Posted:13-January-2021
Driven to succeed with Snap-on Tools franchise
As a Snap-on Tools Franchisee Clive Stedman enjoys an excellent income and a respected position in his industry
Clive Stedman left school at 16 and followed in his father’s footsteps at the local quarry, little did he think that, when he was approaching 50, he would be looking back at a long and varied career with Snap-on Tools.
Starting out as a lab technician at the local Tarmacadam quarry, Clive’s job was to Analyse samples and make sure their composition was right. In the 7 years he was there he rose to Logistics Manager. In his final year at the quarry he became a premixed concrete sales representative and he was still only in his early twenties
Clive had a big brother who meant the world to him, being 10 years older he looked up to him and Clive’s brother, Eric, was a Snap-on Tools franchisee. When he asked him to help him out on the weekends Clive jumped at the chance – this was Clive’s introduction to franchising and Snap-on Tools.
It didn’t take Clive long to realise that while being employed at the quarry offered him security it wasn’t what he wanted to do long term. Clive says: “I just knew I had so much more to give, that I had more in me than just being an employee. Wanting to be the best at what I do has always driven me. When I started at the quarry I wanted to be the Managing Director!”
Clive’s brother had sown a seed of franchising in his mind so at the tender age of 21 he approached the local Field Manager, Aldo Rodi (who is now Managing Director of Snap-on Tools), and applied for a franchise. Aldo, understandably, had misgivings about the young, enthusiastic ‘boy’ who wanted to be just like his brother, plus financing was an issue so Clive didn’t succeed in his first attempt.
A year later the territory in North Shropshire became vacant so Clive applied again. He had saved up the additional money he needed, and this time he was successful. Clive takes up the story: “It was a scary and daunting situation, but I knew I had the drive, determination and self belief to succeed. I borrowed the money for my first van and I haven’t looked back since!”
Clive has been with Snap-on for almost 27 years; he even married a Snap-on employee! When they married she left her job joining Clive in his franchise, and from 2003 to 2005 they grew the franchise in to a multi-van franchise that in 2005 was recognised at the Snap-on launch meeting, held at the NIA Birmingham, as the ‘Top Dealership in the World’ for 2004.
Have there been any other exceptional moments in Clive’s 27 years with Snap-on?
There have been so many” says Clive, “it’s hard to single out just one.” But one of the most memorable moments, in Clive’s years at Snap-on, was in 2001, when Shrewsbury based, Clive reached the finals of the BFA’s Franchisee of the year awards.
What advice would Clive give to anyone considering a Snap-on Tools franchise?
“Snap-on have the best products, the best programmes, the best mobile showrooms, the best back-up, with 1 head office support personnel to every 2 franchisees, you are never on your own BUT you also need to be prepared to work hard, especially in the early days. You need to be committed to succeed, don’t come into this wanting to be average – and you need to listen.
“The Snap-on programmes work when you follow them to the letter, I should know, I was a Field Manager and a Sales Manager and when I went back on the road, 17 years ago, I was determined to practice what I preached – and it works!”
Snap-on is a leader in the industry and their tools are universally recognised by professionals as the absolute highest quality in the industry. Snap-on Franchisees are in the enviable position of selling exclusive, premium products to their customers.
Established back in 1920, Snap-on tools have been in business for 97 years, and been in the UK for 47 years. With a Franchise system of over 4,300 Franchisees selling over 22,000 products you can have complete confidence that coming into business with Snap-on means coming into business with the best.
