walk in vans to carry a growing product line. The company opened their wrench forging plant in Elizabethton, Tennessee in 1974. The next year, Snap-on opened a manufacturing plant in Johnson City, Tennessee and closed the plant in 2007. In 1998, workers at the company's Milwaukee plant voted to join the Teamsters labor union and the company expanded the facility in 2013. Also in 1998, the company began a partnership with Lowe's home improvement chain retailer to produce their Kobalt line of tools. In 2010, the Murphy, North Carolina plant was named one of the top 10 plants in North America by IndustryWeek. In 2011, J.H. Williams & Co was officially renamed Snap-on Industrial Brands. In 2022, the company announced an expansion to its Milwaukee facility to expand its hand tool business. Acquisitions In 2014, the company acquired New Hampshire–based Pro-Cut for $42 million. In October 2016, the company acquired Car-O-Liner Holding AB, a Swedish collision repair tool company, for $155 million. Later that year, the company acquired Sturtevant Richmont for $13 million. In May 2017, the company acquired Norbar Torque Tools Holdings Limited for $72 million. In September 2020, the company acquired AutoCrib Inc. based in Tustin, California for $36 million. In March 2021, Snap-on acquired Canada-based Dealer-FX Group for $200 million. Racing sponsorships The company has sponsored Penske Racing teams in the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series as well as IndyCar. The first driver Snap-on became associated with was Rick Mears in 1979. Since 1992, Snap-on has sponsored Cruz Pedregon. In 2004, the company began sponsoring Cruz’s brother Tony Pedregon. Snap-on has also sponsored Repsol Honda Team in MotoGP since 1998. Snap-on sponsored NHRA drag racer Doug Herbert from 1992 until 2008. For the 2010 racing season, the company sponsored Penske Racing. References External links Automotive tool manufacturers Manufacturing companies established in 1920 Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange Goods manufactured in the United States Kenosha, Wisconsin Manufacturing companies based in Wisconsin Tool manufacturing companies of the United States 1920 establishments in Wisconsin Companies based in Wisconsin