Sycamore, Ill.-based Ideal Industries, a global leader in connectors, testers, tools and supplies, recently signed a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Western Forge, a Colorado Springs, Colo.-based manufacturer of pliers, screwdrivers and adjustable wrenches for the professional trades and the general consumer. The company, which will continue to be known as Western Forge, will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Ideal.

Randy Thompson, a 22-year veteran of Ideal with broad manufacturing, operational and general management experience, has been named general manager for Western Forge.

“The acquisition of Western Forge represents another significant step in the Ideal strategy to broaden our internal product design and American made manufacturing capabilities,” said Jim James, president and CEO of Ideal. “An additional benefit is that we will now expand our presence among the general trades where Western Forge has a strong customer base and where we see significant opportunities for growth with other Ideal products.”

Western Forge’s 345,000-square-foot manufacturing plant offers forging, heat treatment, handle extrusion, machining and plating operations.