pro tools in asia

[davesnothere]

one of the guys in the shop asked me this the other day, and i did not know, so now i shall ask the educated masses here...

what tools do the professionals in asia use?
do they use snap-on, etc.?

 

[Clarifixer]

one of the guys in the shop asked me this the other day, and i did not know, so now i shall ask the educated masses here...

what tools do the professionals in asia use?
do they use snap-on, etc.?

Just a guess, but Kyoto Tool Co. makes excellent tools for Japanese industry, with their Nepros line being truly top drawer. For use in the U.S., they must be purchased directly from Japan, but probably they have Asian dealer networks for race team mechanics and other pros over there.
Check out http://en.ktc.co.jp/

Just a sample of the Nepros tools:

 

[vssjim]

My tool man tells me anybody from Asia he has as customers will buy any brand of tool except those made in china, and china period. They will take them from Taiwan, US etc. but not china.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I have been a few places in Asia and yes, they do use Snap-on, Matco and Mac tools as well as other American brands. Anywhere the US military had a long term base, you will find Snapoids. In addition to those countries (Philippines, Korea and Japan) the mechanics I have met in Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and China all cherish the American tools they own (as well as European brands). For the most part however, they use Asian brands (Taiwan and Japanese if possible) and avoid Chinese tools unless they can't afford anything better.

JayL lives in Manila and often buys Snap-on tools locally. I'm sure he will chime in on this thread but most of the guys I know over there want to have a "professional" image for their shop and that includes their tools.

Techs are techs no matter where they live....

 

[Beerman]

On a semi-related note, not all Asians are the same. My SIL is Japanese and to put it bluntly, she is rather prejudiced against any other nationality of Asians. I understand that this is common culturally, and not unique to my SIL. They may all look the same to us "round-eyes", but they're not.

I can see a Japanese mechanic not wanting to use a Chinese or Korean wrench (or visa versa) for cultural as well as quality reasons.

My SIL was seated next to a Chinese man on a flight (mere coincidence) and the stewardess made the mistake of assuming that they were married. My SIL nearly had a stroke and suggested (with the Chinese guy sitting right next to her) that NO Japanese woman with any sense of self-worth would be involved with, let alone marry a man from China.



Beerman

 

[mrholeshot]

My Son has been to Japan several times. Seems as though Snap-On is the hot ticket there for technicians.

 

[davesnothere]

interesting.
those nepros tools look niiice.
thanks guys.

 

[NWphotog]

On a semi-related note, not all Asians are the same. My SIL is Japanese and to put it bluntly, she is rather prejudiced against any other nationality of Asians. I understand that this is common culturally, and not unique to my SIL. They may all look the same to us "round-eyes", but they're not.

I can see a Japanese mechanic not wanting to use a Chinese or Korean wrench (or visa versa) for cultural as well as quality reasons.

My SIL was seated next to a Chinese man on a flight (mere coincidence) and the stewardess made the mistake of assuming that they were married. My SIL nearly had a stroke and suggested (with the Chinese guy sitting right next to her) that NO Japanese woman with any sense of self-worth would be involved with, let alone marry a man from China.



Beerman

I use to work for a Korean owed wholesale camera and video store. They definitely preferred Japanese products over Korean and Chinese products were a distant third.

 

[superautobacs]

I can't speak for other asian countries, but in Japan, they are BLESSED with having A LOT of choices, from American, European, to Asian brands. If they want to stick with their domestic brands, there are PLENTY to choose from. I can name some if you wish to know.

If you look into their tool boxes you'll find a pretty good assortment of brands. Tool boxes that have no borders, so to speak. They love them all...well, they stay away from made-in-China tools though. Taiwanese tools have been accepted.

MAC is pretty hard to find; MATCO is non-existent (just as much as Cornwell is in the US ) ; Snap-On has a good network; Hazet vans can be found too.

 

[toolmaker1]

I see the snap on japan website on there but I am surprised to see all the writing in english

 

[oldtools]

Just a guess, but Kyoto Tool Co. makes excellent tools for Japanese industry, with their Nepros line being truly top drawer. For use in the U.S., they must be purchased directly from Japan, but probably they have Asian dealer networks for race team mechanics and other pros over there.
Check out http://en.ktc.co.jp/

Just a sample of the Nepros tools:

These Nepros look much higher quality than Snap On.

 

[superautobacs]

I see the snap on japan website on there but I am surprised to see all the writing in english

Many Japanese, especially the younger generation, can read and understand the most basic English words.

 

[ajchien]

Knowing a few folks from Hong Kong, they prefer Japanese tools over the second choice USA based on perceived quality of product, and avoid Chinese made products.

 

[48548]

What about koken?

 

[Monte]

if you can get ahold of the "Factory Gear Magazine" from Japan you can see what japanese techs use. Like Superautobacs already mentioned you´ll see everything, of course japanese brands (KTC, Nepros, Vessel, Tone etc.) as well as PB Swiss, Snap-On, MAC, Wera, Hazet, Knipex, Facom, Beta, USAG, Proxxon and others. But they seem to be very open minded and often have the latest "trend" tools like PB swiss etc. but only name brand stuff, no cheap stuff it seems.

 

[mkdive]

On a semi-related note, not all Asians are the same. My SIL is Japanese and to put it bluntly, she is rather prejudiced against any other nationality of Asians. I understand that this is common culturally, and not unique to my SIL. They may all look the same to us "round-eyes", but they're not.

I can see a Japanese mechanic not wanting to use a Chinese or Korean wrench (or visa versa) for cultural as well as quality reasons.

My SIL was seated next to a Chinese man on a flight (mere coincidence) and the stewardess made the mistake of assuming that they were married. My SIL nearly had a stroke and suggested (with the Chinese guy sitting right next to her) that NO Japanese woman with any sense of self-worth would be involved with, let alone marry a man from China.



Beerman

my wife is Japanese....you hit the nail on the head with that one.

 

[airdale]

I see the snap on japan website on there but I am surprised to see all the writing in english

Here's the Japan web site: http://www.snapon.co.jp/
Maybe you saw an English translation?
Notice the co.jp indicates the site is hosted in Japan, if it was .com maybe hosted elsewhere. When you are in country, the local internet provider assumes you want to connect to a site in that country, and will direct your browser accordingly.

For kicks try Google's web site: http://www.google.co.jp/ and search for "snapon".
Or in Taiwan: http://www.google.com.tw/
Snapon in China: http://www.snapon.com.cn/cn/index/

 

[Monte]

For kicks try Google's web site: http://www.google.co.jp/ and search for "snapon".
Or in Taiwan: http://www.google.com.tw/

the picture search is interesting !

http://www.google.co.jp/images?hl=j...e=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=779&bih=399

 

[JayL]

Here in the Philippines the situation for automotive shops / companies is that they provide all the tools that will be used. Techs are paid fixed monthly salaries, commissions / incentives and other benefits such as medical etc .. depending on the employer.

That said it is up to the employers to choose which tools they would purchase. Take for example hand tools. The auto dealers go for higher end pro tools like Koken and Snap On and add a mix of different European made such as Unior and others.

Most of the bigger commercial auto shops as well as the medium sized ones go mostly for Japanese made like Aigo and Koken. The entry of tool manufacturers such as Toptul, Genius, Hans Tools had also penetrated such segment. You will also find Craftsman in here too.

Smaller shops have a wider mix of tools. A little of everything but a lot of knock off Taiwan / Chinese varieties. You will also find more Stanley here.

Currently our tool market is flooded with Taiwanese and Chinese made tools. Knock offs as well as branded ones. Since 3 years I have been scouting the local market for NOS tools and have found that even these are now scarce and replaced with the newer production Chinese made equivalents.

Some Techs prefer to work on their own as well. Buying their own tools and doing such jobs as home service and the like. They don't need a license to do this. Most ( specially the younger ones ) don't care about what tool brands they use as long as it gets the job done,

 

[catfish]

You get far more information about Snap-ons China strategy from the China site than you ever would talking their US location by phone or e-mail.
They've got 3 factories operational in China now according to this badly translated news article.

September 15, 2009, in the zone of the Snap tool equipment (Kunshan) Co., Ltd. opened a new factory, which is Snap invested in Kunshan, a third of the plant. Mayor, Director of Development Zone management patriotic, Municipal Committee, Development Party Working Committee, Management Committee, deputy director of Gujian Yu attended the opening ceremony.

Snap Group, founded in 1920, the United States is the world's largest professional automotive repair and maintenance tools and equipment manufacturers. Snap tool equipment (Kunshan) Co., Ltd. was established in 2004, the United States Snap Group manufacturing center in Asia. The opening of the three factories covering 25,000 square meters, to increase the registered capital of 760

 

[mkdive]

You get far more information about Snap-ons China strategy from the China site than you ever would talking their US location by phone or e-mail.
They've got 3 factories operational in China now according to this badly translated news article.

September 15, 2009, in the zone of the Snap tool equipment (Kunshan) Co., Ltd. opened a new factory, which is Snap invested in Kunshan, a third of the plant. Mayor, Director of Development Zone management patriotic, Municipal Committee, Development Party Working Committee, Management Committee, deputy director of Gujian Yu attended the opening ceremony.

Snap Group, founded in 1920, the United States is the world's largest professional automotive repair and maintenance tools and equipment manufacturers. Snap tool equipment (Kunshan) Co., Ltd. was established in 2004, the United States Snap Group manufacturing center in Asia. The opening of the three factories covering 25,000 square meters, to increase the registered capital of 760

 

[loveblacktea]

I prefer Taiwanese brand such as KingTony, Genius and HANS. OTHERS SAME WITH STANLEY. I love Hazet and Snap-on, one if my friend even purchased Snap-on almost 30,000 bucks for his garage. All snap-on but I am not good

 

[JonnyMac]

We frequently have japanese technicians attend site.. their travel kits consist of ktc and koken