CatClamp Press Kit

PRESS: What gave you the idea to invent the CatClamp?

JIM: I was approached by a long time customer who had a lot of fleet trucks and had many catalytic converters stolen, it was costing them thousands of dollars per truck to repair. They wanted me to weld a cage over the bottom of their trucks. Knowing it is not practical to cover the underside of a truck because of maintenance and repair issues, it got me thinking about a removable protective cage for just the catalytic converter. The CatClamp Idea was born.

PRESS: Why are people stealing catalytic converters?

JIM: Catalytic converters contain small amounts of precious metals. The thief can cut one off from your vehicle in less than 20 seconds with a battery powered saw. The thief then sells the converter to shady metal recyclers for $40.00 to $150.00 depending on the model.

PRESS: Where are the victims cars usually parked when the converters are stolen?

JIM: We hear a lot of people say it was stolen in the parking lot while they were at work. Some at Park and ride lots, commuter lots, train stations, malls, amusement parks and even in their driveways at night.

PRESS: How much does it cost to have a vehicle repaired after converter theft?

JIM: It depends on the vehicle and the amount of damage caused by the thief. I would say the minimum is around $500.00 some customers have told me as much as $3800.00 on late models, not to mention the towing bill and loss of vehicle use.

PRESS: How does the CatClamp work?

JIM: Two locking collars similar to a muffler clamp lock on the exhaust pipe on either side of the catalytic converter. Linear aircraft cables run between the collars over the converter creating a cage around the converter. The same aircraft cable extends from the cage around the frame of the vehicle locking the cage and the converter to the vehicle.

PRESS: How long did it take you to come up with the design?

JIM: It took the better part of a year.

PRESS: How were you able to design a protective cage that can’t just be cut off with the same tools the thief is using?

JIM: I studied metallurgy in college and I have been working with metal and metalworking equipment since the early 1980’s. Over the past 25 years I have learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to sawing procedures. When I learned the thieves were using a battery powered reciprocating saw I was perfectly qualified to come up with a solution.

PRESS: What percentage of success would you say the CatClamp has had?

JIM: 100% The CatClamp has had zero failures to date.

PRESS: Does the CatClamp cause any mechanical problems or rattling noises?

JIM: If the CatClamp is installed properly there are no mechanical problems or rattling.

PRESS: How many units have you sold?

JIM: We have sold thousands of CatClamps all over the world; however the number total number sold is confidential.

PRESS: Where can people buy the CatClamp?

JIM: Currently the best way to get the CatClamp is to go to CATCLAMP.COM and place an order. Customers can expect to see the CatClamp 3-5 days later.