Preformed Line Products: The Connection You Can Count On, Since 1947

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

Preformed Line Products (PLP®) has designed, manufactured, and supplied high-quality cable anchoring and control hardware systems, fiber optic and copper splice closures, and high-speed cross-connect devices for decades.

In 1947, engineer and founder, Tom Peterson introduced his patented helical design to the utility industry with PLP’s first product: the PREFORMED™ Armor Rod. Peterson’s armor rods incorporated a unique design with an inner helix diameter smaller than that of the outer diameter, resulting in a strong gripping force when applied to the line. This patented concept revolutionized the industry by providing the protection, or “armor,” that utilities needed without the use of damaging clamping hardware.

New product development quickly followed, including the Big-Grip Dead-end and VARI-GRIP™ Dead-end, which are essential products in the tower and antenna industry. Today, Rob Ruhlman, President, Chairman, and CEO of PLP leads an expanded and diversified company that provides innovative solutions to several different markets through its two domestic manufacturing facilities, 18 foreign subsidiaries, and a global network of more than 3,000 employees.

Throughout its growth and expansion, PLP’s focus has remained the same: provide high-quality, innovative products that are designed and manufactured with the customer in mind. This statement is backed by decades of industry expertise and rigorous product testing in a state-of-the-art laboratory located at the company’s global headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio.

“We’re so proud of our innovative, rich history, and we want to ensure that today’s generation of engineers knows who we are, what we’ve accomplished, and that they can count on our reliable products for the tower/telecommunications industry,” said Bob Peterson, Special Industries Market Manager. “When it comes to preformed products or ‘preforms’ as they’ve come to be known in the industry, we are the brand. The helical design originated with us and we stand by the quality of our products.” PLP also designs and manufactures many other products for the tower industry including wildlife/bird flight protection and cellular antenna mounts.

PLP has consistently pioneered modern advances in communications and power utility networks for decades. They are proud of their products that support wire lines and can manufacture any type of material including stainless steel, copper, galvanized steel, and more. When asked about the future of the company and the expansion of its products, Peterson said, “The possibilities are endless.”

PLP is committed to maintaining its reputation for providing high-quality products with personalized customer service. On the company’s website, preformed.com, PLP explains more about their products and services:

You can count on our products and our people day in and day out, year after year. That’s because a steadfast commitment to quality is not just a goal at PLP, it’s an obsession.

With one of, if not the most comprehensive labs in the industry, PLP has high standards for testing. Not only do ideas and products need to pass both internal and industry tests, they must also meet or exceed customer standards. PLP’s laboratory simulates field conditions with tests including:

  • Extreme environmental exposure
  • Pressure tests
  • Conductor galloping spans
  • Hardware slip testing
  • Elevated temperature tests
  • Vibration spans  
  • Salt fog exposure
  • UV exposure
  • High voltage testing


“We must simulate these types of tests in our laboratory to ensure our products last in the field for years,” said Peterson. “We even welcome our customers to visit our lab for product testing demonstrations.”

After over 70 years in business, can PLP keep up with industry changes? The answer is a resounding yes. “We are already highly involved in small cell deployments—from structural and fiber to the antenna,” said Peterson. “Our goal has always been to innovate and develop new products for new markets, constantly asking the question ‘how can we better serve our customers?’ This practice was our past, is our present and will be our future.”

Preformed Line Products is a global company headquartered in Cleveland, OH with 21 operations around the world providing products to customers in more than 140 countries. For more information or to contact a representative, visit www.preformed.com.

September 12, 2018