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Company History

Clam Cleat Head Office and manufacturing building

We've all been there: you tug the light pull-cord and the knob comes off in your hand! It was this mishap in 1963 that triggered off the thought that there must be a better way of attaching a knob to a light pull rather than threading the cord through a hole and tying a knot. With the problem established, the solution soon followed. The invention consisted of two pieces of acrylic with angled ridges. Glued together, these formed the first of our cleats - grip proportional with load and no moving parts.

This simple, unique device was the first major innovation in rope cleats for over 40 years. Following exhaustive development work on numerous prototypes and extensive material trials, the first nylon cleat was produced in 1964. In 1965 Clamcleats Limited was formed, initial patents were filed and the trade mark Clamcleat was registered. An early distinguished customer was Sir Francis Chichester. His vessel, Gipsy Moth IV, was fitted with ten CL201 cleats, which helped him to set the first speed record for single handed circumnavigation in 1966-67.

The first Clamcleat rope cleat was manufactured from engineering plastic. Aluminium cleats were introduced in 1972 to cope with the higher performance required for racing and the Clamcleat Racing range was born. Many designs are now available in both materials. The range has expanded to over 125 models, for use in mid-air, fixing on a deck or to sailcloth. Innovative accessories are available; such as the Keepers, which were a category winner in the 2005 DAME Design Awards. Early in 2003, a trade injection moulding division was added. In 2009, Sevarg photo and ID cutters were acquired. In 2012, we started a new factory in Costa Rica: IMATS is dedicated to the injection moulding of engineering plastics.

The family-run company is now in its third generation. With sound engineering and efficient administration, we are dedicated to offering quality and personal service. Right from the beginning, it has been company policy to offer excellent service to all our customers. Good stocks are held so orders can be supplied quickly, via distributors around the globe.

Clamcleat rope cleats have always been produced at our factory in England, from design and toolmaking, through casting and moulding to finishing and packaging. This guarantees that all stages of production can be closely controlled to ensure high quality cleats. Whilst Clamcleat rope cleats are mainly sold in the sail-boat and windsurfing markets, there are numerous industrial applications. Our vision is to continue growing as a business and we have exciting projects planned for the future - but no call, so far, for a switch pull-cord cleat!





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