[3] It also owns Western Forge and Pratt-Read, the largest– and second-largest American-made producers of screwdrivers respectively at the time of their acquisitions.

[5] Ideal was founded in 1916 by J. Walter Becker as the Ideal Commutator Dresser Company in Chicago, Illinois, manufacturing commutator dresser stones.

[6] In 1924, Becker relocated the company to its current location in Sycamore, Illinois.

[7] By 1949, it had become the United States' leading producer of wire nuts.

[8] In 2010, Ideal acquired three American hand tool manufacturers: Western Forge in January,[9][10] Pratt-Read in March,[11][12] and SK Hand Tools in August.