Snap-on

Snap-on is an American designer, manufacturer and marketer of high-end tools and equipment to professional tool users. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and employs approximately 11,500 people worldwide. The company is currently worth US $3.4 billion and is included in the S&P 500.

History

Snap-on was founded as the Snap-on Wrench Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1920 by Joseph Johnson and William Seidemann. As a new socket wrench manufacturing company, the business manufactured and marketed ten sockets that would "snap on" to five interchangeable handles. Their slogan was "15 do the job of 50"

After World War II, Palmer advertised for a military officer to organize and develop a larger sales force for the expected post-war sales boom. Newton Tarble was hired, and came up with the idea of developing routes for company dealers to see mechanics on a weekly basis. Eventually these salesmen became independent businessmen and authorized dealers using larger walk-in vans to carry a growing product line. Thus, Snap-on tools are sold only by dealers and none are sold in retail stores. Their quality is highly regarded but their prices are also among the very highest. Snap-on currently operates plants in various states and cities such as Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Elizabethton, Tennessee, which manufacture hand tools. Pneumatic tools are currently manufactured in Murphy, North Carolina.