Matco Tools Hosts Their Annual Show This Weekend

This weekend all the TechShop folks will be headed to Orlando, FL for a fun-filled weekend with thousands of Matco Tool Distributors. These shows are always exciting, they're always informative, and they're always packed with new product information. This year, there's even going to be an extra special announcement about TechShop magazine, so we're all really thrilled to be attending their show. Can't say anything more than that - don't want to steal any of Matco's thunder.

It will be held at the Rosen Shingle Creek, a beautiful resort in the Lake Buena Vista area. As I look at the snow coming down outside my window, I realize a few days in Florida is just what I am needing.

The product managers at Matco tell me they will have many New and Exclusives to announce this year. That booth is always the most exciting one on the show floor, as distributors like to know what they get to bring to market before anyone else. I expect we will see many new products in the hand tools, lighting, and diagnostic tool sections.

Check back next week for product updates and photos from the show. Let me know what you want me to find out for you!

You Never Know

We frequently hear from our readers at TechShop and Tomorrow's Technician magazines. Whether you're a student, instructor, shop owner, manufacturer - it doesn't matter. All of our readers have something to contribute. This is something one of our Tomorrow's Technician readers sent in. It's a great story about how one person can make a significant impact on another person's life - many times without even knowing how deeply they've touched that person. Thanks for sharing your story with us Wayne!

It’s been almost six years since I sold my repair facility. After 21 years in business it was time to move on to the next phase of my life.


I now teach the next generation of technicians at NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, NC. I received a phone call the other day from a former employee, Rob. It’s been approximately ten years since I’ve spoken to Rob. He came to work for me around 1996, shortly after his father died suddenly at a very young age. At only 18 or so, Rob had some very difficult days from time to time. I trained him as an apprentice. He started out doing oil changes and basic maintenance, and worked his way into simpler remove & replace work. He worked for me for a year or so before moving on to another job in the auto repair field.


Rob got my phone number from a mutual friend and called to let me know he had opened his own repair facility, purchased a house and was engaged to a wonderful woman. He also wanted to thank me for what I did for him all those years ago. He applied what I had taught, which enabled him to become successful. I don’t recall doing anything special for Rob, other than try to understand the difficult time he was having. I may have been more flexible with his schedule during that time. Considering everything he was going through, it didn’t seem like that big of a deal to give him a little extra compassion.


Do we understand what impact we have on the people we meet everyday? Employees, students, co-workers come and go over the years, but what impression do we leave on them? We set examples for our family and friends, but what about all the other people we come into contact with every day? We have good and bad days, but what happens when someone looks to us as the example? Can we afford to have a “bad” day, week or month that might affect someone for the rest of their lives? Who is to say what day we will make a difference in someone’s lives? Are you prepared to be the good example every day?


None of us became successful without help or advice from someone else. Did we learn what to do or not in a certain situation that helped us become successful or just a better person? This conversation with Rob made me think; is there someone we have met in our careers that we need to thank?


Now I tell my students they should always be prepared to meet the person who could change their lives; unfortunately you never know what day or who it will be. I guess I just never thought it would be me. Do you have someone you need to call?
- Wayne GreiderTTL InstructorNASCAR Technical InstituteMooresville NC


Wayne has been in the automotive field since 1972 and a shop owner from 1980 to 2001. He is an ASE Master Technician and currently teaches NASCAR Engines and Pit Crew courses at NASCAR Techinical Institute. He has served for over 10 years on both local and state boards of the Illinois ASA and was the technical advisor for the Ford Dispute Settlement Board. Wayne can be reached at wgreider@uticorp.com

Mayhew wins Award

I know, I know, when am I going to get off the Mac Tool Fair ride and move onto something else?

Well, I would be a bad tool blogger if I didn't mention that this year, Mayhew Tools won Vendor of the Year from Mac Tools. It came as a complete surprise to the Mayhew team. As a result, Bill Fletcher anointed himself President of Mayhew for the moment when he accepted the award. That's him in the picture to the right, extolling the benefits of owning a Mayhew pry bar to a Mac Tool distributor. The photo does nothing to capture the excitement he felt at earning this prestigious award. It is tough to get. And, to set the record straight, usually, John Lawless is President of the company. Congratulations Mayhew team!

OK - I am officially done with the Mac Tools Tool Fair for this year. Moving on to other tool and equipment news in my next blog.

Photos from the Mac Tools Tool Fair

The 2008 Mac Tools Tool Fair opened with a banner across the entrance. Ed Coleman, from Ullman Devices, shows one of his newest products to another young customer for life.

Tool Sets, Tool Sets, Tool Sets. Mac Tool has a tool set for every technician, whether they're just starting out or looking to increase their flexibility.

Product Manager Jansen Plesich describes some of the latest features and benefits on their new diagnostic tools.

More from Mac Tools

More new tools were announced at the Mac Tools Tool Fair than I could cover in one posting. So, here is some more info on the new stuff from Mac Tools.

DISCLAIMER: We received a note from a reader who, well, I don't want to say he complained, but he was a little ticked that these new products are not yet on the Mac Tools website or in their catalog. To which I say, THEY"RE NEW!!! But, Mac assures me, they are available - just call your distributor or their 800-number.

The new Mobile Universal Trailer Tester (ET7900A) is pretty handy as it eliminates the need to bring a cab and trailer into the shop. Now you can perform a variety of tests on the trailer, no matter where it is. Indicators include the following: auto, voltage, ground integrity, clearance, brake light and left signal. It also allows for one-man testing.

New 12 pc. Screwdriver Set (SDRBM12FNG or SDRBM12FNO) in a foam storage tray includes 6 slotted screwdrivers, 6 phillips screwdrivers. The foam storage tray fits Mac Tools' Tech 1000 box drawers and is resistant to acids, fluids, and solvents. You can get the screwdrivers with either green or orange handles. Of course the handles are ergonomically designed to increase torque and provide comfort, while reducing fatigue. It's a nice set.

While we're talking about sets - everyone loves to have the latest and greatest set of tools. Well, Mac has introduced a 42-pc Ratchet Precision Screwdriver Set (SPMR421B). This new set is great for getting to small fasteners.

Let's talk about new air tools! Mac has introduced a new line of mini air tools, a new line of quiet air tools, and a 1/2 inch premium 1 HP air drill. That's a lot of power! The mini air tools are sweet because they are lightweight and work well in tight spaces. They also can be operated with one hand. There are five - reversible air drill, impact wrench, surface prep tool, random orbital sander, and an air polisher. Their new line of quiet air tools came about as a result of the need for reduced noise in the shop. "Ear" quality is becoming a major safety factor in Europe, and American manufacturers are building the same requirements into tools used in the US. Mac's new line features extreme power while at the same time using the low noise technology. There are 11 tools, including impact wrenchs, ratchets, grinders, and more.

Other, miscellaneous tools, that are no less interesting, but they just don't fit into a neat category, include their new stainless steel wet/dry vacuum cleaners. These are exclusive to Mac Tools and include a 5-gallon and 13-gallon vacuum cleaner. They also just brought out a line of jump starters to fit many situations. And, they recently teamed up with Challenger Lifts to provide professionald grade 2-post, 4-post, Alignment and mobile column lifts to the repair shop through their distributors.

Jay Lewis talks about Power Tools

When Jay Lewis speaks, people listen. Jay Lewis is GM Charlotte Operations & CPVS Americas for Chicago Pneumatic. Sounds like a big deal. In this role he provides strategic support for the growth and development of the Chicago Pneumatic Vehicle Service market in the Americas. It also means he is constantly on the go go go. A 23-year tool and compressor industry veteran, Lewis joined Chicago Pneumatic in 2002. Prior to joining CP, he held multiple sales and management positions in the tool and compressor industry. Lewis holds a BGS degree in marketing from the University of Iowa. (What, you may ask, is a BGS degree? I don't know.)

Our AMN editor, Amy Antenora, recently caught Jay in-between flights, and spoke with him about the changes at CP and in the industry in general. This is what Jay had to say.

Chicago Pneumatic (CP) has been making tools for professional technicians for more than a century. What have been some of the most notable changes that have taken place in the tool market during that time?

The main thing that’s changed is consumer choice. There are more products, solutions and brands than ever in the market, so as a company we need to keep innovating in design and application to insure we remain a preferred brand with the professional technician.

There has been a shift in focus to ergonomics as well. As technicians have become more aware of comfort as well as performance, we have engineered tools to meet this need, striving in new products for what we call E3Q – ergonomics, efficiency, environment and quality.

Associated with the above objectives is the opportunity to drive change in the tool and equipment market with the incorporation of new materials. This also contributes to improved operator comfort and performance.

CP recently announced it would return for a fifth year as a major sponsor of NHRA. What are the benefits of being involved, and how do you use this sponsorship to leverage your brand?

Because such a large percentage of technicians have an interest in racing, NHRA provides Chicago Pneumatic with a fantastic venue where we can spend time with the user. The opportunity to be involved in this racing series and meet hundreds of thousands of tool users is crucial in mobilizing the Chicago Pneumatic brand and showcasing our new products.

This race season, Wyotech, the Official Technical School of NHRA, will join Chicago Pneumatic and Ringers Gloves as a partner in the 2008 Road Show tour, hitting all 24 POWERade Drag Racing Series events across the country.

Our partnership with Wyotech is another tie that demonstrates our dedication to working with the technicians of tomorrow.


CP recently partnered with one of our sister publications, Tomorrow’s Technician magazine, for the T2 School of the Year competition. Why is supporting tech education important to CP?

Through our partnership with Tomorrow’s Technician, and our dedication to providing the vo-tech arena with educational opportunities, we hope to make a real impact with the young technicians who will lead the next generation of vehicle repair. The sustainability of the industry is obviously very important to us; we want to see it thrive. Making sure the mechanics of the future train with the best tools and understand what to look for when buying tools is key to our future growth as well.

What is CP’s overall marketing strategy and philosophy?

Customer focus and customer driven innovation. Chicago Pneumatic is a brand committed to raising the standards within the vehicle service aftermarket. All of our products are developed with the professional technician in mind - a result of working with key end user groups before, during and after the product design and development process. Large research projects have formed the base of our strategic direction and we make sure we are always realigning our product development in-line with our customers’ needs. A key to our global marketing strategy is focused sales and service in every key market.

How does the company keep a brand with such a long history current and fresh?

Our first focus is always on new product innovation. Look at the ½ inch impact wrench we launched last year, the CP7740. It weighs less than three pounds and still has more than 500 ft.-lbs. of torque – that’s a really big change in what technicians have traditionally been able to choose from. We’ve also entered the cordless category with products that offer unique benefits in power choice, greater access to tight spaces with compact design and surface textures adding to operator comfort, again with the focus on making the tool easier to use for the tech.

We also partner with industry leaders that challenge boundaries. Our relationship with Rich Evans of Huntington Beach Bodyworks, an incredibly talented car designer that is always pushing the envelope in his builds. Our partnership with the NHRA, with Chevrolet as their tool of choice in the FIA World Touring Car Championship – both experiences allow us to connect with customers and show how our tools perform in the most competitive garages in the world. We’re also the official tools of MTV’s “Pimp My Ride” in the UK.

We are doing more in the way of connecting with customers as well, like our new Web site, CP7740Challenge.com. Designed to promote the CP7740 Challenge – the site gives our customers a chance to learn more about this product and have some fun at the same time.

What are your thoughts on the tool segment today and going forward? What are some of the major issues this segment of the industry expects to face in the next few years?

The biggest challenge is convincing technicians that they are not just purchasing a commodity, but selecting a product which can improve comfort and safety, while getting the job done more efficiently.

Shop environmental factors such as reducing waste are obviously becoming more of a focus issue as well. A need to reduce noise and vibration levels in tools will be part of this improved shop environment. We are addressing this not only in tools, but also with the CP QRS rotary technology compressor product offering.

CP is also taking an industry leading position with an innovative product offering in the heavy duty market. In the past, changing wheels on heavy duty vehicles has been cumbersome. By learning from technology that our industrial teams developed for OEMs in vehicle assembly, we’ve been able to develop a product line we call BlueTork. It reduces the weight vs that of the standard pneumatic wrench used to change a wheel, lowers the decibel rating, virtually eliminates the vibration common in typical impact wrenches, and turns what can be a two-man job into an easy one-man operation, thereby improving shop productivity.

What does the company have in store for 2008, anything exciting to share?

We will continue to develop and introduce new products for the professional technician coupled with continued marketing of our brand to enhance the sales efforts of our distributor partners.

For the complete interview, please go to http://www.aftermarketnews.com/

Mac Tools Show Update - 2008

Finally! I have 7 minutes to collect my thoughts and put them to, well, not to paper, but to the internet I guess. First off, let me say - there were a TON of new products, and they weren't all in the Mac Tool zones. But let's start with Mac's new products. They introduced three new grease guns: 1 - Pistol Grip Grease Gun (GG33HD). The pistol grip is easier to use than the older, lever handled style. 2 - Continuous Shot Grease Gun (GG63HD) and 3 - Single Shot Grease Gun (GG53HD). Also new at the show is their new Fuel System Tester (FST2000). It can diagnose and pinpoint common fuel system failures including a failing fuel pump, a faulty pressure regulator, blocked filters, a pinched fuel line, contaminated fule, and a fuel tank vortex. I'm not sure what a fuel tank vortex is, it sounds like a visit to another dimension is involved.

Other new Mac Tool branded products include a new lighted inspection mirror, the MHTLM2. I experimented with it in the Mac booth and the Ullman booth. It's pretty sweet. They also brought out a new pocket clip LED light, TLL3900. It's compact enough to fit in a pocket, yet it features the option of using either a 3 LED flashlight function or the 9 LED work light function. They also introduced a new line of Magswitch Magnet products, including ground clamps, MagSquares, and hanging hooks, all featuring new magnetic technology. Can't get enough out of your current MIG welder? Mac has a new Pulse MIG Welder (MW2035N), a 200 amp MIG inverter power source that offers fully automatic synergic and pulsed-synergic welding and brazing capabilities for high-strength steel, stainless, galvanized and all aluminum alloys. Wow.

RR52-KIT - a 52 piece radio removal kit to remove stereo and automobile manufacturer's systems, including Kenwood, Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, JVC, Ford, VW, Audi, BMW and more.

AC34288 - A/C Recovery Unit that recovers, recycles, evacuates, test for leaks and recharges R-134a quickly and accurately.

Mac Tools is first to market with their new heavy-duty code reader, the ET3418. This kit includes the HD reader, a 9-pin deutsch cable, 6-pin deutsch cable, operators manual, a 3 year warranty, and a nylon carrying case for all materials (except the warranty). They also launched their new HD Scan Tool (ET3417) which includes the HD scan tool 6 pin and 9 pin deutsch cables, OBD II cable, US cable and the scanmate software operations manual. Additionally, they introduced the new 2008 Mac Mentor, this year it comes with quick DTC scan and EVAP bi-directional tests! It's loaded up with Domestic and Asian 2007 information.

Wow! All this from a little tool company in Ohio. My friend, Carrie Leach, says if you want to know more about any of these tools, or if you're interested in ordering any of them, contact your local Mac Tools Distributor or call 1-800-MACTOOLs.

More to come tomorrow. I think tomorrow I'll bring you up to speed on the power tools.