ITW Linx
ITW Linx manufactures UL-listed surge protection devices for telecom/datacom, security, wireless, and industrial control infrastructure, selling exclusively through independent reps and national distributors as an operating unit within ITW Electronic Component Solutions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersCarol Stream, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ITW Linx does
ITW Linx designs and manufactures surge protection devices for low-voltage communications and control infrastructure. The company is headquartered in Carol Stream, Illinois, operates with 11-50 employees, and is an operating unit within ITW Electronic Component Solutions, itself a division of Lumex, Inc. under Illinois Tool Works (NYSE: ITW). Its products are specified into telecom/datacom lines, security systems, wireless infrastructure, and industrial control applications, where the company's core SurgeGate technology is positioned to clamp transient overvoltage within 1-5 nanoseconds and protect downstream equipment.
The product line centers on UL-listed (497, 497B, 497A, 1363, 1449) protectors engineered to comply with NEC Article 800, including PoE, PoE+, PoE++, and UPoE variants (e.g., CT6-POE-RJ45, CAT6-75/POE family) for powered-device environments, alongside legacy lines. The operation holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and offers a connected equipment warranty of up to $50,000. ITW Linx carries 30+ years of category presence and markets itself as a first-to-market supplier in several surge protection sub-categories.
ITW Linx operates a channel-only go-to-market, selling exclusively through independent manufacturers' sales representatives supported by a national and regional distributor network that includes Accu-Tech, WESCO/Anixter, Graybar, ScanSource, and Jenne. Manufacturing is split between US and offshore facilities. Pricing spans a wide range from approximately $5 per protected line at the entry level to several hundred dollars for enterprise configurations, supporting a distributed-volume revenue model. As a non-disclosed operating unit inside ITW, the company does not publish standalone financials.
ITW Linx firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ITW Linx
- Legal name
- ITW Electronic Component Solutions, a division of Lumex, Inc.
- Website
- https://itwlinx.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ITW Linx manufactures UL-listed surge protection devices for telecom/datacom, security, wireless, and industrial control infrastructure, selling exclusively through independent reps and national distributors as an operating unit within ITW Electronic Component Solutions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ITW Linx industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Surge Protection Devices
- NAICS
- Electrical Equipment Manufacturing (33531), Wiring Device Manufacturing (33593), Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (335314)
- SIC
- Electrical Industrial Apparatus (3620), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- TVS/ESD & Surge Protection Devices (HDAHAHAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Circuit Protection Devices (MCBs, MCCBs, ACBs, fuses, RCD/GFCI, surge protection) (IMAGAEAB), EMI/Shielding, Grounding & Surge Protection for Cabling Systems (HDAFALAL), Surge Protectors & Power Strips (SPD) (HDACAJAB), Busbars, Insulators, Surge Arresters & Substation Primary Hardware (EUADACAI)
Keywords
Where ITW Linx is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carol Stream
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
ITW Linx business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales - Surge Protection Devices: ITW Linx generates revenue through the sale of physical surge protection hardware products including SurgeGate Modular Communications Surge Protectors (CAT5/CAT5E/CAT6/CAT6A), 66 Block Protectors, AC Surge Protection devices, and Security POE protectors. Products are sold through a channel partner network of distributors and independent sales representatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Per-unit hardware pricing through channel partners |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
ITW Linx product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ITW Linx manufactures and sells surge protection devices (SPDs) primarily for telecommunications and data communications equipment. The product portfolio is centered on the proprietary SurgeGate brand and includes modular communications surge protectors for CAT6/CAT6A networks, 66 block protectors for telephone circuits, AC surge protectors for equipment racks, and PoE surge protection devices for security cameras and wireless access points. Products are sold through a channel network of independent sales representatives and national/regional distributors in North America.
Product overview
ITW Linx is a manufacturer of electrical surge protection products, primarily serving the telecommunications, security systems, wireless infrastructure, and industrial controls markets. The product portfolio is organized around the SurgeGate brand and includes: (1) SurgeGate Modular Communications Surge Protectors supporting CAT6 and CAT6A cables with multiple form factors including point-of-use modules (CAT6-75, CAT6A-75 series), rack-mount housings (RM-12MPVD, RM-6MPVD), outdoor-rated devices (CAT6-75-OP), and PoE-enabled variants; (2) Security POE products including the CT6-POE-RJ45 for high-power PoE/PoE+/PoE++ applications; (3) AC Surge Protection including the GRM0600 8-outlet rack-mountable unit; and (4) Legacy 66 Block Protectors for telephone circuits. All products are designed to protect connected equipment from damage caused by lightning strikes, power surges, and transient voltage events, with response times as fast as 1-5 nanoseconds. The company offers both product warranties and connected equipment warranties up to $50,000 for the SurgeGate family.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SurgeGate: The primary surge protection technology brand of ITW Linx, offering modular communications surge protectors, AC surge protectors, and rack-mount surge protection devices for telecommunications, data, and networking applications.
Products and services
- SurgeGate Modular Communications Surge Protectors (CAT6/CAT6A) Comprehensive line of surge protectors for CAT6 and CAT6A network cables providing protection against lightning, power surges, and transients for communications and data equipment. Includes point-of-use, rackmount, wall-mount, and outdoor-rated models. Sold to telecom carriers, datacom providers, and network integrators.
- CT6-POE-RJ45 Point-of-use surge protector for high-power PoE/PoE+/PoE++ applications, designed for security cameras and wireless access points. Features RJ45 in/out connections, solid-state technology, and sub-5 nanosecond response time. Targeted at security system integrators.
- GRM0600 8-Outlet Rack-Mountable AC Surge Protector 8-outlet rack-mountable AC surge protector with Protect or Disconnect Circuitry, thermal fusing, and 50dB (99.7%) EMI/RFI noise filtration. Fits standard 19-inch racks and provides 1350 joules single-pulse energy dissipation with 32,000A peak impulse current. UL 1363 and UL 1449 listed. Targeted at industrial controls and equipment rack users.
- 66 Block Protectors Legacy telephone block surge protectors including the UP3B model and MGB/SGL-1 ground bar accessories, designed for primary protection of telecommunications circuits. Sold to telecom installers and network operators.
- CAT6-75 Series Single-line and modular surge protection modules for CAT6 applications, including outdoor-rated (CAT6-75-OP), metal housing (CAT6-75-MM), and PoE-compatible variants with various voltage clamping levels. Targeted at telecom and security integrators.
- CAT6A-75 / CAT6A-LAN Series Surge protection modules designed for CAT6A cable applications, supporting both data line protection and PoE/PoE+ configurations with RJ45 connectivity. Sold to datacom network operators and integrators.
- RM-12MPVD / RM-6MPVD Rack Mount Surge Protector Housing Rack-mountable surge protector housings that accept replaceable surge protection modules, providing centralized head-end protection for multiple protected lines in equipment racks. Used by telecom and datacom head-end operators.
- CAT6-235 Analog Line Protection Surge protection module specifically designed for analog telephone lines with higher ring voltage requirements, featuring 235V clamping level. Sold to telecom operators and installers.
Quantifiable outcome
- Response time of 1-5 nanoseconds for surge detection and diversion
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use ITW Linx
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ITW Linx technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
ITW Linx partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Accu-TechcoreAccu-Tech is a national distributor of Voice, Data, AV, Wireless, and Security solutions. They partner with ITW Linx to distribute SurgeGate Modular CAT6 Protectors, AC Protectors, and Rack Mount Protectors through their nationwide network of 35 stocking locations.
- WESCO/AnixtercoreWESCO (merged with Anixter) is a leading national distributor of communications and security products. They distribute ITW Linx surge protection products as part of their comprehensive product offering.
- GraybarcoreGraybar is a national distributor of electrical, communications, and data networking products. They serve as a distribution channel for ITW Linx surge protection devices.
- JennecoreJenne is a leading cloud services brokerage and value-added distributor focusing on Unified Communications, networking infrastructure, video conferencing, and physical security. Founded in 1986, headquartered in Avon, Ohio, Jenne distributes ITW Linx products as part of their power protection offerings.
- GoldComminorGoldCom is a distributor of voice, data, and security materials serving contractors, integrators, and installers in the upper Midwest. Founded in 1990, they partner with ITW Linx to provide surge protection solutions.
- ScanSourcecoreScanSource is a national distributor of technology solutions and services. They distribute ITW Linx products through their Catalyst division focusing on communications and security products.
- Target DistributingminorTarget Distributing is a wholesale technology distributor serving the telecommunications industry since 1975. They offer ITW/Linx surge protection products as part of their telecom and datacom product lines. Located in Germantown, MD.
- TeleDynamicsminorTeleDynamics is a value-added distributor of telecommunications and convergence technology solutions. They distribute ITW Linx products as part of their product catalog.
- Accu-Tech (ITW Linx Product Page)coreAccu-Tech features ITW Linx products prominently on their vendor page, showcasing SurgeGate Modular CAT6 Protectors, AC Protectors, and Rack Mount Protectors with product images and descriptions.
- Jenne (Power Protection)coreJenne features ITW Linx products in their Power Protection/UPS category within their Unified Communications distribution offerings. As a value-added distributor, Jenne provides technical support and training to resellers selling ITW Linx products.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
ITW Linx competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ABB: ABB provides surge arresters, substation protection, and industrial power conditioning as part of a broad electrification portfolio — adjacent to ITW Linx in building-entrance primary protection but operating at utility scale.
- Leviton: Leviton manufactures wiring devices, surge receptacles, and network connectivity products for residential and commercial buildings — a broad incumbent whose surge receptacle line competes at the lower end of ITW Linx's building-protection opportunity.
- Eaton: Eaton is a broad incumbent in power management, offering surge protection, UPS systems, and electrical components across industrial, commercial, and data center markets — overlapping ITW Linx's AC and communications protection lines as part of a much larger portfolio.
Direct peers
- Tripp Lite (Eaton): Tripp Lite, now part of Eaton, is a direct peer offering surge protectors, UPS systems, and rack-mount power protection for IT and telecom environments — closely overlapping ITW Linx's SurgeGate and AC protector lines for similar enterprise and security channel buyers.
- APC by Schneider Electric: APC is a leading vendor of UPS, surge protection, and rack power distribution units for network closets and data centers, directly competing with ITW Linx's GRM0600 AC rack-mount protector in the same B2B channel and enterprise install base.
- Phoenix Contact: Phoenix Contact manufactures industrial surge protection, signal conditioning, and DIN-rail protection devices for automation and telecom infrastructure, directly comparable to ITW Linx's industrial controls and datacom surge protection offerings.
- Bourns: Bourns is a manufacturer of circuit protection components including TVS diodes, MOVs, and gas discharge tubes used in surge protection modules — a component-level direct peer feeding into the same end-product surge protector category as ITW Linx.
- Transtector (Infinite Electronics): Transtector designs and manufactures surge protection, EMI filtering, and power conditioning products for telecom, datacom, and industrial markets — a direct peer competing against ITW Linx across similar verticals and channel partners.
- Ditek: Ditek designs surge protection devices specifically for security, fire, communication, and networking systems — directly competing with ITW Linx's CT6-POE and CAT6 protector lines in the security integrator channel.
- PolyPhaser: PolyPhaser specializes in RF and telecom surge protection for wireless, broadband, and broadcast infrastructure — a direct peer to ITW Linx's SurgeGate protectors in coaxial/data line protection for outdoor and tower-mounted equipment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ITW Linx social profiles
Digital presenceITW Linx compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
ITW Linx financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ITW Linx leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
ITW Linx funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ITW Linx 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 ITW Linx
What does ITW Linx do?
ITW Linx manufactures and sells surge protection devices (SPDs) primarily for telecommunications and data communications equipment. The product portfolio is centered on the proprietary SurgeGate brand and includes modular communications surge protectors for CAT6/CAT6A networks, 66 block protectors for telephone circuits, AC surge protectors for equipment racks, and PoE surge protection devices for security cameras and wireless access points. Products are sold through a channel network of independent sales representatives and national/regional distributors in North America.
Is ITW Linx a public or private company?
ITW Linx is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was ITW Linx founded?
ITW Linx was founded in 1990. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ITW Linx based?
ITW Linx is headquartered in Carol Stream, United States, in the North America region.
How does ITW Linx make money?
One revenue line is on record: hardware Sales - Surge Protection Devices.
Who are ITW Linx's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ABB, Leviton and Eaton. Direct peers are Tripp Lite (Eaton), APC by Schneider Electric, Phoenix Contact, Bourns, Transtector (Infinite Electronics), Ditek and PolyPhaser.
Does ITW Linx have an API?
No public API is recorded for ITW Linx.
What industry is ITW Linx in?
ITW Linx's product category is Surge Protection Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHAHAE, TVS/ESD & Surge Protection Devices, with a secondary code of IMAGAEAB, Circuit Protection Devices (MCBs, MCCBs, ACBs, fuses, RCD/GFCI, surge protection). Its NAICS code is 33531 and its SIC code is 3620.