History

Thomas F. Peterson

Beginning in 1947, Thomas F. Peterson, an electrical engineer started with an innovative idea and formed an organisation that was to grow into an international company.

Responding to a customer’s concern about conductors breaking at the point of support, Peterson thought of preforming armor rods into a helix with an inside diameter somewhat smaller than the outside diameter of the conductor. The theory was that helically preformed rods, when applied over conductor, could provide a secure fit without end clamps, as well as ‘armor’ and protect the conductor from abrasion and fatigue at points of hardware attachments. This idea proved successful and the product was called the PREFORMED™ Armor Rod.

Patented in 1952, Armor Rods offered superior reinforcement and protection advantages over conventional wire and clamping methods. The helical concept then grew into a complete line of products for the electric power utility industry. Patented products like the GUY-GRIP® dead-end revolutionised pole guying, and the ARMOR-GRIP® Suspension created a new standard of excellence for transmission conductor support systems.

Peterson went on to patent 28 additional products for Preformed Line Products, bringing more industry ‘firsts’ and serving customers needs with effective solutions.

Inventiveness, integrity and foresight are the foundation of Preformed Line Products and our people continue to build the company with new ideas for the industries we serve. Our patented products now serve the electric power utility, communications, cable television and data industries as well as some other specialised niche markets.

From our early days to present, and looking forward to the future, this dedication to innovation is what has made Preformed Line Products a recognised global leader.