Founded in 1920, Snap-On is one of the largest U.S. designers and manufacturers of tools and related equipment. Headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, over 11,500 people are currently employed to design, create, and sell Snap-On products. Since its beginning nearly ninety years ago with one style of socket set, tools bearing the Snap-On name have been used by generations of professionals.
The Snap-On brand began with a set of interchangeable wrench handles and sockets. Designed by Joseph Johnson, who was at that time working for American Grinder Manufacturing, the idea for this set was first rejected by Johnson's boss. Johnson took matters into his own hands, forming the Snap-On company with a co-worker, William Seideman. Along with the first two salesmen, they were the founders of Snap-On Tools. The first set produced included ten sockets with five handles that were completely interchangeable, sold under the catchphrase "Five Do the Work of Fifty." The mechanism for attaching sockets to handles led to the new company's name, "Snap-On."
Drill Bit Sharpener
Besides their unique product, the Snap-On company also set itself apart from its competitors through its direct-marketing approach to tool sales. The first Snap-On tool salesmen brought the tools directly to professional customers' businesses to demonstrate the unique concept. During the 1950s, Snap-On salesmen first began driving fully stocked, walk-in vans. These vans offered the full range of Snap-On products directly to customers.
Snap-On tools are universally agreed to be well designed and well thought out. Each Snap-On tool is crafted with ergonomic handles and other features to make them easy to use for professionals and amateurs alike. Today's full range of Snap-On tools includes hand and power tools, air tools, diagnostic tools, and other tools designed for technicians, mechanics, and others in automotive, woodworking, marine, aviation, and related industries. With more than 19,000 products, the Snap-On catalog ranges from basic socket sets to specialty tools designed for specific uses. Besides their range of tools, Snap-On has secured over half a dozen racing sponsorships.
In addition to tools, Snap-On offers many tool accessories, including tool chests and sharpeners. Their sharpeners include pocket hone sets and other handheld sharpeners that can be used with a wide range of knife and tool blades. Many professionals turn to Snap-On not only for their tools, but also for the products to care for these tools.
Today, Snap-On is recognized as an industry leader, with the highest quality tools available anywhere. Each tool is carefully designed to hold up to rigorous shop use, yet be easy to use for amateurs. All Snap-On tools are covered by a lifetime warranty, so you can be sure they will last no matter what you put them through.
Snap-On is known not only for quality, but also for innovation. Their determination to be the best in the industry has led the Snap-On team to constantly create new products since their original socket set nearly ninety years ago. Many products available today are the result of mechanics' and technicians' input on products that they would like Snap-On to offer. Today, Snap-On holds more than 1,700 active patents worldwide, and each year the company is granted dozens more.