Innovation, service remain areas of focus for Matco Tools

More than 1,300 distributors and a total of 87 suppliers gathered together for the 2017 Matco Tools Expo, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Orleans, Feb. 19-22.

The four-day event, which saw record attendance, allowed Matco distributors to take time out of their busy schedules to meet with tool and equipment manufacturers, learn about the latest products for the automotive aftermarket and network with their peers both on and off the show floor.

According to Matco Vice President of Marketing Ben Gambrel, the 2017 Matco Tools Expo’s theme of “One Mission -- One Matco” was evident by the camaraderie and cooperation displayed in the interactions between Matco corporate personnel, attendees and partners during their time in New Orleans.

“We’re all in this together,” says Gambrel. “Our end user technicians, distributors, Matco corporate, we’re all in this together and backed by a fantastic supply base. I think people felt that, and they saw that. It was a very positive event from that standpoint.”

Show highlights

Among the show’s most notable highlights were the launch of the Matco Revel toolbox, a contest where participants were afforded the opportunity to test out the Matco MD MAX TPMS Diagnostic Tool, No. MDMAXTPMS, to see who could secure the fastest reading, and a diecast car giveaway associated with three-time Top Fuel world champion Antron Brown, who drives the Matco Tools dragster for Don Schumacher Racing in the National Hot Rod Association’s Top Fuel division.

“The show surpassed our expectations,” says Gambrel. “We saw solid year-over-year growth for the second year in a row. Vendors stepped up their games in terms of the new and improved products and giveaways, and the booth displays were really well done. Almost everyone I talked to said they felt like this was the best Matco Tools Expo ever.”

Matco also offered a number events Gambrel described as “well attended and well appreciated” by distributors, including one centered on tool storage and another focused on diagnostics.

“We also had a breakout session on our technical education program, and there was a lot of energy around that,” he says. “In addition, we had some sales and selling skills training, which we got good feedback on.”

Gambrel also says he was pleased with how the Revel toolbox was received by attendees at the show, and he adds that the company is excited to make it available to Matco distributors and their customers.

“I think we’re going to have really strong numbers for adoption on those toolboxes,” he says. “People were blown away by the way it looks, and the fit and finish is just outstanding. It’s something new, and nobody else has anything like (this toolbox).”

Overall, Gambrel says he was quite pleased with the activity seen on the Tool Expo floor and the positive interactions between the vendors and attendees during show hours.

“We’re seeing a lot of happy partners who are really glad to be here and think it’s truly worth the investment, time and money that’s required to get here and get in front of the distributor,” he says.

Looking to the future

In addition to its focus on maintaining great relationships with its distributors and vendor partners, Matco remains committed to innovation and new product development. According to Gambrel, ensuring Matco goes to market with new and exclusive tools and equipment -- especially in its diagnostic categories -- is one of the company’s top priorities in 2017 and beyond.

“Vehicles continue to get more complicated, and it requires more effective scan tools and diagnostic equipment, and we’re delivering that with the Maximus family,” he says.

The recent launch of the Matco MD MAX TPMS tool is just one example of how the company is following through on its commitment to meet the automotive aftermarket’s need for more efficient and effective product offerings, says Gambrel.

“That’s one area we recognize there’s an opportunity for us to gain market share, because we have a better offering than what’s available out there,” he continues. “So there’s a lot of focus from our distributors around that. And there’s always a focus around service. We remain committed to our key values of ‘Service. Trust. Results.’ We deliver great service. That earns trust for our customers, and then that leads to results for them and us.”