Company Profile

Hofmann has been at the forefront of the motor industry for over seventy years. The Hofmann brand with its renowned logo – the sinusoidal graph in the square – is the best guarantee for high quality.

Following the introduction of the first machines in 1931, the Hofmann brand has been renowned for its reliability and quality. Since then, our innovative approach to garage equipment has ensured that our product range is one of the most comprehensive and technologically advanced in the world. Every item is manufactured under strict quality control methods to the exacting German TUV standards, ensuring our reputation for high performance.

The certification in line with DIN ISO 9001 and the introduction of a safety label for Hofmann products show Hofmann's dedication to quality-related aspects. The high quality of their products and their devotion to customer concerns have made Hofmann Werkstatt-Technik one of the leading manufacturers of automotive service equipment.

Part of the Snap-on corporation - the world's largest tools and equipment company since 1997, Hofmann is well prepared to meet the challenges of the future.

John Bean is one of the world's leading brands of automotive wheel service equipment. The company's roots began with a retired inventor, John Bean, in 1904. He founded the John Bean Spray Pump Company. When the company merged with a nearby food machinery company, it became the Food Machinery & Chemical Company (FMC). In 1996 Snap-On Corporation acquired the automotive equipment division from FMC and renamed it John Bean honouring the original founder.

From the start, John Bean was a pioneer in innovative technologies to meet the growing demands of the ever-growing automotive industry. During the early 1900's John Bean's state-of-the-art pressure pumps were often used as portable fire fighting pumps. When the pumps were mounted in trucks, one of the earliest motorized fire trucks came into being. However, the added weight to the vehicle adversely affected the truck's wheel alignment causing excessive tire wear. In 1925, John Bean engineers designed a dedicated mechanical alignment machine that could diagnose alignment problems and help to align the early John Bean fire trucks.

By 1932, this new alignment machine was being marketed broadly under the John Bean brand name. It was the first alignment machine of its kind. John Bean engineers continued to innovate and in 1934 introduced the first dynamic wheel balancer. In 1947, the John Bean Visualiner became the first optically based alignment system in the world and quickly became the standard of the industry. In the 70's the John Bean brand name was changed to FMC.

The FMC Visualiner II in 1984 marked the first successful application of optical measuring heads with a CRT computer aligner. FMC engineers were also the first to develop operator self-calibration for both wheel aligners and wheel balancers. In 1987 the John Bean Signature Series model 9909 became the first alignment machine with built-in training systems for the operator. The company's engineers continued to be at the forefront in applying developing new technologies to the wheel service equipment industry.

When Snap-on acquired the company, they also brought along a strong tradition of technological development. Most notable was the seven years of intensive research and development that resulted in the introduction three-dimensional Imaging Alignment technology using digital cameras and high speed computing to completely revolutionize the wheel alignment industry. The speed, ease of operation and accuracy of wheel aligning has all been significantly enhanced increasing the productivity and profitability to the shop owner. The tradition of being the first to apply new technologies to meet the needs of the automotive service industry is as alive today as it was in 1925 when John Bean introduced the world's first wheel aligner.

Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tool, diagnostic and equipment solutions for professional tool users.

Product lines include hand and power tools, diagnostics and shop equipment, tool storage, diagnostics software and other solutions for vehicle-service, industrial, government and agricultural customers, and commercial applications, including construction and electrical. Products are sold through its franchised dealer van, company-direct sales and distributor channels, as well as over the Internet.

Founded in 1920, Snap-on is a $2.4 billion, S&P 500 company headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and employs approximately 11,500 people worldwide.