Snap-on acquires Diesel Laptops for $100M
In a move set to shake up the diagnostic tool landscape, Snap-on, Inc. acquired heavy-duty diagnostic tool, repair info, and training provider Diesel Laptops for around $100 million cash on June 8. Snap-on stated that Diesel Laptops will be part of the company’s Repair Systems & Information Group, joining Nexiq Technologies and Mitchell 1.
Diesel Laptops is known for distributing all-makes tools such as Cojali Jaltest, its own branded hardware and software tools, and technical education via its Diesel Training platform.
The press release was unusually brief for a deal of this magnitude, Snap-on simply stated that, “The acquisition expands Snap-on’s capabilities in these growing markets and further strengthens the corporation’s library of proprietary experienced-based data, as well as its product offerings to support the diagnosis and repair of increasingly complex vehicles and equipment.”
Diesel Laptops founder and CEO Tyler Robertson was far more forthcoming in a LinkedIn post. After recapping his journey from starting the company over a decade ago in his garage with $1,000 to generating $500 million in revenue over its history, Robertson asserted he will remain at the helm.
“This is not the end of the Diesel Laptops story. On the contrary. It is the beginning of a much bigger chapter. I'm still here as CEO running the company like I have the last 11 years... Now I just get to do it with many more resources.”
It’s unclear what those resources will end up being. Diesel Laptops does bring a dedicated support team experienced at helping all-makes shops with diagnostic, training, and repair needs. Nexiq is a leading provider of commercial vehicle diagnostic hardware such as the USB-Link vehicle communication interface, as well as eTechnician diagnostic software. Snap-on should also be able to leverage some synergies with Mitchell 1’s TruckSeries repair info platform.
Snap-on has already demonstrated an ability to harmonize complementary brands through its Total Shop Solutions portfolio, which includes equipment such as John Bean wheel balancers and Pro-Cut brake lathes, as well as Mitchell 1 and Nexiq. A technician may use eTechnician to get diagnostic trouble codes and Truck Series to follow wiring diagrams and get repair guidance. Combining the strengths of its newly acquired brand could yield even greater efficiency for all-makes shops and fleets.
Snap-on did not respond to requests for comment at time of publishing, but we will update the story with any statements as they become available.
About the Author
John Hitch
Editor-in-chief, Fleet Maintenance
John Hitch is the award-winning editor-in-chief of Fleet Maintenance, where his mission is to provide maintenance leaders and technicians with the the latest information on tools, strategies, and best practices to keep their fleets' commercial vehicles moving.
He is based out of Cleveland, Ohio, and has worked in the B2B journalism space for more than a decade. Hitch was previously senior editor for FleetOwner and before that was technology editor for IndustryWeek, and managing editor of New Equipment Digest.
Hitch graduated from Kent State University and was editor of the student magazine The Burr in 2009.
The former sonar technician served honorably aboard the fast-attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN-723), where he participated in counter-drug ops, an under-ice expedition, and other missions he's not allowed to talk about for several more decades.