Snap-on
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Snap-on Incorporated is an American designer, manufacturer and marketer of high-end tools and equipment for professional use in the transportation industry including the automotive, heavy duty, equipment, marine, aviation, and railroad industries.
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Securities & Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended January 2, 1999

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number 1-7724

SNAP-ON INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 39-0622040
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

10801 Corporate Drive, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin 53158-1603
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (414) 656-5200

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Name of exchange on which registered
- ------------------- -------------------------------------
Common stock, $1 par value New York Stock Exchange
Preferred stock purchase rights New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past 90 days. Yes [ X] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
the best of the registrant's knowledge, in a definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]

Aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant
at February 23, 1999:
$1,909,184,462

Number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock
at February 23, 1999:
Common stock, $1 par value, 65,591,328 shares

Documents incorporated by reference
Portions of the Corporation's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year
ended January 2, 1999, are incorporated by reference into Parts I, II and IV of
this report.

Portions of the Corporation's Proxy Statement, dated March 12, 1999, prepared
for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders scheduled for April 23, 1999, are
incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page

PART I
Item 1. Business.........................................................3
Item 2. Description of Properties........................................9
Item 3. Legal Proceedings...............................................10
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.............10

PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters..........................................................11
Item 6. Selected Financial Data .........................................11
Item 7. Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations .......................................11
Item 7A. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk.......11
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data......................11
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure ............................................11

PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant...............11
Item 11. Executive Compensation...........................................12
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management...12
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions...................12

PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K..12

Auditor's Reports............................................................13
Signature Pages..............................................................14
Exhibit Index................................................................16

2
PART I

Item I: Business

Snap-on Incorporated (the "Corporation" or "Snap-on") was incorporated under the
laws of the state of Wisconsin in 1920 and reincorporated under the laws of the
state of Delaware in 1930. Snap-on's mission is to create value by providing
innovative solutions to transportation service and industrial customers
worldwide. Snap-on is a leading global developer, manufacturer and distributor
of professional tools, equipment and related services marketed in more than 150
countries. Long known as a quality and performance leader in professional tools
and tool storage, Snap-on now offers a full range of capabilities in the
automotive service environment. The Corporation's largest geographic markets
include the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Japan,
Mexico, the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom. Customers include
professional technicians, independent automotive repair and body shops,
franchised service centers, specialty repair shops, automotive dealerships,
vehicle manufacturers, and industry and government. The originator of the dealer
van distribution channel, Snap-on also reaches its customers through company
direct and distributor channels where appropriate.

The Corporation's business segments are based on the organization structure that
is used by management for making operating and investment decisions and for
assessing performance. Based on this management approach, the Corporation has
five reportable segments: North America Transportation, North America Other,
Europe, International and Financial Services. The North America Transportation
segment consists of the Corporation's business operations serving the franchised
dealer channel in the United States and Canada. The North America Other segment
consists of the Corporation's business operations serving the direct sales and
distributor channels in the United States and Canada, as well as the
Corporation's exports from the United States. The Europe segment consists of the
Corporation's operations in Europe and Africa. The International segment
consists of the Corporation's operations in the Asia/Pacific region and Latin
America. These four segments derive revenues primarily from the sale of tools
and equipment and related services. The Financial Services segment provides
financing to technicians and shop owners, as well as to dealers. Additional
information about the Corporation's business segments, customers, domestic and
international operations and products and services is provided in Note 13 on
pages 37 and 38 of the Corporation's 1998 Annual Report, incorporated herein by
reference.

In 1998, the Corporation announced a simplification initiative ("Project
Simplify") which is a broad program of internal rationalizations, consolidations
and reorganizations. The goal is to make the Corporation's business operations
simpler and more effective. Additional information regarding Project Simplify
can be found on page 17, Management's Discussion and Analysis, and in Note 14 on
pages 38 and 39, of the Corporation's 1998 Annual Report, incorporated herein by
reference.

During 1998, the Corporation acquired full or partial ownership of five new
business operations and an additional interest in a business for an aggregate
cash purchase price of $79.5 million. Each of the acquisitions provides the
Corporation with a complementary product line, new customer relationships,
access to additional distribution and/or extended geographic reach. These
acquisitions were 100% interests in White Industries ("White"), Hein-Werner
Corporation ("Hein-Werner"), Nationwide International L.L.C. ("Nationwide"), and
G.S. S.r.l. ("G.S."); a 55% interest in Cartec GmbH ("Cartec"); and an
additional 10% interest in the Thompson Corporation's Mitchell Repair
Information business. Subsequent to the end of the year, the Corporation
announced that it had exercised its call option to purchase from its venture
partner, The Thompson Corporation, a further stake in their Mitchell Repair
Information business, which will result in Snap-on's owning 99% of Mitchell
Repair Information Company ("MRIC").

White manufactures equipment used to recover, recycle and recharge refrigerant
in vehicle air-conditioning systems. Hein-Werner is a leading manufacturer of
collision repair products in North America and Europe. Nationwide is a
franchisor of vehicle and service repair facilities. G.S. is an Italy-based
manufacturer and distributor of wheel service equipment. Cartec is a German
manufacturer of test and safety lane equipment. MRIC is a major provider of
print and electronic versions of vehicle mechanical and electrical repair
information and of shop management software to repair and service establishments
throughout North America.

Products and Services

The Corporation derives income from the manufacture, marketing and distribution
of its products and related services, and the financing of certain of its
products. The Corporation's four reportable manufacturing, marketing and
distribution


3
segments offer a broad line of products and complementary  services which can be
divided into two groups: tools and equipment. The following table shows the
approximate percentage of consolidated sales for each of these product groups in
each of the past three years.


Product Group % of Sales
1998 1997 1996
Tools 52% 55% 58%
Equipment 48% 45% 42%
---- ----- -----
100% 100% 100%

The tools product group includes hand tools, power tools and tool storage
products. Hand tools include wrenches, screwdrivers, sockets, pliers, ratchets
and other similar products, and instruments developed for medical applications
and for the manufacture and servicing of electronic equipment. Power tools
include pneumatic (air), cord-free (battery) and corded (electric) tools such as
impact wrenches, ratchets, chisels, drills, sanders, polishers and similar
products. Tool storage units include tool chests, roll cabinets and other
similar products for automotive, industrial, aerospace and other storage
applications. The majority of products are manufactured by Snap-on; to complete
the product line, some items are purchased from external manufacturers.

The equipment product group includes hardware and software solutions for the
diagnosis and service of automotive and industrial equipment. Products include
engine and emissions analyzers, air conditioning service equipment, brake
service equipment, wheel balancing and alignment equipment, transmission
troubleshooting equipment, vehicle safety testing equipment, battery chargers,
lifts and hoists, diagnostics equipment and collision repair equipment. Also
included are service and repair information products, on-line diagnostics
services, management systems, point of sale systems, integrated systems for
automotive repair shops, and purchasing facilitation services. In the United
States, the Corporation supports the sale of its diagnostics and shop equipment
by offering training programs to technician customers. These programs offer
certification in both specific automotive technologies and in the application of
specific diagnostics equipment developed and marketed by the Corporation.

Tools and equipment are marketed under a number of brand names and trademarks,
many of which are well known in the automotive and industrial markets served.
Some of the major trade names and trademarks and the products and services with
which they are associated include the following:

Trade Names/Trademarks Products and Services

Snap-on Hand tools, power tools, tool storage units, and
certain equipment

Blue Point Hand tools, power tools, tool storage units

J.H. Williams (Williams Hand tools

A.T.I. Tools (ATI) Tools and equipment for aerospace and industrial
applications

Sioux Tools (Sioux) Power tools

Sun Electric (Sun) Diagnostics and service equipment

Balco Engine diagnostics and wheel balancers

White Equipment to recover, recycle and recharge
refrigerant in vehicle air-conditioning systems

John Bean Under-car and other service equipment

Wheeltronic Hoists and lifts for vehicle service shops

Hofmann Wheel balancers, lifts, tire changers and
aligners

G.S. Wheel service equipment



4
Brewco                   Frame straightening equipment, vehicle measuring
systems, paint booths and other collision repair
equipment

Hein-Werner Collision repair products

Mitchell Repair and service information and shop
management systems

The Financial Services segment offers credit programs that facilitate the sale
of many of the Corporation's products and services. Through a contractual
arrangement, extended credit is offered to technicians to enable them to
purchase tools and equipment that can be used to generate income while they pay
for the products over time. Financing, in a lease format, is also offered to
shop owners, both independent and national chains, who purchase equipment items,
which typically are higher price point products than tools. The duration of
lease contracts is often two to three times that of extended credit contracts.

The Corporation's financing activities have been conducted primarily through its
Snap-on Credit Corporation (the "Credit Corp") subsidiary. The Credit Corp is
responsible for certain credit and non-credit services used to support sales and
to provide dealer financing options. Currently, the majority of its revenues are
derived from the automotive service industry in North America.

Credit Corp also makes available financing to new dealers, whereby a 10-year
loan is originated to enable the dealer to fund the purchase of the franchise
and the related working capital needs, particularly inventory and customer
receivables.

On January 3, 1999, the Corporation established a joint venture with Newcourt
Financial USA Inc. ("Newcourt") to provide financial services to the
Corporation's global dealer and customer network. Such services will be provided
through a limited liability company know as Snap-on Credit LLC (the "LLC"),
which is 50% owned by the Corporation and 50% owned by Newcourt. As a result of
the establishment of the joint venture, the Corporation effectively outsourced
to the LLC the credit function that the Credit Corp previously managed.
Additional information about the LLC is provided in Note 15 on page 39 of the
Corporation's 1998 Annual Report, incorporated herein by reference.

Market Sectors Served

The Corporation markets and distributes its products and related services
primarily to professional users around the world in two market sectors: the
vehicle service and repair sector, and the industrial sector

Vehicle Service and Repair Sector

The vehicle service and repair sector has three main customer groups:
professional technicians, primarily in the vehicle service industry, who
purchase tools and equipment for themselves; service and repair shop owners and
managers -- including independent shops, national chains and automotive
dealerships -- who purchase equipment for use by multiple technicians within a
service or repair facility; and vehicle manufacturers.

The Corporation provides innovative tool and equipment solutions, as well as
technical sales support and training, to meet technicians' evolving needs.
Snap-on's dealer van distribution system offers technicians the convenience of
purchasing quality tools with minimal disruption of their work routine. The
Corporation also serves owners and managers of shops where technicians work with
tools, diagnostics equipment, repair and service information, and shop
management products. Snap-on provides vehicle manufacturers products and
services including tools, facilitation services for the purchase and
distribution of equipment, and consulting services.

Major challenges for the Corporation and the vehicle service and repair industry
include the increasing rate of technological change within motor vehicles, and
the evolution in the conduct of business by both suppliers and customers that is
necessitated by such change.


5
Industrial Sector

The Corporation markets its products to a wide variety of industrial customers,
including industrial maintenance and repair facilities; manufacturing and
assembly operations; industrial distributors; government facilities; schools;
and original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs") who require instrumentation or
service tools and equipment for their products.

Major challenges in the industrial market include a highly competitive,
cost-conscious environment, and a trend toward customers making all of their
tool purchases through one integrated supplier. The Corporation believes it is
currently a meaningful participant in the market for industrial tools and
equipment.


Distribution Channels

The Corporation serves customers primarily through three channels of
distribution: dealer/tech reps, company direct sales, and distributors. The
following discussion represents the Corporation's general approach in each
channel, and is not intended to be all-inclusive.

Dealer/Tech Rep Organization

In the United States, the majority of sales to the automotive repair industry
are conducted through the Corporation's dealer/tech rep network; the market
served by this network centers on professional technicians and shop owners.
Snap-on's mobile dealer van system covers automotive technicians and independent
shop owners, calling weekly at the customer's place of business. Dealers' sales
are concentrated in hand and power tools and some small equipment, which can
easily be transported in a van and demonstrated during a brief sales call, as
well as in tool storage units. Dealers purchase the Corporation's products at a
discount from suggested retail prices and resell them at prices of the dealer's
choosing. Although some dealers have sales areas defined by other methods, most
U.S. dealers are provided a list of places of business which serves as the basis
of the dealer's sales route.

The dealer sales force is supported by the Snap-on/Sun Tech Systems employee
sales force ("Tech Specialists"), who work with dealers in the demonstration and
sale of diagnostics equipment and also sell higher-end diagnostics and shop
equipment on their own. Tech Specialists are compensated primarily on the basis
of commission; dealers receive a commission for referring business to Tech
Specialists.

Most products sold through the dealer/tech rep organization are sold under the
Snap-on or Sun brand names.

Since 1991, all new U.S. dealers, and a majority of existing U.S. dealers, have
been enrolled as franchisees of the Corporation. The Corporation currently
charges initial and ongoing monthly license fees, which do not add materially to
the Corporation's revenues. The Corporation makes it possible for prospective
dealer candidates to work as employee sales representatives, at salary plus
commission, for up to one year prior to making an investment in a franchise. In
addition, through Snap-on Financial Services, Inc. and its subsidiary, the
Credit Corp, the Corporation provides financial assistance for newly converted
franchised dealers and other new franchise dealers, which could include
financing for initial license fees, inventory, revolving accounts receivable
acquisition, equipment, fixtures, other expenses and an initial checking account
deposit. At year-end 1998, approximately 89 percent of all U.S. dealers were
enrolled as franchisees.

The Corporation services and supports its dealers with an extensive field
organization of branch offices and service and distribution centers. The
Corporation also provides sales training, customer and dealer financial
assistance, and marketing and product promotion programs to help maximize dealer
sales. A National Dealer Advisory Council, composed of and elected by dealers,
assists the Corporation in identifying and implementing enhancements to the
franchise program.

The Corporation has replicated its dealer van method of distribution in certain
countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany, Mexico, the Netherlands, Japan
and the United Kingdom. In these markets, as in the United States, purchase
decisions are generally made by professional technicians. The Corporation
markets products in certain other countries through its subsidiary, Snap-on
Tools International, Ltd., which sells to foreign distributors under license or
contract with the Corporation.

6
Company Direct Sales

In the United States, a growing proportion of sales of Snap-on and Sun equipment
are made by a direct sales force that has responsibility for national accounts.
As the automotive service and repair industry consolidates, with more business
conducted by national chains, automotive dealerships and franchised service
centers, these larger organizations can be serviced most effectively by sales
people who can demonstrate and sell the full line of products and services. The
Corporation also sells its products and services directly to vehicle
manufacturers.

Tools and equipment are marketed to industrial and governmental customers and
for the medical profession in the United States through industrial sales
representatives, who are employees, and independent industrial distributors. The
sales representatives focus on industrial customers whose main purchase criteria
are quality and service, as well as on certain OEM accounts. At the end of 1998,
the Corporation had industrial sales representatives in the United States,
Canada, Australia, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and some European countries, with
the United States representing the majority of the Corporation's total
industrial sales.

Tools and equipment for the U.S. industrial and government markets are sold
through a direct sales force as well as through industrial distributors. In most
markets outside the United States, industrial sales are conducted through
distributors.

Distributors

Sales of certain tools and equipment are made through automotive and industrial
distributors, who purchase the items from Snap-on and resell them to the end
users. Products sold through distributors in North America, Europe and select
other parts of the world include under-car and other service equipment. These
products are sold under brands including John Bean, Hofmann, Irimo, Palmero and
Acesa, and are differentiated from those sold through the dealer/tech rep and
direct sales channels. Sun brand equipment is marketed through distributors in
South America and Asia, and through both a direct sales force and distributors
in Europe.

Competition

The Corporation competes on the basis of its product quality, service, brand
awareness and technological innovation. While no one company competes with the
Corporation across all of its product lines and distribution channels, various
companies compete in one or more product categories and/or distribution
channels.

The Corporation believes that it is a leading manufacturer and distributor of
its products for the customers it serves in the vehicle service industry, and
that it offers the broadest line of products to the vehicle service industry.
The major competitors selling to professional technicians in the vehicle service
and repair sector through the mobile van channel include MAC Tools (The Stanley
Works) and Matco (Danaher Corporation). The Corporation also competes with
companies that sell through non-mobile van distributors; these competitors
include The Stanley Works, Sears, Roebuck and Co., and Strafor Facom. In the
industrial sector, major competitors include Armstrong (Danaher Corporation),
Cooper Industries, Inc. and Proto (The Stanley Works). The major competitors
selling diagnostics and shop equipment to shop owners in the vehicle service and
repair sector include SPX Corporation, Corghi S.p.A., Pentair, Inc. and Hunter
Engineering.

Raw Material & Purchased Product

The Corporation's supply of raw materials (including primarily various grades of
steel bars and sheets) and purchased components are readily available from
numerous suppliers.

The majority of 1998 consolidated net sales consisted of products manufactured
by the Corporation. The remainder was purchased from outside suppliers. No
single supplier's products accounted for a material portion of 1998 consolidated
net sales.


7
Patents and Trademarks

The Corporation vigorously pursues and relies on patent protection to protect
its inventions and its position in its markets. As of January 2, 1999, the
Corporation and its subsidiaries held over 1,000 patents worldwide, with more
than 600 pending patent applications. No sales relating to any single patent
represent a material portion of the Corporation's revenues in 1998.

Examples of products that have features or designs that benefit from patent
protection include engine analyzers, serrated jaw open-end wrenches, wheel
alignment systems, wheel balancers, sealed ratchets, electronic torque wrenches,
ratcheting screwdrivers, emissions sensing devices and air conditioning
equipment.

Much of the technology used in the manufacturing of automotive tools and
equipment is in the public domain. The Corporation relies primarily on trade
secret protection to protect proprietary processes used in manufacturing.
Methods and processes are patented when appropriate.

Trademarks used by the Corporation are of continuing importance to the
Corporation in the marketplace. Trademarks have been registered in the United
States and 78 other countries, and additional applications for trademark
registrations are pending. The Corporation rigorously polices proper use of its
trademarks.

The Corporation's right to manufacture and sell certain products is dependent
upon licenses from others. These products do not represent a material portion of
the Corporation's sales.

Working Capital

Because most of the Corporation's business is not seasonal, and its inventory
needs are relatively constant, no unusual working capital needs arise during the
year.

The Corporation's use of working capital to extend credit to its dealers and to
purchase installment credit receivables from dealers is discussed in
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial
Condition," which is found on pages 17 to 23 of the Corporation's 1998 Annual
Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

The Corporation does not depend on any single customer, small group of customers
or government for any material part of its sales, and has no significant backlog
of orders.

Environment

The Corporation complies with applicable environmental control requirements in
its operations. Compliance has not had, and the Corporation does not for the
foreseeable future expect it to have, a material effect upon the Corporation's
capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position.

Employees

At the end of 1998, the Corporation employed approximately 12,000 people, of
whom approximately 38 percent are engaged in manufacturing activities.


8
Item 2: Description of Properties

The Corporation maintains both leased and owned manufacturing, warehouse,
distribution and office facilities throughout the world. The Corporation
believes that its facilities are well maintained and have a capacity adequate to
meet the Corporation's present and foreseeable future demand. The Corporation's
U.S. facilities occupy approximately 4.6 million square feet, of which
approximately 75 percent is owned. The Corporation's facilities outside the U.S.
contain approximately 2.6 million square feet, of which approximately 52 percent
is owned.

The Corporation's principal manufacturing locations and distribution centers are
as follows:

Location Type of property Owned/Leased
- -------- ---------------- ------------
Conway, Arkansas Manufacturing Owned
City of Industry, California Manufacturing Leased
Escondido, California Manufacturing Owned
San Jose, California Manufacturing Leased
Columbus, Georgia Manufacturing Owned

Crystal Lake, Illinois Distribution and manufacturing Owned
Mt. Carmel, Illinois Manufacturing Owned
Ottawa, Illinois Distribution Owned
Algona, Iowa Manufacturing Owned
Sioux City, Iowa Manufacturing Owned

Natick, Massachusetts Manufacturing Owned
Olive Branch, Mississippi Distribution Leased and owned
Carson City, Nevada Distribution Leased and owned
Robesonia, Pennsylvania Distribution Owned
Johnson City, Tennessee Manufacturing Owned

Elizabethton, Tennessee Manufacturing Owned
Baraboo, Wisconsin Manufacturing Leased
East Troy, Wisconsin Manufacturing Owned
Elkhorn, Wisconsin Manufacturing Owned
Kenosha, Wisconsin Manufacturing Owned

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Manufacturing Owned
Sydney, Australia Distribution Leased
Barbara D'oeste, Brazil Manufacturing Owned
Calgary, Canada Distribution Leased
Mississagua, Canada Manufacturing Leased

Newmarket, Canada Distribution and manufacturing Owned
Kettering, England Distribution Owned
King's Lynn, England Distribution and manufacturing Owned
Altmittweida, Germany Distribution Owned
Pfungstadt, Germany Manufacturing Leased

Unterneukirchen, Germany Manufacturing Leased
Sopron, Hungary Manufacturing Owned
Shannon, Ireland Manufacturing Leased
Corregio, Italy Manufacturing Owned
Tokyo, Japan Distribution Leased

Amsterdam, the Netherlands Distribution Owned
Irun, Spain Manufacturing Owned
Soria, Spain Manufacturing Owned
Urretxu, Spain Manufacturing Owned
Vitoria, Spain Distribution and manufacturing Owned


9
Item 3: Legal Proceedings

The Corporation intervened in litigation commenced by Tejas Testing Technology
One, L.C. and Tejas Testing Technology Two, L.C. (the "Tejas Companies"), and is
involved in a suit with SPX Corporation, as described in Note 12 to the
Financial Statements of the Corporation on pages 36 and 37 of its 1998 Annual
Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

There was no matter submitted to a vote of the shareholders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year ending January 2, 1999.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

The executive officers of the Corporation, their ages as of January 2, 1999, and
their current titles and positions held during the last five years are listed
below.

Robert A. Cornog (58) - Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
since July 1991. A Director since 1982.

Branko M. Beronja (64) - Executive Vice President since October 1998. Senior
Vice President - Diagnostics from February 1998 to October 1998. Senior Vice
President - Diagnostics, North America from April 1996 to February 1998.
President - North American Operations from April 1994 to April 1996, and Vice
President - Sales, North America from August 1989 to April 1994. A Director
since January 1997.

Frederick D. Hay (54) - Senior Vice President - Operations since October 1998.
Senior Vice President - Transportation from February 1996 to October 1998. Prior
to joining Snap-on, he was President of the Interior Systems and Components
Division of UT Automotive, a business unit of United Technologies Corporation,
from December 1989 to January 1996.

Donald S. Huml (52) - Senior Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial
Officer since August 1994. Prior to joining Snap-on, he was Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Saint-Gobain Corporation from December 1990 to August
1994.

Michael F. Montemurro (50) - Senior Vice President - Transportation since
October 1998. Senior Vice President - Financial Services and Administration from
August 1994 to October 1998. Senior Vice President - Financial Services,
Administration and Chief Financial Officer from April 1994 to August 1994.
Senior Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer from March 1990 to
April 1994.

Neil T. Smith (44) - Controller since November 1997. Financial Controller from
June 1997 to November 1997. Director of Financial Analysis and Planning from
December 1994 to May 1997. Prior to joining Snap-on, he was Director of Finance
for the Nielsen Marketing Research Division of Dun and Bradstreet Corporation
from January 1991 to December 1994.

Susan F. Marrinan (50) - Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel since
January 1992.

There is no family relationship among the executive officers and there has been
no involvement in legal proceedings during the past five years that would be
material to the evaluation of the ability or integrity of any of the executive
officers. Executive officers may be elected by the board of directors or
appointed by the Chief Executive Officer at the regular meeting of the board of
directors which follows the Annual Shareholders' Meeting, held on the fourth
Friday of April each year, and at such other times as new positions are created
or vacancies must be filled.


10
PART II

Item 5: Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

On June 26, 1998, the Corporation's board of directors authorized the repurchase
of up to $100.0 million of the Corporation's common stock. On June 27, 1997, the
Corporation's board of directors authorized the repurchase of $100.0 million of
the Corporation's common stock over a two-year period. At the end of 1998, the
1997 authorization essentially had been exhausted, and all of the 1998
authorization remained available. In 1996, the Corporation's board of directors
approved an ongoing authorization to repurchase stock in an amount equivalent to
that necessary to prevent dilution created by shares issued for stock options,
employee and dealer stock purchase plans, and other corporate purposes. In 1998,
the Corporation repurchased 2,279,400 shares of its common stock at an average
price of $39.64.

At January 2, 1999, the Corporation had 65,668,945 shares of common stock
outstanding. This consists of 58,744,926 shares which are considered outstanding
for purposes of computing earnings per share and an additional 6,924,019 shares
held in a Grantor Stock Trust which are considered outstanding for voting
purposes only.

Subsequent to the end of the year, at its January 1999 meeting, the board of
directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $50.0 million of the
Corporation's common stock.

Additional information required by Item 5 is contained on in the Six-year Data
and Investor Information on pages 41 and 45 of the Corporation's 1998 Annual
Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 6: Selected Financial Data

The information required by Item 6 is contained in the Quarterly Information and
Six-year Data on pages 40 and 41 of the Corporation's 1998 Annual Report and is
incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations

The information required by Item 7 is contained on pages 17 to 23 of the
Corporation's 1998 Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7A: Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The information required by Item 7A is contained on pages 22 and 32 of the
Corporation's 1998 Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.


Item 8: Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The information required by Item 8 is contained on pages 24 to 39 of the
Corporation's 1998 Annual Report and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9: Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure

None.

PART III

Item 10: Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

The identification of the Corporation's directors as required by Item 10 is
contained in the Corporation's Proxy Statement, dated March 12, 1999, and is
incorporated herein by reference to said Proxy Statement. With respect to
information about the Corporation's executive officers, see caption "Executive
Officers of the Registrant" at the end of Part I of this report.

The disclosure concerning Section 16(a) filing compliance pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is contained on page 19 of the Corporation's Proxy Statement,
dated March 12, 1999, and is incorporated herein by reference to said Proxy
Statement.


11
Item 11: Executive Compensation

The information required by Item 11 is contained on pages 15 to 18 of the
Corporation's Proxy Statement, dated March 12, 1999, and is incorporated herein
by reference.

Item 12: Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The information required by Item 12 is contained on pages 8 to 9 of the
Corporation's Proxy Statement, dated March 12, 1999, and is incorporated herein
by reference.

Item 13: Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

None.

PART IV

Item 14: Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

Item 14(A): Document List

1. List of Financial Statements

The following consolidated financial statements of Snap-on Incorporated, and the
Auditors' Report thereon, each included in the 1998 Annual Report of the
Corporation to its shareholders for the year ended January 2, 1999, are
incorporated by reference in Item 8 of this report:

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 2, 1999 and January 3, 1998.

Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the years ended January 2, 1999, January
3, 1998 and December 28, 1996.

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Comprehensive Income for the
years ended January 2, 1999, January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended January 2, 1999,
January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2. Financial Statement Schedule

The following consolidated financial statement schedule of Snap-on Incorporated
is included in Item 14(d) as a separate section of this report.

Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves. Page 18

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are inapplicable and,
therefore, have been omitted, or are included in the Corporation's 1998 Annual
Report in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended
January 2, 1999, January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996, which are incorporated
by reference in Item 8 of this report.

3. List of Exhibits

The exhibits filed with or incorporated by reference in this report are as
specified in the exhibit index. Page 16

Item 14(B): Reports on Form 8-K

During the fourth quarter of 1998, the Corporation reported on Form 8-K dated
October 22, 1998 its third quarter 1998 Analyst Bulletin.

Subsequent to year-end, the Corporation reported on Form 8-K dated January 19,
1999 that the Corporation and Newcourt Financial USA Inc. had established a
joint venture known as Snap-on Credit LLC, which will serve as the preferred
provider of financial services to the Corporation's global dealer and customer
network.


12
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE


We have audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the
financial statements included in Snap-on Incorporated's (the "Corporation")
Annual Report to Shareholders, incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K, and
have issued our report thereon dated February 2, 1999. Our audit was made for
the purpose of forming an opinion on those statements taken as a whole. The
schedule listed on page 18 is the responsibility of the Corporation's management
and is presented for purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange
Commission's rules and is not part of the basic financial statements. This
schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of
the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all
material respects the financial data required to be set forth therein in
relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.


/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Chicago, Illinois
February 2, 1999



CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Form 10-K of our report dated February 2, 1999 included in the
Corporation's previously filed Registration Statement File Nos. 2-53663,
2-53578, 33-7471, 33-22417, 33-37924, 33-39660, 33-57898, 33-55607, 33-58939,
33-58943, 333-14769, 333-21277, 333-21285 and 333-41359. It should be noted that
we have not audited any financial statements of the Corporation subsequent to
January 2, 1999 or performed any audit procedures subsequent to the date of our
report.


/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Chicago, Illinois
March 29, 1999



13
SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Corporation has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


SNAP-ON INCORPORATED

By: /s/ R. A. Cornog Date: March 26, 1999
R. A. Cornog, Chairman of the Board of Directors,
President and Chief Executive Officer


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Corporation and in the
capacities as indicated.



/s/ R. A. Cornog Date: March 26, 1999
R. A. Cornog, Chairman of the Board of Directors,
President and Chief Executive Officer



/s/ D. S. Huml Date: March 26, 1999
D. S. Huml, Principal Financial Officer,
and Senior Vice President - Finance



/s/ N. T. Smith Date: March 26, 1999
N. T. Smith, Principal Accounting Officer,
and Controller


14
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed by the following persons on behalf of the Corporation and in the
capacities as indicated.


By: /s/ B. M. Beronja Date: March 26, 1999
B. M. Beronja, Director


By: /s/ D. W. Brinckman Date: March 26, 1999
D. W. Brinckman, Director


By: /s/ B. S. Chelberg Date: March 26, 1999
B. S. Chelberg, Director


By: /s/ R. J. Decyk Date: March 26, 1999
R. J. Decyk, Director


By: /s/ L. A. Hadley Date: March 26, 1999
L. A. Hadley, Director


By: /s/ A. L. Kelly Date: March 26, 1999
A. L. Kelly, Director


By: /s/ G. W. Mead Date: March 26, 1999
G. W. Mead, Director


By: /s/ J. D. Michaels Date: March 26, 1999
J. D. Michaels, Director


By: /s/ E. H. Rensi Date: March 26, 1999
E. H. Rensi, Director


By: /s/ R. F. Teerlink Date: March 26, 1999
R. F. Teerlink, Director



15
EXHIBIT INDEX
Item 14(c): Exhibits
- ---------------------
(3) (a) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation as
amended through April 25, 1997 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (3)(a) to the Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended January 2, 1998 (Commission File No.
1-7724))

(b) Bylaws of the Corporation, effective as of January 26, 1996
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(b) to the Corporation's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30,
1996 (Commission File No. 1-7724))

(4) (a) Rights Agreement between the Corporation and First Chicago Trust
Company of New York, effective as of August 22, 1997 (incorporated
by reference to the Corporation's Form 8-A12B dated October 17,
1997 (Commission File No. 1-7724))

The Corporation and its subsidiaries have no long-term debt agreement for
which the related outstanding debt exceeds 10% of consolidated total
assets as of January 2, 1999. Copies of debt instruments for which the
related debt is less than 10% of consolidated total assets will be
furnished to the Commission upon request.

(10) Material Contracts

(a) Amended and Restated Snap-on Incorporated 1986 Incentive Stock
Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(a) to the
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 28, 1996 (Commission File No. 1-7724))*

(b) Form of Restated Senior Officer Agreement between the Corporation
and each of Robert A. Cornog, Branko M. Beronja, Frederick D. Hay,
Donald S. Huml and Michael F. Montemurro (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (10)(b) to the Corporation's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 1995 (Commission
File No. 1-7724))*

(c) Form of Restated Executive Agreement between the Corporation and
each of Alan T. Biland, Sharon M. Brady, Richard V. Caskey, Dan G.
Craighead, Dale F. Elliott, Nicholas L. Loffredo, Denis J.
Loverine, Susan F. Marrinan and Neil T. Smith (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (10)(b) to the Corporation's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 1995 (Commission
File No. 1-7724))*

(d) Deferred Compensation Waiver and Insurance Benefit Agreement
between the Corporation and Robert A. Cornog dated January 30,
1998.*

(e) Deferred Compensation Waiver and Insurance Benefit Agreement
between the Corporation and Branko M. Beronja dated December 21,
1998*

(f) Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Corporation and each
of the Directors, Frederick D. Hay, Donald S. Huml, Susan F.
Marrinan and Michael F. Montemurro effective October 24, 1997
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(a) to the Corporation's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2,
1998 (Commission File No. 1-7724))*

(g) Amended and Restated Snap-on Incorporated Directors' 1993 Fee Plan
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(e) to the Corporation's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28,
1996 (Commission File No. 1-7724))*

(h) Snap-on Incorporated Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (10)(f) to the Corporation's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 1996 (Commission
File No. 1-7724))*

(i) Snap-on Incorporated Supplemental Retirement Plan for Officers
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(b) to the Corporation's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30,
1995 (Commission File No. 1-7724))*


16
EXHIBIT INDEX (continued)

(j) Benefit Trust Agreement between the Corporation and The Northern
Trust Company, effective as of July 2, 1998 (incorporated by
reference to the Corporation's Form 8-K dated July 2, 1998
(Commission File No. 1-7724))


(12) Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(13) Annual Report to Shareholders

(21) Subsidiaries of the Corporation

(23) Consent of Independent Public Accountants

(27) Fiscal 1998 Financial Data Schedule

* Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES

Balance of
Balance at Subsidiary Balance at
Beginning at Time of Costs and End of
Description of Year Acquisition Expenses Deductions (1) Year
- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -------------- ----

Allowance for
doubtful accounts
- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended
January 2, 1999 $20,644,676 $ 2,072,723 $24,983,781 $18,470,578 $29,230,602

Year ended
January 3, 1998 $16,902,581 $ 2,220,474 $21,039,748 $19,518,127 $20,644,676

Year ended
December 28, 1996 $14,650,458 $ 296,140 $13,611,414 $11,655,431 $16,902,581


(1) This amount represents write-offs of bad debts.
</TABLE>


18