Paslode is an American manufacturer of cordless and pneumatic nailers, staplers and fasteners, operating as a division of Illinois Tool Works (ITW).[1] The brand name is an acronym for Packing Shipping Loading Devices, and the company was founded in the United States in 1935 by JW Leslie.[2] Paslode became part of ITW in 1983.[2]
Design and History
The Paslode visual identity centers on a stylized letter “P” combined with the wordmark “PASLODE.” A US trademark registration for the combined “P PASLODE” mark, filed in 1996 and registered in 1998, describes the mark as consisting, in part, of a stylized representation of the letter “P.”[3] The trademark drawing is lined for the color orange.[3]
An earlier US trademark for a standalone “P” mark was registered in 1987 by Paslode Corporation, with a first use in commerce date of November 27, 1985.[4] This indicates the stylized “P” symbol has been in use since the mid-1980s. A newer combined “P PASLODE” trademark application was filed in Taiwan in January 2023 and registered in November 2023, indicating the mark remains in active use.[5]
The brand is widely recognized for its orange and black color scheme.[6] On Paslode tools, the identity typically appears as a large letter “P” in orange and black with the name “Paslode” in black lettering beneath it.[7]
Meaning and Symbolism
The stylized “P” functions as a practical identification mark on Paslode fasteners. Paslode nails carry the “P” logo stamped into the head of the nail, which the company says makes site inspection easy, with building inspectors looking for this mark to confirm an approved fastener.[8] Paslode UK has similarly promoted its roof batten nails as featuring a distinctive Paslode “P” on the head, providing an easily identifiable visual aid for spotting an approved fixing on site.[9]
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