Clamcleats Ltd, a family-owned manufacturing company based in England, is marking its 60th anniversary this year.
The company will exhibit at the Metstrade show in Amsterdam from 18 to 20 November 2025 at stand 02.531, where it plans to showcase its new and updated products for 2026, along with its strategic developments.
The origins of Clamcleats date back to 1963, when a faulty light pull-cord inspired the idea for a more effective attachment method. The result was two acrylic pieces with angled ridges that, when glued together, created the first cleat capable of gripping proportionally with load and requiring no moving parts. This became the first major innovation in rope cleats for over four decades. Following extensive testing, the first nylon cleat was produced in 1964, and Clamcleats Limited was formally established the following year. Initial patents were filed, and the Clamcleat trademark was registered.
One of the company’s early customers was Sir Francis Chichester, whose vessel Gipsy Moth IV was equipped with ten CL201 cleats during his 1966–67 single-handed circumnavigation record attempt. The first Clamcleat product was made from engineering plastic, while aluminium models were introduced in 1972 to meet the demands of high-performance racing. This marked the launch of the Clamcleat Racing range.
The current portfolio includes more than 125 models designed for various applications, including deck, sailcloth and mid-air installations. The company’s Keepers accessory won a category in the 2005 DAME Design Awards.
In 2003, Clamcleats added a trade injection moulding division, followed by the acquisition of Sevarg photo and ID cutters in 2009. In 2012, a new factory, IMATS, was established in Costa Rica, focusing on custom injection moulding of engineering plastics. Now in its fourth generation of family management, the company continues to operate with a focus on engineering precision and efficient administration.
Production remains based entirely in England, encompassing every stage from design and toolmaking to casting, moulding, finishing and packaging. Clamcleats maintains stock levels to support prompt supply through its global distributor network. While its rope cleats are primarily used in sailing and windsurfing, they are also employed in industrial sectors, including camping and sun protection systems.
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