Editor’s Notes: Invest in Your Tools, Invest in Your Future

Main Navigation

Advertisement
Social Connect
Resources
Our Brand Family
Techshop Magazine
The automotive industry’s knowledge base for equipment, tools and supplies
Features

Editor’s Notes: Invest in Your Tools, Invest in Your Future

Jennifer Clements
By Jennifer Clements
Jennifer Clements joined Babcox Media in 1997, spending most of her career developing and producing automotive aftermarket publications, and serving as editor of TechShop — Equipment, Tools and Supplies since its founding in 2000. Jennifer is currently group editor for AutoSuccess and Professional Carwashing & Detailing. She is a graduate of The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism.
Published:

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.

Related Articles

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.

You May Also Like

Red and Blue toy robots boxing
toolbox guide illustartion
Nadine Battah
Tire tread
From the Magazine

Maximize Your Scan Tool

Are you maximizing your scan tools to their full potential? Don’t let them be just an expensive code reader.

Eric Garbe
By Eric Garbe
Eric Garbe is a graduate of Columbus State Community College with a degree in Automotive Maintenance Technology. He has extensive independent and dealership field experience as a technician and shop owner and is an ASE Certified Master Technician and former Adjunct Automotive Professor. He has been professionally writing automotive technical articles and documents for many years and in his free time enjoys restoring old cars and creating custom interiors and upholstery.
Published:
Scan Tool

If there’s a truth that extends across all computerized devices, it’s that we likely utilize only a fraction of the things they have the ability to do. Mobile phones are a great example. How many people do you know who only use them for calls, voicemail and text messages? We all know they do so much more.The scan tools we use every day fall into the same category. Are you maximizing yours to their full potential? Don’t let them be just an expensive code reader. That may be easier said than done, because it takes a lot of time to understand both the scan tool and how well it interacts with the vehicles you’re working on, but there are a few factors that can help you dive a little deeper into the functions at your fingertips.

Read Full Article

More Features Posts
Brake Lathe Basics

Resurfacing drums and rotors is a machining process with its own specific guidelines.

By Eric Garbe
Refrigerant Oil Has to Be Right

Oil type is just as important as oil capacity.

By Eric Garbe
Three bottles of refrigerant oil
Top 5 Tools: Steve Coffell, Auto World, Hazelwood, MO

Steve Coffell, a technician at Auto World in Hazelwood, MO, says his Top 5 Favorite Tools are: Related Articles – Lisle Low Profile Fuel Line Disconnect – Dent Fix Soft-Shock Mallet DF-SM76 Reduces Damage – New ProMAXX Diesel Fuel Injector Seal Puller/Saver ProKits   OTC Genisys Touch – Quick scan, bidirectional control Snap-on VANTAGE Pro

By Jennifer Clements
Wheel Bearing Adjustment Tools & Equipment

A wheel bearing that’s out of adjustment can reduce bearing life and can affect more than just the bearing. It’s important to adjust the wheel bearing endplay to the proper specifications. If the bearing set is adjusted too loose or too tight, it can cause the bearing to fail prematurely. There are a few types of assemblies, so using correct procedures and tools will ensure a comeback-free wheel bearing installation.

By Andrew Markel

Other Posts

2024 Is Your Year to Be the Technician You Always Wanted to Be

As we enter 2024, strategic career planning is essential for success in the automotive repair industry.

By Nadine Battah
happy new year 2024
Impact Wrench Technology

Interchangeable anvils are a feature on some new impacts.

By TechShop Staff Writers
Tools in the Eye of the Beholder

We’re here to help you see all the tools, so you can invest wisely.

By TechShop Staff Writers
Multimeter Accuracy: How Important Is It?

Multimeter accuracy is critical for EV diagnostics.

By Eric Garbe
multimeter