Snap-on Incorporated (SNA), headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, is a manufacturer of tools, diagnostics equipment, software and service solutions for professional users. The company, co-founded by Joseph Johnson and William Seidemann, began in 1920 and manufactured ten sockets that would “snap on” to five interchangeable handles. Johnson and Seidmann’s original marketing strategy was to demonstrate the product and sell directly to customers at their place of business. The success of this strategy led to the increase of additional partners who, together, helped expand the company to its’ current $2.8B worth.

Products and services of Snap-on include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers. Hand tools, such as spark plug sockets with patented tapered hex design and ergonomically designed hacksaws, and diagnostic equipment like the MODIS™ system, MicroVat™ battery tester, and Vantage® power graphing meter, integrate experience-based information with instrumentation to deliver diagnostic capabilities that technicians can understand and use.

Last month the company announced that Frost & Sullivan, a research firm that analyzes new market opportunities and company growth, has recognized Snap-on as a leader in all product and service categories tested among U.S. automotive technicians. As such, Frost & Sullivan has award the company the Technician’s Choice Award for 2007 and has recognized Snap-on as the “Overall Best Brand of Automotive Tools in the United States” among the company’s competitors. The company received the award at Frost & Sullivan’s 2008 Excellence in Industrial Technologies Awards Banquet in April, which awards companies, products, processes and executives that have achieved top performance within their industries.

Let us hear your thoughts below: