Stride Tool Observes 25th Anniversary

Company is Parent of Flagship Brand Imperial®

GLENWILLOW, Ohio (March 1, 2005) – Stride Tool Inc., a worldwide designer and manufacturer of specialty hand tools, celebrates its 25th anniversary this month. Stride is the parent company of Imperial®, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last month.

Lori Northrup, board chairman, founded Stride Tool in 1980.

“When we started, we only had one product and one customer,” she said. “Although there have been many growth changes since that small rented shop with three employees and two punch presses, I’m happy to say we still have that same customer and that same product 25 years later.”

The company’s first acquisition was Milbar, an Ohio tool manufacturer. Stride acquired Imperial in 1996. Today, Stride operates plants in Western New York, Ohio and Illinois.

“For a company that is 25-years old, we are especially proud of Stride Tool’s role in continuing the heritage of Milbar and Imperial,” Northrup said. “Milbar has had a tradition of quality since its founding 49 years ago and its founder, Jack Bares, serves today on our board of directors. Imperial is the standard-bearer for excellence in HVAC and automotive specialty tools worldwide.”

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