Yellow Jacket

Ritchie Engineering Company, Inc., the leader in service tools for HVAC/R professionals and manufacturer of YELLOW JACKET^® products, is proud to be celebrating 75 years of delivering best-in-class products and service.

Founded by Jack Ritchie, Ritchie Engineering was first a manufacturers’ representative organization. In 1949, the company manufactured its first charging hose, which was trademarked soon thereafter as YELLOW JACKET^®. Today, the YELLOW JACKET^® brand is synonymous with the highest quality and most complete line of HVAC/R tools in the industry. With a commitment and focus on innovation, quality and service, the company has expanded its family of tools from hoses to include gauges, manifolds, vacuum pumps, recovery units, electronic instruments and a variety of essential system tools.

“While a lot has changed in the last 75 years, one thing has remained the same…our philosophy of providing HVAC/R and automotive service professionals the quality products they need, at a competitive price,” said Tom & Kristen Ritchie, Owners. “The relentless commitment of our people over the last 75 years has led to best-in-class products, first-class customer service and innovations that make the contractor’s job easier – worldwide. The YELLOW JACKET^® brand is not only the industry standard, it has become legendary. As we look towards the future, we recognize the need for automated solutions when it comes to innovation, product development, packaging, shipping and manufacturing.”

Ritchie Engineering Company is kicking off its 75th year with a marketing campaign highlighting the company’s history of innovation and commitment to excellence. The campaign is topped off with a 75 Years logo, which includes the nostalgic yellow charging hose (the product that started it all).