Snap-on Incorporated (Snap-on) is a global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions for professional users performing critical tasks, including those working in vehicle repair, aerospace, the military, natural resources, and manufacturing.
Products and services are sold through the company’s network of widely recognized franchisee vans as well as through direct and distributor channels, under a variety of notable brands. The...
Snap-on Incorporated (Snap-on) is a global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions for professional users performing critical tasks, including those working in vehicle repair, aerospace, the military, natural resources, and manufacturing.
Products and services are sold through the company’s network of widely recognized franchisee vans as well as through direct and distributor channels, under a variety of notable brands. The company also provides financing programs to facilitate the sales of its products and to support its franchise business.
Snap-on markets its products and brands worldwide in more than 130 countries. Snap-on’s largest geographic market is the United States. In addition, Snap-on has a meaningful presence across continental Europe and in the Asia Pacific region, as well as in Canada and the United Kingdom.
The company began with the development of the original Snap-on interchangeable socket set and subsequently pioneered mobile tool distribution in the automotive repair market, where well-stocked vans sell to professional vehicle technicians at their place of business. Today, Snap-on defines its value proposition more broadly, extending its reach ‘beyond the garage’ to deliver a broad array of unique solutions that make work easier for serious professionals. The company’s ‘coherent growth’ strategy focuses on developing and expanding its professional customer base in its legacy automotive market, as well as in adjacent markets, additional geographies and other areas, including in critical industries, where the cost and penalties for failure can be high. In addition to its coherent growth strategy, Snap-on is committed to its ‘Value Creation Processes’ – a set of strategic principles and processes designed to create value and employed in the areas of (i) safety; (ii) quality; (iii) customer connection; (iv) innovation; and (v) rapid continuous improvement (‘RCI’).
Snap-on’s primary customer segments include: (i) commercial and industrial customers, including professionals in critical industries and in emerging markets; (ii) professional vehicle repair technicians who purchase products through the company’s multinational mobile tool distribution network; and (iii) other professional customers related to vehicle repair, including owners and managers of independent service and repair shops, as well as original equipment manufacturer (‘OEM’) dealership service and repair shops (‘OEM dealerships’). Snap-on’s Financial Services customer segment includes: (i) franchisees’ customers, principally serving vehicle repair technicians, and Snap-on customers who require financing for the purchase or lease of tools, diagnostics, and equipment products on an extended-term payment plan; and (ii) franchisees who require financing options for vehicle and business needs.
Snap-on’s operating segments, which represent Snap-on’s reportable segments, are based on the organizational structure used by the Chief Executive Officer, its chief operating decision maker (‘CODM’), to make operating and investment determinations and to assess performance. Snap-on’s reportable operating segments are: (i) the Commercial & Industrial Group; (ii) the Snap-on Tools Group; (iii) the Repair Systems & Information Group; and (iv) Financial Services. The Commercial & Industrial Group consists of business operations serving a broad range of industrial and commercial customers worldwide, including customers in the aerospace, natural resources, government and military, power generation, transportation and technical education market segments (collectively, ‘critical industries’), primarily through direct and distributor channels. The Snap-on Tools Group consists of business operations primarily serving vehicle service and repair technicians through the company’s multinational mobile tool distribution channel. The Repair Systems & Information Group consists of business operations serving other professional vehicle repair customers worldwide, primarily owners and managers of independent repair shops and OEM dealerships, through direct and distributor channels. Financial Services consists of the business operations of Snap-on Credit LLC (‘SOC’), the company’s financial services business in the United States, and Snap-on’s other financial services subsidiaries in those international markets where Snap-on has franchise operations.
Snap-on evaluates the performance of the Commercial & Industrial Group, the Snap-on Tools Group and the Repair Systems & Information Group operating segments based on segment net sales and segment operating earnings while the Financial Services operating segment is evaluated based on segment revenue and segment operating earnings. The Snap-on Tools Group segment net sales reflect external net sales, while the Commercial & Industrial Group and the Repair Systems & Information Group segment net sales include both external and intersegment net sales.
Products and Services
Tools; Diagnostics, Information and Management Systems; and Equipment
Snap-on offers a broad line of products and complementary services that are grouped into three product categories: (i) tools; (ii) diagnostics, information and management systems; and (iii) equipment.
The tools product category includes hand tools, power tools, tool storage products and other similar products. Hand tools include wrenches, sockets, ratchet wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, punches and chisels, saws and cutting tools, pruning tools, torque measuring instruments and other similar products. Power tools include cordless (battery), pneumatic (air), hydraulic and corded (electric) tools, such as impact wrenches, ratchets, screwdrivers, drills, sanders, grinders and similar products. Tool storage includes tool chests, roll cabinets and other similar products. For many industrial customers, Snap-on creates specific, engineered solutions, including facility-level tool control and asset management hardware and software, custom kits in a wide range of configurations, and custom-built tools designed to meet customer requirements. The majority of products are manufactured by Snap-on, and in completing the product offering, other items are purchased from external manufacturers.
The diagnostics, information and management systems product category includes handheld and computer-based diagnostic products, service and repair information products, diagnostic software solutions, electronic parts catalogs, business management systems and services, point-of-sale systems, integrated systems for vehicle service shops, OEM purchasing facilitation services, and warranty management systems and analytics to help OEM dealerships manage and track performance.
The equipment product category includes solutions for the service of vehicles and industrial equipment. Products include wheel alignment equipment, wheel balancers, tire changers, vehicle lifts, test lane equipment, collision repair equipment, vehicle air conditioning service equipment, brake service equipment, fluid exchange equipment, transmission troubleshooting equipment, safety testing equipment, battery chargers and hoists.
Snap-on supports the sale of its diagnostics and vehicle service shop equipment by offering training programs as well as after-sales support for its customers, primarily focusing on the technologies and the application of specific products developed and marketed by Snap-on.
Products are marketed under a number of brand names and trademarks, many of which are well known in the vehicle service and industrial markets served. Some of the major trade names and trademarks and the products and services with which they are associated include the following:
Snap-on: Hand tools, power tools, tool storage products (including tool control software and hardware), diagnostics, certain equipment and related accessories, mobile tool stores, websites, electronic parts catalogs, warranty analytics solutions, business management systems and services, OEM specialty tools and equipment development and distribution, and OEM facilitation services.
ATI: Aircraft hand tools and machine tools.
AutoCrib: Asset and tool control systems.
autoVHC: Vehicle inspection and training services.
BAHCO: Saw blades, cutting tools, pruning tools, hand tools, power tools and tool storage, including tool control systems.
Blue-Point: Hand tools, power tools, tool storage, diagnostics, certain equipment and related accessories.
Car-O-Liner: Collision repair equipment and information systems.
Cartec: Safety testing, brake testers, test lane equipment, dynamometers, suspension testers, emission testers and other equipment.
CDI: Torque tools.
Challenger: Vehicle lifts.
Cognitran: OEM SaaS products.
Dealer-FX: Service operation solutions and OEM SaaS systems.
Ecotechnics: Vehicle air conditioning service equipment.
Fastorq: Hydraulic torque and tensioning products.
Fish and Hook: Saw blades, cutting tools, pruning tools, hand tools, power tools and tool storage.
Hofmann: Wheel balancers, vehicle lifts, tire changers, wheel aligners, brake testers and test lane equipment.
Irimo: Saw blades, cutting tools, hand tools, power tools and tool storage.
John Bean: Wheel balancers, vehicle lifts, tire changers, wheel aligners, brake testers and test lane equipment.
Josam: Heavy duty alignment and collision repair solutions.
Lindström: Hand tools.
Mitchell: Repair and service information, shop management systems and business services.
Mountz: Torque tools.
Nexiq: Diagnostic tools, information and program distributions for fleet and heavy duty equipment.
Norbar: Torque tools.
Power Hawk: Rescue tools and related equipment for military, government, fire and rescue.
Pro-Cut: Brake service equipment and accessories.
Sandflex: Hacksaw blades, bandsaws, saw blades, hole saws and reciprocating saw blades.
ShopKey: Repair and service information, shop management systems and business services.
Sioux: Power tools.
Sturtevant Richmont: Torque tools.
Sun: Diagnostic tools, wheel balancers, vehicle lifts, tire changers, wheel aligners, air conditioning products and emission testers.
TreadReader: Automotive tire drive-over ramps and handheld devices.
TruckCam: Commercial vehicle OEM factory solutions.
Williams: Hand tools, tool storage, certain equipment and related accessories.
Financial Services
Snap-on also generates revenue from various financing programs that include: (i) installment sales and lease contracts arising from franchisees’ customers and Snap-on customers who require financing for the purchase or lease of tools, diagnostics, and equipment products on an extended-term payment plan; and (ii) business and vehicle loans and leases to franchisees. The decision to finance through Snap-on or another financing source is solely by election of the customer. When assessing customers for potential financing, Snap-on considers various factors regarding ability to pay, including the customers’ financial condition, debt-servicing ability, past payment experience, and credit bureau and proprietary Snap-on credit model information, as well as the value of the underlying collateral.
Snap-on offers financing through SOC and the company’s international finance subsidiaries in most markets where Snap-on has franchise operations. Financing revenue is recognized over the life of the underlying contracts, with interest or finance charges computed primarily on the average daily balances of the underlying contracts.
Markets
Sales and Distribution
Snap-on markets and distributes its products and related services principally to professional tool and equipment users around the world. The two largest market sectors are the vehicle service and repair sector and the industrial sector.
Vehicle Service and Repair Sector
The vehicle service and repair sector has three main customer groups: (i) professional technicians who purchase tools, diagnostics, and equipment products for use in their work; (ii) other professional customers related to vehicle repair, including owners and managers of independent repair shops and OEM dealerships who purchase tools, diagnostics, and equipment products for use by multiple technicians within a service or repair facility; and (iii) OEMs.
Snap-on provides innovative tool, equipment and business solutions, as well as technical sales support and training, designed to meet technicians’ evolving needs. Snap-on’s mobile tool distribution system offers technicians the convenience of purchasing quality tools at their place of business with minimal disruption of their work routine. Snap-on also provides owners and managers of repair shops, where technicians work, with tools, diagnostics, equipment, and repair and service information, including electronic parts catalogs and shop management products. Snap-on’s OEM facilitation business provides OEMs and OEM dealerships with products and services including special and essential tools as well as consulting and facilitation services, which are consisted of product procurement, distribution and administrative support for dealership equipment programs.
The market for vehicle service and repair is driven by an accelerating rate of technological change, car and truck population growth and increasing unit age, and the resulting effects of these changes on both the company’s suppliers and customers. Snap-on has historically benefited from the increasing complexity of car and truck fleets and the changing tools, technologies and data needed to monitor, calibrate, service and repair evolving vehicle platforms. While new technologies, including those associated with alternative energy drivetrains and greater vehicle autonomy, may alter the nature of certain service and repair for particular vehicle types, many of these new technologies provide opportunities to fulfill requirements for enhanced solutions or greater precision. Snap-on is well-positioned to innovate new products to address these changing needs and to extend its leadership position in the expanding vehicle service and repair market sector.
Industrial Sector
Snap-on markets its products and services globally to a broad cross-section of commercial and industrial customers, including maintenance and repair operations; manufacturing and assembly facilities; various government agencies, facilities and operations, including military operations; schools with vocational and technical programs; aviation and aerospace operations; oil and gas developers; mining operations; power generation operations, including those associated with alternative energies; equipment fabricators and operators; railroad manufacturing and maintenance; customers in agriculture; infrastructure construction companies; and other customers that require instrumentation, service tools and/or equipment for their products and business needs. The industrial sector for Snap-on focuses on providing value-added products and services to an increasingly expanding global base of customers in critical industries.
Snap-on is a meaningful participant in the industrial tools and equipment market sector.
Distribution Channels
Snap-on serves customers primarily through the following channels of distribution: (i) the mobile van channel; (ii) company direct sales; (iii) distributors; and (iv) e-commerce. The following discussion summarizes Snap-on’s general approach for each channel and is not intended to be all-inclusive.
Mobile Van Channel
In the United States, a significant portion of sales to the vehicle service and repair sector is conducted through Snap-on’s mobile franchise van channel. Snap-on’s franchisees primarily serve vehicle repair technicians and vehicle service shop owners, generally providing weekly contact at the customer’s place of business. Franchisees’ sales are concentrated in hand and power tools, tool storage products, shop equipment, diagnostics, and repair information products, which can be transported in a van or trailer and demonstrated during a sales call. Franchisees purchase Snap-on’s products at a discount from suggested list prices and resell them at prices established by the franchisee. The U.S. franchisees are provided a list of calls that serves as the basis of the franchisee’s sales route. Snap-on’s franchisees also have the opportunity to add a limited number of additional franchises.
In addition to its mobile van channel in the United States, Snap-on has franchise distribution models in certain other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, South Africa, New Zealand, Belgium, and Ireland. In many of these markets, as in the United States, purchase decisions are generally made or influenced by professional vehicle service technicians, as well as repair shop owners and managers.
Snap-on also has a company-owned route program that is designed to: (i) provide another pool of potential field organization personnel; (ii) service customers in select new and/or open routes not serviced by franchisees; and (iii) allow Snap-on to pilot new sales and promotional ideas before introducing them to franchisees. As of year ended December 28, 2024 (2024 year end), company-owned routes comprised approximately 5% of the total route population. Snap-on may elect to increase or reduce the number of company-owned routes in the future. As of 2024 year end, Snap-on’s total route count was approximately 4,700, including approximately 3,400 routes in the United States.
Through SOC, financing is available to the U.S. franchisees, including financing for van leases, working capital loans and loans to help enable new franchisees to fund the purchase of the franchise or the expansion of an existing franchise. In many international markets, Snap-on offers a variety of financing options to its franchisees and/or customer networks through its international finance subsidiaries. The decision to finance through Snap-on or another financing source is solely at the customer’s election.
Snap-on supports its franchisees with a field organization of regional offices, franchise performance teams, customer care centers and distribution centers. Snap-on also provides sales and business training, and marketing and product promotion programs, as well as customer and franchisee financing programs through SOC and the company’s international finance subsidiaries, all of which are designed to strengthen franchisee sales. National Franchise Advisory Councils in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, composed primarily of franchisees that are elected by franchisees, assist Snap-on in identifying and implementing enhancements to the franchise program.
Company Direct Sales
A significant proportion of shop equipment sales in North America under the Car-O-Liner, Challenger, Hofmann, John Bean and Pro-Cut brands, diagnostic products under the Snap-on brand, and information and shop management products under the Mitchell1 and Dealer-FX brands are made by direct and independent sales forces that have responsibility for national and other accounts. As the vehicle service and repair sector consolidates (with more business conducted by national chains and franchised service centers), these larger organizations can be serviced most effectively by sales people who can demonstrate and sell the full line of diagnostics, equipment, and services. Snap-on also sells these products and services directly to OEMs and their franchised dealers.
Snap-on brand tools and equipment are marketed to industrial and governmental customers worldwide through both industrial sales associates and independent distributors. Selling activities focus on industrial customers whose main purchase criteria are quality and integrated solutions. As of 2024 year end, Snap-on had industrial sales associates and independent distributors primarily in the United States, Canada and in various European, Latin American, Middle Eastern, the Asia Pacific and African countries, with the United States representing the majority of Snap-on’s total industrial sales.
Snap-on also sells software, services and solutions to the automotive, commercial, heavy duty, agriculture, power equipment and power sports segments. Products and services are marketed to targeted groups, including OEMs and their dealerships, fleets and individual repair shops. To effectively reach OEMs, which frequently have a multinational presence, Snap-on has deployed focused business teams globally.
Distributors
Sales of certain tools and equipment are made through independent distributors who purchase the items from Snap-on and resell them to end users. Hand tools marketed under the ATI, BAHCO, CDI, Fastorq, Irimo, Lindström, Mountz, Norbar, Sioux, Sturtevant Richmont and Williams brands and trade names, for example, are sold through distributors worldwide. Asset and tool control solutions are sold under the AutoCrib brand primarily through distributors worldwide. Wheel service and other vehicle service equipment are sold through distributors primarily under brands, including Car-O-Liner, Challenger, Ecotechnics, Hofmann, John Bean, and Pro-Cut. Diagnostics and equipment products are marketed through distributors in South America and Asia, and through both distributors and a direct sales force in Europe under the Snap-on, Blue-Point and Sun brands.
E-commerce
Snap-on offers current and prospective customers online access to research and purchase products through its public website, www.snapon.com. The site features an online catalog of Snap-on hand tools, power tools, tool storage units, and diagnostic equipment available to customers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. E-commerce and certain other system enhancement initiatives are designed to improve productivity and further leverage the one-on-one relationships and service Snap-on has with its current and prospective customers.
Patents, Trademarks and Other Intellectual Property
As of 2024 year end, Snap-on and its subsidiaries held approximately 940 active and pending patents in the United States and approximately 3,420 active and pending patents outside of the United States.
Research and Engineering
Snap-on incurred research and engineering costs of $67.0 million in 2024.
History
Snap-on Incorporated was founded in 1920. The company was incorporated under the laws of the state of Wisconsin in 1920 and reincorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware in 1930.
