U.S. Service Technicians Name Snap-on Best in Five Categories in 2011 Frost & Sullivan Survey

Snap-on Incorporated was once again the leading choice of service technicians in the 2011 United States Automotive Technicians’ Choice: Evaluation of Automotive Tools.
In the survey conducted by Frost & Sullivan, Snap-on products were chosen the overall best brand in hand tools, tool storage, scan tools, power tools, and pneumatic/air tools, and set a service technician preference record in three of those categories.
“Snap-on is honored once again to be recognized by Frost & Sullivan and automotive technicians for designing and manufacturing the most innovative, productive, repeatable and reliable tools in the world,” said Tom Kassouf, president of the Snap-on Tools Group. “Our deep connections to our customers, strengthened through the reach of thousands of Snap-on Tools franchisees, provide advantages in developing the products they need to improve their efficiency and productivity. Based on the results of this survey, we are achieving our goal of meeting our customers’ expectations. We thank all of our customers for their ongoing support, loyalty and input on how we can continue to deliver unique productivity solutions.”
For the sixth consecutive year, Snap-on was the number-one selection among service technicians in the hand tools category. The 75 percent of service techs who picked Snap-on as best brand represented a record high for the category since Frost & Sullivan began conducting the survey. Snap-on far outdistanced the second ranked brand, which was chosen by only eight percent of those surveyed.
As it has for every year since the survey started, Snap-on was rated first when it came to tool storage. In 2011, a record 68 percent of service technicians rated Snap-on the best brand. The next nearest competitor was favored by only 12 percent of the respondents. Snap-on’s industry-leading Clear Coat Series offers the highest shine finish ever created for tool storage. Designed to add depth and a mirror-like gloss, the Clear Coat enhances performance with superior resistance to harsh chemicals, chipping, scratching and abrasion. The clear top coat allows the base color to remain intact under the toughest shop conditions. In the event of minor wear, the top coat is easy to refinish, keeping the tool storage unit looking as good as new.
Snap-on also outranked the competition when it came to scan devices. With a record 62 percent choosing Snap-on over the next nearest competitor (16 percent), Snap-on was the number-one choice of professional service technicians for the sixth consecutive year.
Forty-nine percent of respondents ranked Snap-on as the best brand when it came to power tools, an increase of seven percentage points from the 2010 results. The nearest competitor in this category was chosen by only 11 percent of surveyed technicians.
In only its second year as a category, Snap-on was the pick once again when it came to pneumatic/air tools, with 44 percent of service technicians naming Snap-on as their first choice.
“Since Frost & Sullivan started researching U.S. automotive technicians with regards to the types of tools and diagnostic equipment they use, Snap-on is the one name that has stood out above all other brands,” said Frost & Sullivan global director Tonya Fowler. “To be voted ‘overall best’ year after year indicates Snap-on’s continued commitment to meeting the demands of its customers, and as being a leader in innovative productivity solutions for U.S automotive technicians.”