Small acquisitions help spur Snap-On

Article Excerpt

SNAP-ON INC. $126 (New York symbol SNA; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 58.1 million; Market cap: $7.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 2.2; Dividend yield: 1.4%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.snapon.com) makes tools for auto mechanics and sells them through a fleet of franchised vans that visit garages. It also makes specialized tools for mining companies, electrical power plant operators and other industrial customers. The company plans to spend $75 million to $80 million in 2014 on upgrades to its distribution network, developing new products and expanding in emerging markets (overseas customers supply around a third of its revenue). Snap-On is also fueling its growth with acquisitions. In May 2013, it bought Challenger Lifts for $38.2 million. This business makes systems that raise cars off the ground. The purchase contributed $39.3 million to Snap-On’s 2013 revenue of $3.1 billion. In May 2014, the company paid $41.6 million for Pro-Cut International, a New Hampshire firm that makes equipment…