OTC Tool Company
Encyclopedia
OTC Tool Company was founded in Owatonna, Minnesota
by Reuben A. Kaplan in 1925. Automobiles were new with few tools created for them yet. Kaplan, who operated a small machine shop, invented the "Grip-O-Matic" universal gear puller and received his first patent. The tool remains virtually unchanged to this day.
By 1934, OTC was selling a variety of mechanic's tools to farmers and service stations. The tools were sold directly to the customer from makeshift display boards fitted into panel trucks
or converted autos. When World War II
broke out in 1939, the U.S. Army and Navy bought large quantities of OTC tools and by 1945, the company had doubled its staff. In 1950, Kaplan began work in ultra-high-pressure fluid power
technology, a new technology for hydraulics
manufacturers of the day. One development was a twin-cylinder ram that operated at 10,000 psi--much higher than any other devices of the day.
By 1985, OTC had an extensive line of tools and systems for both OEM
and aftermarket
customers. That success led to its acquisition by Sealed Power Corporation (now SPX Corporation
) of Muskegon, MI.
OTC is a global supplier of vehicle electronic diagnostic instruments
; fuel systems service tools; special service tools; general purpose tools; pullers; heavy-duty tools; shop equipment and hydraulic components.
Owatonna, Minnesota
Owatonna is a city in Steele County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 25,599 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Steele County. Owatonna is home to the Steele County Fairgrounds, which hosts the Steele County Free Fair in August....
by Reuben A. Kaplan in 1925. Automobiles were new with few tools created for them yet. Kaplan, who operated a small machine shop, invented the "Grip-O-Matic" universal gear puller and received his first patent. The tool remains virtually unchanged to this day.
By 1934, OTC was selling a variety of mechanic's tools to farmers and service stations. The tools were sold directly to the customer from makeshift display boards fitted into panel trucks
Panel truck
A panel truck is a windowless cargo van built on a truck chassis.Similar in function to its smaller cousin, the sedan delivery; which is a station wagon with no backseat, and no side windows aft of the front doors...
or converted autos. When World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
broke out in 1939, the U.S. Army and Navy bought large quantities of OTC tools and by 1945, the company had doubled its staff. In 1950, Kaplan began work in ultra-high-pressure fluid power
Fluid power
Fluid power is the use of fluids under pressure to generate, control, and transmit power. Fluid power is subdivided into hydraulics using a liquid such as mineral oil or water, and pneumatics using a gas such as air or other gases...
technology, a new technology for hydraulics
Hydraulics
Hydraulics is a topic in applied science and engineering dealing with the mechanical properties of liquids. Fluid mechanics provides the theoretical foundation for hydraulics, which focuses on the engineering uses of fluid properties. In fluid power, hydraulics is used for the generation, control,...
manufacturers of the day. One development was a twin-cylinder ram that operated at 10,000 psi--much higher than any other devices of the day.
By 1985, OTC had an extensive line of tools and systems for both OEM
OEM
OEM means the original manufacturer of a component for a product, which may be resold by another company.OEM may also refer to:-Computing:* OEM font, or OEM-US, the original character set of the IBM PC, circa 1981...
and aftermarket
Aftermarket (automotive)
The automotive aftermarket is the secondary market of the automotive industry, concerned with the manufacturing, remanufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of all vehicle parts, chemicals, tools, equipment and accessories for light and heavy vehicles, after the sale of the...
customers. That success led to its acquisition by Sealed Power Corporation (now SPX Corporation
SPX Corporation
SPX Corporation is a Fortune 500 multi-industry manufacturing firm. SPX's business segments serve developing and emerging end markets, such as global infrastructure, process equipment, and diagnostic tool industries. With corporate headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, they have operations in...
) of Muskegon, MI.
OTC is a global supplier of vehicle electronic diagnostic instruments
Electronic control unit
In automotive electronics, electronic control unit is a generic term for any embedded system that controls one or more of the electrical systems or subsystems in a motor vehicle....
; fuel systems service tools; special service tools; general purpose tools; pullers; heavy-duty tools; shop equipment and hydraulic components.