Back on track after last year’s show in June, the 2022 Mac Tools Tool Fair attracted 900 distributors and almost 100 supplier partners to the Gaylord Opry Convention Center and Resort in Nashville Feb. 10-12.
With Mac’s last show only being able to host a limited number of people, Mike Brubaker, Mac Tools vice president of sales, notes the positive feedback for this show, as distributors are glad to be back together and have the opportunity to meet fellow franchisees, talk with product manufacturers, attend training classes, and maybe win some giveaways.
The future of Mac
The theme for this year’s tool fair was "Accelerate".
“We think it speaks to our trajectory for the future,” Brubaker says. “We are laser-focused on growth through our franchisees and new products, and Accelerate means – moving faster towards those objectives.”
With about 1,300 distributors in North America, as well as an additional almost 300 distributors in the United Kingdom and Japan, the Mac Tools distributor family is large and constantly growing.
In order to retain these franchisees, Mac does their best to thoroughly prepare each distributor before they hit the road on their own. Their training program consists of over eight weeks of digital training, in-person classroom training, and on-truck training by the distributor’s mentor distributor and district manager. Not including the training sessions held at this event.
MACsimizing training
At the show, distributors had the chance to attend a number of training classes. The class topics are decided based on feedback from franchisees and are structured to help them grow and improve their businesses. Some of the classes Mac offered at this event included the following:
- Macsimizing ETP: This is Mac’s extended terms program. In this training session, distributors learned how to leverage financing by passing on extended terms to their customers on the truck or through Mac’s financing program – Mac Credit.
“It's really helped us help them get more on the truck, both pre- and post-show to really build their business,” Brubaker says.
- Show me the money: This class centered around best practices for collections, as well as how to monitor and, in certain cases, increase cash flow.
- 21st century distributor: This session offered training on how to use modern communication techniques like social media to connect with customers and enhance their business.
New on the truck
Aside from the training, distributors used this event as a way to find new products to fill their trucks. Brubaker mentions that Mac’s diagnostic scan tool platform, the ET9200 series was a key part of this show. The platform spans across three levels, giving users the opportunity to pick a scan tool based on their technical ability, the functionality of the tool, and how much they want to spend.
“We train every day on diagnostics and scan tools, multiple times a day,” Brubaker says. “We hold little symposiums or smaller classroom sessions on the show floor…so you're right in the action. You don't have to leave the floor and come back for that particular training.”
Another product highlight from the show is the new battery technology, PowerStack. It’s 50 percent more powerful than a standard 20v power DeWalt battery with a 50 percent runtime increase, notes Brubaker.
Additionally, in hand tools and hardlines, Mac is expanding their RBRT (rounded bolt removal technology) line with new 1/4" and short hex, as well as introducing a 4v power assist screwdriver.
Next year’s Tool Fair will take place in Dallas, Feb. 16-18.
To view more photos of the event, check out the Mac Tools Fair 2022 photo gallery.
