(Akron/Tire Review) Tire Pros/Am-Pac Tire Distributors Inc has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Latham Tire Co and its Autotire Car Care Centers business for an undisclosed amount. The agreement, expected to close shortly, brings the number of Tire Pros’ national retail stores to 300.
Snap-on Tools has announced a series of major upgrades to its Solus diagnostic tool.
The new software upgrade bundle is also applicable to the Snap-on Scanner and provides extensive new vehicle coverage and information. There is also an expanded FastTrack trouble shooter, the experience-based tips and hints software that helps technicians to diagnose faster and more accurately.
Peter Harris, who operates the Snap-on Tools franchise, based in Rowlands Castle, Hants, is celebrating being named as one of the top performers in an industry worth over £9 billion a year to the UK economy after reaching the final of the 2005 BFA Franchisee of the Year Awards, backed by HSBC Bank and Express Newspapers.
Teng Tools has joined forces with the Bank of Scotland and Alliance and General to give selected stockists the ability to offer their business customers a choice of two or three years’ credit. This applies to any products from the Teng Tools range of mechanic’s hand tools as well as their Toolstars sister brands of Limit measuring tools and Race air tools.
Over 1OOO trade visitors poured through the doors of the Singapore Expo Centre on Tuesday as Tyrexpo Asia got underway. The first day of the exhibition saw the highest single visitor figures in the event’s history.
Organisers, ECI international commented: “We have been delighted with the excellent turnout today. The exhibition floor has been very busy and exhibitors have expressed satisfaction with the quality of visitors attending the show. We have already had a number of rebookings for the next Tyrexpo Asia in two years time”.
Hofmann Megaplan, has appointed Andy Ringrose as its new equipment specialist.
Involved in all aspects of sales Mr Ringrose will provide field-based support for both new and existing customers.
Snap-on Incorporated, parent company of UK companies UK Equipment, Snap-on Tools and Sun Diagnostics, has just announced a 20 per cent rise in second quarter pre-tax profits to US$ 26.6 million.
Jack Michaels, Snap-on’s CEO commented on the company’s goals: “We continue to believe that by placing urgent emphasis on improved customer responsiveness, and maintaining our strong heritage of product quality, performance and innovation, we can substantially strengthen our brands’ global appeal.”
“These results demonstrate that our corporation continues to deliver profitable growth in a very competitive business environment”, said Brian O’Sullivan, general manager UK Equipment. “In recent years Snap-on has invested heavily in new product design and the rewards for this can be seen in the continuing improvement in the companies fortunes”.
Compressed air and fluid company Thorite has launched the summer edition of its Air Power publication, detailing the latest offers from the company. It is A4, folding out to A2 and contains special offers on a variety of products, including hand tools, pneumatic tools and Thorite’s own “Diamond” brand of compressors. Air Power is available free of charge from Thorite.
Trend Tracker Limited, the UK automotive research, consultancy and training firm established in 2004, has formed an exclusive alliance with German-based automotive aftermarket consultancy Wolk & Partner Car Consult GmbH.
This alliance, says the firm, will result in UK suppliers benefiting from: Access to market expertise on the German aftermarket; the availability of English-language reports on the German aftermarket; and the introduction of a range of web-based tools only previously available to companies in Germany.
Snap-on Tools is celebrating its 40th anniversary of the opening of its UK operation this year.
“Today we are clear brand leaders in the UK automotive tools market, with a commanding market share,” said Terry Barcham, Snap-on Tools UK managing director, at a recent press conference.
The Snap-on Solus is the latest addition to the equipment manufacturer’s series of hand-held diagnostic tools.
Designed to provide the technician with faster performance and more diagnostic data the product has a much larger display than previous models, taking the technology used in Scanner to a higher level.
(Akron/Tire Review) Online registration is now open for the 2005 SEMA Show. Online registration can be accessed from www.semashow.com, where online tools such as the “My Show Planner” have been upgraded to make planning and navigation of the show more convenient. SEMA reminded visitors that it is a trade-only show, so it has increased screening procedures and heightened qualifications to ensure the exclusivity and professionalism of the event. The show is due to run from 1-4 November at the Las Vegas convention centre.
The tension is rising for the 12 potential ‘Top Technicians’ who will battle it out at next month’s Automotive Trade Show.
Once named, the winner will be able to choose from a wide variety of prizes, including holidays, VIP tickets, motor sport events, tools, equipment or formal training opportunities.
Penske Truck Leasing has named The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company as 2004 Tire Supplier of the Year. Goodyear supplies Penske with a variety of truck tyres, including replacement and retreaded. In 2004, Penske extended a primary supplier agreement with Goodyear until at least 2008.
Phoenix-based Tire Service Equipment Mfg Co, has acquired the manufacturing and marketing rights to seven products manufactured by Safe Shop Tools Inc, according to Tire Review.
The new product portfolio includes; PakPress, portable wheel stud remover and installer; Tweel Handler, a tyre and wheel handling system; Back Buddy II Tool, a hub and drum tool; Clever Lever, a tyre and wheel caddie; Versa Vac, a radiator pressure tester and coolant dam; Striver, an S-cam bushing driver; and Stepper, a portable tyre step.
Tire Service Equipment also operates Saf-Tee Siping & Grooving Inc, which produces and markets a line of tyre sipers, as well as nitrogen inflation systems and Cheetah brand bead seaters.
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