Ridgid - A Tool Manufacturer

RIDGID – A Legacy of Innovation and Dependability

For more than a century, RIDGID has stood as a symbol of rugged durability, engineering excellence, and trusted performance in the professional tool industry. From its origin in the 1920s to its place today as a global leader in pipe working tools and diagnostic equipment, RIDGID continues to set the standard for reliability across the skilled trades.

The Origins of RIDGID

Founded in 1923 in North Ridgeville, Ohio, RIDGID began with a single mission: build tools capable of surviving the harshest conditions. That same year, the company introduced the now-iconic Heavy-Duty Straight Pipe Wrench, engineered from ductile iron and hardened steel. This tool became the benchmark for plumbers and pipefitters and remains a core product even 100 years later. In 1943, RIDGID moved to Elyria, Ohio, where many of its professional-grade tools are still manufactured today.

Growth, Expansion, and Global Leadership

As the company evolved, RIDGID expanded far beyond pipe wrenches to produce:

• Threading machines

• Drain cleaning systems

• Pressing tools

• Pipe inspection cameras

• Diagnostic and measuring equipment

With its acquisition by Emerson Electric Co., a Fortune 500 technology and engineering powerhouse, RIDGID strengthened its global reach. Today, RIDGID tools are distributed in more than 140 countries, trusted in plumbing, HVAC, construction, oil and gas, industrial maintenance, and beyond.

Innovation as the RIDGID Standard

RIDGID’s commitment to innovation has led to groundbreaking advancements, including battery-powered press technology, high-resolution inspection systems, and next-generation drain cleaning equipment. Each product blends traditional durability with modern efficiency—ensuring tradesmen can work faster, safer, and smarter.

Commitment to Professional Trades

RIDGID supports the trades through hands-on training, jobsite demonstrations, and continuous product development based on real-world feedback. Their motto, “Built for Those Who Know,” reflects a deep respect for skilled workers who rely on RIDGID tools every day.

From its 1923 pipe wrench to its modern diagnostic and pressing technologies, RIDGID remains a global leader in professional-grade tools, grounded in American craftsmanship, innovation, and unwavering dependability.