Xcelite was founded in 1921 as the Park Metalware Company, a small metalworking shop in Orchard Park, New York. The company marketed tools under the “XCEL” and, later, “Xcelite” brands.

Later in 1973, the brand was purchased by Cooper Industries. In 2010, the brand was transferred to Apex Tool Group, a joint venture formed by Cooper Industries and Danaher Corporation.

Now Xcelite still manufactures all its products including knives, shearcutters, tool kits, screwdriver and nutdriver sets, service kits and sets, and tool cases at the highest level of quality in the United States.