Ripley Tools has been providing infrastructure products for years – 90, in fact. The company has experienced an extensive evolution and several mergers during that time.
Louis Ripley founded Ripley Company in 1936, focusing on photovoltaic controls for streetlights. Originally based in Torrington, CT and eventually relocated to its current location in Cromwell, CT, Ripley acquired UtilityTool Corporation in 1975.
Since then, Ripley has added tools for preparing coaxial cable and fiber optic cable and began developing popular hand tools like the banana peeler and 4×4. More recently, Ripley expanded its offerings to include fiber optic testing and inspection equipment and antenna aligners.
“In the beginning we were focused on delivering tools to meet very specific challenges – for example, the banana peeler was designed to score semi-conductive material and did that one task so effectively that it has become a staple tool for linemen around the world,” James Selm, Product Manager, Ripley Tools, explained. “Since those early days, we have evolved our focus to deliver multi-functional tools and tool kits to tackle the entire job rather than a single aspect of that job.”
Hubbell Increases Ripley’s Telecom Reach
In 2022, Ripley joined the Hubbell family of brands as part of Hubbell Power Systems. This jumpstarted an “exponential increase” in Ripley’s ability to serve the telecom vertical because of Hubbell’s established presence and significant portfolio of products for the tower and communications markets.
“Hubbell’s support allows us to accelerate new product development by bringing us to new customers and partners and by bringing a new viewpoint of the overall application each of Ripley’s tools serve,” Selm said.
Combining Multiple Brands Under One Well-known Name
You’ve likely used a Ripley tool, but you may not have known it. Ripley’s rebranding initiative unified Miller, ODM, Cablematic, UtilityTool and MultiWave Sensors — all under the Ripley brand.
“Ripley’s updated branding allows us to focus on providing tools to get the job done – start to finish – without looking for a particular brand to put inside of the kit,” Selm said.
Previously, on a single tower site, a user may have had an antenna alignment product under the MultiWave Sensors brand, but also, ODM test and inspection kits, and fiber optic and coaxial cable termination tools under the Miller or Cablematic brands.
MultiWave accessory and the VariStrip kit
“With all of these products under one name, it is easy to make a custom kit for that particular tower with everything a contractor may need. Going forward, that end user is able to provide feedback so we can continue evolving and improving our solutions,” Selm said.
By orienting its products to applications, customers are able to pinpoint the specific tools they need for their jobs. “We’re able to expand our conversations with OEMs to develop tools in coordination with new antennas, cables or other equipment,” Selm said.
Adjacent Industry Applications
Ripley’s tools are used across several markets including power utility, fiber optic, cable television and tower. For example, tools that were designed for electric utility cables also have applications in telecom infrastructure, helping technicians bring power to sites, without knives.
“Even with all of the focus on fiber optic installations, our coaxial cable preparation tools continue to remain in heavy use for crews continuing to install coax,” Selm said. “Our Smart Aligners have been providing high-precision azimuth readings on cellular antenna installations around the world for years and we look forward to growing that product range in the near future.”
A Reliable Job Site Partner
Ripley’s employees pride themselves on their entrepreneurial spirit and capability to innovate. “With every tool we build, we consider the ongoing labor shortage. We aim to make our tools easier to use than what is out there today,” Selm said. “That means tools that are safe for technicians of every level of experience, that are easy to learn and that ensure precision outcomes in every application.”
Ripley focuses on software that enables its users to easily download results, configure site reports and output the information in the required format. Its software is available for free on its website. It doesn’t require ongoing licensing to specific users, which is not the market norm, according to Selm.
“We recognize that our tools are used in the real world and are going to be put into challenging environments,” Selm said. “We prioritize durability and longevity over repeat sales so that our customers can rely on Ripley as a partner at the job site.”
A Fresh Take on Telecom
Under new leadership, Ripley is reintroducing itself to the tower and telecom market. “There have been headwinds in the telecom market that have been challenging for a lot of businesses, but we’re seeing signs that each quarter should be a little brighter than the one before,” says Selm. “As a part of the Hubbell family, we are well-positioned to deliver the tools that are critical to every aspect of a telecom project.”
Keep up with Ripley Tools on social media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook , X, and YouTube, and check out its new website at www.ripley-tools.com. You can also reach out to wireless business development manager Kevin Dunckel at [email protected], or James Selm at [email protected].
By J. Sharpe Smith, Inside Towers Technology Editor
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