electric torque-controlled assembly tools including CellClutch (clutch shut-off tools), CellClutch Connect (WiFi-enabled), CellCore (cordless pistol screwdrivers), CellTek (high-performance cordless tools), NeoTek (transducer-controlled electric tools), and LiveWire (wireless cordless tools with real-time error-proofing). These tools are supported by the mPro controller platform (mPro250, mPro400GCD, mPro Connect) which provides connectivity for up to 16 tools per controller with Industry 4.0 capabilities. Intelligent spindles (BTi series) extend the portfolio for automated assembly. The product ecosystem is unified through shared connectivity protocols (WiFi, Bluetooth), common battery platforms (Milwaukee M18 for battery tools), and integrated software enabling real-time monitoring, quality documentation, and MES integration. Material removal is addressed through the Heritage Series grinders, Dotco angle grinders, and vertical grinders. Cleco also offers pneumatic tools including industrial air impact wrenches. The platform is supported by comprehensive service offerings including repair tracking, on-site service, and express parts delivery.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CellCore: Line of cordless assembly tools designed for intelligent, durable performance in harsh environments
- CellTek
- NeoTek
- CellClutch
- LiveWire
- mPro Controllers
- BTi Intelligent Spindles
- Dotco
Products and services
- Cordless Assembly Tools Battery-powered, brushless DC cordless screwdrivers and nutrunners with integrated torque transducers for ergonomic, high-volume industrial assembly. Targeted at automotive, heavy equipment, and industrial OEM assembly operations.
- Electric Assembly Tools Fixed and portable electric assembly screwdrivers and nutrunners with integrated torque control for stationary and flexible production cells. Sold to OEM and tier-supplier assembly operations.
- Pneumatic Assembly Tools Pneumatic screwdrivers, nutrunners, and pulse tools for high-cycle-rate assembly lines. Targeted at high-volume automotive and industrial assembly operations.
- Material Removal Tools Industrial grinders, sanders, polishers, and other material removal tools used in metal fabrication and production finishing operations. Sold to industrial manufacturers and fabrication shops.
- Drilling and Riveting Tools Pneumatic, electric, and cordless drills and riveting tools for hole preparation and fastener installation in aerospace, automotive, and industrial assembly operations.
- Intelligent Spindle Systems Multi-spindle intelligent fastening systems with integrated transducers, closed-loop torque control, and Daisy Chain synchronization for high-density assembly fixtures. Targeted at large OEM and tier-1 production lines.
- mPro Controller Platforms Programmable controllers and software that configure, monitor, and log torque and angle on Cleco assembly tools, enabling traceability and integration with plant MES systems. Sold as part of the assembly tool solution to OEM customers.
- Cleco Care Service and Calibration Aftermarket service, repair, calibration, and preventive maintenance programs for Cleco assembly tools, supporting uptime and audit compliance for OEM customers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Defect reduction from 17% to 1% in pipe leakage failures
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Cleco
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cleco technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
AI capability5 records
Feature7 records
Cleco partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Milwaukee Tool (Techtronic Industries)coreCleco CellClutch and certain battery-powered tools utilize the Milwaukee M18 Red Lithium battery platform. This standardization provides customers with unified battery inventory across compatible tool systems, simplifying maintenance and reducing equipment costs. The partnership leverages Milwaukee's established cordless power tool ecosystem for industrial assembly applications.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cleco competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Makita: Major cordless power tool and industrial equipment manufacturer with growing assembly and fastening offerings. Adjacent competitor in cordless assembly tools using their own LXT battery platform.
- Snap-on Incorporated: Global tool and equipment supplier serving industrial, automotive, and aerospace customers. Competes with Cleco in industrial assembly and material-removal tooling as part of a much wider portfolio.
- Stanley Black & Decker: Diversified global tool powerhouse (Craftsman, DeWalt, Porter-Cable, and an industrial fastening business). Overlaps with Cleco in cordless and pneumatic assembly tools, though its portfolio is much broader than Cleco's niche.
Others
- Janitza Electronics: Although primarily a power measurement specialist, Janitza and similar industrial software/data vendors illustrate the broader Industry 4.0 supplier ecosystem that competes for the same MES/connectivity budgets as Cleco's mPro controller platform.
- Apex Tool Group: Cleco's parent company and itself a major global tool manufacturer. Sister brands (Crescent, GearWrench, Armstrong, Weller, Lufkin, SATA, Wiss) compete in adjacent categories and share distribution infrastructure with Cleco.
Direct peers
- Ingersoll Rand: Offers precision assembly tools and material removal products including DC and pulse tools, with industrial customers overlapping Cleco's automotive and heavy equipment segments.
- Atlas Copco: Global leader in industrial assembly tools, tightening solutions, and quality assurance software. Direct overlap with Cleco across cordless, wired, and spindle assembly tools plus controllers in automotive and industrial OEM markets.
- Bosch Rexroth: Major supplier of assembly technology including tightening spindles, handheld fastening tools, and Industry 4.0 controllers. Competes head-to-head with Cleco's NeoTek and BTi product lines in automotive and industrial customers.
- Desoutter Industrial Tools: Specialist in industrial assembly tools, advanced tightening solutions, and connected tool controllers. Direct competitor to Cleco in cordless and transducer-controlled assembly tools for aerospace, automotive, and heavy equipment manufacturers.
- Chicago Pneumatic: Brand within Atlas Copco's Power Technique division producing pneumatic and cordless assembly tools, grinders, and material removal equipment — direct overlap with Cleco's pneumatic impact wrenches and grinders.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cleco social profiles
Digital presenceCleco compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Cleco financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cleco leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Cleco funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cleco 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 Cleco
What does Cleco do?
Cleco manufactures and sells precision torque-controlled assembly tools and fastening systems for industrial production lines. The portfolio spans cordless, electric, and pneumatic screwdrivers and nutrunners, material removal tools, drilling and riveting tools, and intelligent spindle systems paired with programmable mPro controllers. Offerings target OEM and tier-supplier assembly operations in automotive, heavy equipment, aerospace, industrial, and energy markets.
Is Cleco a public or private company?
Cleco is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Cleco founded?
Cleco was founded in 1894. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Cleco based?
Cleco is headquartered in Westhausen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Cleco make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Industrial Assembly Tools are the primary driver. The others are controller Systems, software Solutions and service and Support (Cleco Care).
Who are Cleco's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Makita, Snap-on Incorporated and Stanley Black & Decker. Others are Janitza Electronics and Apex Tool Group. Direct peers are Ingersoll Rand, Atlas Copco, Bosch Rexroth, Desoutter Industrial Tools and Chicago Pneumatic.
Does Cleco have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cleco.
What industry is Cleco in?
Cleco's product category is Industrial Assembly Tools. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHAHAH, Industrial Controllers & Control Systems (PLCs, PACs, CNC Controllers). Its NAICS code is 335314 and its SIC code is 3569.