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2 days ago | 
vehicleservicepros.com | Emily Markham
ETI ToolTech's day one keynote speaker, Steve Greenfield from Automotive Ventures. Early in April, I attended the Equipment and Tool Institute’s ToolTech event. The day 1 keynote speaker, Steve Greenfield of Automotive Ventures, spoke on many key topics in the automotive industry, including vehicle repairability. Greenfield walked the audience through how the future of vehicle repairability could pan out from the manufacturers’, consumers’, and technicians’ sides.
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2 days ago | 
vehicleservicepros.com | Emily Markham
At the beginning of 2025, Felipe Salazar Jr. upgraded his previous toolbox setup to one with more modular capabilities. Out with the old, in with the newAs is the age-old tale of many technicians, Salazar was running out of space in his previous toolbox and had to decide what features were essential for the next evolution of his tool and equipment storage. The new setup features a 56” by 22” double-bank toolbox, a 27” steel locker, and a 36” by 22” tool cart, all from Milwaukee Tool.
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2 days ago | 
vehicleservicepros.com | Emily Markham
During the 2025 Mac Tools Fair, we spoke with Mac Tools distributor Sean Beauchamp of Glendale, Arizona, about being a tool dealer and what advice he'd give newcomers. Get more exclusive content for mobile tool dealers here, and subscribe to Professional Distributor here. Emily Markham | Editor | PTEN and Professional DistributorEmily Markham is the editor of Professional Tool & Equipment News (PTEN) and Professional Distributor magazines.
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1 week ago | 
vehicleservicepros.com | Emily Markham
On the Show Floor: An interview with Mac Tools distributor Chris HiggsWe spoke with some of the distributors at the Mac Tools Fair about how they found success. Emily Markham, editor of Professional Distributor magazine, spoke with attendees of the Mac Tools Fair 2025 to learn more about why they became mobile tool dealers, what they love about being a distributor, and some tips for success at tool shows.
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1 week ago | 
vehicleservicepros.com | Emily Markham
NAPA celebrated its 100th anniversary at the NAPA NOW event held in Las Vegas from April 15-17. Part of their celebration included the brand transformation of the Carlyle Tool brand. Originally launched back in 2012 as NAPA Auto Parts’ proprietary professional tools and equipment brand, and named after NAPA Auto Parts’ first president, Carlyle Frazier, it only encompassed hand tools for the first five to six years.
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1 week ago | 
vehicleservicepros.com | Emily Markham
Photo courtesy of Heath Mannis When it comes to our work, it’s easy to get sucked into what’s typical. In fact, it makes sense to follow the norm, especially if you’re just starting. You start with the basics to grasp what to do, and you follow the example of what others are doing around you. From there, it can be easy to get complacent.
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2 weeks ago | 
vehicleservicepros.com | Emily Markham
Q: What was the impetus for this complete evolution of Carlyle Tools? Sabo: Carlyle had been around since 2012 in the NAPA system, and for the first four or five years, it was just hand tools. That was it, and it was around 3,000 SKUs. Then, over the other five or six years, we began to integrate more of our other private label tool and equipment business into the Carlyle brand — things like specialty service tools, pneumatic air tools, lifting equipment.
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2 weeks ago | 
vehicleservicepros.com | Emily Markham
After selling tools for almost a decade, Mac Tools distributor Tim Lawrence knows what he wants in a tool truck. Like many, Lawrence’s first tool truck was used, so when he decided it was time for an upgrade, he got a brand-new truck. The distributor went with a 24’ long, wide-body 2025 Freightliner M2. To get his custom-built truck, he spoke with Summit Body Works at the Mac Tools Fair. “I like their work,” Lawrence says. “Their finished products are really nice [and] professional.
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3 weeks ago | 
vehicleservicepros.com | Emily Markham
Sales Tip: You can't sell it if you don't stock itSome customers are focused on the right now, and if you don't have what they need already, you'll lose that sale. Photo courtesy of Mike YarterAside from keeping two tool trucks, independent distributor Mike Yarter does a few other things to set himself up for success -- starting with keeping a lot of inventory on board. So much so that he’s even had customers comment that he has the most out of the other trucks in the area.
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3 weeks ago | 
vehicleservicepros.com | Emily Markham
Sales Tip: Find your community through your customersOne of the best ways to get people in your truck is to get out of it and get closer with your community. Photo courtesy of Brian WendlEach tool distributor has their own way of getting customers out and onto their truck. For Brian Wendl and Amanda Cunningham, a Mac Tools distributing duo, one of their main motivators is the sense of community they’ve created with all their customers.
