The name change will be effective as of Mar. 1, and over the coming weeks all aspects of the company’s identity will change to Snap-on Equipment.  

UK Equipment Ltd. was formed in January 2002 following the merger of two Snap-on owned companies: Hofmann UK Ltd. and Balco/John Bean UK, both leading names in the U.K. workshop equipment industry. Hofmann established its first U.K. garage equipment subsidiary in 1969 while Balco/John Bean UK was formed in 1988.

According to general manager Brian O’Sullivan, the reason for the name change was simple. “Since we’re part of Snap-on corporation – the largest tools and equipment manufacturer in the world – it made perfect sense to incorporate Snap-on into our company name. UK Equipment Ltd. lacked a proper sense of identity and didn’t emphasise the fact that we’re a designer and manufacturer of professional workshop equipment. Our globally recognised Hofmann and John Bean brands will sit very comfortably with the Snap-on name – an icon for product innovation and quality”.

Brian added: “The company name change does not signal any change in our business model. We will continue to promote the Hofmann range of workshop equipment through national distribution groups like Unipart, IFA group and UK Parts Alliance, while the John Bean range will still be sold via garage equipment distributors and the Snap-on dealer network.”