Snap-on Wins Two Professional Tool & Equipment News 2012 Innovation Awards

KENOSHA, Wis., Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Snap-on comes out a winner again this year receiving two Professional Tool & Equipment News (PTEN) 2012 Innovation Awards. Snap-on was voted "best" in the specialty tools category for the Low Profile Pitman Arm Puller and in the electrical systems category for its Data Circuit Fault Finder.

"Snap-on is pleased to have two more products chosen among the brightest new tools to help automotive technicians complete jobs more quickly and efficiently. We thank the readers of PTEN for their continued loyalty and support," said Chris Potter, vice president of product management, Snap-on Tools Group. "The Snap-on products chosen this year typify the spirit of the Innovation Awards because they can save technicians literally hours of time in performing difficult tasks. They are a testament to our strong customer connections and continuous dedication to providing customers with innovative and productivity enhancing solutions to make work easier."

The PTEN Innovation Awards recognize companies whose products respond to the automotive repair industry's market challenges with creativity and innovation. A panel of active and independent technicians, shop owners and tool distributors carefully examined all nominees and voted the following Snap-on tools best in category.

• Specialty Tools:  Low Profile Pitman Arm Puller

The Low Profile Pitman Arm Puller (YA6880) is the perfect solution when technicians need to reach into confined areas on General Motors® (GM) 1988­–2000 C & K chassis trucks and SUVs to service the pitman arm. The Puller also fits trucks and SUVs with steering gear box pitman arms manufactured since 2001. The YA6880 is a direct result of Snap-on's deep customer connections and was developed to meet the requests from technicians working on steering systems. The design allows the technician to remove the arm from the steering gear box without altering the box's position, substantially shortening the time to repair.

• Electrical Systems: Data Circuit Fault Finder

Today's vehicles have multiple computers talking to each other on shared circuits that can ultimately fail. When the data circuit fails, the scan tool loses communication with the vehicle's network of onboard computers. Technicians can waste hours searching for the failed module or root cause. The Data Circuit Fault Finder (EEFF500) is the essential tool to diagnose those communication breakdowns. By utilizing the Fault Finder, technicians can find the communication failure source more efficiently. It has a built-in processor that scans each channel identifying which circuit is suspect. To learn more, a "how-to-use" DVD is available for order (SS3301), or it can be seen at www.youtube.com/snaponscanner.

About Snap-on Tools
Snap-on Tools is a subsidiary of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions for professional users performing critical tasks. Products and services include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions for vehicle dealerships and repair centers, as well as for customers in industries, including aviation, aerospace, agriculture, construction, government and military, mining, natural resources and power generation. Products and services are sold through the company's franchisee, company-direct, distributor and internet channels. Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.9 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

SOURCE Snap-on Tools