The
TechShop team has returned again from the Integrated Supply Network (ISN)
annual trade show in Orlando, FL, with loads of new tool information to share.
ISN is a supplier to wholesale distributors, mobile distributors and resellers,
based out of Lakeland, FL. While ISN doesn’t sell directly to you the end-user,
the show is for your tool distributors to speak with T&E vendors, learn
about the tools, and be trained on how to best sell these tools to you.
The 2011 ISN Tool Dealer Expo was held June 24 and 25 at the Orlando Marriott
World Center, and once again, the show provided an incredible venue to see the
latest the industry has to offer.
Chicago Pneumatic brought in the founding members of the Gasoline Girls Car Club of Southern California, Kristen Martin (left) and Becky Sue Huff to educate ISN attendees about the latest CP tools. “We’re car girls, we use these tools all the time,” Martin said. Check them out at www.GasolineGirls.com.
This year’s theme was “Building Your Business for the Future.” While intended
for the attendees and vendors, this theme corresponds directly to your business
as well — to paraphrase the Tool Tip from Delphi: You are only as good
as the tools you use.
Keeping your tool and equipment collection up-to-date is essential to staying
profitable. And keeping an eye to the future is a must when considering your
next purchase. Whether it’s the latest software update to download from the
Internet for your scan tool or as simple as a magnetic gadget that hooks
wrenches together to help you get to that hard-to-reach spot, tool updates can
knock time off of your repair process, essentially making money for you.
Representing Launch Tech USA was Victor Rivilla (right), who demonstrated the company’s new domestic software on a 2010 Chevy Malibu in the ISN Technical Training Tent. The tent was a great spot for distributors to engage in on-the-car demonstrations, use the products themselves and meet the manufacturers’ product managers.
Specialty tools also can save you serious time and money. Be sure to read
Mike
DuBois’ article.
He suggests talking to your distributor about
new tools and asking yourself, “What tool is going to save me time, and make me
more money?”
Tool and equipment upgrades and introductions were displayed throughout the
show. We’re including many of them in this issue, in upcoming issues and on our
website,
www.TechShopMag.com. Ask your tool distributors if they attended the
ISN show, and what they found interesting and what they ordered for their tool
truck. Part of staying competitive in this industry is being prepared for the
future.
See our
Facebook page for more photos from the recent tool and equipment shows.