What RSVP Tooling does

RSVP Tooling, Inc. is a privately held, Joliet, Illinois-based B2B industrial tooling manufacturer and distributor founded in 1995. The company supplies external threading tools to manufacturing customers across North America, marketing the widest range of thread cutting dieheads, circular chasers, and thread rolling attachments on the continent. Its core product portfolio comprises five threading systems: circular chaser dieheads (DR, DRF, DRD, DS, DSF, DBS, DRSA variants) for single-pass thread cutting with 270-degree regrind capability and replaceable plunger wear inserts; axial thread rolling heads (RA-0 through RA-56 series) for long threads; radial thread rolling heads (RE-8 through RE-23) for short threads with sub-0.5-second cycle times; tangential thread rolling heads (RT10/RT20/RT30) engineered as drop-in replacements for Fette T-series systems; and geometric style chasers (D-Style, DJ, SAMN, SAMAN). Supporting lines include Zeus knurling and marking tools (for which RSVP is the North American stock master distributor), Baublies burnishing tools, HOBit gear cutting tools, toolholders, and grinding accessories, plus a parallel used, rebuilt, and surplus equipment program.

The company's revenue model is predominantly one-time product sales (dieheads, chasers, rolling heads, rolls, accessories) supplemented by professional services revenue from diehead refurbishment, repair, regrinding, and trade-ins. Pricing is quote-based with a 1-2 business day maximum turnaround and is not publicly disclosed. Distribution runs through direct sales from the Joliet headquarters, a network of regional sales representatives across North America, and an exclusive North American master distribution arrangement with Homell Keller (Zeus). Production is anchored by a 20,000 sq. ft. UK manufacturing division that combines 60 years of threading tool production experience with CNC capability to deliver custom circular chaser designs and oversized-capacity solutions. The company serves primary verticals including aerospace (safety-critical rolled threads for structural components and fasteners), automotive (fasteners, studs, suspension components), general industrial manufacturing, and plumbing/pipe fittings, with a horizontal customer segment of machine tool integrators and distributors. Technical enablement is delivered through 17-module Diehead & Chaser Seminars and 8-module Axial Threading Seminars, plus free in-depth technical support from trained engineers across North America. The company is independently owned with no evidence of institutional investment or parent company control.

Name

RSVP Tooling

Legal name

RSVP Tooling, Inc.

Website

https://rsvptooling.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

RSVP Tooling is a privately held Joliet, Illinois-based B2B manufacturer and distributor of the widest range of external thread cutting dieheads, circular chasers, and thread rolling attachments in North America, supported by a 20,000 sq. ft. UK manufacturing division with 60 years of production experience and serving aerospace, automotive, and industrial manufacturing customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Joliet

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Thread Cutting Dieheads, Chasers & Components: RSVP sells a comprehensive range of thread cutting dieheads, circular chasers, geometric chasers, chaser blocks, chaser screws, serrated bushings, and related components. These are sold as individual replacement parts and complete assemblies to manufacturing customers.
2. Thread Rolling Attachments & Thread Rolls: Axial, radial, and tangential thread rolling heads and associated thread rolls are sold as complete units or replacement consumables. The company stocks a wide range of replacement thread rolls for all head types and carries large circular chaser system inventory.
3. Specialty Tooling (Knurling, Burnishing, HOBit): Distribution and resale of complementary specialty tooling including Zeus cut and form knurling tools, Zeus marking tools, Baublies precision roller and diamond burnishing tools, and HOBit gear cutting tools. RSVP serves as the North American stock master distributor for Homell Keller Zeus products.
4. Used, Rebuilt & Surplus Equipment: RSVP maintains a vast array of used, rebuilt and surplus threading equipment on site for situations where short run, budget, or compatibility constraints require special attention, providing affordable alternatives to new equipment.
5. Service, Repair & Refurbishment: The company offers diehead refurbishment, repair services, regrinding of cup cams, shank/die body rework, and trade-in options. Service and repair of all types of threading attachments with new and surplus parts available on site. One to two day maximum quotation turnaround.
6. Premium Materials & Coatings: Premium grade materials (S-390 and ASP23) and coating options including Tin coating and Black Oxide chasers are offered to extend cutting and chaser tool life at reduced cost compared to full replacement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

RSVP Tooling supplies external threading tools and systems to manufacturing customers across North America, including thread cutting dieheads with circular and geometric chasers, axial, radial, and tangential thread rolling heads, and replacement thread rolls. From its Joliet, IL headquarters the company distributes the widest range of threading tooling in North America, supported by a 20,000 sq. ft. UK manufacturing division with 60 years of production experience and CNC technology. RSVP also distributes complementary specialty tooling — Zeus knurling and marking tools, Baublies burnishing tools, and HOBit gear cutting tools — and offers refurbishment, repair, and used/rebuilt equipment services.

Product overview

RSVP Tooling is a leading supplier of high production external threading tools, distributing the widest range of thread cutting dieheads, chasers, thread rolling attachments, and thread rolls in North America. The product portfolio comprises five core threading systems: (1) Circular Chaser Dieheads (DR, DRF, DRD, DS, DSF, DBS, DRSA, DRSA-Biltz, DRFSA) for thread cutting applications with modular shank options; (2) Axial Thread Rolling Heads (RA-0 through RA-56 series) for long threads without run-out restrictions; (3) Radial Thread Rolling Heads (RE-8 through RE-23) for very short threads with tight runout under 0.5 second cycle times; (4) Tangential Thread Rolling Heads (RT10, RT20, RT30) interchangeable with Fette style systems for behind-shoulder and short runout applications; and (5) Geometric Style Chasers (D-Style, DJ, SAMN, SAMAN) for various machine configurations. Supporting products include Zeus knurling and marking tools (cut and form systems), Baublies burnishing tools, HOBit gear cutting tools, grinding accessories, toolholders, and custom/specialty services. The company operates from Joliet, Illinois with manufacturing support from a 20,000 sq. ft. UK facility.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Circular Chaser Dieheads High-production external thread cutting dieheads using circular chasers, available in DR, DRF, DRD, DS, DSF, DBS, DRSA, DRSA-Biltz, and DRFSA configurations for revolving spindle machines, stationary turret/capstan lathes, screw machines, CNC machining centers, and rotary transfer machines. Chasers are regrindable through 270 degrees with replaceable plunger wear inserts and modular shank adapters for cross-machine compatibility.
• Axial Thread Rolling Heads Self-opening axial thread rolling heads (RA-0, RA-001, RA-01, RA-1, RA-12, RA-2, RA-23, RA-233400, RA-3, RA-34, RA-4, RA-45, RA-5, RA-56 series) that feed axially from the end of the part, requiring one spindle revolution per pitch, ideal for producing long threads without run-out restrictions. Used primarily for stationary applications.
• Radial Thread Rolling Heads Three-roll radial rolling heads (RE-8, RE-10, RE-13, RE-16, RE-23) for very short threads with tight runout, close shoulder, or undercut applications. Radial rolling cycle times are under 0.5 seconds and rolling requires only 60% of the horsepower of thread cutting.
• Tangential Thread Rolling Heads Side-feeding tangential rolling attachments (RT10, RT20, RT30) for short threads, behind-shoulder threads, and very short runout applications. Fully interchangeable with Fette style tangential thread rolling systems (RT10 = T12, RT20 = T18, RT30 = T27) accepting the same rolls for drop-in replacement.
• Geometric Style Chaser Dieheads Thread cutting dieheads using precision ground geometric chasers in D-Style (self-opening stationary heavy-duty), DJ (solid adjustable for tap-style external threading), SAMN (compact solid adjustable with straight shank), and SAMAN (compact with threaded body for #1 through #4 acorn holders) configurations.
• Modular Shanks for Circular Chaser Dieheads Interchangeable shank adapters (Straight, CAT-40, BT-40, NMTB-40, HSK 50-A, HSK 63-A, VDI-20, VDI-25) in standard and coolant-induced versions, allowing the same diehead to be used across various machines by changing shanks and reducing tool inventory.
• Zeus Knurling and Marking Tools North American distributed Homell Keller Zeus brand specialty tooling including cut knurling tools (RF1/RF2/RF3), form knurling tools (RD1/RD2/RD3), and marking tools producing standard DIN profiles as well as conical, convex, concave, and special profiles. RSVP serves as the North American stock master distributor.
• Baublies Burnishing Tools Precision roller and diamond burnishing tools for surface finishing applications, distributed by RSVP Tooling to complement its threading and knurling product lines.
• HOBit Gear Cutting Tools Gear cutting tools distributed by RSVP Tooling for specialized machining applications, extending the company's specialty tooling portfolio beyond core thread cutting and rolling products.
• Tangential Thread Rolls Replacement thread rolls for tangential rolling attachments in styles C-1, C-2, D-1, K-2, Q-2, CR-1, DR-1, F1, F2, Y2, including custom rolls for Reed, Winter, Salvo, and other style tangential holders. Interchangeable with Fette systems.
• Grinding Accessories Grinding adapters, micrometer setting gauges, and pull back wrenches for circular chaser diehead maintenance and chaser grinding.
• Circular Chaser Components and Replacement Parts DR61 chaser screws, DR63 serrated bushings, and related components for circular chaser dieheads, plus standard 4-per-set and 5-per-set chasers, special chasers and blocks, and premium grade materials (S-390 and ASP23) with Tin and Black Oxide coating options.
• Toolholder Solutions Specialized tool holding solutions partnered with expert manufacturers for difficult component machining and machine adaptation, including Biltz style #2 QC tool holder integration for threading capability with tension/compression type holders.
• Used, Rebuilt and Surplus Threading Equipment On-site inventory of used, rebuilt and surplus threading equipment for short-run, budget, or compatibility-constrained situations, providing affordable alternatives to new equipment.
• Diehead Refurbishment, Repair and Refurbishment Services Diehead refurbishment, repair services, regrinding of cup cams, shank/die body rework, and trade-in options. Service and repair of all types of threading attachments with new and surplus parts available on site. Quotation turnaround of 1-2 business days maximum.
• Custom Circular Chaser Design and Manufacturing Custom and oversized circular chasers, special diehead shanks, and application-specific threading solutions designed and manufactured using CNC technology at the UK facility, with 60 years of threading tool production experience supporting virtually any threading application.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thread rolling is up to 4x faster than traditional thread cutting methods, saving 7.2 seconds per thread over single-point threading. At 200,000+ parts per year, this equates to approximately 400 hours of saved machine time — equivalent to 10 extra weeks of productive machining.
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Homell Keller Zeus (Knurling & Marking Tools)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRSVP Tooling is the North American stock master distributor for Homell Keller Zeus knurling and marking tools. This exclusive distribution relationship extends RSVP's product portfolio to include Zeus cut knurling tools (RF1, RF2, RF3), Zeus form knurling tools (RD1, RD2, RD3), and Zeus marking tools. Zeus products are suited to produce standard profiles according to DIN standards as well as conical, convex, concave, and special profiles. Zeus is a German manufacturer and RSVP manages all North American stock and distribution.
• Baublies (Burnishing Tools)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRSVP Tooling distributes Baublies precision roller and diamond burnishing tools as part of its specialty tooling product line. Baublies tools complement RSVP's threading and knurling offerings by providing precision roller burnishing and diamond burnishing solutions for finishing operations.
• HOBit (Gear Cutting Tools)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRSVP Tooling distributes HOBit gear cutting tools, extending its specialty tooling portfolio to include gear cutting solutions alongside its core thread cutting and rolling products.
• Various Expert Tool ManufacturerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRSVP Tooling has partnered with expert tool manufacturers to provide complete tooling solutions for the most complex threading applications. The need for complete tooling packages has expanded RSVP's product offering and knowledge base over the years, enabling adaptation of tooling to the most current manufacturing demands. These partnerships enable RSVP to offer comprehensive threading tool packages that combine RSVP dieheads and rolling heads with complementary specialty tools.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Tungaloy Corporation: Japanese cutting tool maker with a global footprint offering threading, turning, and milling tools as part of a broad metalworking portfolio. Comparable to RSVP on threading product overlap but with much wider product breadth, global sales coverage, and corporate parent backing.
• Kennametal: US-listed industrial tooling conglomerate with a broad metal-cutting and threading portfolio across aerospace, automotive, and general manufacturing. Overlaps RSVP on threading tooling for large OEM customers but operates at much larger scale and across many tool categories.
• OSG Corporation: Japanese-headquartered cutting tool manufacturer with taps, dies, and threading inserts as part of a wider product portfolio. Comparable to RSVP on threading product overlap but with global manufacturing, broader channel reach, and significantly larger scale.
• Walter Tools: Global cutting tool conglomerate offering threading tools, taps, and dies as part of a much broader metalworking portfolio across multiple industries. Comparable to RSVP on threading product overlap but with vastly greater scale, geographic reach, and a multi-product line go-to-market.
• Horn Cutting Tools: German precision tooling manufacturer offering threading inserts, grooving tools, and custom-engineered cutting solutions for CNC lathes. Comparable to RSVP on premium engineered threading tools for high-spec aerospace and medical applications but with broader product line and larger installed base.

Direct peers

• Balax Inc. US-based manufacturer of thread rolling attachments, chasers, and cutting tools serving aerospace, automotive, and general industrial fastener producers. Directly comparable to RSVP on product line, customer base, and North American distribution model.
• Precision Threads Inc. US manufacturer of thread rolling attachments, chasers, and threading equipment serving high-volume fastener and screw machine producers. Closely comparable to RSVP in product mix and customer base, with similar focus on roll and chaser interchangeability.
• Fette Werkzeugtechnik: German manufacturer of thread rolling attachments and cutting tools whose T-series tangential rolling heads are the direct counterpart to RSVP's RT series (RT10=T12, RT20=T18, RT30=T27). The two companies compete head-to-head in tangential thread rolling, with full roll and shank interchangeability documented on RSVP's own product pages.
• Völkel: German manufacturer of threading tools including taps, dies, thread chasers, and cutting tools for industrial and fastener production. Comparable niche specialist competing with RSVP on circular and geometric chaser products and on premium German engineering positioning.
• Schwanog: German specialty manufacturer of threading and forming tools, including thread whirling inserts and custom engineered threading solutions for CNC lathes. Comparable to RSVP on specialty threading tool breadth and custom-manufacturing capability for demanding applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RSVPTooling
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/RSVPTooling
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rsvp-tooling-inc.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 RSVP Tooling