PCL celebrates 80 years of handheld inflation

PCL is celebrating 80 years of handheld inflation with the launch of an icon reflecting the design and engineering excellence for which its “Made in Sheffield” products are renowned.

The 6th of May 2025 marks the exact day the design for the original Vertex Tyre Inflator, better known as the MK2, design was finalised.

The famous MK2 Tyre Inflator became one of the most familiar tools in garages and service stations between 1945 and 1993 and is still used by many today.

Promising guaranteed accuracy, the MK2 fast became an essential piece of kit due to its “speedy and unrestricted filtered air flow” and “unbreakable” weatherproof design.

Its invention began a journey leading to today’s MK4 family of linear tyre inflators, with the following milestones along the way:

• 1992 – The MK3 is launched; an improved and highly durable, versatile model, approved to meet European standards.
• 1993 – MK2 production ends, with the last product made at PCL’s Eyre Street factory before PCL moves to Holbrook Rise.
• 2016 – The MK4 is introduced, with innovations including enlarged viewing window, lighter weight and ergonomic design.
• 2017 – Accura MK4 released; a digital version with backlit LED screen.
• Today’s Airforce MK4 Tyre Inflator hits the market, featuring a new piston and seal design and increasing accuracy life by up to 150,000 cycles vs the MK3 gauge on tests.
• 2020 – As a stamp of quality, PCL extends warranty on Airforce MK4 and Accura MK4 to two years.
• 2022 – The MK4’s little brother, the cost-effective airlite eco, is launched.

After 80 years of development, today’s Airforce MK4 is one of the world’s leading linear tyre inflators, and takes performance to a new level. Its two-stage valve design ensures accuracy and longer life compared to competitors’ single-stage mechanisms. Tests show it can cover more than 10 times as many cycles as its main contender.

PCL managing director, Lee Wright, said: “We feel incredibly proud to be able to say that 80 years after we created the original MK2 Tyre Inflator, its modern-day successor, the MK4, remains the all-time product of choice for users who prefer a linear inflator.

“Whilst it has undergone many innovative advancements, the MK4 retains the MK2’s core benefits and reputation as a ‘Speedy & Accurate’ inflator, as mentioned on the collateral of the first MK2 Tyre Inflator.  And best of all, it is still “Made in Sheffield”!”

He continued: “It is a huge compliment to us that the MK4 is one of our most copied inflators – but nothing compares to PCL’s quality, and that’s why we offer a two-year warranty on our Accura MK4 and Airforce MK4 tyre inflators. This reflects the confidence we have in their quality and performance in the most demanding of environments, from garages to petrol forecourts.

“Please look out for the new badge that stands testament to our immense pride in this iconic PCL product – the industry-standard handheld inflator for many more decades to come.”