Snap-on

{{Infobox company

| name = Snap-on Incorporated

| logo = Snap-on logo.svg

| type = Public

| traded_as = {{ubl|{{NYSE|SNA}}|S&P 500 component}}

| industry = Manufacturing

| foundation = {{Start date and age|April 21, 1920}} in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.

| founders = {{ubl|Joseph Johnson|Bill Seidemann}}

| location_city = Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.

| key_people = {{ubl| Nicholas T. Pinchuk (Chairman & CEO) |Aldo J. Pagliari (CFO)}}

| products = Professional automotive and industrial tools and equipment

| revenue = {{decrease}} {{US$|4.71 billion|link=yes}} (2024)

| operating_income = {{increase}} US$1.35 billion (2024)

| net_income = {{increase}} US$1.04 billion (2024)

| assets = {{increase}} US$7.90 billion (2024)

| equity = {{increase}} US$5.39 billion (2024)

| num_employees = {{circa|13,000}}

| num_employees_year = 2024

| homepage = {{URL|https://snapon.com/}}

| footnotes = {{cite web |url=https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/91440/000009144025000010/sna-20241228.htm |title=Snap-on Inc. 2024 Annual Report (Form 10-K) |date=February 13, 2025 |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission}}

}}

Image:Snap-on dealer van Westland Michigan.JPG]]

Snap-on Incorporated is an American designer, manufacturer, and marketer of high-end tools and equipment for professional use in the transportation industry, including the automotive, heavy duty, equipment, marine, aviation, and railroad industries. Headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, since 1930, Snap-on also distributes lower-end tools under the brand name Blue-Point. Their primary competitors include Matco, Mac Tools, and Cornwell Tools.

Operations

Snap-on Inc. operates plants in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Elizabethton, Tennessee; and Elkmont, Alabama. Wheel balancers and tire changers are manufactured in Conway, Arkansas. Power tools, both cordless and pneumatic, are manufactured in Murphy, North Carolina. Torque products are made and assembled in City of Industry, California.2017 Snap-on catalog, p. 1 The company manufactures tool storage cabinets in its Algona, Iowa plant.{{Cite web|title=Snap-on to expand in Algona|url=https://globegazette.com/business/snap-on-to-expand-in-algona/article_df28e615-85a6-5464-8f6b-d640ea24ea6d.html|access-date=December 15, 2021|website=Globe Gazette|language=en}} The company's Milwaukee facility manufactures sockets, extension bars, pliers, screwdriver blades and bits.{{Cite web |last=Smart |first=Ashley |date=September 1, 2022 |title=Snap-on to expand its Milwaukee facility |url=https://biztimes.com/snap-on-to-expand-its-milwaukee-facility/ |access-date=January 4, 2023 |website=BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News |language=en-US}}

Snap-on produces hand-held electronic diagnostic tools for the computer systems used in most modern cars and heavy duty vehicles at their Kenosha site. Software development happens in the US, Ireland, Australia, Mexico, Brazil and China.{{cn|date=February 2025}} Automotive emissions control diagnostics equipment is manufactured in its San Jose, California diagnostic facility. Snap-on diagnostic products are marketed in Europe and Brazil under the name Sun.

=Sales=

File:Snap-on Linerlock (33757739715).jpg]]

Snap-on tools are marketed via mobile franchisee dealers visiting their customers' workplaces weekly in vans loaded with retail inventory — as well as online via their website.{{Cite web |title=Snap-on Franchise Cost & Fees {{!}} How To Open {{!}} Opportunities And Investment Information |url=https://topfranchise.com/products/snap-on-tools-franchise/ |access-date=February 9, 2023 |website=topfranchise.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Rifkin |first=Glenn |title=How Snap-on Tools Ratchets Its Brand |url=https://www.strategy-business.com/article/9598 |access-date=March 15, 2023 |website=Strategy+business |language=en-us}}

Snap-on uses two specialized vans, marketed as the TechKnow Express to showcase its diagnostic equipment, and the Rock 'n Roll Cab Express demonstrating tool storage customization, including units larger than what can fit on a standard franchisee van. These trucks are typically assigned to a particular region and work within that region.{{Cite web |title=How to Locate a Snap-on Tool Sales Representative |url=https://bizfluent.com/how-8241595-locate-snapon-tool-salesman.html |access-date=March 17, 2023 |website=Bizfluent |language=en}}

History

Snap-on was founded as the Snap-on Wrench Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1920 by Joseph Johnson and William Seidemann.{{Cite web |date=August 27, 2020 |title=Snap-on Tools History: Founding, Timeline, and Milestones - Zippia |url=https://www.zippia.com/snap-on-careers-10542/history/ |access-date=March 17, 2023 |website=www.zippia.com |language=en-US}} The business manufactured and marketed ten sockets that would "snap on" to five interchangeable handles. The company's slogan was "5 do the work of 50".[https://segd.org/snap-museum-experience Snap-on Museum Experience] In 1930, the company's headquarters moved to Kenosha, Wisconsin.{{Cite web |last=Rovito |first=Rich |date=April 27, 2020 |title=Is It Still Made in Wisconsin? |url=https://www.milwaukeemag.com/is-it-still-made-in-wisconsin/ |access-date=April 13, 2022 |website=Milwaukee Magazine |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Snap-On timeline |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/snap-on-timeline/article_c31066ed-a7cb-51ee-8030-33fc230e3013.html |access-date=April 13, 2022 |website=Kenosha News |language=en}}

After World War II, Stanton Palmer advertised for a military officer to organize and develop a larger sales force for the expected post war sales boom.{{cite news | url= https://www.snapon.com/EN/Our-Company/Our-History | title=Snap On, Incorporated | date=March 21, 2021}} Newton Tarble was hired, and came up with the idea of developing routes for company dealers to see mechanics on a weekly basis. Eventually these salesmen became independent businessmen and authorized dealers using larger walk in vans to carry a growing product line.

In 1956, the company continued to expand with the use of test equipment and wheel service products. This was the start of the company's jump into manufacturing automotive test equipment into the Snap-On line. Equipment included voltmeters, ammeters, disruptors, and alternator testers.

The company opened its wrench forging plant in Elizabethton, Tennessee in 1974.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=John |title=Snap-on plant in Elizabethton joins in company's centennial celebration |url=https://www.johnsoncitypress.com/news/snap-on-plant-in-elizabethton-joins-in-companys-centennial-celebration/article_fb27853a-2943-11eb-8b8d-873700255141.html |website=Johnson City Press |access-date=December 9, 2021 |language=en}} The next year, Snap-on opened a manufacturing plant in Johnson City, Tennessee and closed the plant in 2007.{{Cite web |last=KEELING|first=JEFF|title=Snap-on Tools closing Johnson City plant - 150 to lose job; Elizabethton Plant to continue operations |url=https://www.timesnews.net/news/local-news/snap-on-tools-closing-johnson-city-plant---150-to-lose-job-elizabethton-plant/article_ee325c44-fde3-5ff5-8682-e58c981ba2ff.html |website=Kingsport Times-News |location=Kingsport, Tenn. |access-date=December 9, 2021|language=en}}

In 1998, workers at the company's Milwaukee plant voted to join the Teamsters labor union{{Cite news |last=Gallun |first=Alby |date=September 6, 1998 |title=Snap-on workers vote to join Teamsters |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/1998/09/07/story8.html |work=Milwaukee Business Journal}} and the company expanded the facility in 2013.{{Cite news |last=Lockwood |first=Denise |date=December 18, 2013 |title=Snap-on expands Milwaukee hand tool facility |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2013/12/18/snap-on-expands-hand-tool-facility.html |work=Milwaukee Business Journal}} Also in 1998, the company began a partnership with Lowe's home improvement chain retailer to produce its Kobalt line of tools.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

In 2010, the Murphy, North Carolina plant was named one of the top 10 plants in North America by IndustryWeek.{{Cite web |last=Jusko |first=Jill |date=December 14, 2010 |title=2010 IW Best Plants Winners: Excellence Thrives |url=https://www.industryweek.com/resources/industryweek-best-plants-awards/article/21965396/2010-iw-best-plants-winners-excellence-thrives |website=IndustryWeek |access-date=April 13, 2022}} In 2011, J.H. Williams & Co was officially renamed Snap-on Industrial Brands.{{Citation needed|date=February 2022}}

In 2022, the company announced an expansion to its Milwaukee facility to grow its hand tool business.{{Cite web |last=Kirchen |first=Rich |date=August 30, 2022 |title=Seeking more capacity, Snap-on will expand Milwaukee plant |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2022/08/30/snap-on-expansion.html |access-date=January 4, 2023 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}

Acquisitions

In 2014, the company acquired New Hampshire–based Pro-Cut for $42 million.{{Cite web |last=Lockwood |first=Denise |date=June 2, 2014 |title=Snap-on acquires New Hampshire manufacturer |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2014/05/30/snap-on-acquires-new-hampshire-manufacturer.html |work=Milwaukee Business Journal |access-date=April 13, 2022}}

In October 2016, the company acquired Car-O-Liner Holding AB, a Swedish collision repair tool company, for $155 million. Later that year, the company acquired Sturtevant Richmont for $13 million.{{cite news |last=Shafer |first=Dan |date=November 17, 2016 |title=Snap-on buys Illinois manufacturer Sturtevant Richmont for $13 million |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2016/11/17/snap-on-buys-illinois-manufacturer-sturtevant.html |work=Milwaukee Business Journal}}

In May 2017, the company acquired Norbar Torque Tools Holdings Limited for $72 million.{{cite news |last=Shafer |first=Dan |date=May 4, 2017 | title=Snap-on acquires British tool company for $72 million |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2017/05/04/snap-on-acquires-british-tool-company-for-72.html |work=Milwaukee Business Journal}}

In August 2019, the company acquired Cognitran Ltd for $31 million.{{Cite web |title=Cognitran acquired by Snap-on {{!}} Cognitran {{!}} Market Leading Aftersales Solutions |url=https://www.cognitran.com/news/cognitran-acquired-by-snap-on |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=www.cognitran.com}}

In September 2020, the company acquired AutoCrib Inc. based in Tustin, California for $36 million.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mdm.com/news/operations/snap-on-acquires-autocrib/|title=Snap-on Acquires AutoCrib|date=September 29, 2020|access-date=September 30, 2020}}

In March 2021, Snap-on acquired Canada-based Dealer-FX Group for $200 million.{{Cite web |last=Lawson |first=James |date=March 8, 2021 |title=Snap-On acquires Canadian-based Dealer-FX Group for $200 million |url=https://www.kenoshanews.com/business/local/snap-on-acquires-canadian-based-dealer-fx-group-for-200-million/article_24d62895-4207-5597-b46d-7ef0f07f7c4e.html |access-date=May 26, 2022 |website=Kenosha News |language=en}}

Racing sponsorships

The first driver Snap-on became associated with was four-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Rick Mears in 1979.

=NASCAR=

file:Sam Hornish Jr. at Road America 2013.jpg's Xfinity Series car at Road America.]]

The company previously sponsored Team Penske in NASCAR in the Cup Series and the Xfinity Series.

=IndyCar=

The company also sponsored Penske in the NTT IndyCar Series. In 2025, Snap-on would sponsor the IndyCar Series race at the Milwaukee Mile.

=MotoGP=

Snap-on had sponsored Repsol Honda Team in MotoGP since 1998.{{Cite web|url=https://motogp.hondaracingcorporation.com/sponsors/|title=Repsol Honda Team Sponsors|date=2019 |publisher=Repsol Honda Team |access-date=June 25, 2019}}

=NHRA=

Snap-on sponsored NHRA drag racer Doug Herbert from 1992 until 2008.{{Cite web|title=Doug Herbert and Snap-on End 16-Year Relationship|url=https://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=173215|access-date=December 9, 2021|website=www.dragracecentral.com}} For the 2010 racing season, the company sponsored Penske.{{Cite web|date=December 31, 2019|title=Snap-on to Sponsor Sprint Cup, Nationwide, IRL, NHRA teams|url=https://www.vehicleservicepros.com/shop-operations/collision-repair/customer-relations/article/21174090/snap-on-to-sponsor-sprint-cup-nationwide-irl-nhra-teams|access-date=February 9, 2022|website=www.vehicleservicepros.com}} Since 1992, Snap-on has sponsored Cruz Pedregon. In 2004, the company began sponsoring Cruz's brother Tony Pedregon.