Automotive Technicians Have Spoken: Frost & Sullivan Names Snap-on Best in Five Categories By as much as seven-to-one, Snap-on chosen best brand i

By: Snap-on Tools | 0 Shares 118 Reads

Kenosha, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Snap-on Incorporated (NYSE:SNA), a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users announced that Snap-on was named the best in hand and power tools, tool storage devices, scan tools and floor jacks in the 2008 survey, United States (U.S.) Automotive Technicians' Choice: Evaluation of Automotive Tools.

"Snap-on is honored to be the recipient of five Frost & Sullivan's Technician's Choice Awards this year," said Thomas J. Ward, president of Snap-on Tools Company, LLC. "Receiving the recognition is truly gratifying to everyone at Snap-on because our customers select the award winners. Our goal is to work hard to understand our customers' critical needs so we can produce unique productivity solutions for them. Based on the results of the Frost & Sullivan research, we are very proud that service technicians feel we have the best products and solutions in the industry."

"Since Frost & Sullivan started researching U.S. automotive technicians with regard to the types of tools and diagnostic equipment they use, one name has stood out above all the rest, Snap-on," said Frost & Sullivan director Tonya Fowler. "To be named best overall in five categories really shows Snap-on's commitment to meeting the demands of its customers as well as Snap-on's commitment to being a leader in innovative productivity solutions for U.S. automotive technicians."

By an overwhelming vote, Snap-on was preferred as the overall best hand tool as it has been since the annual research began. In the 2008 survey, 69 percent of technicians ranked Snap-on number one in the hand tool category compared to just 10 percent choosing its nearest competitor. Among the innovative hand tools that service technicians have come to rely on is the Snap-on ratchet with Dual 80® Technology - the world's strongest ratchet.

As with hand tools, technicians gave high ratings to Snap-on by a wide margin in the power tool category. Thirty-one percent chose Snap-on as the best overall power tool making this the second year in a row that Snap-on has led the category. Its closest competitor was chosen by six percent of respondents. One of Snap-on's newest power tools is the talk of the industry, the 3/8" Drive Impact Wrench (MG325) which has service technicians buzzing about its power, speed and ease of use.

Snap-on continued its supremacy in the tool storage category, ranked number one by 60 percent of those surveyed and far out ranking its nearest competitor at 14 percent. Snap-on has been the leader in the tool storage category every year since the annual research began and each year the percentage of technicians selecting Snap-on as number one has increased. Snap-on's new-to-the-world, innovative EPIQ tool storage unit is the first storage unit that is powered to work the way that technicians do. Designed for auto repair in the 21st Century, EPIQ is a complete productivity system, making it an ideal unit to securely store sophisticated diagnostics and cordless tools, as well as laptops, cell phones, iPods or digital cameras.

Always considered the industry leader in scan tools, Snap-on was selected as the category frontrunner, having ranked first each year the research has been conducted. In the scan tool category, over half of the service technicians surveyed ranked Snap-on first at 54 percent compared to 14 percent by its nearest competitor. Snap-on's latest example of cutting-edge innovation in the scan tool category is VERUS™, a powerful evolution in handheld diagnostics. VERUS gives technicians everything they need to manage the customer, the vehicle, the diagnosis and the repair -- in one rugged unit.

In the newest category, floor jacks, Snap-on was once again rated the top brand in survey results. Eighteen percent of U.S. technicians ranked Snap-on as the best, higher than its nearest competitor at nine percent. In addition, 10 percent more technicians own a Snap-on floor jack than its nearest competitor. Snap-on's 2-½ ton Hydraulic Service Jack (YA700B) is a perfect example of a rugged floor jack is known by service technicians for its ease of operation.

"Snap-on's mission is to provide the world's most valued productivity solutions. We will continue to focus on the needs of our customers," said Ward.

About Snap-on

Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, equipment, software and service solutions for professional users. Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as customers in industry, government, agriculture, aviation and natural resources. Products and services are sold through the company's franchisee, company-direct, distributor and Internet channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.8 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Consulting Company, partners with clients to accelerate their growth. The company's Growth Partnership Services, Growth Consulting and Career Best Practices empower clients to create a growth focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on six continents.

Source: Snap-on Incorporated

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