Ideal Tridon Group Blog.

Ideal Tridon’s journey began in Brooklyn, New York in 1913, when Philip Rauch, a young Mercedes engineer, started a taxi business. While waiting for calls, Rauch’s tinkering led to the creation of replacement hose clamps for his fleet. Recognizing their potential, he sold his cab company to focus entirely on manufacturing clamps, setting up a modest 50 x 50 backyard factory with his wife, Frances. Together, they laid the foundation of a family business built on superior quality and exceptional service – Ideal Clamp Products. 

Ideal Clamp Products grew rapidly. During World War I, the company supplied clamps for the military, while the interwar period saw expansion under Rauch’s sons, Philip and Louis. By 1936, the company’s product lines had diversified to include mirrors, reflectors, and horns. Ideal’s commitment to innovation brought a new generation of clamps that found applications across industries, propelling the company into the global automotive aftermarket. By 1960, Ideal was the leading supplier of clamps to the automotive industry worldwide, and in 1985, the company relocated to St. Augustine, FL.  

Meanwhile, Hamilton Clamp Works was founded in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1923 by Victor and Ira Green. After rebranding in 1958 to Tridon Limited, the company expanded rapidly across Canada and Europe. In the 1970s, Tridon relocated operations to Tennessee to align with the growing automotive industry, constructing a 125,000 square-foot facility that now serves as the Ideal Tridon Group headquarters.  

After both companies were acquired by Tomkins (Ideal in 1995 and Tridon in 1999), the companies merged to form Ideal Tridon. The merger resulted in the leading North American clamp supplier, providing clamps to a diverse base of aftermarket and OE customers in automotive, plumbing, marine, hardware, and other industries. Since the merger, Ideal Tridon has opened manufacturing facilities to expand our global footprint, including China, Mexico, and Poland.  

Today, Ideal Tridon is a part of the Ideal Tridon Group portfolio of brands, whose products support, secure, and connect pipes, tubes, and hoses that convey gases, liquids, and electricity. We are the global leader in providing stainless steel worm gear clamps.  

At the heart of Ideal Tridon’s success are its people and principles. Guided by our legacy, we continue to set industry standards while building strong connections with customers worldwide. From a backyard factory to a global leader, Ideal Tridon’s story is one of resilience, growth, and a relentless commitment to excellence.