News

Matco Tools Says Aloha to Distributors and Suppliers at 2007 Expo
Matco Tools Expo 2007 got off to an idyllic start at the Sheraton Waikiki in Honolulu, overlooking the beautiful shores of Waikiki Beach. With more than 700 distributor teams and 107 top suppliers in attendance, Matco promised all attendees an Expo filled with educational opportunities and lots of new products.

Matco Vice President of Marketing and eCommerce Ernie Lauber spent some time pointing out the value of bringing new products to market through the Matco distribution system. “Our approach is to reach to the end-user, the actual consumer, and develop tools that are truly innovative and can add value for the technician. We have created tools, and will continue to create tools, that are designed to reduce the flat rate, make more money for the technician, help him do the job more safely and to improve ergonomics.” The strategy of bringing new products to market quickly and more efficiently than the competition remains one of Matco’s strategic marketing initiatives.

Matco also used its 2007 Expo to announce the launch of its new tool catalog. Available to the public this month, the Matco distributors got a sneak peek at the new design, which includes a new easy-to-read table for each product category. Each table shows the key attributes of each product, as well as technical data, in an effort to provide technicians with all the information they need to choose the product that will best enhance their productivity. Improving productivity of the technician is another of Matco’s key initiatives as they roll out new product. “We’re the source for productivity, and we provide innovation to drive the technician’s productivity,” said Tom Willis, president.

To emphasize the company’s commitment to innovation and productivity improvement, Matco devoted the entire ballroom foyer to new and innovative products, including ratchets, pry bars, screwdrivers and sockets. Initially it would seem there is not much to be improved on a pry bar or a screwdriver. But as part of Matco’s dedication to product improvement and innovation, throughout 2006 the company sent its engineering teams into the field to observe and document how technicians use various tools, including these everyday tools. They brought the information back to their manufacturing teams and systematically reviewed how tools were actually being used (versus how they were initially designed to be used). Then, they began to redesign handles and bars and heads and sockets so they would actually work better when they were being used in a different way than usual.

For example, the new ratchets feature an ergonomic handle that is comfortable for any size hand. Instead of a standard metal handle, they’ve developed a composite material handle that incorporates soft and hard surfaces to make the palm and fingers have the right combination of strength and comfort. It’s streamlined to work equally well under the hood and under the car. The bulb-shaped end of the handle provides comfort and leverage when using the ratchet where space is limited. Additionally, the design of the ratcheting mechanism requires a minimal 6° swing arc, making it great for use in tight spaces.

Two other ordinary tools that received a Matco makeover are pry bars and screwdrivers. The working end of two pry bars has been redesigned to more closely resemble the ladyfoot-style of a pry bar, but these are open-ended instead of the more familiar teardrop shape. They work really well for prying unusual applications or in difficult-to-access locations where traditional straight bars or ladyfoot bars can’t reach. They also have been fitted with the new ergonomic handles with the comfort grip to ease fatigue, and the bar runs through the handle to a metal end cap.

Matco reviewed its screwdriver line and determined a need for not only a new handle design, but new handle sizes. They’ve added the new ergonomic handle with the soft and hard surfaces, but they’ve also matched various handle sizes with the different blade lengths for application-specific turning power. The new ratcheting screwdriver has smooth fine-tooth ratcheting with the strength of a heavy-duty ratcheting mechanism. Additionally, they’ve included a bit-storage compartment in the handle, but instead of dropping them into the handle by screwing off the top, a little storage spot pulls out of the handle and provides a way to organize the bits before you fold the compartment back into the handle.

At the show, Matco was pleased to announce another great sales year ended in 2006. With all the new and innovative products they plan to bring to market, it’s safe to say they’ll have a successful 2007 as well. Next year’s Expo will be held in Orlando.

ETI Announces Plans for ToolTech ’07
Rochester, MI — ToolTech 2007, presented by The Equipment and Tool Institute, will take place May 1-4, 2007, at the Carefree Resort and Villas in Carefree, AZ. Registration for this four-day event is available online.

ToolTech 2007 is designed to bring those who make, sell, represent or buy automotive tools and equipment together. It is an opportunity for companies to come and promote themselves, their capabilities and their products. It is also an opportunity for buyers in the vehicle service industry to meet with the key companies in the marketplace. In attendance will be OEMs, tool and equipment companies, national chain stores, large suppliers, dealer groups, distributors, manufacturer reps and many other industry professionals.

This year’s schedule of events includes: the Company Showcase; a keynote speaker; two days of One-on-Ones — the 30-minute private meetings; and the annual ToolTech Golf Tournament. Shop Talk presentations include: “Managing TPMS in the Aftermarket,” “NASTF Vehicle Security Committee Update” and “How To Do Business with the OEs.”

More details on ToolTech 2007 are available at www.etools.org or contact Jessie Korosec, marketing manager, at 248-656-5080 or jessiek@etools.org.

Mitchell 1 Adds DataProtection Feature
Poway, CA — Mitchell 1 has added a DataProtection feature to its Manager/ManagerPlus and TeamWorks programs. The new service provides daily database backup to a secure Mitchell 1 data vault, with the ability to fully restore a shop’s database in as little as a few minutes.

“The purpose of our new DataProtection feature is to protect a shop’s most valuable asset: their customer and vehicle database,” said Ken Burdette, Mitchell 1’s product manager for DataProtection. “When a disaster occurs, or a computer crashes, a shop loses their ability to communicate with their customers. Without some kind of data protection system in place, all of their contact information is lost, including previous estimates, recommended services and vehicle history; it’s all gone.”

In the event that the database needs to be recovered, customers choose from several recovery options, and then Mitchell 1 handles the entire restoration process.

JohnDow Launches Interactive Website
Barberton, OH — JohnDow Industries (JDI) announces the launching of its new website, www.johndow.com.

Now viewers can easily navigate through various product categories and view more detailed information about each product. Full-line catalogs are available as downloadable PDFs, along with a photo library of high- and low-res images available for use in catalogs, sales flyers and websites.

Finding a distributor or sales representative is only a click away on one of the home page tabs. Sales representatives also have a “members only” secure log-in location to access special quoted pricing and sales promotions.

Mac Tools Honors its Million Dollar Man
Columbus, OH — Mac Tools has created The Serediak Award for Sales Achievement for distributors who reach $1 million in sales.

The award honors Rod Serediak and his wife, Sue, for their tremendous contribution to Mac Tools. The Serediak Award will be presented annually to the elite Mac Tools distributors who reach $1 million in purchases in one year.

Since beginning his Mac Tools distributorship in 1994, Serediak has demonstrated excellence in the business. His drive to succeed earned him the title of the “million dollar man” in 2004 when he became the first Mac Tools distributor to reach $1 million in purchases.

Mechanix Wear Gets New Headquarters
Valencia, CA — Mechanix Wear has started construction on a 74,000-square-foot office and warehouse facility that will serve as its new headquarters on a five-acre site in Valencia, CA.

For the past 15 years, Mechanix Wear has experienced significant sales growth every year and has expanded its operations to include four separate facilities. The new HQ will more than double its current square footage and enable Mechanix Wear to house the entire staff under one roof to improve efficiency of operations.

The new facility, which is scheduled to be completed in May, will also include a materials testing lab as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to research and development.