In the world of rigging, lifting, and material handling, equipment failure is not an option. Whether you’re securing a critical lift, assembling structural steel, or managing daily operations in a demanding industrial environment, the reliability of your hardware directly affects safety, productivity, and compliance. That’s why Industrial Wire Rope puts so much trust in Crosby, now part of Kito Crosby.
As an authorized distributor, Industrial Wire Rope provides the full line of Kito Crosby products, including shackles, hooks, clips, blocks, sockets, clamps, and more. Here’s what sets Kito Crosby apart and why their products remain an industry benchmark.
A Legacy of Proven Brands
In our industry, few names carry the weight and trust of Kito Crosby. The company’s roots date back to 1836. The company began as Crosby‑Laughlin, producing hardware built to withstand the toughest industrial demands. Their commitment to engineering excellence, rigorous testing, and uncompromising safety quickly make the company a leader for critical lifting applications across construction, energy, maritime, and other heavy industries.
As the company expanded, it brought several respected brands under its umbrella. Each adds specialized expertise in blocks, sheaves, clamps, hooks, and wire‑rope fittings. With this, Kito Crosby’s product family includes some of the most respected names in the industry, such as:
- Kito Crosby® — Shackles, hooks, turnbuckles, links, rings, eye bolts, wire rope clips
- Lebus® — Load binders, snatch blocks, tail chains
- McKissick® — Crane blocks, construction blocks, sheaves
- National® — Swage sleeves, sockets, swaging machines
- Western® — Marine and manila rope blocks
- Bullard® — Golden Gate hooks
- Kito CrosbyIP® — Vertical, horizontal, and specialty lifting clamps
Each brand has decades of engineering behind it, and each is known for reliability in the field. Today, Kito Crosby offers more than 2,000 products, all designed with the same philosophy that has guided the company for nearly two centuries: build it right, test it hard, and never compromise on safety.
Forged for Critical Applications
One of the defining characteristics of Kito Crosby hardware is its commitment to forged components—not cast. Forging provides:
- Greater rope-bearing surface
- Higher consistency and strength
- Reduced risk of hidden defects
- Better performance in critical applications
This is why OSHA, ASME, and ASTM recommend forged clips for safety‑critical use. Kito Crosby’s forged “Red” U‑bolt clips and Fist Grip clips meet or exceed Federal Specification FF‑C‑450E.
Unmatched Traceability and Identification
Kito Crosby embeds essential information directly into each product:
- Manufacturer’s name
- Size
- Product Identification Code (PIC)
This traceability ensures confidence in the product’s origin, metallurgy, and performance. This is critical for audits, inspections, and safety programs.
Shackles Engineered for Strength and Fatigue Life
Kito Crosby shackles are known for having the highest design factor in the industry—6:1. Key engineering advantages include:
- Closed-die forging for consistent dimensions
- Quenched and tempered bows and pins
- Close pin-to-hole tolerances for superior fatigue life
- Verified steel chemistry for every heat
These features reduce the risk of brittle failure and ensure predictable performance even in harsh conditions.
Training and Application Support
Kito Crosby doesn’t just manufacture hardware—they support safe use. Their training materials, seminars, and application guides help crews understand:
- Proper installation of wire rope clips
- Correct shackle selection
- Load limits and design factors
- Inspection criteria
- Safe lifting practices
Industrial Wire Rope can provide these materials and guidance to your team.
Why This Matters for Your Operation
Choosing Industrial Wire Rope isn’t just about buying products—it’s about reducing risk. We partner with industry leaders like Kito Crosby. We work in a high‑stakes environment, where attention to details makes all the difference.
