August 2023 - 8

The next big thing
The results are in. See which tools and equipment made
the cut this year and received a 2023 Innovation Award.
By Emily Markham, Editor
EMarkham@VehicleServicePros.com
I
t's undeniable that the auto
industry is in a constant state
of change. As vehicle technology
continues advancing, the tools and equipment
necessary for fixing and maintaining
that technology must evolve as well.
However, when it comes to new tools and
equipment hitting the market, does evolution
always mean innovation? What does
it take for a tool to truly stand out?
In this month's Big-Time Boxes article
(page 50), Autobahn Performance's diagnostician
Mario Rojas shares some of
the many tools he houses in his updated
tool storage setup. From hand tools to
scan tools and so much more, Rojas has
expanded his storage space to ensure his
investments (aka his tools) are safe from
dirt, grime, and the potential of being
stepped on so long as they're tucked away
in his diagnostic cart, toolbox, or one of
his cabinets.
Though content with his setup for the
time being, as any technician knows it's
rather easy to grow out of your toolbox.
Especially when new tools and equipment
are required to do some jobs. Although
new tools aren't always necessary, sometimes
it's for the sake of convenience such
as an updated version of an old tool that
gets the work done in half the time, and
sometimes it's purely a want such as that
new color of a hand tool line that you just
have to own.
It's easy to see how technician's tool collections
have had to grow in more recent
years. Between the boom of ADAS technology
and electric vehicles becoming
more and more popular - technicians and
shops alike have had to adapt. This is why
each year PTEN honors the newest, most
innovative products in the industry with
its Innovation Awards.
We're always on the lookout for the next
" big thing " and how it can help you save
time, be more efficient, and/or make you
more money. The products we're showcasing
on page 18 were hand-picked by a panel
of judges out of over 100 submissions as
26 of the best new products to enter the
industry in the past year.
Each product was judged on the following
criteria:
* Time savings
* Simplifying a task
* Unique/new approach
* Improving a current tool
* Ease of use
While we'll have full product descriptions
for you to peruse in this issue, we'll
also be presenting the Innovation Awards
in person at the Automotive Aftermarket
Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas at our PTEN
booth in November, so if you wanted to
chat with any of these award-winning
companies about their products, our
Innovation Awards ceremony could be
the place to do just that.
If you do attend the show, be sure to
stop by the PTEN booth and say hello.
While you're at it, let us know what tools
and equipment have been " game changers "
for you and your shop this year. And if you
won't be in Vegas, shoot us an email. We'd
love to hear from you!
PTEN EDITORIAL
ADVISORY BOARD
TECHNICIANS
ERIC MOORE,
DeMary Trucks, Columbus, OH
LOU FORT,
K.A.R.S. Inc., Huntingburg, IN
SHOP OWNERS
KIM AUERNHEIMER,
Cool Springs Automotive, Brentwood, TN
TANNER BRANDT,
Autodiag Clinic, Welford, SC
PHIL FOURNIER,
Phil's Auto Clinic, Hemet, CA
JD GOAD,
Goad's Body Shop, Lexington, VA
EDWIN HAZZARD,
Southeast Mobile Tech, Goose Creek, SC
PETE RUDLOFF,
Pete's Garage Inc., Newark, DE
MICHELLE TANSEY,
Dubclinic, Santa Clara, CA
FACEBOOK
facebook.com/
ptenmagazine
LINKEDIN
linkedin.com/company/
professional-equipment-tool-news
INSTAGRAM
@ptenmagazine
YOUTUBE
PTEN (Professional Tool
& Equipment News)
EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS
KIMBERLY COTTLE
Associated Equipment
JIM O'HARA,
Clore Automotive
8 PTEN AUGUST 2023 www.VehicleServicePros.com
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August 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of August 2023
