ISSUE 58 JUNE 2023
THE VOICE OF THE NEW ZEALAND AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
DRIVEN BY PASSION FOR 100 YEARS
Roadmap to franchise success FORMER HYDRAULICS ENGINEER, ROGER WOLF, MADE THE BOLD MOVE TO BECOME A SNAP-ON FRANCHISE OWNER 20 YEARS AGO. HERE HE SHARES HIS STORY, THE SECRETS TO HIS SUCCESS, AND WHY HE HAS NEVER LOOKED BACK
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s a former hydraulics specialist who had responsibilities like simulating aircraft engine fires and helping re-design hydraulic systems that saved hundreds of litres of oil at a major South Island power station, Roger Wolf knows the importance of quality tools to get the tough jobs done. That — and the fact that Snap-on runs in his family genes — were some of the reasons that 20 years ago, he left the hydraulics engineering industry behind to triumph as a Snap-on franchise owner. Snap-on Tools is a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics, and equipment solutions for professionals. Founded in Wisconsin, USA, the Snap-on range now boasts over 22,000 tools, storage products, diagnostics, equipment, and related accessories. It has 13 manufacturing facilities in the USA, serves customers in more than 130 countries, and also has a global franchise network of more than 4800 franchises.
“It’s a high-quality brand and everybody knows about it,” says Roger in his trademark friendly, warm manner. “It’s been around since the 1920s and everyone knows how good it is.” The Minnesota native came to New Zealand for a wedding in the early 90s and loved it so much that he decided to do his overseas experience here. One thing led to another and he took hydraulics-related roles in Auckland then Christchurch and finally, Invercargill, where he met his now wife and began to set down roots in the far South. “I loved New Zealand. Invercargill, back in the mid 1990s reminded me of what I thought the USA was like in the 1950s,” he says, reminiscing about the inherent comforts of a quiet city that would only come to life on Friday night and Saturday morning downtown shopping sprees. With a new family on the way, Roger started
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PERFORMANCE HALOGEN GLOBES Features l Up to 200% more light on the road* l Up to 80 metres longer beam l 20% whiter light* l ADR approved and street legal l Suitable for polycarbonate headlamps No increase in power consumption or heat * Compared with standard halogen l globe 3750°K
SINGLE BLISTER PACKS
STREET LEGAL
48392BL
H4 12V 60/55W P43T
48396BL
H7 12V 55W PX26D
TWIN BLISTER PACKS
48392BL2 H4 12V 60/55W P43T 48396BL2 H7 12V 55W PX26D * Compared with standard halogen globe