Our History
The legacy behind our tools
Behind every tool is a legacy of engineering, innovation, and the companies that helped build Continental Tool Group, Inc. Discover the milestones that shaped our journey.
Experienced global partners
Our partners bring decades of experience supporting and growing companies around the world, helping build strong brands and lasting global businesses.
Hy-Tech Engineered Solutions
Hy-Tech started manufacturing air tool parts in Pittsburgh, PA in 1923. Hy-Tech designs, manufactures, and markets industrial tools, systems, gearing, accessories, and a wide variety of replacement parts under various brands including ATP, NUMATX, and Thaxton. Hy-Tech produces and sells heavy-duty pneumatic impact tools, grinders, air motors, hydro-pneumatic riveters, hydrostatic test plugs, impact sockets and custom gears. Hy-tech serves the serving the power generation, petrochemical, aerospace, construction, railroad, mining, ship building and fabricated metals industries, among others.
1923
P&F Industries, Inc.
P&F Industries, Inc., through its two wholly owned subsidiaries, Continental Tool Group, Inc. and Countrywide Hardware, Inc., manufactures and/or imports air-powered tools sold principally to the aerospace, automotive, retail, and various residential hardware such as fencing hardware and door and window hardware primarily to the housing industry. P&F's products are sold under their own trademarks and trade names, as well as under the private labels of major manufacturers and retailers.
1963
FLORIDA PNEUMATIC MANUFACTURING CORP. (FP)
P&F Industries acquires Florida Pneumatic Mfg. Corporation, established in 1964, is a global manufacturer and distributor of air tools, pipe threading equipment and intake compressors filters.
1984
UNIVERSAL TOOL™ (UT)
P&F Industries acquires Universal Tool, established in 1984. UNIVERSAL TOOL provides an extensive range of air tools for aerospace, industrial and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) applications. Designed for durability and consistent performance, these tools support a variety of tasks, including assembly, material removal, fastening, drilling, and general maintenance across manufacturing and facility operations.
1985
HY-TECH ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS
P&F Industries acquires Hy-Tech Machine, Inc., a Pennsylvania manufacturer and distributor of pneumatic tools and parts for industrial applications, serving serving the power generation, petrochemical, aerospace, construction, railroad, mining, ship building and fabricated metals industries. Hy-tech products are sold under their brands, ATP, Numatx, Thaxton, and Thor.
2007
UNIVERSAL AIR TOOL
P&F Industries, Inc. acquires UNIVERSAL AIR TOOL Company Limited (UAT). Universal Air Tool Company Limited is the market leader in pneumatic air tool distribution to the automotive sector in the United Kingdom. The company offers a wide array of products designed with high quality standards, an acute interest in its customer's requirements and satisfaction along with total specialization within the pneumatic tool market. These products are designed to meet strict European requirements. UAT products are now branded as Universal Tool (UT).
2014
EXHAUST TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - AIRCAT
P&F Industries, Inc. acquired Exhaust Technologies, Corp. and their AIRCAT Pneumatic Tool brand. Established in 1998, AIRCAT serves the professional automotive and fleet markets. AIRCAT products incorporate a patented, ergonomically engineered handle design to relieve stress and fatigue on the operator's hands, wrists and arms. AIRCAT tools have a patented tuned exhaust muffler technology, which is designed to allow discharged air to pass without developing back pressure, thus retaining more power, while significantly reducing noise. The AIRCAT brand is very popular within the professional automotive market.
2014
JIFFY AIR TOOL, INC.
P&F Industries, Inc. acquires Jiffy Air Tool, established in the 1940's. Jiffy manufactures and distributes pneumatic tools and components, primarily sold to aerospace manufacturers and MRO facilities. Jiffy is one of the preeminent brands of air tools used to manufacture commercial jets and other aircraft both in North America and internationally. This acquisition further expands our product offering in the aerospace sector of the pneumatic tool market.
2017
Blaz-Man Gear, Inc. & Gear Products & Mfg, Inc.
P&F Industries, Inc. acquires Blaz-Man Gear and Gear Products & Manufacturing; both Chicago based companies specializing in the manufacture and distribution of custom gears and power transmission gear products.
2019
P&F Industries to Shoreview Industries
Shoreview acquires P&F Industries, Inc. and it's subsidiary Continental Tool Group, Inc. Founded in 2002, ShoreView is a Minneapolis-based private equity firm that has raised over $1.3 billion of committed capital across four funds. ShoreView partners with family and entrepreneur-owned companies across many sectors, including engineered products, distribution, industrial services, business services, healthcare, and niche consumer products. All brands purchased in this acquisition are now brands under the Continental Tool Group, Inc.
2023
DESCO Mfg. Co.
Continental Tool Group, Inc. acquires DESCO Manufacturing, a manufacturer of surface preparation equipment for the Industrial and Naval industries. DESCO focuses on practical, durable solutions that enable professionals to remove coatings, rust, and surface contaminants with precision and control. The product range includes hand-held and walk-behind scarifiers, grinders, needle guns, and industrial vacuums, each engineered for specific surface preparation challenges.