Professional_Tool_And_Equipment_News_August_2019 - 8

EDITOR'S NOTE

On the lookout
for invention

David Brierley
Managing Editor

The results are in. See which tools pulled
top marks in the 2019 Innovation Awards.
By Sara Scullin, Editor
Sara@VehicleServicePros.com

W

hich tool have you used in the
last year where you thought to
yourself, "This is a game-changer"?
Which tool do you believe has yet to
be invented?
In this month's Big-Time Boxes column (Page 74), Curtis Detweiler, owner
of Redz Auto Body in East McKeesport,
Pennsylvania, houses a great many tools in
his 60-foot long, L-shaped Snap-on Mr. Big
toolbox, including PDR tools, diagnostic
products, metric and standard auto body
tools, and mechanical tools. In addition,
each one of the stainless steel top boxes
has a built-in power supply to ensure his
amped-up arsenal is always ready to go.
As vehicles change, a technician's collection of tools grows - for reasons of
necessity as much as convenience. But what
makes a tool truly inventive? Sometimes a
new product or update is a clear departure
from what was used in the past. For example, today's shop owners are beginning to
use thermal imaging devices to detect heat
signatures in vehicles as part of the diagnostis process. You wouldn't have seen this
just a few years back.
At other times, the devil's in the details.
Whatever the tool's innovation, be it a new
socket design, lighter weight protective
gear, or expanded software capabilities,
these details can still offer a significant
improvement when it comes to time saved,
energy put forth, and dollars earned.
This explains why each year PTEN
celebrates new and innovative products
for shops with its Innovation Awards. We
are always looking for the 'What's next' ...
big and (seemingly) small innovations in
the aftermarket.
In previous issues (May and June) we

8

PTEN

AUGUST 2019

VehicleServicePros.com

published all of this year's nominees. Now,
the scores have been tallied and the results
are in, and I'm excited to share with you
the winners for 2019.
The Innovation Awards are no small
feat. This year our editorial team took
receipt of nearly 150 entries across 31 categories, solutions ranging from ADAS to
welding, and everything in between. In this
list, there's truly something for everyone.
Each entry was a product either introduced to the automotive aftermarket or
significantly updated within the last year.
Each product is evaluated by a panel of
judges made up of technicians and shop
owners across the country on their ability
to make vehicle diagnosis and repair easier
and more efficient, and shops - like yours
- more productive.
Award-winning companies will accept
their Innovation Award in person at the
Automotive Aftermarket Expo (AAPEX)
in Las Vegas at the PTEN booth in
November. Be sure to look for more coverage of the 2019 PTEN Innovation Awards
and the AAPEX show this fall.
If you're attending the show, stop at the
PTEN booth to say hello, and tell us which
products have made a difference to your
business this past year. Even if you won't
be in Vegas, drop us a line. We'd love to
hear from you.
For more products visit the
VehicleServicePros.com online
product guide, which is updated
daily with details on new tools
and equipment. To search, visit:

VehicleServicePros.com/
directory

Tyler Fussner
Assistant Editor

Emily Markham
Assistant Editor

Kayla Oschmann
Assistant Editor

Barry Hoyland
Contributing Editor
PTEN Editorial Advisory Board
Technicians
John Harris,
Brooks-Huff Goodyear, Timonium MD
Eric Moore,
DeMary Trucks, Columbus, OH
Lou Fort,
K.A.R.S. Inc., Huntingburg, IN
Shop Owners
Phil Fournier,
Phil's Auto Clinic, Hemet, CA
JD Goad,
Goad's Body Shop, Lexington, VA
Edwin Hazzard,
Southeast Mobile Tech, Goose Creek, SC
Barry Hoyland,
VSSCA, Camarillo, CA
Pete Rudloff,
Pete's Garage Inc., Newark, DE
Equipment Manufacturers
Chad Schley,
Schley Products/SP Tools
Jim O'Hara,
Clore Automotive
http://www.VehicleServicePros.com http://www.VehicleServicePros.com/directory http://www.VehicleServicePros.com
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