The 2024 Tool Dealer Expo hosted by Integrated Supply Network (ISN) took place in Orlando, Fla., and featured over 100 supplier brands and nearly 2,000 attendees.
This is the 24th year that ISN has hosted the Tool Dealer Expo and 34 new products debuted at the show, according to ISN officials.
Suppliers at the show displayed many new tools and technology that will benefit the tire industry.
Pre-show demos
More than 450 supplier representatives attended the show. Before it opened on July 13, certain suppliers gathered to put on new product demos for the press.
Suppliers that participated in the early access demos included Bosch, Sunex Tools, Launch Tech Co. Ltd., Ingersoll Rand Inc., Atlas Automotive Equipment LLC and more.
This allowed suppliers to answer specific questions and take the press into a deep dive of new tools and products.
New products
According to ISN officials, many of the products that were introduced at the show can be used to enhance tire technicians' effectiveness.
Ingersoll Rand highlighted its 2236 Max High Visibility Series of half-inch impact wrenches.
The wrenches include the 2236QTiMAX-O in orange, the 2236QTiMAX-G in green and the 2236QTiMAX-R in red.
These pneumatic impact wrenches feature the patented Drive Xchange System that allows technicians to switch anvils without the use of adapters.
Also showcased were Ingersoll Rand’s DXS impact wrenches and DXS direct drive sockets.
The DXS wrench offers easier access to tight spaces with ¾-inch shorter tool length. The sockets fit “tighter and have more load bearing surface compared to traditional square drivers,” according to Ingersoll Rand officials.
Bosch highlighted many products at the expo and debuted two new products.
The 4247-FR Freightliner double wrap spring bushing tool was showcased at Bosch’s booth. The new, heavy-duty suspension bushing tool replaces worn and rusted double-wrap spring bushings without heat or damage and has a 25-ton capacity.
The tool can be assembled on the spring and bushing without removing the assembly from the vehicle.
Also new were the TR2016 20-ton truck ramps, released under Bosch’s OTC brand.
The heavy-duty ramps, sold as a pair, have a 20-ton capacity, wider front wheel truck ramps with a 33-inch retractable T-handle and more.
The new ramps are ideal for cement trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks and vehicles with wider front wheels.
The non-skid rubber matting under each ramp prevents slippage during loading and unloading.
Tire Mechanics Resource (TMR) also had a booth at the show and highlighted many of its wheel weights, tire valves and flow caps.
TMR showcased its dual-seal flow valve cap, which is a patent-pending, dual seal flow cap with high-temperature seals.
Technicians can inflate and gauge tire pressure directly through the flow cap, according to TMR officials.
The cap fits all standard commercial heavy-duty valves and is designed with two high-temperature seals to prevent air loss even if the valve core is damaged or dirty.
It is designed to fit any air chuck and doesn’t need to be removed while adding air.
LaunchTech USA announced its new, top-of-the-line scanner, the X-431 Throttle V.
The new scan tool combines automotive intelligence, quick navigation and ergonomic handling for automotive diagnostics and repairs, according to LaunchTech USA officials.
It also has access to X-431 FIX and CODEASSIST carline repair information and features 12 gigabytes of memory, 512 gigabytes of storage and more.
Right to Repair
Tools and technology weren’t the only things that were brought to the attention of attendees.
The Auto Care Association had a booth at the show to build awareness around Right to Repair.
“What it’s really all about is just making sure folks in the industry understand that there’s a trade association advocating on their behalf and on behalf of the industry,” said Tod Moore, manager for advocacy and grassroots, Auto Care Association.
Moore said the main goal of the Auto Care Association being at the expo was partly education and partly engagement.
He believes that many people have heard about The Right to Repair Act, but don’t know the current details or where it's currently at.
“For example, most people don’t know what stage the process is in, the fact that it's a completely bipartisan bill and that it has 56 co-sponsors,” he said.
Moore added that the bill was voted out of subcommittee and now is set to go before the full Energy and Commerce Committee.
